Charlie
How could a person be happy when they have lost so much?
Easier said than done.
They grow, they fight, they get stronger, they learn, they remember, they smile, they never forget, and they love. But most of all, they never give up.
“Charlie!” Sam shouts from across the park where he is standing with Max and our new puppy, Coop. He’s a red Lab and Australian Shepard mix.
A grin takes over my lips as I head in their direction, watching Coop’s little legs take him as quickly as he can to the ball Sam just tossed for him. Both boys run to where Coop has reached the neon yellow toy, but was easily distracted by something else on the ground.
“They sure do love that puppy,” Jett says.
I twist to face Jett as he stands hunched over on his one crutch. He’s downgraded from the two he has had for the past couple weeks.
Jett squeezes my hand as he holds himself up. I lean over and kiss his lips. He pushes back, letting his touch linger just a few minutes longer.
Small laughter interrupts us.
“Maybe I should have bought him a puppy sooner,” I say.
I’d planned on it, but then everything happened. Getting charges sorted out was a pain, and by the time things settled down, I was positive we needed a pick me up. Hence Coop. It helped that Sam and I moved in with Jett a few weeks ago and our house has a giant yard.
Jimmy was taken back to prison with more charges added to his record, and Clint was taken to jail. He’s awaiting a trial for his part in my apartment with Jimmy and for the drugs he had hidden around his apartment. Jett has assured me I don’t need to worry anymore.
I carry the grocery bags as we make our way to the picnic table where Whit and her new boyfriend are waiting for us.
“Michaels,” Jett addresses him as we sit. Turns out Jett and Whit’s boyfriend, Adam Michaels, work together and Adam also knew my sister. He was also a big part in taking Jimmy and Clint down that day. Small world this is turning out to be.
“Baxter,” Adam replies. They give each other a firm nod.
“Oh shoot, I forgot the cooler with the drinks in it in the car, Adam, will you help me?” Whit asks. He stands to do so without hesitation.
“If he weren’t so good to her, I’d wring his neck for dating my sister,” Jett says watching them walk away.
“I think you would say that about any guy,” I say, trying not to laugh.
“Yep,” he says keeping it short. “So hey, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Okay …” I say hesitantly.
“I’ve been trying to think of a way to surprise you with this for about a week now, but it turns out I’m not very creative, so I’m just going to blurt it out.”
“Blurt away,” I say with a laugh.
My eyes capture his as I wait for him to say something. Instead, he pulls something out of his back pocket and holds it out in front of me.
Slowly, I survey the papers in front of me and take them out of his grasp.
A squeal erupts from my throat, gaining the attention of everyone around us. My arms fling around him and I hug him tight.
“Is this real?” I ask, peeling myself off of him to look at the papers again. “Are we seriously going to Mexico in a month?”
“It’s one-hundred percent real. Just you and me and the beach for a week.”
“I couldn’t imagine anything more amazing.” I lean forward and kiss him.
“I could, but for that, you’ll just have to wait and see.”
He captures me in another kiss and slides me closer to him on the bench. I never planned the life I’ve been given and yet, against all the odds, I found Jett. And together, we found us.
***