~*How Lisa & David Met*~
Chapter 5
By Lisa ashley_mylove3@yahoo.com
I can’t help but smile as we leave the bridge. We walk across the wooded area with our hands intertwined. Looking at David, I say, "I've been thinking about you and I. When all this happened, my meeting you, and until this very moment, you know...I just want to pinch myself to make sure that I'm not dreaming!"
"Oh, I'll do that for you..." David says before he actually pinches my bum.
I playfully smack him on the arm and continue. "Hey! I'm trying to be serious! Hahaha! Well, anyway, as I was trying to say...You're absolutely wonderful! I truly feel blessed to have had you in my life. I don't want to scare you with my being all mushy and sentimental, but I just wish that we could go on forever and not say good-bye. I've enjoyed all my time with you immensely! I feel like...I don't know how to describe it...like someone new...someone **sigh** someone..." **In Love**
"Yeah, I do understand what you mean. I hate good-byes with a passion! Feeling the emptiness...Missing the person who you enjoy just being with...I prefer to say 'Until next time' so that it doesn't seem like it'll be very long before you actually do."
Stopping under a beam of sunlight, David takes my hands and places them over his heart. "Lisa, we really don't have to let Tuesday be the end. I find you positively smashing! I'm finding it more and more difficult imagining not having you in my life.”
From out of no where, Rachael…the fan, comes running up to us. Looking at David and me, she smiles and says; "Have fun you two! Don't do anything I wouldn't do! Hahaha!" As she walks away she starts to sing a '70's song. "Love is in the air...do do do...do do do...Love is in the air"
I can't help my big-time blushing! Even though I feel completely natural being with David, I'm not used to others seeing me in this way. Especially, when I’m in the throws of my mushiness. I try not to acknowledge my blushing as we continue our walk.
“That was interesting!” David says quietly.
I stop walking and David turns to me with question in his eyes. I give him a soft kiss on the cheek and a warm hug.
"What was that for?" He asks in amusement.
“Cause I wanted to. I love putting my arms around you...to feel your heart beat with mine...I wanted to...because I love the way you are. For you being you. I should be embarrassed taking so honestly and openly with you, but I'm not. You make me feel so comfortable and at ease with myself. I'm free with you. I don't feel like I should guard my heart." I look into his eyes and being to feel all warm and tingly inside.
David is smiling ear to ear while shaking his head. "I can honestly say that I feel the same. You're an amazing creature, Lisa. I don't think I have ever felt this way around a woman, like I do around you. I love it! You're intoxicating with your truthfulness. You say how you feel and I like that. Generally speaking, I don't share so much of my life with others, but I feel like with each passing moment that I could tell you my whole life.”
At that very moment, my cell phone rings with the melody Cry Me A River, halting out conversation. **Dang! I forgot to turn it off** David, recognizing the tune, gives a whole-hearted laugh. I smile and look at the incoming number and it's my friend Rhonda. I mouth **Sorry** "Hello? Hey Rhonda! What's up? ..Sure... Uh-huh...Wow, that sounds great! I hope you have a great time...Yeah, I am ...Mamma. I will. Say hello to Neil for me. OK. Bye!" I hang up quickly. “Sorry about that. I generally don't have my phone on when I'm with someone. I like things private."
David nods and says, "No worries, Luv. What did she have to say?”
“Not much. She and her husband were leaving to go on their first vacation since they have gotten married. Rhonda had major knee surgery a couple months back and is looking forward to using it without pain.”
I smile, knowing that Rhonda will have a wonderful time. I’ve been on the phone with her daily since I came here for my vacation and have told her that I’ve met someone. She has given advice when I’ve been at a loss…since my experience is rather limited with men.
Feeling a need for a silly game of Tag, I say to him, "You're it!" And I run like the wind. (OK, not like the wind. More like a strong breeze!) Hahaha!
"I'm what?!? Hey! I'm it you say?! Oh, I get it! Ready or not here I come!" With mischief in his eyes, David sprints toward me.
