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“Follow me, hungry man.”
“Always…to the kitchen and beyond.”
It began raining after supper as they were cleaning up. And the later it got, the stronger the storm became. By the time they went to bed, the wind was howling, and rain was blasting against the windows.
Dani fell asleep in Aaron’s arms, sated and satiated, then hours later, she began to dream.
She was back in the closet, hiding, on the phone with 911, and scared to death they wouldn’t get here in time to save her. It was thundering and raining, and she knew Tony was in her apartment, but she didn’t know where he was until she heard a board squeak out in the hall. Her fingers clenched around the gun in her hand, praying with every breath, knowing he was just outside her bedroom door. She heard it open, saw him moving toward her bed, then saw the gun. When he took aim and began firing, she began screaming.
Aaron awoke abruptly, turned on the bedside lamp, and took her in his arms. “Dani, sweetheart! Wake up! You’re safe. Open your eyes.”
It was the sound of Aaron’s voice that pulled her out of the nightmare. He wasn’t part of that time. Heshouldn’t be part of the dream. She opened her eyes, saw the bedroom of her little house, the thunder and lightning from the storm outside, and the worried look on Aaron’s face.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I was dreaming. Tony was shooting at the bed.” She went limp in his arms and began sobbing. “Damn it. Just when I think that’s all forgotten, something triggers it. It was the storm. I know it was the storm.”
“I know, I know. It’s okay. We’re okay. It was just a dream,” he kept saying and held her until she calmed. “Let’s go for a walk,” he said, then got up, put on a pair of gym shorts and dropped something in the pocket, then held out his hand.
Dani sat up in bed, looking at him in disbelief. “A walk? Are you crazy? If we don’t get fried by lightning, we’ll drown standing up.”
He was still holding out his hand. “Don’t you trust me?”
Dani sighed. “That’s not fair. You know I do,” she muttered.
She got out of bed, grabbed the nightgown she never put on, and slipped it over her head.
Aaron took her by the hand and led her through the house, then through the kitchen, making their way outside to the back porch.
Rain was blowing sideways, blasting beneath the overhang and across the length of the porch. Dani’s nightgown was immediately drenched and plastered to her body. Just before she lost her footing, Aaron wassuddenly behind her, his hands clasped beneath her breasts, holding her fast against his chest. He’d become her anchor, standing steady against the wind as he leaned down near her ear and began to talk.
“Every tear you shed hurts my heart. I know horror came to you in a storm. But look at us now. You’re standing with me in a storm, just as we stand in life. Together—secure in the world because I’ll always keep you safe. But you keep forgetting that, in the beginning, it was you who saved yourself. You’re the least helpless woman I’ve ever known.” He hugged her, then planted a kiss on the top of her head. “We’re about as wet as we’re ever gonna be, but since we’re standing out here in the sight of God almighty, then you should consider yourself getting washed clean. Made whole again with the tears from heaven. Your past can’t own you anymore. Nobody owns you. But somebody sure does love you, and that somebody’s me.”
Then he abruptly let go.
The wind hit her, and this time she staggered. Reeling from the blast, she turned around and he was on one knee, holding a black velvet box. The lid was open. Something glittered deep within.
“Marry me, girl. I don’t want to do life without you. While the world is new within you, please say yes.”
Dani gasped. “Yes, you crazy man. I say, yes!”
Aaron slipped the ring onto her finger and then stood, swept her off her feet and into his arms, and held her close. So close. His heart was near to bursting as he whispered in her ear.
“Love you, Dani. Love you forever,” and then he kissed her.
Aaron invited his family out to Sunday dinner at The Back Porch the next day. As soon as they were seated, Aaron reached for Dani’s hand.
“We have an announcement,” he said. “I asked Dani to marry me, and she said yes!”
Dani was beaming as the family began cheering and exclaiming over her ring. Their little celebration caught the attention of other diners, who quickly caught on to the reason and the ring on Dani’s finger. At that point, the diners in the room clapped for them and raised a few glasses on their behalf.
Dani couldn’t stop smiling. She’d never known this kind of love. Or this kind of happiness.
The weight of the world was off Aaron’s shoulders. He had a partner for life. And what a partner.
Shirley was both teary and ecstatic.
The brothers teased Aaron and cheered Dani, welcoming her to the family. It took forever to calm down, and even longer to order. But the meal progressed, and they parted in total joy.
Shirley wasn’t losing a son. She’d just gained a daughter, and this time, one who loved them back. She couldn’t have been any happier.
