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I laughed and began answering the slew of questions from the saleslady. My mother informed me to send her a picture after I was done. It captured my attention the same way that it does now. I could picture it on her tanned skin because it made me think of her. It was perfect.
After watching her sleep for about twenty minutes, I woke her up. The water would have cooled, and I didn’t want her stuck in that position for long. She needed to climb into bed and rest appropriately.
While she washed, I switched tabs to check my flight. It left in the morning and would take me to New Orleans. I snapped the box closed and tucked it into my carry-on bag. I love her, and she was about to find out just how much that was. It’s funny how distance, a premonition from a crazy psychic, and a beautiful ring could change everything that you thought you believed.
Anise wrapped her body in a towel and half asleep walked into her bedroom, where she climbed into bed immediately.
“Still tired?” The only response I got was her breathing. “I love you, Anise Dubois.” I let my last name roll with her first name as easily as breathing. It was perfect.
“Love… love you… too.” Anise mumbled.
I smiled but doubted that she’d remember any of this tomorrow. At least I’d got to hear her say it and mean it. No second guessing herself. I settled into bed and watched Anise sleep until I joined her in slumber.
* * *
“Please keep your seatbelt fastened. We are preparing for takeoff.”
The small plane was going to take me to a connecting flight that would take me to New Orleans. There were only about fifty passengers on the flight, excluding the staff.
The pilot mumbled instructions, and the plane came alive. The flight attendants had already done their song and dance. The lights dimmed and the pilot continued on. He started up the runway, slowly making his way to our spot. I looked out the window as we waited for when we would plunge into the air.
Another plane landing caught my attention. It seemed to have more speed than necessary, but there was still time to stop. I turned away to see if anybody else saw it approaching. The flight attendant nearest me, eyes widened. While the pilot spoke, the engines drowned out what he was saying. The plane seemed to pick up speed versus slowing down and before the pilot could pull completely away from the path that it was on; the planes collided forcibly.
My head slammed against the wall, creating a hum and whirring sound inside. The plane shook, tossing things and people around as it did. Smoke. I smelled smoke. The pain only increased from the screams and ruckus going on around me.
“Fuck!” I shouted.
The engine popped loudly just before the hum grew louder, chasing out the sound of everything else. Thoughts of death overpopulated my mind until only one thing seemed to bring silence and peace. Anise.
The chill tormenting my body was death lurking or fear in its rawest form. I couldn’t feel. I couldn’t hear. And for fuck’s sake, my thoughts seem to be removed from every recess of my mind until it went blank. Then darkness crept in, confirming exactly what Senga had told me. Death lurks near me. It overshadows my lifeline like a vulture waiting for its next kill. It’ll swoop in so quickly that I won’t even know what it took until it’s too late. She promised grief and sorrow, but said that it wasn’t my own. And that because I’d been selfish and a fool, I’ll lose the one thing that I’ll want the most.
“Death likes you.” She confirmed. “And it doesn’t like to be cheated.”
I had no way to try if I wanted to. So I guess my time was now. And as my body grew lighter, I let my mind drift away into the depths of nowhere while I prayed for salvation.
