Belle stared at Shawn in disbelief.
“Dump you? Shawn Brady what in the world are you talking about?”
“You don’t need a freak boyfriend…..so I am assuming you came here today to kick me to the curb and tell me you don’t want me anymore.” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Shawn I don’t EVER want to hear you say something like that again. I love you, you jerk! I am not going to dump you now or later or ever!” He smiled.
“Oh you’re bleeding!!” He had cracked open the scab on his lip and blood poured out. Belle rushed to his side and grabbed a Kleenex and pressed it to his wound. His hand grabbed hers. She felt herself flood with warmth and love for him.
“Forgive me. I’m talking crazy.”
“Shawn you are crazy….” Oops, maybe she shouldn’t have said that.
“Crazy about you.” She laughed. “Belle you know I might not get all my sight back to normal.”
“Nope. You are and I said so and that’s how it’s going to happen. So there. Deal with it.”
“Don’t make me smile!!! My lips is throbbing enough already.” She sat down and checked from time to time if he had stopped bleeding.
“Belle will you help me….you know, do stuff.”
“Shawn, listen to me I am being totally serious. I will help you with anything you may need. Nothing is too good for my man!!”
“It feels good to hear your voice, to know your body is there.” His voice grew sad as he said this and then he stopped talking. His thoughts drifted to a developing fear of him never regaining his sight.
“Hey, stop. No more being sad. We’re happy now!” A knock at the door. It was Philip, he was carrying a big floral arrangement.
“Hey guys, hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Who’s that? Sounds like Phil….”
“It is Phil man! How do you feel? Of course it can’t be that bad with this gorgeous girl standing here. Belle you look great……” Suddenly Philip felt stupid. Shawn couldn’t “see” if Belle looked great. There was an awkward silence.
“Shawn, Philip brought you some really nice flowers.”
“Great. It’s not like I can enjoy them can I?”
“Look Shawn, I didn’t mean…..I didn’t realize I would hurt your feelings by saying that….”
“Saying what? Complimenting MY girlfriend on how she looks? Don’t you know that I can’t see her for myself?” Another awkward silence.
“Well, I’m going to go. Shawn I’ll visit you another time, this one wasn’t the best I se….I can tell.” He corrected himself quickly before letting another offensive phrase slip out.
“Shawn….”
“Whatever you have to say I don’t want to hear it. I don’t like the way he checks you out. I may be blind as a bat, as they say but I know in my mind that he was scoping you out. I don’t like it.” Belle felt like she had to walk on eggshells with Shawn.
“I’m sorry. Don’t be mad, at me or Philip. We all have to get used to this little setback, and we will. But just don’t snap at anyone ok……you have to be patient too.”
“Be patient? Aren’t I waiting for my eyes to work? That alone uses up all my patience. Why don’t you just go….” She leaned down and kissed his cheek.
“I’ll come by later, when you feel better.” Silence. Shawn sat with his arms crossed over his chest. Why did he have to act like an ass? Belle and even Philip cared about him and were there for him. He had to stop thinking that Philip was trying to get with Belle. He wasn’t……but Shawn couldn’t shake the feeling that he was, or that he will be. ‘Maybe I can’t see right now, but I will soon and Philip, you better be behaving.”