I head for the bushes ahead and half hope that he catches me, wondering what he'll do when he finally does. Running and running, I weave my way around bushes and trees, suddenly noticing that I don't know where David is. I slow to a stop, looking here and there. I feel a misting of a rain on my skin and I glance up. Through the trees I see gray skies. I begin to feel nervous. Turning myself around and around. Everything is silent but for the birds, the wind blowing softly through the trees and the sounds of water droplets falling from the leaves. Now, I begin to feel a bit of a panic inside me.
"David? David? Hey where did you go?" My breath is coming faster and faster as I feel the fear growing. I start to head back in the direction that I came from...only...I can't tell which way that is...Nothing looks familiar...Everything is the same...I'm surrounded by bushes and trees...My eyes start to fill with tears as my body begins to tremble. "Crap!...Flip!...Dang it!...Freak!...Shoot!...David?!? Come on, no fool'n now. Where are you?"
I stand completely still and close my eyes so that I can relax and calm myself. In hope of hearing something, anything, that will let me know where David is or I don't know...where I am...I strain my senses. Unexpectedly, I feel a hand on my shoulder gripping me as I'm spun around. With my eyes still shut, I gasp, but David's mouth covers mine, stifling my scream as I'm enveloped into his embrace.
Pulling away from his kiss, I begin to feel faint. With my knees beginning to buckle, David feels me slipping from his grasp and immediately holds my body closer to his. Closing my eyes, I try to hold on to him, hoping the world stop spinning. Alarmed, David lowers me to the ground. "LISA? LISA?! Oh my lord! What’s…what’s wrong? Oh no! What’s happening, Lisa?" David panics, not knowing what to do.
I can’t answer him, so I squeeze his hand. David grabs for my phone so that he can call for help, but to his frustration, he’s unable to turn it on.
About a minute goes by and I’m able to open my eyes. I’m startled by the look on his face. He’s so scared. It’s a look that makes me sit up as quickly as I possibly can and I take him into my arms. I can’t see straight ‘cause I’m so dizzy, but I don’t care. I bring his head to my breast and he puts his arms around my waist. He lies against me as I begin to rock him back and forth trying to soothe his fears.
"David, it’s alright, it’s alright. I’m better now. Shhhhhh…Shhhhh." Kissing the top of his head, I hold him close.
"What happened? You gave me such a fright, Luv." David says with a worried voice.
"I’m sorry…I thought I was going to pass out. My heart…was pounding so hard. I was so afraid when I couldn’t see or hear you. I…I didn’t know where I was. Then when you came up from behind me and my eyes were closed…it really got me." My words tumble out of me.
"Oh Babe! I didn’t know that you were that scared. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!" David says with his voice shaking.
I look down at him and see tears in his eyes and I hold him even tighter. "Hon, it’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known. I…well, I…After my dad died, something happened to me… Something so terrible.” I say as a shiver goes through me.
“I was driving in the mountains. I felt quite sad that day and I needed to get away. I went up a little dirt road that no one lived on and parked. It was so beautiful there that I got out and started to take a walk. I left everything in the car, which wasn’t smart. All I had on was a windbreaker, a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and my hiking boots. It was a hot day if you were in the sun, but there was a good breeze blowing so it at times got to be chilly.
“Well anyway… I was walking for hours not thinking about where I was or how I was going to get back. The trees getting thicker and thicker…I was thinking about my dad and how much I missed him. How he would be sad if he knew what was happening to me…how hard things were, what a pain my brother was being to me…
“It was getting late and the sun was going down over the mountain rather quickly. I didn’t have a cell phone yet, so I couldn’t call anyone when I realized that I didn’t know where the heck I was. I seriously doubt if I did have one, that I could have used it in the mountains. I also hadn’t been to the area before that day.
