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It’s Only Been Eight Years, Where Are You?

Part 7

“This isn’t how I imagined our first date would go,” I whispered in Dee’s ear.

“Me neither, but I wouldn’t have wanted it to go any other way,” he said and squeezed my hand tighter.

I laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you. You don’t need to hold on 24/7,” I said.

“What if it’s a scary movie,” he said.

“Are you a kid, mister?” I said.

“I’ve waited so long. I’m going to treasure this moment,” he said.

“You’re right. I had always been living for a future when I should be living for the present,” I said.

“No matter where you are, I will always support you,” he said. “I’ve always had and I’ll always will.”

“I want to ask you for something selfish,” Victoria said.

“What could that be?” Dee asked, intrigued. He rubbed my hair lightly.

“Please don’t leave me, like I did to you. I was wrong. I should have stayed. All eight years, each and everyday was school, school, and more school. I could think about was you. I don’t care about my doctor dreams anymore, all I need is you. I’m sorry,” I said. The words gushed out like a shattered dam unleashing years of rain.

“Don’t worry, in this life you’re the only one I love,” he said before hugging me with all his embrace.

Suddenly, my phone decided to ring. He released, and I checked. “It’s the hospital, probably has to do with my residency,” I said. “I have to take it.”

“Alright, I go get us some popcorn and drinks for the movie,” he said.

I smiled and accepted the phone call.

“Hello?” I said.

“Hi, I am Briana from York Lake Hospital. I am calling you to update you on patient Dee Walker. You came recently and asked for him,” the voice on the phone answered. She was clearly the receptionist from last time.

“Yes, I did. However, I found him already,” I said.

“Oh my, I am so sorry for you loss,” the voice said.

“What? I’m sorry. What do you say?” I asked.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” the female voice repeated. “It must have been hard on you.”

“Are you implying he passed away? I just discharged him today from York Lake Hospital. There has to be some mistake,” I said.

“I’m sorry Miss. We’ve found his records. Mr. Walker passed away seven years ago from liver failure,” the voice said.

I hung up.

Dee are you dead?

It became harder to see as my eyes filled with tears.

Dee came running towards me. “What’s wrong Victoria? Why are you crying?” He placed the drinks and popcorn down and hurriedly wrapped his arms around me.

“Dee, are you dead?” I asked, what was probably the stupidest question possible.

He nodded slowly. “How did you know?”

“The hospital just called,” I replied sobbing. “So, it’s true!”

“I died a year after you left. But, I cannot leave this world without saying goodbye to my one and only love.”

I sobbed louder. “So, is this all a dream that’s about to end? Am I going to wake up and that’s it? You’re going to leave?”

He hugged me tighter and whispered, “I begged and pleaded to see you before I meet the end. The heaven has answered. We have three days. Let’s make the most of these three days. Okay?”

“Three days only? Then what happens?” I asked.

“Don’t worry, don’t think about what will happen. All that matters is we are together. Please don’t cry, my love. I want to leave remembering you smile,” he said as he wiped away my tears.

I smiled. “Don’t worry about the future, let’s just live in the present.”

“That’s right” Dee said. “I’m choosing the movie.”

He held my hand tightly as we walked into the theater for our first and last time.

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It’s Only Been Eight Years, Where Are You?

Part 6

“This is amazing!” he said. “Dang, you’re so lucky. You get to eat this everyday.”

“Did I gain that much weight?” I said followed by a laugh. “What makes you think I’ve been eating goodness everyday.”

“My little ball of goodness can be any size and I’ll always love you,” he said as placed a piece of waffle and chicken on his fork. He swiped a dab of butter and drizzled the sweet maple on the delight and told me to open my mouth.

“You’re trying to fatten me up?” I asked. “If I become a ball, you’re going to have to push me everywhere,” I joked.

“Good, it’s easier to keep an eye on my little ball,” he said. I took the bite and we laughed.

Not look after we left the restaurant, I found myself with a very confused boy not knowing how the subway works.

“You scan the damn card and walked through the metal poles,” I said.

He scanned and walked but was unable to get through the metal bars.

“Push harder, literally walk through them” I was instructing on the other side while laughing. Eventually he got through and immediately resumed holding my hand. We took the subway and not long after we were at the amusement park.

“No way, they opened such a huge amusement park in the middle of nowhere? And there are barely any people,” I said.

“Yeah, recently,” Dee answered. “So, what’s our first ride?”

“I want to see you soaked. We’re going on that water log,” I said and pulled him to the wet masterpiece. Turns out I was the one that got soaked, to which he laughed to my face on how my plan backfired.

He then challenged me to the bumper cars. We ran into each other countless times smashing at max speed often times. We took photos in one of those photo booths and decorated the fuck out of our photos. I was happy. This was what I was missing while studying in California. This was the day I was waiting for. Dee was the one my little heart was yearning for. After going on every single ride, the sun has dropped out of the sky. It was pitched black outside.

