Page 18 of Rescuer

“I can see,” I said again, the rest of my family coming into view.

My mother, who was hugging me tightly, was beautiful with dark brown hair and hazel eyes that were filled with tears. Then, there was Renee who was standing behind her, looking identical to our mom except with black hair. Next to her, Charlie was standing with my dad. They were also two peas in a pod, with black hair and blue eyes.

“Can I have a mirror?” A small, circular object was handed to me. I looked into it. A beautiful girl looked back at me with long, white-blonde hair and light blue eyes, making every movement I did.

“I am pretty. You weren’t lying.” Laughter erupted in the room, and then, it went silent again. “When can I go outside?”

“Later this afternoon, but with protective shades on until your eyes adjust. And if you don’t mind, I would like to run a few tests and then take an interview from you about your experience.” I nodded, taking in my doctor’s appearance.

I could see.

Me. Noalie Evers.

I could see again.

Half an hour later, I had done excellently on my tests and filled out the survey paper with twenty questions. I was currently watching TV. It all felt a bit surreal.

“So, this is the movie we always watch?” I whispered to Halt. Everyone else was wrapped up in our favorite movie.

“Yeah. Does it look like you thought it would?” He wrapped his arm around me as he said this. He managed to squeeze next to me on the bed. I still couldn’t seem to get over how he looked. I was taken aback by how handsome he was, and he was my boyfriend.Freaking insane.

“Sort of. It’s even better now.” He chuckled softly.

“Something’s bothering you?” I shook my head.

“Don’t worry about it.” He tightened his grip around me and turned himself so that his back was towards the TV.

“You can’t keep secrets from me. We’ve been through this before. I want to know everything. I need to know. Your happiness is my priority.” His eyes stared deeply into mine, and I was taken aback, amazed by the emotion shining in them.

“Fine,” I huffed. “Why me? Why not someone else?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” He was genuinely confused.

“I’m more than sure that there are prettier girls than me at school—ones who aren’t—weren’t blind. I’m not a Greek goddess, so why me? Please don’t tell me you pitied me.”

“There are prettier girls, but none of them are you. They aren’t smart, funny, and everything that makes you perfect. I don’t care if you can see or if you're blind. I don’t pity you; I love you, Noalie.” Tears filled my eyes, and he blurred.

“You’re blurry!” I screamed in sudden panic.

“That’s what happens when you cry,” Renee whispered. Obviously, she had been eavesdropping.

I felt extremely stupid. "Oh." Halt hugged me, and we continued to hold each other while the remainder of the movie played. The doctor came in a bit later. I had eaten lunch, and he smiled at me.

"How would you like to go outside? I hear they have an excellent ice cream parlor just down the street, shouldn't be too much of a walk." I was already making my way out of bed when I heard his first words.

"Sounds perfect. Halt?" I turned to him, and he came to stand beside me.

"We'll catch up with you, honey. Go have fun with Halt," my mother said, handing me a thick pair of shades before she ushered us out of the room.

I followed Halt out of the hospital, totally entranced with everything surrounding me. All the noises I had grown up with finally had an image. We exited through two big, sliding doors, and I couldn’t help but close my eyes as sunlight blinded me momentarily, even through my shades.

It was so bright.

I didn’t know how else to describe what I saw. Mostly, I was grateful for Halt for his excellent way with words.

“Oh, Halt!” I was speechless. “You explained everything so perfectly with more detail than I ever expected.” I wrapped my arms around him in a brief hug before quickly darting off to what I assumed were flowers.

He followed me, laughing. People were watching me in curiosity as I bent down and examined the flowers, every little detail of them.

“Those are carnations,” he said, coming to sit beside me.

“They’re so beautiful.”

“Wait until you see the garden your mother has going on in the backyard.”

I was suddenly extremely giddy. “I can’t wait to go home.”

“Come on. Let’s go to the ice cream parlor.” I took his outstretched hand, knowing that my future was going to be amazing. I had the man I loved beside me and a family to back me up on anything and everything. I had my sight back. I could be whomever I wanted to be.

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