“I love the outdoors and had never felt scared or panicked before. I couldn’t tell which way was east or west, just that I was so very lost. The breeze was bone chilling as darkness fell. I couldn’t even see the mountain…just the trees all around me. I… I didn’t know what to do or where to go."
I start to cry, remembering the helpless, frightened feeling. I was reliving those moments before David found me as I experienced back then. David looks up at me and wipes away my tears as his own fall down his face. I, in turn, wipe his away and kiss him on his forehead. It doesn’t help matters with the rain misting all over us, making our clothes and bodies damp.
I continue, "I stumbled around in the dark getting cut up on my legs and hands. I fell down a gully, hitting my head on a tree, my back and then ribs on a boulder. I lay there in the mud and water, attempting to catch my breath. My vision grew dark as I struggled to remain conscious. When I would breathe, it felt like my ribs were grinding together.” I stopped, closed my eyes, and drew a quivering breath.
David sat up and brought me into him so that he was the one comforting me. "My poor girl…you must have been terrified being all alone out there like that. I feel terrible messing around like I did. Instead of having a bit of fun, I made it so much worse. I thought it would be great stealing a kiss from you like I did…I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me to buggar off for scaring you like I did." David apologizes to me with such a sad look on his face.
Facing him, I say, "No, David. I don’t blame you. How could you have known about it? I don’t talk about it…ever. I was changed by what happened, but I don’t want it affecting my life like many other things do, or at least change perspective on this or that. Sure, I could have mentioned it when we were talking about our past injuries, but...I don't like to remember. Not even when you’ve touched my scars. The one on my ribs…it’s just not something I talk of. Sometimes when people bring it up...I...I get emotional about it."
Looking away, I feel a little self-conscience as I start to blush I say in a whisper... "And I could never tell you to ‘buggar off.’ Besides, I always welcome your sweet kisses. Anytime…anywhere."
David looks relieved by this and smiles. "**Sigh** Good. I don’t want this to be a thorn in our sides. Will it bother you too much to go and continue telling me what happened?"
Shaking my head, I proceed, "Well, I knew that I had to get out of where I ended up, so I tried going up the hill. Working my way up, I finally made it. I was so cold and wet…I looked around to see if I could find a cave or any kind of shelter to stay in, but there was nothing. I didn’t feel like I could go on. My head was hurting so badly by then, or at least I was noticing it. It was incredibly painful to breathe too.
“To make matters worse, it began to rain. It was then that I noticed all the blood. I was covered in it, well, my head, face, shoulders, chest and arms. I’m ashamed to say, that I freak’n swore up a storm when I saw it. I don’t swear so this was pretty major for me. I mostly said the Sh*# word. I think is one of my bigger regrets about that.
“OK…I thought I would bleed to death, freeze to death, drown by all the rain, or get a massive infection from my injuries. I took off my windbreaker and shirt and tied the shirt around my head to stop bleeding. My fingers and toes hurt so much... kind of like knives cutting into your skin. I shivered so violently that it made me so sick to my stomach.
“I worried about my poor Ashley, all alone in the house and my not being there to feed her. It was at that moment, I really got scared. I had all these crazy thoughts of ‘what if I died out here and wild animals picked apart my body.’ Or something like that. I didn’t want my family to think that I ran away or killed myself, since at that time… I was pretty sad and depressed about life and thought of suicide." I look at David feeling a little ashamed.
"No, Luv! You really felt like that? You have so much love of life…no…that’s hard to believe…" David is astonished by my admission.
"Yeah…I really did. For the longest time too, but I knew that if I did, I would be hurting my Mom, my Grandpa, my other family and especially God. I felt like I would be doing a selfish, hurtful act if I went through with it. Plus, I didn’t want my nieces and nephew, Kayla, Josh or Alyssa to forget me or think ill thoughts of me. My family didn’t really know how much I was hurting inside until two years later when I felt like I finally had gotten through it. I was having a hard time financially and my losing my Daddy compounded that. Living on without him…
“So, I finally took control over my life and said no more to my brother’s…his…presence…the things that he did… He was living with me, but never paid rent or helped with any of the bills. I even bailed him out of jail 2 times in one night…something that financially was devastating to me. He never paid me back either… I felt so much pressure…so desperate… I couldn’t handle it. It was affecting my work too. I was miserable.
