Page 4 of Resolution
We rest for a while, but eventually, I get restless. I feel so much better and I’m in a foreign country after all.Why would I want my only view to be from this couch?
Though when I look at Enzo, I realize it is quite a view. But still. I don’t want to be sick and helpless on the couch all day.
A little while later, I convince Enzo I’m well enough to see some sights. He reluctantly agrees to drive me around Ramstein Air Force Base. He shows me where he works, where he likes to shop, and where he works out. We do this all from the car so I don’t expose anyone to my germs, in case I’m contagious.
After a while, we pick up something to eat from a deli. Unfortunately, I quickly find that I can’t hold anything down. I find myself begging Enzo to pull over so I can relieve myself in the bushes. Like a perfect gentleman, he doesn’t complain once. He simply takes me back to his apartment and we spend the rest of the evening resting on the couch, watching movies and snuggling.I’m thankful to keep some chicken broth down before going to bed for the night.
Fuck! The next morning’s a repeat of the day before. Like the movie ‘Groundhog Day,’ it totally sucks. To make matters worse, I’m so weak Enzo has to help me shower. I spend the entire day in bed sleeping and just trying to be in the land of the living. I must say, the man’s a saint. There’s not a wish I have that he doesn’t answer. If I actually had the ability to care, I’d be mortified for being such an invalid.
Thank the Lord, I feel alive again the next morning. Not feeling like death warmed over is almost like a miracle. I’m eager to make the most of our limited time together. Today’s Enzo’s birthday and I can tell he’s relieved that I’m on the mend.We get dressed and I decide to wear the green dress he bought me, but this time I wear knee-high boots and tights to keep my legs warm. My jacket’s thick, so I have no worries about being chilly.
Within a few minutes of being in the car, Enzo takes me to the Nanstein Castle. It was built in 1162. I’m eager to get out and walk around the grounds of the castle itself. After being stuck in bed, it’s a relief to walk about and enjoy the culture and history. I soon learn this castle was built after the Holy Roman Empire. Fredrick demanded its construction as an additional defense for the Palatinate, which is the area we are in. I dig out my camera and take as many pictures as I can of the architecture and view of the city below us. I also insist Enzo and I take a few selfies together, since it’s his birthday after all. You don’t turn thirty-eight every day. He teases me the entire time about being a cougar trying to steal his virtue.Yes, I’m nearly a year older than him, but it’s not that big of a deal. Age is just a number anyway, not something that defines you.
We stop at a café for a late breakfast. Still scared of being sick again, I only get a light pastry and coffee. Then we make our way to another beautiful castle in Thallichtenberg, Germany.This one is the biggest castle ruins in all of Germany. It overlooks the outskirts of town and looks much more rustic than the previous one we toured.
As we walk the grounds, I’m in complete awe. It feels like something fairytales are made of. I can’t believe I get to experience this. You don’t see something this old in the United States. Not only do I get to share this magnificent experience with an amazing man, I get to learn more about the history of Germany as well. I’ll never forget this trip with Enzo. I take it all in, trying to engrain this experience in my memory.
Enzo whispers in my ear while I’m lost in thought, “Does this make me Prince Charming?” My only response is to kiss him senseless and make this a dream come true.
On our way to the third castle for the day, my stomach starts to quiver.Fuck!I know I’m going to be sick again.I beg Enzo to pull over, and I relieve myself on the side of the road. This time, after he’s assured that I’m done puking, he insists on taking me to the hospital.I’m feeling so fucking weak again, I can hardly protest.This isn’t how I wanted to spend my fucking vacation.I’m a single mother of three, can’t I catch a break?I just want to spend time with the man I love, explore a new country, and enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity. What the hell is wrong with the universe? I should not be sick right now.
In sheer exhaustion, I fall asleep cursing the universe, only to be woken when we arrive at a hospital. Since all my energy has been zapped out of me and I can barely stand, the nurse insists on me being in a wheelchair.Great. Now I’m an invalid as well as a puking monster. What must Enzo think? I sure know how to live it up while I’m with him. Geesh!
When the nurse asks if Enzo is family, he says, “I’m her fiancé.” I don’t give it much thought. There’s no way I want to go through those doors alone.I’m sicker than I’ve ever been, and I’m beginning to worry about the possibilities of what might be wrong as well.
A nurse comes in to take my vitals. She draws some blood and asks a series of questions. After a while, the doctor comes in and does a quick exam. Well,quickmay be an oxymoron.Nothingseems quick when I’m feeling this miserable. He throws around words like appendicitis, gallbladder, kidney infection, sending Enzo and me into heightened tension, as we await the results. Neither of us says much, but I can tell we’re both more anxious as time slowly passes. A nurse comes back in and asks if I can give a urine sample and thank God, she offers to help me.Enzo has been a godsend, but that might be pushing our love too far.
As soon as I get settled in the hospital bed, Enzo takes my hands. He kneels beside me on the bed and he almost shouts, “Samantha!”
Surprised by his sudden enthusiasm, I ask, “Yes?” wondering what has him so worked up.
In a much calmer tone and demeanor, he states, “I need you to know how much I love you.”
I’m not dying. Just really sick. He doesn’t need to get so worked up over this.“I love you, too,” I soothingly say as I place my hand on his forearm to calm him.
He clears his throat and begins again, this time his words coming out as a caress. “Samantha, I need you to know how much I love you. I’ve never met anyone like you. You’ve become the most important person in my life.”
Okay, now he has my attention. Where’s he going with this?I don’t respond to let him continue.
“Samantha, no matter what those test results say, I will be with you in sickness and in health.I want you to know that I will always have your best interests at heart. I’m sure there will be times you’re going to have to put me in my place. I can be a little thick headed.”
Gee… you think?I still don’t know where he’s going with this, but I can’t help but laugh at the last statement. Thankfully, he joins me as well.
Once we stop, he continues, “But know that I will always do it out of love.”
He takes a deep breath to collect his thoughts. I nod at him to continue. Something about the way he just said, ‘in sickness and in health’ and he’s professing his love for me, has piqued my curiosity.
Oh My God! Could he be…???
“These past six weeks of being apart has made me a miserable bastard.I don’t want to spend another day without you being mine.”
Oh My God, he is…
I can’t help it, I’m a nervous laugher.I pull him to me and give him a quick kiss, not caring that I have vomit breath. I’m too caught up in the moment.
He pulls away and continues, this time capturing my entire heart, “Samantha Elizabeth O’Reilly, would you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out an exquisite white-gold diamond ring. It’s a three-diamond setting that represents the past, present, and future, the largest being in the middle. I’m nearly in tears. This is the last thing I expected.
