As I slept, I didn't know Zane had got into my room and crawled into bed with me. I opened my eyes and stared at him.
I reached over and gently rubbed his cheek before hauling off and smacking him.
"What the hell, Goldie?!" He awoke startled.
I got out of bed, "no. You don't get to come in here and act like I forgive you. You hurt me Zane. I get you don't want people to see your writing because it's personal, but that poem fell out when I got a piece of paper."
He looked at me.
"Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is out to hurt you."
I stood there. I didn't know whether we would get past this or not, then Zane left. I guess not.
A few minutes later he returned and in his hand, he held a notebook. He held it out to me.
"Here."
"Zane."
"No," he shook his head. "Goldie, if anyone deserves to read it, it's you."
I took the notebook and took a seat. I sat down, opened it, and started reading.
Her smile is bright as the sun,
She lights up a room when she enters.
A thousand butterflies float around,
Signaling the beauty within.
She radiates love, a glow so fulfilling.
I stand by her to capture a tiny amount,
Of love and happiness.
For she is genuine with her imperfect flaws,
For love is flawed, but she is perfect in her own right.
As I read through each poem, each, he wrote beautifully. Zane had a way with words. I never knew he was this talented.
I read through most of it then handed it back to him. He took it from me.
"You don't want to finish reading?"
"No. Because I read enough, enough to know how beautiful your words are and how talented you are," I said to Zane.
He walked over and took a seat next to me.
"I guess I was afraid if people read what I wrote they would....." He trailed off.
"Laugh at you?"
He looked at me.
"The way I see it if people are that harsh and cruel, then they don't get it. You never destroy someone's dreams or talents because you're selfish and more absorbed with your own. Nobody is perfect, and anyone that thinks so is sadly mistaken," I explained to him.
"You have a unique way of looking at things."
"When you face death, you make the best out of everything. The problem is most people dwell on the negative and assume the worst of someone because they think by doing so, it will make them better. It's foolish and childish to do so," I sighed.
"I guess when someone tells you that you're a terrible person over the years, you start to believe it," he sighed.
"Zane it takes years to build up someone but it can take matter of minutes to tear them down. People are good and trying to destroy someone because they have nothing better to do with their time," I told him.
He reached over and slid his hand into mine, interlacing our fingers.
"Do you forgive me for being a putz," he asked.
"Yes, I forgive you for being a putz," I told him.
He leaned over and kissed me. He pulled back and stood up, helping me up. We walked hand in hand down to breakfast.
Zane and I came to an understanding that day. I wouldn't press him about his writing as long he didn't act like a putz and yell at me. I think it was a good compromise.
********
As the weeks drew on, I was getting cabin fever. Besides my doctor's appointments, I wasn't allowed to leave the house. The doctor didn't want me to get sick and get an infection.
My incision was healing, so what's the big deal?
There were times Zane caught me sneaking out. The best was when I tried to go through the window, and he caught me.
He flicked on the light to see me halfway out of the window.
"Oh, hey." I smiled.
"Where are you going?"
"I thought I could get some fresh air."
"And you didn't think the door was a better alternative?"
"Well, I did, but then I figured you would catch me. Then I thought maybe the window was a better choice. Although I'm not sure, I thought this all the way through. You know what, how about you leave and come back later while I think about this?"
"Goldie."
"Zane."
"Goldie."
"Zane."
"Goldie," he said, getting irritated.
"Zane," I mocked.
He walked over and pulled me out of the window, then closed the window.
"Oh, come on!"
"Nope."
"So not fair," I said, putting my hand up.
"Life's not fair, but it is what it is," he shrugged.
"I'm tired of being stuck in here," I stomped my feet.
"What are you? Like five?"
I glared at him.
"Oh, suck it up, buttercup. You will live."
I looked at him and decided to switch gears.
"Oh, Zane, please, let me out. I will do anything you want," I said, trying to be seductive.
"Really?" He gave me a devilish smile.
"Oh yes," I purred.
"Hmmm, let me see," he said, tapping his lips. He leaned in, "no." Then he turned and walked away.
I watched him and sighed - rats, foiled again. I removed my coat and left my room.
I can see it now; the Christmas season was going to be so much fun, being a prisoner in my own house. Yes, I know I was overdramatic but seriously, this blows monkey balls.
*********
In a couple of weeks was Christmas. Being housebound was killing my spirit. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Christmas but watch people being able to go out and play in the snow was killing me.
I stood in front of the window as the snow fell, watching everyone having a ball outside what I wouldn't give to be out there right now with them.
Then I heard yelling. What are those crazies shouting about now?
I opened the door and got pelted with snowballs.
"Zane!"
He ran up laughing, "well, you said you wanted to play in the snow."
"This is not what I meant," I groaned.
"Beggars can't be choosers," he chuckled.
I glared at him, then shoved him out of the house and slammed the door. Now to put on some dry clothes.
Later on, everyone came inside to warm up and have hot cocoa. We all sat around in the living room hanging out.
As we talked and laughed, Dakota dropped a bombshell on me.
"So, what did you tell Eastern when they contacted you, Zane?"
"What?" I asked.
Everyone stopped and cringed.
Zane's smile faded as I turned to him.
"What's he talking about?"
"Goldie."
"Did you get accepted to school?" I looked at him with furrow brows.
He didn't say anything.
"Zane?"
"Well, yeah."
I looked at him, stunned. I looked at everyone as they tried to hide their faces. They all knew before I did? Wow.
I got up and walked away.
"Goldie!" Zane got up and followed me as Gema hauled off and smacked Dakota, "nice going puta."
I was in the kitchen as Zane walked in over to me. I stood at the sink as he walked over and slid his arms around me from behind.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but honestly, I haven't given them an answer."
I turned around, "why not?"
"Because I wanted to see if you got in with me."
"What?" I looked at him, confused.
He gave me a look.
"Zane, what did you do?"
"I did nothing," he said casually.
"Zane," I said, pointing at him with a look.
He pushed my hand away, "it's not polite to point."
I gave him a skeptical look.
"Well, it's not," he shrugged.
Then I heard dad yell, "Mari?!"
"In here, dad!"
He walked in and handed me an envelope.
"What's this?"
"Open it," he said.
I opened it and read it. It was a letter from Eastern. I took a seat and read the message. Then when I finished, I looked at them, shocked.
"Well," they both asked impatiently.
"I........"