“Well, I got through it and then a month later, my cousin Lisa’s brother-in-law committed suicide. He was such a nice guy, handsome too. I was so sad. I wish I could have talked with him. To help him in some way. I don’t know exactly why he did it. I don’t think his family knew how sad he really was or all the reasons why he did it. I just know that I’m glad that I had the chance to meet him. I will always remember his smile and his laugh..." I become silent remembering.
“Oh Luv, I’m sorry about that. Did you know him well?" David asks me.
"No, not really. I think I only met him once…but I could be wrong. I do remember meeting him at Lisa and Drew’s wedding reception. All the single gals surrounded him trying to talk with him. He seemed quite popular. I kind of hung back not wanting him to think I was trying to attract his attentions."
David looks at me puzzled.
"Oh, you know…single, handsome, bachelor…at a wedding reception…" I hint to him.
"Ah! Yes, I get the picture." He understands my meaning.
"Well, I guess I should explain the rest of my infamous adventure… I knew of the possibility that no one would be looking for me. I took a little road trip without letting anyone know and I went up a mountain road that no one lived on. Dumb move on my part. I made myself into a ball trying to stay warm. It rained for a better part of 3 hours. I started to feel lightheaded… I guess from the blood loss.
“I decided to sing to keep myself awake just in case I really did bleed to death, had a concussion, or the cold got to me and I got hypothermia. I actually had a good time doing that. I sang songs from the Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, LeAnn Rhimes, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Barry Manillow, The Carpenters, Air Supply, Journey, Foreigner, A-Ha, Bryan Adams, show tunes, movie soundtracks. Anything that I could remember. I even sang the only song I knew from an English group Right Said Fred ‘I’m Too Sexy’ (**Giggle**) I loved the lines 'I'm too sexy for my shirt...too sexy for my shirt...so sexy it hurts...' (**Giggle**) and one song from Chesney Hawks ‘I Am The One And Only’, you know…the opening song from the movie Doc Hollywood with Michael J. Fox.” I say with a sigh.
“The night wore on and I felt worse. I was so tired that I drifted off into la-la land for a while. I dreamed some nutty dreams. I don’t remember most of them now, but I remember being agitated by some of them.
“I at one point I woke and looked at the sky. There were some puffy clouds up there, but most of the sky was crystal clear. The color of my sapphire ring with my diamonds as stars. You could really see the stars up through the trees. It was beautiful. I saw the moon. It was huge. I felt so amazed. It was really very much a privilege for me to see such a sight. To have the ability to witness it. I felt like if I was going to die…then let it be right then and there, viewing the full moon. I no longer felt scared to die. I didn’t want to, but if I had to…then I would and I would just hope that I was remembered well by those that I loved."
David looks at me with marvel. "Lisa…So brave you were! You faced death and yet you were at peace with it. I admire your courage! I don’t think half the people who could go through what you did would have been so valiant."
"Valiant…Brave…Courageous? No, my love, you’re forgetting my being so scared that I practically fainted. I don’t think of myself in that way. I...I just did what I had to do to get through it. I was out there all alone in the dark, cold night or like the song says ‘It’s A Damn Cold Night’.” I say to David with a wink.
“I didn’t think the day would ever come. I waited and waited trying not to sleep even though I would. I was so, so tired. I didn’t have it in me to get up and try to find my way out. I, thankfully, was in a beam of sunlight for a good while so that I was able to warm up.
“It was already mid-day by the time I had gathered my strength and started to go walking to find my way back. I knew that I need to travel north and since it was still early enough, I had the sun to the east of me.