“Are you tired?” I asked Dee.

“No, we must go to the movie next,” he said. “I’m never tired with you.”

“Alright,” I said. He hung his arm around me as we walked out the park.

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Wow! LOL Loving Tumblr <3

I’m starting to get addicted.

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It’s Only Been Eight Years, Where Are You?

Part 5

“Larry, hello,” I greeted the receptionist when an outburst broke out and caught our attention.

It’s Dee! My heart fluttered. He ran through the lobby with a nurse chasing hot on his heels.

He was running away again! That asshole! I dashed after him, leaving the hospital in a mere second. He was running in his pajamas like an idiot in the middle of the street. “Mr. Dee Walker stop right now! What have I told you about running away?” I shouted.

He stopped and turned around, dead in his track. “Victoria? You came back?” He has grown but was somehow still the same.

“Of course! Dumbass!” I said, my eyes were watering. He ran to me and embraced in our first hug in eight years. He’s really here. I couldn’t believe it. I was touching him. He’s real. This feels so much like a dream, a wonderful dream. But, thank goodness it’s not. I held him tighter.

“I’ve thought I lost you,” Dee said.

“I thought I lost you too,” I said. “How dare you only send a postcard for Christmas! You need a cell phone, Mister!”

He laughs. “Don’t worry, I’m going to latch on to you like a leech for as long as I can, now that you’re back.”

“Great,” I said as he wiped my tears away. “Now, get back to your room young man! What have we said able running away!”

“I was going to be discharged today anyways,” he complains.

“Well, until your mother comes and pick you up, you can’t just leave,” I said.

“Wait! You’re my girlfriend! You can ask them to discharge me,” he said.

“But, I’m here for my residency,” I said, but pause. “Let me see if I can ask for a day off.” “Yay!” Dee cheered.

I got him to return to his room. After signing a stack load of paperwork, I helped push him in a wheelchair down to the lobby. “I’m surprised, they wheelchaired you out. Considering how often you run out on your own, I thought they would let you run out.”

“It’s their policy. Plus, I’m cool with you pushing me out,” he said.

“I’m happy to push you too,” I said. We arrived at the front of the lobby and for the first time in years, Dee left, officially discharged.

“Where do you want to go?” I asked.

“Anywhere you want,” Dee said as he slipped his hand into mine.

“Are you hungry?” I asked. “How does chicken and waffle feel for your first meal outside the hospital?”

“Sounds good,” Dee said. “What’s chicken and waffle?” “Fried chicken and waffle, it tastes better than it sounds,” I said.

“Where to afterward?” Dee asked.

“How about an amusement park?” I asked.

“Cool, I’ve always wanted to go,” he said.

“And after, how about the movies?” I suggested.

“And after?” Dee asked.

“Geez, that’s a lot of places already Mister,” I said. I laughed. “You’re as energetic as always. But don’t worry, we’ll always have tomorrow. I’m not leaving ever again. Even if I do, I’m taking you with me. Oh, when we have time perhaps I should drag you down to California and go to Disneyland.”

He hugged me. “I don’t want this day to end. It’s the first day we’re back together. I want to make it as memorable as possible.”

“Of course,” I said.

“We must go to this amusement park that just opened,” he said.

“Look at the Mr. Prince-Locked-in-the-Big-Ass-Hospital wants to lead,” I teased. He rubbed my cheeks in response.

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It’s Only Been Eight Years, Where Are You?

Part 4

His house was the same as I remembered, that one time his mother invited me to come over. The only blue house on the block. Blue simply because Dee loved blue. She wanted Dee to be surrounded by his favorite things for those few days in the year he came home. Perhaps, that’s why she invited me over each time he came home.

I approached the door. The blue-painted wooden door, same as before. However, it was daunting walking up those steps. Everything looked the same. Only I grew taller. I could look over the small apple tree beside the door that hasn’t grown much. I reached for the doorbell. My hands trembled as I pressed the metal button. Ring. Ring. Ring.

No answer.

I pushed the button again.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

My hope died slowly with each passing second. My heart just knew he wasn’t here.

Shuffling noise exited the house. Someone was inside!

I hope I was wrong. Perhaps, he was here.

The doorknob turned and opened. However, it was an elderly woman who answered the door.

“Hello, how may I help you?” the woman asked.

“Hi, is this Walker’s residence?” I asked.

“No, the Walker’s moved out a while ago,” she said.

“Do you happen to have their contacts?” I asked. “I am an old friend of Dee, Ms. Walker’s son.”

“Sorry, I don’t,” she said.

I thanked the woman and left. I’ve lost contact with him for good. It was the night before my residency started at York Lake Hospital. Tears streamed like a waterfall that night in bed. I should have asked for his phone number. I should have friended him on social media, heck I should have taught him what social media was. There were so many things I could have done to keep him. I had one of the worst sleep of my life that night. Suddenly, I could come up with a thousand ways I could have kept contact with him.

