Chapter 5
I slowly open my eyes to see the sun shining through our floor to ceiling windows. We live in a lovely condominium near Lake Michigan, you can see all the boats in the dock, the cars driving by, and Navy Pier, it is just so peaceful. I sit up and stretch. Mike is not next to me. I sigh and stand up then I feel sick, rush to the bathroom, and throw up.
"What is wrong with me?"
I stand up again and wipe my face. I slowly walk towards the kitchen to see Mike making pancakes. He smiles at me and asks,
"Are you okay?"
"I don't know."
"Maybe you should lie down on the couch I'll bring this over to you."
"Thanks Mike."
I slowly walk over to the couch and lie down on it. I look up at our beige ceilings, and think about what could be happening to me. I must just have a bad cold. Probably, because of the hospital I think. I turn towards the television and turn it on. Our television is a flat screen. I just wanted a small one, but no Mike said we had to get this one. "An American in Paris" is just starting; I watch it for a little bit when Mike comes over with my pancakes. He hands me my plate. In whipped cream, he spelled the words "Feel Better"
"Thank you Mike."
"Welcome dear."
He kisses me on my forehead, and sits down beside me. We eat our pancakes and watch the movie when I am finished I place the plate on the table in front of us and curl up next to him. He places his arm around me and we continue to watch. Then he grabs the remote and turns off the television. I look up at him and ask,
"Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong I was just wondering if you wanted to do something today."
"That would be wonderful, but I think I should stay inside since I don't feel well."
"Oh c'mon it will only be for a little while and you probably just ate something."
"Oh alright."
I sit up and go towards the bathroom. I take off my clothes and begin taking a shower. The door opens and Mike waves a towel.
"Forgetting something."
"Thanks Mike."
He places the towel on the sink and walks out. I get out and wrap myself in the towel. I go into my bedroom and change into some denim blue skinny jeans and a pink and white striped long sleeve tee shirt. I dry my long golden brown hair with a towel and put it into a bun. When Mike said that he loved my brown hair when we first met, I decided never to cut it again. It sounds weird, but yet again, we are a weird couple. Mike comes in the bedroom and smiles and says,
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Soon we are out the door in our car and driving down towards water tower. Water tower has all the shops we like. When we reach our destination we park the car and get out then a few fans recognize him and rush up to him. All of them are 20 something girls.
"Oh my God you're Mike Stephenson."
"Are you okay?"
"When will you play again?"
"Ladies please," Mike finally says, "All I am doing is trying to have a nice relaxing day with my wife."
They all turn towards me and smile.
"You are so lucky."
"I love your hair."
"Your eyes are so blue."
"Thanks you are very kind."
"You're welcome." They say in unison
They wave goodbye and leave.
"Well that was interesting," Says Mike.
"Yes, it was now can we do some shopping?" I ask eagerly.
"Yes, dear."
We laugh and cross the street when we are at the entrance we look at each other and I say.
"The usual bet."
"Yep."
"Ready set go."
We both rush into one of the malls and go our separate ways. The bet is that we have to find as many shirts, pants, and other clothing that the other person would wear. For example, Mike one time bought a polka dotted mini skirt for me. That is something I would never wear so he had to return. Whoever finds the most outfits under half an hour wins and gets to buy another outfit. I usually win. We only go shopping for clothes together once every four months so we always try to find nice outfits.
I run into Ralph Lauren, his favorite fashion store and mine; I go towards the tie section and pick out twenty ties. Mike loves ties I do not know why every time I have asked he has said
"Umm I just like them."
I go where some shirts are and pick out three buttoned shirts colored blue, light purple, and red and they have thin white stripes too. I check the time ten minutes to spare I rush towards where some pants are and quickly find his size I find some nice black pants and then I rush towards the cash register and pay. I run back towards our usual meeting spot where Mike is standing holding some bags that say ANN TAYLOR in bold letters. He sure does know me.
"So I see you have some Ralph Lauren."
"I see you have Ann Taylor."
"Switch in three, two, one."
We drop out bags and pick up the bag opposite us. I look inside mine and see four dresses all my size and all my style. One is navy blue with a button back and its knee length. Another is an orange strapless dress knee length dress that would look great with my denim jacket. The other two are exactly the same style and I am happy they are. One is light purple and the other is light blue they are both have white lace on top of the main color. They are both a little longer then knee length and on the side of them are three white flowers. I look up at him, smile, and say,
"Thanks Mike you win."
"Oh please you won I love these ties."
"No you won now go pick out something nice."
"Okay wait here."
He runs off and a few minutes later, he comes back with a Tiffany blue box.
"Here you are."
"Oh Mike."
I open it and inside the box is a diamond bracelet."
"Oh Mike."
He helps me put it on and I hug him and kiss him.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes we shall."
We pick up our bags and go out the door towards our car. We get in and it is 1:07. We drive back to our condominium in 10 minutes, which is a new record. We park our car in our spot and go up the elevator to our floor. We get inside and I got towards the bedroom. My back aches and my head hurts I lie down and soon I am fast asleep. I wake up and it is dark out. I rub my eyes, get out of bed, and go towards the main room. Mike is on the couch watching "Top Gun" he looks behind him and sees me. He smiles and turns off the television.
"Well look who's up."
"What time is it?"
"Its 7:30 you sure you are feeling alright you don't want me calling a doctor."
"No no I am fine, but I am hungry."
"Lucky for you I made some pasta."
"Thanks"
He nods and turns the television back on. I go into the kitchen, grab a plate, and scoop some pasta onto my plate. I grab a fork, go over towards Mike, and sit down. I eat my pasta and when I am finished with it, go back into the kitchen, and place it in the dishwasher. I yawn and say,
"Mike I'm tired I'm going to go to bed."
"You sure it's only 8."
"Yeah I am sure."
"Alright then goodnight."
"Goodnight."
I go into the bedroom, take off my bracelet, and place it in my jewelry box. I change into some pajama pants and a short-sleeved tee shirt. I get in bed and think about what that girl said earlier. I was lucky to have Mike. I could not wish for a more perfect person. I close my eyes and fall asleep with a smile on my face.