“I walked for a little while, every so often coughing and feeling weak. I felt like I would pass out at any moment. I stopped as much as I could without taking too much time. I wanted to get the heck out of there and get on home.
“I guess it took me quite a while to get my way as far as I did. The sun was getting ready to set...again. I walked and walked until I heard some noises. I could hear someone calling my name. I start to yell out to them, but I couldn’t get too much out. I would get into a coughing fit and ended up on the ground." I start talking and breathing faster as I tell David what happened.
"I finally call out and was heard. I couldn’t rise off the ground to meet my rescuers. I must have looked a fright, because they rushed to me. All of the sudden, there was so much activity. It was like they appeared out of no where.
“The Search and Rescue squad had radioed ahead to others and they started in on me trying to see what was hurt and needed attention. I was really scared at all the poking, prodding and lights shining in my eyes. I just wanted to go home.
“They started an IV and placed me on a backboard with a neck brace on...which really mystified me since I had been walking around without one.
“I remember one of the guys laying a silver thermal blanket over me. I started to warm up, much to my relief. I don’t remember anything after that. I lost consciousness for 2 days before I woke up in the hospital. I was so sore. Tubes coming out of my chest, IV’s, oxygen… I had a pretty serious concussion, broken three ribs, a collapsed lung, 17 stitches, cuts, scrapes, and numerous bruises. I also messed up some muscles in my mid-back that from time to time give me trouble. I even get stuck and in pain if I bend down while letting my vertebrae slide…stretching my back. With all of that, I ended up getting a nasty chest cold too…Man!…The coughing killed, but at least I was alive." I smiled as I finished.
Hugging me tightly, David looks at me with concern in his eyes. “You really could have lost your life out there that night” Then with a relieved laugh, he says, "And thank goodness you are alive. I may never have met you it if you weren’t found! If I had known…I would have continued to play your game of tag instead of getting the idea to sneak up on you and steal a kiss."
"David! You can steal all the kisses you desire, just as long as I get to do the same. Muhuahaha!" I give my best eevill laugh while I rub my hands together as if I was hatching a plan…
Laughing at me and my eevill laugh, David and I get up from the ground. Giving me a big, bear hug, he says "Lisa, this is the way I love to see you. Full of your beautiful smiles. I love to see it sparkle in you’re eyes." With his arms still around me, David steps back to look at me. Falling silent, David frowns slightly with a bit of sadness in his eyes, and he continues with a sigh, “I really do apologize for making you feel bad. I was such a git" and he kisses my forehead.
I smile, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, I feel really good. Talking about it with him seemed to do something…I don’t know how to describe it…Like it’s OK now.
Shaking my head, I reach up and touch his cheek. With thoughts of **Nothing this wonderful has ever happened to me before.** and **He’s everything I have dreamed of in a man and ever so much more.** moving through my head.
"It’s alright, really. No permanent harm done. How could I be mad at you?" I say as David gives me a look of affection that warmed my heart. He leans in for a kiss, which I reciprocate ten fold. I love to get lost in his kisses, but the changing sky through the treetops catches my attention after coming up for air. It’s getting on to sunset. The rain clouds have left. We’ve spent the entire day hiking about and now it’s time to head back.
“Well, at least it’s stopped raining. I love how here on the island, the rain is misting stead of heavy drops, don’t you? I guess it’s getting late, David." Feeling a good whine coming on, I say with a pout on my face, "It’s too bad that we couldn’t stay out instead of going back into town. I’m feeling a little selfish right now. I guess, I don’t want this day to end."
"Those were my thoughts exactly, Lisa. That’s why…I’ve got a surprise for you. I wanted to have a special night with you. A romantic candlelight dinner, or dancing under the stars, maybe a video…and…” David’s voice trails off and he gives a sly smile. **Blushing**
With the sun being close to setting, we start to walk on towards the path. I try not to let him see the fear that playing in my heart and mind. I look away and laugh. I make an effort not to think about what I assume he really meant. I don’t think that I should…or could sleep with him without David being my husband.