“Dee, I wished I could go back. I would not have left,” I said before knocking out.

That morning I woke up with the puffiest dark circles, which I covered with an extra layer of concealer from my usual routine. I showed up at the hospital early for the residency. The sky was still pitch black when I was on the taxi to the hospital. The build was surprising intimidating despite my long service here before as a high schooler. The build suddenly felt bigger. I gathered my courage and enter. Standing at the very door of the lobby was an old friend.

“Hello, Victoria? Is that you?” the old security guard asked. “It’s me, Jake!

“Jake? Oh my goodness, it’s you!” I said. “Have have you been? I'm surprised you have not retired.”

“Yeah, I’m still kicking,” he said.

“Do you know where Dee is?” I asked the daunting question.

“Of course that kid, your boyfriend,” Jake said. I blushed.

“You should ask Larry. I’m sure he knows where Dee is,” Jake said.

Thank goodness. “Is he alright?” I asked.

“A handful as always,” Jake said. “But, go on! Go talk to Larry about Dee and your residency.”

“Thank you, Jake.”

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It’s Only Been Eight Years, Where Are You Cont.

Part 3

“Where to Missy?” a male voice asked from the driver’s seat.

“237 South Renel Ave” I answered.

The ride was a long one. Along the way, the driver did his best to make small talk. I now sat listening to this late-twenty man talks about his first trip to Disneyland last week, while glass buildings and plazas flew by the window in a haze. It had started raining. The window was fogging up, but the lights still persist through all precipitation.

The man’s story was, well I couldn’t find a better word to explain, but sweet. His first trip to Disneyland was also the first time he proposed to someone, and she said yes. No wonder, I could see his smile from the front-rear mirror emerge as he spoke.

Dee has never been to Disneyland before. The happiest place on Earth. I should take him there if I get the chance. Happy, happiness. My high school graduation was the last time I heard him said he was happy.

I was my class’ valedictorian. As school tradition dictates, I had to give a speech; meanwhile, as my family tradition, my parents couldn’t miss work to see me cross the stage, even with the highest rankings.

As I was speaking, my eyes scanned the audience, hoping my parents surprised me. I was hoping they lied when they said they couldn’t make it. They didn’t lie. They never came.

I finished my speech.

“Yeah! Wahoo! That’s my girlfriend!” I heard a familiar voice shouted. It was him. That asshole, ditching the hospital again. I giggled. Naturally, he got dragged back to the hospital by yours truly. I literally came into the lobby in my graduation gown pulling Dee, like a three-year-old, into the place.

“That was fun. Let’s do that again!” He said, knowing it would tick me off.

“You ran away from the hospital! No more fun for you,” I said.

“Hey, it made me happy. My mental health is just as important as my physical health,” he retorted as his last words before security dragged him off.

“Thank you!” I said. “You were the only one who came for me.” 

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It’s Only Been Eight Years, Where Are You Cont.

Part 2

I arrived at the airport around noon and quickly spotted my parents through the large group of people, who were also searching frantically for their loved ones. My parents were holding a gigantic neon yellow poster with the large words, “Welcome Home Victoria”, painted on it. I ran awkwardly to my parents with my bulky suitcase and purse. After setting my suitcase down, I gave them a tight cobra hug. They laughed and commented on how proud they were and how much I’ve grown. After passing the crowd of people, we picked up the rest of my luggage and got on a taxi. We took the taxi back to our home and had a lovely homemade dinner after I finished unpacking. I rushed through dinner eating as fast as I could and when I finished I told them I was going out for a bit. I found myself going to the hospital, for Dee.

The taxi ride to York Lake Hospital was quick, only five minutes. As I was walking up to the lobby many anxious thoughts ran through my mind.

What if Dee transferred? No, he would tell me.

What if he’s dead? He hasn’t written anything since Christmas! But, he only writes for Christmas. That lazy asshole. 

I wonder what he looks like now? He was kind of cute back then.

Without realizing it, I was already in the building, at the front desk in the hospital’s spacious lobby. 

“Excuse me! How may I help you?” the woman repeated.

She was probably a new receptionist. I guess Larry, the old funky receptionist, when I was volunteering, found a new job or had enough of all the crazy patients and quit.

She kindly asked me for what might have been the fourth time, “How many I help you?”

My hands shook mildly, “I’m looking for a patient here. His name is Dee Walker.” 

“Dee Walker. Wait one second, let me look him up.” The receptionist said as she typed his name on the keyboard and looked through the computer monitor. After a few seconds, she turned back to me and with a strange look on her face asked, “Is Dee spelled as D-E-E and Walker spelled as W-A-L-K-E-R?”

