46 "Autumn Leaves, Again" - final chapter

Autumn Leaves, Again

After two years of dreaming and wishing for a miracle, I was sitting in my office at my desk with my feet up, staring into space with my mind floating up there somewhere too. It was somewhere around 9 at night. Everyone was gone and it was very quiet. The phone rang and it seemed louder than normal and startled me to the point that I actually fell out of my chair.

I answered the phone, after I picked myself off the floor, with a simple, “Hello.”

I didn’t recognize the voice on the other end when it said, “I have some information about Autumn. She will be at Bob’s three nights from now.”

Then I heard a dial tone. Whoever it was hung up before I could ask any questions. Not knowing who it was, after two years of grief and suffering, I had to listen and couldn’t take a chance. This could just be a prank, but I couldn’t take that chance. I lost the opportunity to have the woman of my dreams once, I couldn’t take the chance of losing her again if there is any chance.

The next morning the first thing I did was to make reservations at the same motel. The woman recognized my name and said she would have their best room ready for me. Then I called the airport and car rental to make those reservations. I can’t believe myself, that I am able to do all of this with the excitement that is running through my body. The rest of the day was a fog. But I was able to get everything arranged to where I could be gone for the rest of the week without being missed.

The next morning came and I was in a taxi and on my way to the airport. Like the night before, while in the taxi, Autumn was running through my head constantly. I just couldn’t think of anything else.

Then, the same thing while I was on the plane. I would lay my head back and knowing what I was on my way to do, I could see those beautiful eyes and smell the aroma of here hair. If this woman wasn’t the Angel that I have always dreamed of, there would never be one for me.

I woke from my semi sleep and blissful picture of this woman of my dreams, the same dreams I have had for the last two years, as the plane touched down.

When I departed the plane I headed straight for the car rental, almost forgetting that I did bring one suitcase. I told myself I need to calm down a little. I did get the suitcase and then the car.

I drove to the motel and checked in, even though I was a day early, I was still in a hurry to get to Bob’s. I needed to talk to him. After I showered I made my way to Bob’s. I walked in and once again I parked my lanky frame on a tall bar stool.

Sure enough, Bob was there and remembered what I drank and came walking over with one for me. As he placed it in front of me he said, “I didn’t think I would ever see you in here again.”

I drew him the picture of how the night there with Autumn had affected me for the last two years. Then I explained how someone called and told me that she was going to be here tomorrow night and how I wasn’t going to take a chance. I said that I understood it could be a hoax, but then, it may not be.

Bob proceeded to tell me that he hadn’t seen hide nor hair of her since that night. He had no idea about who could have called with that kind of news. Bob did tell me though that as long as I was there the drinks were on the house. I didn’t stay too late because I knew she wasn’t supposed to be there that night. I thanked Bob and said good night before 10 and went back to the motel, turned on the TV and fell asleep.

The next morning upon rising, I dressed and went next door for breakfast. I was thinking I was so excited I wouldn’t be able to eat anyway. But, to my surprise, I was starving. After breakfast, an orange juice and three cups of coffee, I went back to my room. I asked myself, ‘What the hell am I going to do to kill time?’ This is going to be the longest day of my life.

I turned the TV on and watched news. I dozed off. The next thing I knew, the shadows outside were creeping across the windows. I sat up and looked at the clock. It was 5 o’clock. Not that I cared, but where had the day gone?

Again I showered and freshened up. I made my way over to Bob’s, walked in and just sat on the bar stool. That stool and I were becoming friends. Bob came over with a drink and, without me even asking, he shook his head and said, “No son, there has been no sign of her.”

I said, “You must think I’m crazy getting this way over a woman I really don’t even know.”

He replied with, “No, I could see how you two were with each other and how you both looked at each other that night two years ago. You may be crazy, but just crazy in love. That kind of crazy doesn’t happen very often.”

So for the next two hours I nursed my drink. If someone would have seen the way I was watching the door they would have thought I was a statue. For a few seconds I changed my position and took my eyes off the door. I heard Bob clear his throat and I looked at him. He nodded his head toward the door. I turned to look and there she stood, again with what appeared to be a glow around her, obviously from the lights outside. I sat there frozen on my friend the bar stool. I couldn’t move, waiting for her to continue inside. She looked at me and our eyes locked on each other for what seemed to be an eternity. Then as I was finally able to move, she turned and I watched as Autumn leaves, again.

I wasn’t about to lose her again. I came unglued from the barstool and went flying to the door. I stepped through the door this time. I wasn’t going to give up so easy this time. I went rushing out the door to look for her more this time. I ran right out into the parking lot. I didn’t see the car’s headlights until it was too late.

As the car hit me I remember thinking to myself, now I will never see her again. The next thing I knew, I was laying on the pavement on my back. I could see lights, but they didn’t appear to be normal lights. Then I saw a silhouette in those lights. I blinked my eyes several times before I realized that what I was seeing was Autumn. She offered her hand and as I reached to take it, she effortlessly helped me to stand with her. I turned around and looked on the ground and to my surprise I was still lying there with my eyes closed and I didn’t appear to be breathing. I looked at Autumn. I started to ask, “Does this mean that you are a real…….” without letting me finish she nodded and said, “Yes.”

I looked around at all of the people standing there. There was Bob, looking down at me shaking his head. I wanted to tell him that it was OK, I got what I came after. And with that, Autumn and I would leave together this time.

Note from the author;

Just always remember, there is still true love in this world. You just have to know where to find it and what to look for. You don’t really have to die to have the love of your life either, I know that for a fact.