Perfect isn't Perfect (14)

14

He stayed in the hospital for two weeks. It turned out he shattered his knee elbow and wrist bruised his spine and had some swelling in his brain. He even slipped into a coma for two hours. I visited him every day. Every time I kept trying to apologize. But of course he wouldn’t let me.

I was the one who took him home from the hospital-his parents had too work-and he said something that stunned me and almost made me have a wreck on the highway.

“Jen, I think I’m in love with you.” He said while we were discussing a football game the varsity lost two nights before.

My reply was garbled and inconclusive. “didgidy oofgam whichedpa.” 

“Um. You okay babe.” Which even though I was happy I had no clue how to move my lips.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just a little surprised.” I said when I was able to speak. “So, what brought all this on?” I wondered aloud. Not really expecting him to answer.

“Well honestly I think I’ve always loved you.” We were now idling on the side of the road. In a way this answered a whole lot of questions. But still. Why should a guy like him like me…?

All the sudden the words popped out of my mouth. “I love you too.” I was a little surprised by the rush of my words. My head was lowered and I turned to look up at him. He looked genuinely happy. It was in that instant that I knew deep down inside me that I did love him.

I decided it would probably be best if I started driving again.

We were almost to his house before he said anything again. “I always knew it.” He said it so quietly I thought he was talking to himself. Then louder he said “I never did get a chance to beat that jerk up for what he did to you!” At first I was confused; I didn’t understand where his train of thought had taken him.

Then I caught up. “Chad don’t worry about him. We’re all that matter. Your all I want to think about. Please, for me just forget about it. I’m not going to think about him anymore. I don’t want you too, either.”