Chapter #1:
People chatting,bright lights shining,a distant smell of alcohol, are all Natalie remembers, on the sunny August day. She opens the blinds, to reveal the sunlight to the dark hospital room. Natalie has spent the last two weeks in room 213 at North Suburban Medical Center. She's memerized every ceiling spec, every tile pattern, and she's even counted the drips of the IV hookup. As the sunlight illuminates the room, she hears a moan from the bed. She woke him up. Him being her reason for living. Darren Medina, is Natalie's boyfriend of 5 years. He was the reason she sat in the lounge chair in room 213. Darren had been diagonsed with advanded Stage 3 Leukemia, about 2 years ago. In the last two weeks, it has taken a turn for the worst. Natalie knew Darren suffered, but he did it quietly. He never showed weakness with her around. Natalie loved that he tried so hard, but in reality she knew just how much he was hurting. Darren always reminded her of her strentgh, but Natalie always thought it was the effects of the chemothearapy. In the last two weeks, Darren suffered two bone marrow transplants, and a splenectomy. He pushed so hard to live, but everyone around him, witness the very life he cherished leave his body slowly.
It was now the middle of August, Summer was almost over. Most students were getting prepared for the approaching school year. Natalie and Darren's friends were getting ready to attend colleges all over the world. It seemed to make Darren feel down everytime a friend came to visit. It seemed somehow inside he knew it might be the end. But a light gleam in his eye gave hope. The lights were dimmed for the evening, and Natalie sighed as she curled up in the bed beside Darren, careful not to disrupt the IV drip. As she snuggled close they chose a movie to watch, Psycho, Darren's favorite 1960's movie. As the opening credits rolled, Darren gripped Natalie's slender fingers and wrapped them in his. He inhaled, and as he exhaled, he spoke softly "I love you, Natalie." In the blink of an eye, as he took his last breath, the world seemed to stop. The only thing to wake Natalie out of her daze, was the sound of the flatline. The only thing that kept her going was turning cold beside her. As soon as she rose, the doctors came flooding in, pushing Natalie aside. The tears began to roll as she collapsed to the cold tile floor. A rip had just torn her fragile heart into a million pieces of pain.
In the next few days, plans for the funeral were drawn up, people were grieving, and the worst had yet to come. Natalie never left the comfort of her bed. After all she had spent so many restless moments lying in her tears over the last 3 days. She felt aches throughout her entire body, from her head to her toes. She pulled herself up and with the last bit of her energy she placed on her slender frame, a simple black dress. She felt hollow as she walked into the daylight to brace the faces of those she loved. She found her way to the steps of the church. She followed the crowd to the front of the aisle, where the cherry wood coffin now held the body of her boyfriend, her best friend, her lover, and her soul mate. She traced his lips with her shaking fingers, and collapsed in sorrow in front of the entire procession. Only to be lifted by the arms of Darren's brother, Jacob. He held her up tightly as she sobbed into his blazer. The sobbing continued to Darren's final resting place. Natalie had stepped up to place the whitest of roses on the cherry wood surface. It saddened her to think that his cold silent body was to stay there while she continued to live. She thought about this the past few days, just couldnt bring the courage to do it. She tried and tried to control the sobs, as Jacob guided her away from the crowd. He eased her into his car, and drove away from the pain he , himself could no longer hide.
No one could quite stomach the reason Darren was taken at the age of twenty. Darren was strong, althletic, compassionate, and very loving. After graduation he took over the family music store, Dizzy Tunes. He loved his job, and took so much pride in how hard he worked. He was 6'1 with Jet black hair, and the greenest eyes. Natalie would never forget his face no matter how hard she tried. Silent whispers, coughing elders, and grieving faces surround the Medina household. The Medina's lived in a yellow victorian-era home in Thornton. The home was very comforting to Natalie as she stood next to Mrs.Medina, as they received condoloscenes for their loss.
A line began to form, as one person to the next, gave the same ol' "Im Sorry." Natalie felt a knot in her stomach, she knew that all the sorry's in the world could not take away the pain she felt deep into her soul.Hours and hours drug on before guests began to clear the small home. During the commotion, Natalie had fallen asleep in the navy blue recliner in the now silent living room. Careful not to disturb her, Jacob lifted her up and carried her to Darren's unattended bed. As he laid her down, a chill swept over the room. He left quietly and stepped into the backyard. He lifted his head to the starry sky. He sighed and leaned his shoulder on the trunk of an old oak.It seemed as if he was resting his burdens for mere seconds, even though it was a major relief to have them lifted. A eerie feeling crept over Natalie as she stirred, she awoke with a jump as she realized her surroundings. She wept for a few minutes then wiped her tears with the quilt that was wrapped at her legs. She wandered in the dark room until she found her way to the double glass doors, only to see Jacob outside. She opened the door to reveal the cold breeze at her bare feet. She walked towards the old oak tree, when Jacob turned to see her standing there. She seen the pain in his eyes, as tears welled up. She walked over to him and took his hand in hers, as she asked him " Do you think he's still with us,Jacob?"
He took a deep breath in before he answered " Im not sure Nate, but i hope so." At the same time they lifted their heads to the sky and whispered " We love you, Darren." They smiled ever so slightly before heading back inside.
The day after the funeral, it was time to take Natalie home. As Jacob drove, so many thoughts and images swirled through his brain, he swerved off the road quite a few times. The drive was silent, since neither him or Natalie could stand the sound of music. As he pulled to a stop in front Pinecrest Apartments, he threw the car into park and killed the ignition. He stepped out wondering why he agreed to what he was about to do. He agreed to stay a week in the apartment with Natalie. He wasnt quite sure why he agreed, he thought it was because neither of them deserved to be alone, or if it was from pity. They walked through three apartment buildings before reaching building C. Climbing the set of stairs to the second floor, reaching apartment 213, Natalie stops to collect herself and unlock the door. As they enter the tiny apartment, they're pushed back by the smell of cherries, roses, and a small hint of Old Spice body spray.
Jacob went on to turn on the light switch, illuminating the apartment. Natalie sighed as she took a seat in the slump old couch. She remembers the day they found the couch; it was like it was yesterday:
Darren, had been driving around all day for garage sales, as soon as they gave up for the day, fate happened and on the next corner an older couple was laying out furniture on the corner. Darren slammed on the breaks and got out of the car. He hurried over to the couple and asked them if the couch was free, and they replied yes! Damn were they in luck. Darren loaded the green moss-colored couch onto the back of his F-150 and drove home. Natalie couldn’t believe their luck.
She quietly remembered those memories as she fiddled with the threads on the left arm rest. She felt a sense of peace as she curled up to turn on the television. Jacob came to sit down as they witnessed what they had missed over the last couple of days.
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