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jambalayageorge · 5 years ago

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A Story by a Friend

For Love Or Money

By Jon Lagniappe

David and Ellen met during their junior year of high school and became fast friends. Not long afterwards they started going steady. Their senior year of high school started off on a high note. They were both accepted to the same state college. The school year went by quickly and as graduation approached they looked forward to spending time together on the Senior Trip. That year the senior class chose to fly to Orlando Florida. One evening as they were leaving the Hard Rock Café David noticed what appeared to be a lotto ticket laying on the sidewalk. He reached down and picked it up. As he inspected it there was no name on it so he casually pushed it into the pocket of his jeans. That same evening the lottery numbers were revealed and when David checked the numbers against the lottery ticket he’d found enough numbers matched for him to win $500. He immediately phoned Ellen and told her. The next day as they sat eating breakfast they beamed over the prospect of how to spend the $500. Ellen suggested they spend only $300 and put the rest in a savings account when they get back home. David agreed and then he took a napkin from the table and wrote on it today’s date the day they first kissed both of their birthdays. Then he showed them to Ellen and told her that he would play those same numbers twice a week until he wins the lottery.

During their first two years of college David and Ellen lived on campus in their respective dormitories. Ellen was a psychology major and David took up electrical engineering. As they entered their junior year of college they decided to live together off campus. Ellen located a cute little efficiency about five miles from campus. Moving in didn’t take long because neither of them had any furniture. They went shopping for a bed and got a great deal on a leather pull out couch at the neighborhood thrift store. While they were there they also bought a small dinette set and a coffee table. Once they got the furniture moved in they sat down on the couch to rest for a few minutes. All of a sudden David springed to his feet and walked across the room and picked up his backpack. He pulled out a small box and walked back over to where Ellen was sitting. Sitting on the edge of the coffee table he looked into her eyes and said, Will you marry me, Ellen? Then he opened the small box revealing a small one diamond engagement ring. Ellen’s eyes widened and a joyful smile quickly turned into laughter as she said, YES! Yes, I will marry you. Then she threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Breaking their embrace, David said, There’s one more bit of news I want to share with you. I’ve been accepted into the apprentice program at TNR Engineering. It’s a full-time apprenticeship. That means I’ll have to get my degree as a part-time student. As long as we're together I know everything will work out. Me too, said Ellen.

The next year as Ellen was preparing for graduation she and a few of her psychology classmates got together for a pre-graduation celebration outing. Graduation would take place Friday afternoon so they went out to party the night before. She had already talked with David about the get together and he was all for it. He told her, Honey, this is your time. Go on and have some fun with your friends. Just be safe. So Ellen and her friends went clubbing until two in the morning. She arrived home around 3am. David was sound asleep in bed so she quietly washed up and fell asleep on the couch.

Later that morning David awoke and noticed that Ellen was not in bed with him. Walking into the next room he saw her sleeping on the couch. Not wanting to wake her up he finished getting dressed for work in the bathroom. Before leaving he wrote her a short note that read,” Must have had a really good time. I’m running late for work. Pick up my lotto tickets. See you at Tony’s for the graduation dinner. Love you.” Then he paperclipped a $5 bill to the note and placed it on the coffee table in front of the couch. He kissed her lightly on the forehead and left for work.

Ellen woke up and immediately checked her watch for the time. It was 10:15AM. She sat up on the couch and saw David’s note on the coffee table and read it. She just smiled. Then she reminded herself that graduation was at 2pm but she needed to be on campus by 1pm. No problem she thought to herself.

Arriving at work, David sat down at his desk and checked his email. Once the screen came up a message flashed, “Meeting for all apprentices at 2 o’clock”. At 1:50pm the three apprentices at TRN were already seated in the conference room. Moments later the floor manager Dan Gillum walked in and stood in front of the three men. He said, I’ve got to let two of you go. I’ve talked to each of your team leads and went over your monthly evaluations and this is my final decision.

Graduation was over by 3:45. The graduates had thrown their caps in the air and were in the midst of retrieving them. Ellen’s mother Diane, her brother Allan and two of her first cousins, Michelle and Terrence came up to share in the celebration. There were big hugs all around and gifts were exchanged. They took turns trying to convince Ellen to go with them to the movies to see the latest Tom Cruise film. After some mild arm twisting from Diane she gave in. While at the movies everyone except Ellen filled up on popcorn and soda pop. Ellen was saving her appetite for dinner with David. After the movie they dropped her off at Tony’s Restaurant. Goodbyes were short and sweet and then Ellen watched them drive away.

