PATRICK
My parents are here, meeting Elle and it’s going great. She’s laughing and my mom can't stop holding her hand, sharing all kinds of embarrassing stories from when I was younger. My dad clapped his hand on my shoulder and tells me I picked a good one.
The best one.
We all pile into my parents' rental car to head to the Big House so my parents can meet Mama Donna and Elle’s siblings. My parents are in the front and Elle’s with me in the back, I take a moment to reflect on Elle and how well it’s going. I know she was nervous but she fits in perfectly. It feels like my heart is going to explode from the feeling of rightness that is having the three most important people in my life. My eyes connect with Elle and her lips part, a smirk teasing her lips as she starts to speak“I lo?—”
Bright lights.
Horn blaring.
Metal on metal.
Something hot and sticky covers my face.
I can’t open my eyes. I know what’s on the other side and I can’t. I won’t survive this happening again. “Patrick.” Elle’s voicerings in my ears and I can hear the pain she’s in but I still can’t open my eyes. I can’t say good-bye.
“No!”
I jack-knife up in my bed. My heart is racing and my shirt is plastered to my body with sweat. I try to take deep breaths of air, trying to calm my nervous system, it’s not working.
Jesus.
I haven’t had a nightmare in years but this one was too realistic.
I grab my phone and check the time, it’s still early but not too early that it’s going to stop me from seeing Elle. I jump out of bed fully prepared to sprint out of my apartment to get to her but I’m stopped by the reminder of how I woke up in a cold sweat. Elle would most likely not appreciate me wrapping her up while covered in my dirty pajamas.
I groan and head to shower, needing all of this stress sweat washed away before I head to my girl.
Me: Are you home? I need to see you.
Grumpy Goddess: I am but my sisters are here. Meet me at the office in twenty?
Me: Can you make it ten? I’m already at the Farm.
Grumpy Goddess: I’ll see what I can do.
My pulse is still racing as I sit in my car. I need to chill out before Elle gets here. I just know I need to see here.
Need to feel her.
Need to make sure she’s safe.
Just need her.
A softthunkpulls me out of my mind spiral. Honey Cat is sitting on the hood of my car, staring at me.
“Hey pretty girl.” I smile at the cat before I realize she can’t hear me because I’m still locked in my car. Honey Cat tilts her head and her eyes narrow like she is confused on why I’m not jumping out of my car to give her the attention she needs.
I pull myself out of my car, walk to the hood where Honey Cat is waiting and stick my arm out to give her the opportunity to climb up my arm and take her place around my shoulders. As she settles, I start the trek to Elle’s office.
Lights shine from the office window signaling Elle has made it to the office sooner than promised. My heart starts to race and my steps become more hurried. My body knows we’ll be close to her soon and is impatient to get there.
Right there with ya, buddy.
Honey Cat lets out a disgruntled noise at my increased pace, my shoulders not providing the smooth ride she typicallyprefers. “Sorry little one, gotta get to my girl.” I apologize as we make it to the front door. My hand shakes as I reach for the knob but nothing short of an act of god would stop me from crossing this threshold and getting Elle into my arms.
The door swings open with slightly more force than I had planned, hitting the wall and bouncing back to close in my face. “What the hell, Patrick?” The annoyance in her voice is like a drug. I’m addicted. “Sorry, sweetheart. Don’t know my own strength.” I attempt to joke but the scowl on Elle’s face lets me know it doesn’t land.
