If Cora had learned anything from today, it was that her taste in men was way off--or maybe she'd just picked a bad apple and that whoever she'd meet once she was done with Adam would be better. But that wasn't the only thing she learned . . . apparently.
Cora opened her eyes to find herself in a hospital bed. Great. In her peripheral vision, she could see that same stranger from the garden sitting in the chair next to her.
"You're awake," He said, trying to hide the small grin on his face.
"No I'm not." Cora closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
"What is your problem?"
"You're creepy. I don't know you and you're claiming to be my neighbor but how come I've never seen you? And then you're telling me you hear everything that's going on through the wall as if it's your business. Do you just put a chair against the wall and listen? Huh? Cause we can't be that loud."
Cora was furious. If he really wanted to help then why didn't he stand up to Adam instead of wasting his time chasing after Cora? What was the point?
"Actually, you are that loud. And if it wasn't for me being the only one who realized what was going on, you would probably be dead."
He's right, Cora thought to herself.
"So what happened?"
"After you ran when you saw Adam, I ran after you. I know that I should've ran after Adam, but I wasn't thinking. But at some point I turned around and faced Adam and he pushed me then he threw the rock at you, you passed out, and then I called the police. Adam's in jail now . . . you don't have to worry about him anymore."
Cora felt tears starting to fall. That was exactly what she didn't want. To call the police and get Adam locked up. He'd only come back angrier. That same fear she had in the elevator and behind the garden hedges had come rushing back to her like water in a floodgate. She wasn't safe and she never would be. She started to imagine what it would be like the day he got out of jail: Panic, worry, fear, and paranoia haunting her for the full 24 hours she'd be alive.
The stranger got out of his seat and hugged Cora.
"It's okay. He can't hurt you anymore,"
"Oh but he can . . . he will. It's just a matter of when,"
"No he won't. I'll make sure of it."
Cora suddenly felt safe and secure. Maybe this guy wasn't such a creep afterall.
"You never told me your name by the way," Cora wiped her tears.
"Darren. Darren Fields."
"I'm--"
"Cora?"
Cora nodded and accepted his hug.
Cora took one final sip of her coffee and so did Darren. It had been a few months after what happened with Adam--6 months to be exact. They'd gotten to know each other pretty well after the incident and were now dating.
They threw away their paper cups and rose from their seats. Darren took Cora's hand in his.
"I wanna show you something,"
They both smiled and walked out of the coffee shop. The sun was shining and the day was filled with the promise of happiness and love. Cora felt like she could breathe again. The first couple of weeks after Adam had gone to prison, she was sure he'd escape and so she walked on eggshells for the rest of her life until the day she realized that that wouldn't happen. And today was that day.
"Isn't this beautiful?" Said Darren.
"Wow," Was all that Cora could say. She was speechless.
They stood in a pathway full of bright red roses surrounding them. It looked like something you'd see in a movie, or something in a romance novel. Cora was beyond impressed.
"What's this for?" Cora asked, apparently her smile was contagious.
And that's when he did it. Darren let go of Cora's hand and got down on one knee in front of her. Cora gasped and covered her mouth with both of her hands. Tears started to form in her eyes.
"I know we've only been dating for about 6 months, but I've never been so sure about anything or anyone in my life as I am about you. From the moment we met, even though it wasn't perfect, I knew we had something special,"
"Darren wait,"
But he kept on going.
"And I don't need a year of dating to prove that. So,"
He pulled a small block box from his pocket.
"Cora Marianna Garcia, will you marry me?"
There was an awkward silence between them that went on too long for comfort.
Cora wanted to say yes, but there was a huge doubt that was clouding her judgement.
"I'm sorry I just can't . . ."
Cora wiped away her tears. Darren shut the small box closed and forced it back into his pocket then stood back up. She could tell he was disappointed and maybe a little angry, so she thought maybe an explanation would help cool things down.
"I'm just not ready . . . and it's not because it's too soon, I just have this small doubt in the back of my head and--"