Kissing, holding each other, touching…as much as we have been…well, it’s…great! It stirs up things within that…one can only describe as incredible!! I’m fully prepared for this part in romance, but not the next...not without the I Do’s. Enjoying his embrace…his closeness…How do I tell him without hurting him or him thinking I’m a prude or a tease? I think he really does know my heart and what I will do and not do, but we haven’t talked about it. Part of me feels excited thinking that he finds me attractive…desirable. To be wanted in such a way….but I know I can’t or I would feel guilty for giving in to what I’ve held on to for so long. I know he respects me. He doesn’t push for more, even when things begin to get serious and I pull away.
Having a conscience so active that I can’t even tell a falsehood without feeling so ashamed that I can’t live with myself. It tears me up inside. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it because I’ve kept on the straight and narrow…Argh! Sometimes I wish for a moment I was like other people who don’t have this problem…but then again…I wouldn’t be who I am.
I try to make light of the conversation to buy time by saying, "Haha! Yeah! That sounds great…I could take my shower, get my jammies on and put on my Lamby slippers. Let’s see…I was planning on doing a clay mask…hmmm…maybe painting my toe nails…and we could see if my cousins place has a pair of binoculars or a telescope to look at the stars…Oooh! Maybe they have Monopoly or Scrabble!” I say with a laugh
I push my thoughts about…ya know…to the back of my mind.
Changing the subject, I wonder aloud about the skiing and snowboarding at the resorts up by my place in Utah.
"It’s too bad we couldn’t go and give it a try up there. I bet the runs are great. This is such a beautiful area that it can only be more so up there." I say.
"Yeah, that would be fantastic! You know as I recall, Utah has great resorts as well. Don’t they say that Utah has the Greatest Snow On Earth?" David recalls.
Nodding, I agree, "Oh, yeah! It really does have great snow! It’s powder. Down in the Valley, it’s really wet. Not so fun to shovel! I love Snowbasin and Alta. Snowbasin was my first resort that I skied at. They expanded it for the Olympics so I’m pretty excited to see what changes have been made. Every so often I come across a map of the ski runs and then I plan where I would go. Many tourists go to The Canyons, Snowbird or other Park City area resorts, but I prefer less crowding. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all go to like Alta and ski for a couple of days?" I ask with a dreamy voice.
"Definitely! We should plan a trip next winter.” David says with a wink.
"Yeah, that would be terrific. I have three bedrooms. You could stay at my place so you wouldn’t have to get a room at a hotel and waste your money.” Continuing on I mention “And what’s great about my place is…it’s about 45 minutes to an hour away from Snowbasin and about an hour from Alta, Snowbird, and The Canyons, depending on speed and traffic. Ooh! We should plan something fun for us. You could teach me your best moves.” I quickly add, “on the slopes.”
"Haha! What funny girl you are!" David has a grin from ear to ear. I feel like I could walk on air. My thoughts are totally involved in him…on him…with him. I don’t even notice that we’re no where near the Jeep.
I sigh and say, "It’s been such a lovely day and now the night is coming and it seems lovely as well, Mr. Wenham. I want this all to last forever. I have wonderful memories because of you. Thank you for being a part of them and making them so special…" **Here I go with my being sappy again** I think.
"Lisa, yet again, I’m the one who should be thanking you. I’ve had a wonderful time sharing my holiday with you…I certainly have seen into your tender heart." David says with all sincerity.
"Oh!" I gasp. **Giggle** **Blushing** Biting my lower lip I think, **He is the sweetest! Boy, did I luck out!** I stop dead in my tracks. My eyes open wide as my senses suddenly awaken. I’m speechless. David comes up from behind and slips his arms around my waist. With his body up against mine, I can feel his breath on my neck. Shivers run up my spine and I feel breathless… as I behold something utterly astonishing up ahead…
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Chapter 6
