2-Photographs

My heart pounded. Slowly the box found its way into my sweaty palm. Smiling brightly, I slowly lifted the box to the table. I gently pulled the plush lid of the small box open, revealing the shimmering silver ring tucked into the black velvet. Scooting it forwards on the table, my smile only grew wider.

Rachel’s eyes went wide.

My heart stopped. 

Her lips slowly parted, and lifted into her genuine smile. Her dark brown eyes gleamed with joy, but also were glassy with tears as her head bobbed up and down. For the first time in my life, I felt all emotions fade. The only thing I could feel was love burning like a fire in my chest as she whispered through her tears,

“I do.” 

Anna wasn’t there when I woke up. Panicking, I frantically searched the room. My memories trickled back to me slowly when I realized I fell asleep in the rocker, falling back into the plush chair I sighed. Usually she was sitting at the table munching on cereal with a good book under her nose. Rubbing my eyes, I pushed myself from the rocking chair when a sticky note fluttered off from my blanket. Scooping it into my palm, it read;

Boss called, needs me at work today :/   I’ll be home around 7. Love you, Anna 

Sighing heavily, I stepped inside our bedroom to change. Digging through my closet, I pulled out my dark red flannel. Jerking it on, I frowned when the phone began to ring loudly in the kitchen.  Groaning, I stumbled back into the kitchen while buttoning my jeans, but quickly stopped at the heat dial and cranked it up to 75. It’s always freezing in here, I thought as I rubbed my eyes. Snatching the phone, I fell down onto the couch and flicked on the T.V. Checking the caller ID, I groaned louder. Reluctantly on the third ring, I answered it.

“Hello?”

“Hi sweetie!”

I bit back a snide remark. “Hi Mom,”

“Well that sounded oh so enthusiastic,” She grumbled, her voice crackling through the receiver. “I was just calling to see when you and Anna are planning to come down.”

Rolling my eyes, I shrugged unconsciously, “Not sure, maybe tomorrow after she comes home from work, if the roads are plowed and all that jazz.” 

“Well okay then. Ray and I are just so excited to see you guys!” Mom trilled excitedly, “So Tony dear, when are you planning to propose?” 

The air went still. 

ESPN’s theme song played lightly in the background. 

All words that I thought I had control of crumbled down the back of my throat. I coughed into the crook of my arm.

“You are going to propose? Right...?” Mom continued, prying at the sealed doors of my heart.

Opening my mouth to answer her, Mom cut in again. 

“Tony Lee Coleman, it’s been 3 years since Rachel. I do understand that you and Rachel were special, one of a kind, but she wouldn’t want you to dwell on your past!” Mom admitted all in one breath. “Anna Worthington is a kind, beautiful and determined young girl. She really does love you Tony and I know you love her too, so please, for all of us, let Rachel go.”

My emotions shattered around my feet. My throat swollen. In a low voice I murmured, “Rachel was the only one for me. I gave her all of my heart,” 

“I understand that you loved her but…” 

Sitting forwards, I seethed into the receiver, “It was much… much… more than that, and you know it.” Without waiting for an answer, I hung up angrily.  

---------------------------------------

Photo albums surrounded me, their pages fluttering stiffly in the hot air. For the last four hours I had sat and sifted through each one. Remembering the memories that I once experienced all too vividly. And the worst part was, I could feel her the entire time. The soft touch of her hands on mine when she aided me to turn the pages. The wispy feel of her hair dancing across my neck and collarbone until she twisted it back behind her ear. The sound of her soft voice raising and lowering as she retold the story behind every photograph. She was here with me. As much as I wanted to force myself away from her and away from her memory that I keep buried deep inside my heart, I couldn’t. She will always be a part of me, she will always hold a place in my heart and mind. How can I force myself to forget my Rachel? I thought helplessly as I collapsed back into the couch. Still holding a photo album to my chest, I heaved a shaky breath in and let it out slow. Swallowing a sob, I took another breath in and pushed myself upright, leafing my fingers through the stiff pages. Flipping to a random page, my eyes fell on pictures of Rachel and I’s wedding day. Snaking my fingers under the corner of one of the pictures, I slowly pried it up and off, running my fingers along the flourished edges. 

I stand next to her in a trim black suit with a fitting white tie, although my eyes aren't focused on the camera, but on the gorgeous girl standing by me. She wore a beautiful strapless white dress that clung to her curves just right and pooled around her lithe ankles. Her slim hands clutched mine and her bright smile graced her beautiful freckled face. Rachel’s dark wavy hair was brushed back neatly and small delicate lilies tucked here and there. Clutching the photograph in my hands, I could feel my emotions well up in my chest, threatening to burst forth. Swallowing hard, I blinked hot tears from my eyes and curled up on the couch, the picture pressed to my heart. 

Mrs. Lowell waved a yellow card in my direction.

I closed my mouth and sunk deeper into my seat, defeated. The girl beside me pushed her face deeper in her shirt to hide her blush. I smiled in triumph. The rest of the class I was antsy, my foot always tapping, constantly running my fingers through my hair, sighing, trying to keep myself from doing the inevitable. When the tone sounded, we all jumped from our seats. I looked over at her, smiled and winked. She giggled and pressed her palms to her cheeks to try and hide her blush. 

Following her out of the room, Mrs. Lowell called out, “Tony Coleman. Please stay for a moment so we can chat.” Groaning under my breath, I waved a sorrowful goodbye and slid back into my Anatomy seat.

Throughout Mrs. Lowell’s entire lecture about my ‘poor behavior in the classroom’, my mind kept drifting back to her. I liked the way she smiled and how her eyes crinkled in the corners when she giggled at one of my jokes. She was kind and sweet, sometimes allowing me to help with her Trig homework and it was cute when she would refer to me as ‘Mr. Coleman’ when we ran into each other during informal encounters. Even getting a detention didn’t seem as bad when she was on my mind. There was just something about Rachel that I truly loved. 

Anna had already came home when I awoke. All the photo albums were stacked in the corner of the living room in a neat pile and her work shoes were next to them. Jamming the photograph deep into my jeans, I stood and crossed the room. The light was on in our bedroom. Knocking gently with my knuckles, I nudged the door open a little.

Anna was perched on the bed, her silver laptop sitting on her knees. Smiling gently, she beckoned me in. “Hey.” 

I leaned on the door way and nodded a little. “Hey hun. How was work?” 

She shrugged, “It was alright.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t come pick you up, or make dinner. I just kinda,” Breathing out slow, I rubbed the back of my neck. “Mom called. And she always stresses me out.” 

Anna nodded and shut her laptop quietly. Stretching out on her side, she beckoned me to her. I padded up to her softly and crawled onto the bed. Laying on my back, she instantly cuddled on my side. Wrapping an arm around her, I rubbed her back gently and kissed her forehead.

“I love you Tony.” She whispered against my skin.

Swallowing hard, I took a small breath to clear my mind. Anna didn’t seem to be in a hurry to hear my response. Kissing her forehead again softly, I whispered, “I love you too Anna.”