I want to dedicate this story to my wife. With all my heart I love you.
A special thanks to BlackShanglan, editor and friend. Without your help this would have not been possible. Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration.
A second special thanks to sxy_kitten. Without your initial help I would not be here writing now.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated and always replied to. I hope you enjoy my first story.
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The sun slowly dipped into retreat at the sight of the pale glow from the growing moon. The crickets began their nightly symphony as the birds quelled the chirps of the day. In the scenic, central park of Worchester, Katie sat on the rose wood bench observing the Van Gough painting forming above her. The starry sky signaled the love lorn couples taking their evening walk that it was time to go home. Katie took one final look at the full bloom roses rushing into their final hours. Sighing she followed the public example and began her journey home on the muggy autumn evening.
Katie strolled down the cracked sidewalk, dodging the newly formed puddles. The faint, yellow light of the street lamps safely guided her back to the two floor studio loft. Looking back with nostalgia one last time, Katie walked up her porch steps, opened the heavy oak door, and reluctantly entered her empty home.
As she closed the door, Katie saw the flashing red light of her answering machine.
Beep.
"Hey Katie. It's Shannon. I won't be home tonight. I'm going out with Shawn. Don't wait up sweetie. I'm not sure when I'll be home."
Beep.
Katie took a look around the living room and saw the mess left behind. "Shannon, you have got to be the worst roommate ever," she thought. "Nah, I guess your just your normal Shannony self."
Katie snatched up a trash bag lying on the kitchen counter and began to clean her friend's mess. She was tossing empty pop cans into the bag when she saw her high school year book lying on the end table.
She dropped the bag of trash and slowly opened the cover reading the signatures and sayings from her former friends.
"Hey Katie, good luck with college. I hope we can keep in touch and still be friends. I had a blast this year. Thanks for all the good times." ~ Jen.
"Kat. Stay cool. Don't let that dork Alex bring you down. J/K. Seriously, you two look so happy together I hope everything works out. At least you'll be going to the same school, so that's cool. You know where I'll be if you ever need a friend, or someone to talk to. I still care for you honey, even if we're no longer together." ~Rick
"Katie, my love. You've made these past few years the best ones of my life. I can't wait until the summer passes so we can finally be married. It's all I've been talking about at home. Mom is excited. You know she really does love you. You'll always have a family with us. Remember that. You mean more to me than mere words could ever describe. The thought that brings me the most happiness is knowing that I'll get to take care of you the rest of your life. For the rest of my life. Only a few short months. Then we get to be married. I can't wait. Especially for our wedding night. Just think about it. Romantic candles. Soft music. Most importantly. Us. Alone. I can't wait...to see you naked. He he he. I love you. I always will. You mean the world to me. Someday I'll give it all back to you. I'll give you the world. I better stop now. I seem to be taking up most of this page. You don't want to read me blathering on and on anyway. You know, on and on, not really saying anything. Just taking up space so no one else can write. You know those people. I hate those people. Just keep going and going and...Ow! I better stop since you just hit me..." ~ Alex
Katie had to put the book down. Reading what Alex wrote always made her depressed. She dragged herself over to her beige, plump couch and plopped down. Instinctually she turned on the television, but didn't pay attention to the flashing images or the piercing sound as her mind drifted.
She began to softly hum a romantic song that was played during the senior prom. A smile formed slowly on Katie's face as she recalled the way Alex slid his hands around her hips and drew her in close to dance. She giggled as she thought of how terrible he was at dancing but did it anyway because she enjoyed it.
Katie couldn't believe that Alex proposed to her during prom. As she sat on the couch her cheeks blushed deep red when she remembered him bending down to one knee.