“Yes” I replied as butterflies turned in my stomach. I had a  feeling something was wrong. It’s usually not a good thing if they ask you if the spelling is correct.

“That’s strange,” the young receptionist said, then she proceeded to ask, “Miss are you sure you’re at the right hospital? Or perhaps, he signed in using a different name? Because he’s not showing up in the system. There is no record of a Dee Walker ever being admitted here.”

 “That’s impossible. Dee Walker was the name he had on paper when he was admitted, and he was here eight years ago. Can you please check again? He’s someone very important to me, and I need to find him.” I pleaded to the girl, as my stomach felt more butterflies flying inside of it and nervousness taking over me.

The receptionist nodded and said softly, “I’ll check again.” After a few light taps on the keyboard, she looked back and said “I’m sorry, but he isn’t in the system. Perhaps, there was an error that completely erased him after he transferred or left. Here, why don’t you write down your phone number or contact info and I’ll try to find him in the system. But I’m confident he’s not in the hospital right now.”

I wrote down my information on a post-it-note and handed it back to her. She took it and said encouragingly, “Don’t worry, he was probably released from the hospital and the system wiped him out of it by accident.”

I thanked her and walked out of the hospital filled with worry and nervousness.

Where is Dee? Is he okay? Did he …? No he couldn’t if he did the records should have said something. Why was he not on the records? I need to go find him. Will I ever see him again?

I tapped through my smart phone and ran through my contacts. I couldn’t call him, he never had a cellphone. He only used the hospital’s phone back then, but I then found Dee’s home address. It was the address for the house that Dee lived with his mom back before he was admitted into the hospital. The house was around 10 minutes away from the hospital. So, I immediately waved out the street for a taxi.

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It’s Only Been Eight Years, Where Are You?

A Short Romance Story Victoria Dixon was a straight-A student with a huge dream. She worked all her life to become a doctor. Tackling tough classes, taking on internships, and volunteering all just to fulfill her doctor dream. She lived a lonely life dedicated to her dream until she met Dee Walker, a troublesome patient, whose favorite hobby is to annoy Victoria. They became great friends and maybe something even more. However, as Victoria's graduation approaches so does the day they separate. Victoria left to continue her education in California, but before leaving for eight long years, they made a special promise. Fast forward and Victoria just graduated from medical school, and she landed a residency back at the hospital she once volunteered in. She returns to her hometown, York Lake City, and searches for Dee in York Lake Hospital. There is only one problem, Dee is gone! \(o_o)/

Part 1:

Only three hours away before I’ll arrive home. My home, the place I turned my back to pursue a dream. The place filled with people who loved me and encouraged me to follow my dream. The people who I have left behind to follow my dream. My dream, what is my dream anyway? I’ve been asking myself that for the last eight years. Right now on this airplane, I feel that the dream I’ve been after for the last eight years was not the one, instead, it feels like I’ve left a real dream behind.

Hello friends, my name is Victoria Dixon. I’m a new medical school graduate returning to my hometown in York Lake City, New York from California. Ever since I was a little girl, I believed my dream was to become a doctor. My parents supported me; they encouraged and guided me on my path to fulfilling this doctor dream of mine. I worked hard for straight A’s, internships, and pretty much anything that would help me become a doctor. But, honestly, when I think back about it, the best time I had, before moving to California to attend college, was during my volunteer hours in York Lake Hospital.

There was a person at that hospital, who I cherish deeply. Although he can be a jerk sometimes, and a pain in the butt, I can’t stop thinking about the fun times we had together. He made me laugh. He made me feel special. He caused trouble and I had to teach him a lesson each time he did, but those were the best times of my life. The memories are still fresh in my mind. Often times, I can almost relive those moments.

"Stop! Running... Jerk!" I screamed as I was running through the maternity hall chasing after Dee Walker, the worst trouble-making patient of York Lake Hospital. Dee Walker was ahead of me by at least 3 yards, I ran as fast as I could, but keeping up with him was a pain in the butt. He suddenly stops and turns around to stick his tongue out at me and taunt me farther with the childish line, “You’ll never catch me”.

“That jerk is going to pay!” I thought to myself as I continued running after him. He was gaining more ground ahead of me only to soon realize he lead us to a dead end. I grinned with satisfaction as I told him, “Surrender now.” Instead of giving up, he surprised me by making a U-turn, almost running into me, and slid on the floor. Then he made a run to the elevator, shut the doors in front of my face, and off to the fourth floor he went. I angrily proceeded to push the elevator button like fifty times. It eventually arrived and I hopped on. Once it stopped at the fourth floor, I went back into hunting mode. I spotted him at a corner and leaped at him with all my might. The impact knocked him down and I successfully caught him. “Ha! Target captured.” I said proudly as I dragged him back to his room. Thinking back, that jerk sure made me run a lot. But to be honest, it was hilarious.