As I held my father's hand, offering him all the strength I have left, I watch as he takes his last breath and hopefully finds peace. I knew this day would come, he's been ill for so long.
I am numb, working through the paperwork and trying to process the next steps. As they cover him and begin his walk to the morgue, something in me breaks. A gate within me now open and the rush of pain and loss consumes me.
So I run. I run until my feet are on fire. I feel the sand trying to swallow me. The ocean, tumultuous from the impending storm. The little blue and green critters sparkling in the shallows. This was our favorite place.
I try to keep it together. I try to tell myself he's better now, no longer in pain. But he's gone and now I am alone. The last of my strength vanishes and I fall to my knees.
As my tears fall to the sand, an unfamiliar female voice echos in my head, "I know you are hurting but we need to be strong. We have much to do."
What the hell?
The voice sounds again, "I don't mean to startle you. We have much to discuss, but we need to be somewhere safe and private."
Suddenly the world comes into sharp focus. I can see every grain of sand, I can smell the ocean, the Mexican restaurant half a block away, and then a new, delicious scent assails me. I look to my left and see a man, standing maybe 100 feet away. He smells of smoke, driftwood, salt and spice.
He's tall, broad shouldered and looks so strong, I can almost make out the definition of his torso beneath his jacket. My eyes travel over his waist and below, I bet he could wreck my body. He screamed danger, sin and sex.
God what the hell is wrong with me?!
I quickly look up at his face. A sharp, chiseled jaw, high cheekbones and probably the most kissable lips I've ever seen on a man. Short but shaggy dark hair decorates his forehead nearly creating a curtain over the brightest blue eyes I have ever seen, framed by the most luscious lashes. But it's the expression on his face, one of shock and utter confusion. Did he not think I would notice him?
The voice sounds again, "Not now, soon. We need to move."