Four Years Later
Ember walked slowly to the hospital where she'd resumed her duties two years back. After that traumatic experience, it took her two years to heal. She had started interacting with strangers unlike before but hardly went anywhere apart from the hospital. She didn't like being questioned about herself and she hated the sympathetic glances directed at her.
She started her duty and it was lunchtime soon. Ember walked into the nursing station which was a fun place for her before. She remembered the gossips, the giggles and the enjoyable times that she shared with her friend Adelaide here. She found out from Carol, another nurse who left work last month that Adelaide had gone back to New York. Ember picked up an apple and sat at the window of the nursing station. She missed her previous happy life wishing that she could get back those days. The last few years she had lost complete interest in men knowing that no man will accept her after knowing everything about her. She was lost in her thoughts when she heard a voice call out to her.
"Ember?" The voice called. Ember turned to see Adelaide standing there. She was shocked beyond words. Was she dreaming or had Adelaide really come back? She pinched herself and winced in pain. So it wasn't a dream after all.
"Is that really you, Adel?" Ember asked with a little smile playing on her lips.
"Yes. Aren't you happy to see me?" Asked Adelaide, seeing the lack of excitement in her. The old Ember would have squealed and done happy dances several times by now.
"Of course, I am. So how are you?" She said, coming towards Adelaide and hugging her.
"I'm fine now. What about you?" Asked Adelaide.
"I'm alive," said Ember, finishing the apple and throwing away the core into the trash bin. Adelaide stared at her response.
"What happened to you Ember? You've changed," said Adelaide, feeling concerned about her friend.
"Nothing much. I'll tell you some other time. I've to go," she said, walking away. Adelaide noticed that the spark was missing from her eyes. She looked pale with bags under her eyes. Adelaide didn't know exactly what happened to Ember but she realized that maybe she had a very bad experience in the last five years.
The duty went on and soon it was time to go home. Only Adelaide waspresent at the nursing station when Ember walked inside and she turned towards her.
"Tell me now, Ember. I'm worried about you ," she asked.
"You remember that I'd been to Chicago before you left?" Asked Ember as they sat side by side on the window sill.
"Yes, and you extended your leave," said Adelaide. She remembered it distinctly as if it was just yesterday.
"Yes," sighed Ember as a lone tear fell from her eyes. Ember told everything that happened to her to Adelaide. She was too stunned by her heart breaking story. She has no idea that her friend had such a terrible experience.
"I'm so sorry, Ember. I had no idea," she said, wiping Ember's eyes and hugging her. Ember composed herself and then looked at her friend.
"Are you returning back to New York again?" She asked her hesitantly.
"No, I'm back for good. My mom died and now I have no one to return to," answered Adelaide.
"I'm sorry Adelaide," said Ember. Adelaide told her how she had to return to New York with her brother when her mom was extremely unwell and admitted to the hospital. She told her how she was mistreated by her brother. Ember felt bad for what she went through.
"What about you and Rhett?" She asked her curiously. Adelaide sighed.
"I couldn't keep in touch with him although we still love one another. Now that we're back, we again connected. I'm glad to be back," she said with a smile. Ember was glad that her friend was finally happy.
Adelaide called her after a few days to inform her that she and Rhett were together again and that she would take leave from work and go away on a holiday with him. She smiled knowing that at least her friend found the happiness that she deserved. She arranged for a nurse to take over her charges for a few days. Renner was satisfied and so was Adelaide.
"Did you take leave at work?" Asked Rhett as he sat with Adelaide. He was concerned as she had just joined and he didn't want her to be fired for taking a leave so soon.
"Yes, I explained to Renner that since I've returned home after so many years, I have some family obligations which I needed to look into first. Ember knows a nurse who would be willing to work as a replacement for me," informed Adelaide.
"Ember's still there? She was the one who was interested in Rex, right?" Asked Rhett eagerly. Since he was reunited with his Adelaide, he wanted Rex also to find love. He had no idea who had caught Rex's interest but he knew that his brother spent the last four years looking for a girl with emerald eyes. It was only last year that he gave up all hopes if ever finding her. The whole family tried to make him move on but he was so much obsessed with the woman of his dreams, the one with emerald eyes that he refused to give anyone else a thought.
"Yes but I don't think she's interested in anyone right now," said Adelaide.
"Why? What happened?" Asked Rhett with worry.
Adelaide told him what Ember had gone through in the last four years. "That might have set her against men. She's not the person she was before. She's lost the interest to live. I couldn't recognize her when I met her after so many years," said Adelaide. Rhett looked deep in thought.
"This is really heartbreaking. She needs a good man who would understand her. I think Rex has all the qualities to be that good man in her life. They both need a push," said Rhett.
"You're right," agreed Adelaide.
"I've got an idea. Why don't you show her some pictures of Rex and see her reaction. If she likes him, we can set them up," asked Rhett.
Adelaide grinned. "Sure, " she agreed. After a day, Rhett proposed to her and they decided to get married in a month's time. The whole Wilson family as well as Adelaide's granny welcomed the news and the wedding preparations went on with full enthusiasm. Adelaide announced her wedding plans to Ember. She congratulated her warmly.
"I'm so happy for you, Adel, " she told her.
"I want you to be my bridesmaid, Ember, " she told her. Ember nodded.
"I'm honored. Of course, I will. You're the only friend I have," she told her.
"Then you're coming to Rhett's house this weekend to plan the wedding, " said Adelaide. Ember's eyes sparkled for a moment but suddenly all excitement drained out of her.
"No, Adel. I don't go anywhere. You tell me what needs to be done, I'll gladly do it. You can come over to my place, anytime," she told her.
"Fine. After work, I'll go to your house, today," promised Adelaide. She wanted to see her family, her room and know more about her. She informed Rhett that she would go to Ember's house after work. Finally their duty was over and she drove Ember to her house which was actually a ten minutes walk away. It was for the first time that she had the opportunity to go to Ember's house.
Ember opened the main door with her own set of keys. "Gramps and granny are too old and I don't want to bother them. I keep a set of keys for myself," said Ember with a small smile.
"Granny, I'm home," announced Ember walking inside with Adelaide following her.
"How was your day, sweetie?" Asked granny Stacey, coming out of her room.
"Just the usual granny. Nothing special, " she shrugged. Her granny's eyes fell upon Adelaide and she smiled at her warmly. Although she was surprised to see Ember bring someone home for the first time in four years, she didn't show her reaction.
"And who's this beautiful girl?" She asked Ember, casually. She was glad that Ember made a friend at last.
"This is my friend, Adelaide. She had left five years ago and gone to New York. She just returned a few days back, granny, " informed Ember. Granny went forward and hugged Adelaide warmly.
"I'm Stacey Fischer, Ember's granny. I'm really glad that you came back, dear. This is the first time Ember brought a friend home in years. Ever since she returned from Chicago, she's completely blocked everyone from her life," said her granny. Ember gave her a look.
"Please granny, let's not go into that again. Adel, make yourself at home. I'll just freshen up and join you, in a minute," she told her. Adelaide nodded and Ember walked off towards her room.
"So will you stay here in Fordsville permanently or return to New York again?" Asked granny Stacey.
"I've come back for good, granny. Next month is my wedding," she informed her as her eyes shone with excitement.
"Who are you marrying? One of our boys or someone from your city?" Asked granny with curiosity,
"I'm marrying Rhett Wilson, granny, " she said and granny looked at her with hope.