UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER (EDITED VERSION)

CHAPTER TWENTY: The visit part one

-Adam-

Standing at the entrance of Miriam Hospital Chamber, I delicately knocked on the door while holding a package. A slender woman in her late twenties sits on the bed. Whatever it is that she's reading has clearly captured her attention. Unprepared for the unexpected knock, she looked up and looked at me. Unexpectedly, she beamed.

"Can I come in?"

"Ben, you came. Of course, you can come in." She waves me over. On my approach to her, I return her smile.

"Yes, I have. Forgive me, I should have come much sooner, but I wanted to give you room to recover." I extended the package I was holding to her. "This is for you."

Unwrapping the box, her smile becomes wider as she discovers what I bought her. Treats that she loves.

"My favourite kind of chocolate is it. My deepest gratitude. I love it."

She playfully shoves me on my shoulder. "Hey, I met Shelley!" she says with a thrill. "I have to admit that when Matthew described her to me, he neglected to emphasise how lovely she was."

"Where in the world did you meet her?"

"In the mall," as I put it. "Her assistance was invaluable while I was selecting a wedding present for you and Matthew."

"Her taste is impeccable," She says. "Her personality appeals to me. Without a doubt, she is the one for you."

"I share your belief. If only she could see it for herself. She has no faith in me."

"Doubtless, she will. So, you two have only recently crossed paths. If you give her a little time, she will probably come around. Not to mention, I have the impression that she has feelings for you. Your near mention always made her eyes light up, and I could see it whenever we were talking. An insatiable curiosity about you consumes her."

With a heavy sigh, I plopped down on the bed beside her. "She has piqued my interest. Assuming it doesn't terrify me would be dishonest of me. Numerous college-aged women had my heart, but I was choosy about who I let into my life. It is puzzling to me as to why Shelley is unique."

She placed a hand on my shoulders and whispered, "I know there's something special about her."

"If I understand you well, you're referring to her refusal to bend or give in to the will of any guy, no matter how much they try. My mum would be so much better if she was more like her. If she hadn't given in to my father's abuse, maybe she would have been happy."

"After all those years, I still cannot forgive myself for not seeing what was happening to my mother. I can't believe she kept my father's abuse of her away from me all those times I was in law school."

"If I hadn't come back from school unannounced, I wouldn't have found out that he has been locking her in the basement, so he would keep her from going to her modelling gigs. He even does that when she refuses to sign off money to him."

"I hate him so much. What kind of man will do that to his wife?" I balled my fist so tightly that it began to turn red.

"Hey there! Does it still occupy your thoughts? Everyone knows that she has broken off contact with your father and is now being herself again."

"I know, but that took a lot of therapy sessions to get her there."

As Matthew walks in on our talk, he asks, "Am I interrupting something?"

"Nah, I don't think so. My parents' names came up while we were catching up."

"Oh, I perceive. To some extent, I get that." Matthew says this while he offers his wife a can of Pepsi.