Tires screeched. Dense fog blocked the path. Headlights struggled to gain control. Rain pounded the grill. Fresh tar mixed with musky moisture permeated the vents. The car barreled ahead. At the last minute, Ervin overcorrected the slide. The large oak tree, standing behind the sign warning of the sharp turn, waited patiently.
He stirred. The various beeping sounds grew distinct. Hazy eyes attempted to focus. I must escape the car, he thought. He willed his arms to move. No response. Maybe my legs. Again, no response. Panic set in.
Now fully woke, he realized his prison was no longer the wrecked car.
His eyes traveled the length of the bed. Beyond, white walls extended greetings. Thoughts of the afterlife relieving his mental anguish for the past six months brought joyful tears.
The throbbing headache, together with body aches reassured him that his pains wouldn't be resolved that easily.
A gentle knock forced him to again focus. Standing in his hospital room's doorway was his wife.
"What happened?" Evelyn voice was shaky. Fighting back tears, she eased next to his bed and pulled up a chair.
The past six months, contact had been sparse barring interaction on the children's behalf. Her feelings hadn't completely eroded. So she didn't think twice about responding to the call he'd been hurt, although he was the one who'd asked for the separation.
What happened? Last night. The past six months. My entire life. Which one would be less painful to hear? Opting for the most recent and safest, he recited the vague details.
She gripped his hand. Her fervent prayer was interrupted as the doctor cleared his throat.
A thorough check ensued. His doctor informed them his injuries weren't serious. He could go home the next week; however, under strict supervision. Evelyn quickly agreed to take on the responsibility.
The ride home.
Was this finally the right time to tell what really happened? He complained of severe pain, so they pulled into the Lodge to rest that night. He didn't want his wife's care without first confessing the lies after their separation.
"Well, I'm waiting." The old saying came to mind as Evelyn listened intently.
Ervin's hands shook as he recounted the past six months. But how could he justify the events the day he redeemed that gift card.
"Try this. Jamaican coffee. I made it especially for you."
"What's in it? And, what makes it so special?" From head to toe he stared. Trying not to look too conspicuous, his eyes strayed to both sides of the counter. They returned quickly to continue canvassing the deep curves set in her small frame. The close-fitting uniform assisted in identifying and preserving a snapshot.
It was obvious he wasn't interested in the ingredients for Jamaican coffee. Still, to avoid his eyes, she recited the recipe she used to create her own version away from the shop.
"Just blend hot coffee, Kahlua, dark Jamaican rum, allspice, and whipped cream."
"Hold on. My memory. Please document it. That way, I can invite you over to tell me why it's is so special and test out my brewing skills."
A lame excuse. However, Coletta grabbed a pen. Smiling, she wrote the recipe, then "Coco" and her phone number.
He smiled at her accent. He didn't know whether she felt what he experienced, but he covered his left hand. Easing the ring into his pocket cemented the next step his body demanded he take.
Ervin finished the story.
"Are you still together?" Evelyn demanded the truth.
"Our time together was short." However, Ervin didn't admit that Coco would remain in his soul. He traced the contours of her luscious red lips. How they squeezed the cherry she dipped in the whipped cream. How the coffee turned red with burning desire from their oneness. How the aroma of her Red Perfume evaded his senses.
"Then we can move forward, if you want."
Several days later, Ervin fainted and was rushed back to the hospital.
Coletta stood at the nurse's station. She identified herself as a medical colleague and Ervin's friend, thus learning his grave condition. A clot had developed. A stroke followed.
"It's Coco." She squeezed his hand.
Her aroma filled his nostrils. He wanted to pull the tube out and explain. If only I could get up and walk out of here with her by my side, he thought. But this time he truly couldn't will his limbs to move. And, he hadn't yet learned how serious was his condition.
Suddenly, he realized he didn't want a reconciliation with Evelyn. He wanted Coco. That aroma! To spend the rest of his life preparing Jamaican coffee with her.
Ervin's thoughts faded. Separated for seven months, she wouldn't forgive unfaithfulness or deception.
He started to speak, but Colette interrupted, turned and beckoned. Her husband stepped from behind the patient curtain. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. His hand immediately landed on her stomach.
The medium-sized bump underneath her dress stared back at Ervin. They talked briefly, then left.
The finale. No past. No future.
Irwin lay staring at the wall.
He traveled to the time before that day he stopped at to redeem his coffee gift card.
A time before he came to a crossroads.
A time before his parents coerced him into a marriage of convenience.
A time before law school.
A time when he dreamed of wearing a white uniform with his spouse by his side tending to children who were helpless.
A time when he should have stood up for what he believed in, then pursued that path.
A time when he visited the island in college where the aroma of the coffee beans stirred in him a love for the country and his desire to return.
Irwin sighed heavily. He turned his head against the pillow, drowning in the flow of tears.
The vital signs monitor beeped several times, then flatlined.
Thanks,
@justclickindiva
Happy rest of the week everyone with whatever your endeavors.
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva utilizing its free images and templates provided in my Annual Pro Membership Subscription. Coffee image source
