We went to college in the same city and met every week, discovering new spots together, rain or shine. Whenever I saw something new, the first person I wanted to tell was him. We talked on the phone until my bill ran out, and even when we argued, we couldn't stay mad for more than a day.
In my junior year, while he was in his first year of grad school, I was going through a rough patch. To buy me the camera I wanted, he secretly worked three jobs and lost over ten pounds in a month.
I was studying for a certification exam. When I saw the gift after it was over, I touched his sunken cheeks and cried my heart out. The next day, I dragged him to the courthouse, and we married.
After he graduated, he turned down job offers to start his own business. The first six months were tough. He kept losing money, and no one believed in him. I sold the house my grandfather left me, ran around with him looking for sponsors and investors, and downing drinks like there was no tomorrow, but I still woke up early the next day to make him breakfast.
We were newlyweds then, exhausted beyond belief, but we never ran out of things to say. Every night, we fell asleep in each other's arms.
He never officially said he loved me. Even now, I still believe he did.
It wasn't earth-shattering, but we had the courage to give everything for each other.
Sadly, even that kind of love couldn't withstand the passage of time.
"You were smiling so sweetly in your dream," Landon said.
His words pulled me out of my drowsy state, and I felt like I was still dreaming.
If being pathetic were a disease, I'd be in the final stages, worse than any terminal illness.
I forced a smile and urged him to go out and get me some breakfast.
After rummaging around and not finding my phone, I slowly walked to the nurse's station to borrow one.
I needed to let Mary know I was in the hospital, or she'd freak out if she couldn't reach me.
The phone barely rang once before she picked up.
As soon as she heard my voice, Mary was furious. "Oh, so you remember who I am?"
I laughed and tried to soothe her, "There's only one person in the world who cares about me. I wouldn't dare forget."
"I'm coming to see you right now. Don't try to stop me, or I'll knock you out."
I smiled. "Fine, come over. And bring a charger while you're at it."
Before hanging up, I added, "Oh, and if anyone asks where I've been, just say I've been staying at your place."