The dinner reservation at Tony’s was for 8 o’clock. Ellen was already seated when David walked over to the booth. Before he sat down he leaned in and kissed her and said, sorry I’m late. As he sat down the waiter asked, would sir like a drink before ordering? Yes, said David. A glass of white wine. Anything for the madame? I’ll have the same, said Ellen.

Boy, have I got something to tell you, David said. But first, how was graduation? Did your mother and brother make it? The graduation went smoothly, Ellen said. No long speeches, no audience interruptions and yes my mom and brother were there along with two of my cousins. Wish I could have been there, said David. I know, said Elllen. But as we had agreed. Because you are the sole breadwinner right now, your income is important to the plans we’ve made. Now what was it you wanted to tell me? Just as David was about to tell her about his day the waiter returned with their drinks and to take their order. As soon as the waiter turned to leave David began to tell Ellen about the events of his day. Then just as the waiter arrived with their meal David finished the story with, “And they chose me to remain onboard as the only apprentice”. That’s amazing, Ellen said. I’m so proud of you.

As they were eating the conversation turned to picking a date for their wedding. David began by saying, Okay babe, we’ve kept our agreement not to get married until after your graduation. So how much longer will I have to wait to make you Mrs. David Fuqua? Ellen smiled and said, not much longer. I have interviews with two different doctors in the next couple of weeks and I need to stay focused on acquiring one of those positions. So let’s say a month from today on a Saturday. I’ll prepare the invitations and send them off by the end of next week. I just need the names of the people you want to invite. And remember to make it a short list. You got it babe, David said.

When David and Ellen finished their meal. David left a very gracious cash tip for the waiter and paid for the meal on his credit card. As they were leaving the restaurant David received a notice on his cell phone to remind him to check the lotto numbers for that evening. When he checked, they were his numbers. He let out a shout that startled Ellen. Then he danced a quick jig and began repeating 70 million, 70 million. Then he turned to Ellen and asked, babe where’s the lotto ticket I asked you to pick up for me today? His question was met with cold silence. He repeated, Ellen, where's the ticket? Ellen shrank away from him covering her face and replied in an almost inaudible whisper, I forgot to get it. You forgot to get it? YOU FORGOT?! David said in a tone Ellen had never heard him use before. Then he inhaled a slow deep breath and slowly exhaled. Feeling a bit more composed he turned and walked away. Transfixed, Ellen just stood motionless and watched him walk away. A moment later, with her eyes now edged with tears, she called out to him. David wait, please wait. He continued walking toward where he’d parked their car. Reaching the vehicle, he opens the drivers side door and sits down heavily. He leans forward with his arms crossed atop the steering wheel and rests his head. Ellen arrives and sits on the seat across from him. They sit there not talking for several minutes. Then David sits back and pushes the start button, places the gear shift in drive and pulls off.

The silence is deafening on the drive home. When they get to their apartment, David goes to the closet and grabs his overnight bag and angrily stuffs in some clothes. Ellen starts to say something but the words just won’t come out. David picks up his overnight bag and throws it across his shoulder. He pulls out his cell phone and calls for a Lyft. He raises his eyes to see Ellen’s tear filled eyes and wet cheeks. David says, I’ve got to go. I can’t stay here tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow. Ellen nods and says, alright. He places the key FOB on the counter and walks past her and out the door.

It’s a very difficult night for Ellen. She doesn’t fall off to sleep until after 4AM. When she wakes up Saturday morning, it’s after 10AM. She picks up her phone and calls David No answer. An hour later she tries his number again. Still no answer. She then phones her mother. In tears she tells her what happened the night before. It’s going to be alright, says Diane. Give him some time. He just needs to sort through his feelings. You’ll see. I hope so, mom. Ellen says. He was very angry when he left.

Ellen’s phone rings around 8:20 that evening. It’s David. She says, honey come home so we can talk. David says, not tonight. I just called to let you know I’m okay. Gotta go, David says. Don’t go David! I love you. I love you too, Ellen. I just need some time to work through some things. I’ll call you tomorrow. He disconnects. She starts to cry.

Sunday morning, Ellen is preparing to leave for the supermarket when she hears a knock at the door. It’s a FedEx delivery man. He hands her an elaborately wrapped box and asks for her signature. She signs for it and steps back inside. The note attached to the box is written in David’s handwriting. She reads it and smiles. Opening the box, she discovers a small felt covered box along with a letter. Two words are written on the face of the letter, FORGIVE ME. Ellen’s heart quickens as she takes the top from the felt box. To her surprise, inside is a pearl necklace with matching earrings. She has always wanted a strand of pearls. Then she begins to read the letter. It reads, Ellen, I’ve loved you since high school. Thoughts of you have filled most of my days. You bring joy to my life and give it meaning. You inspire me to be better, to do better. The other day when I left for work I had a feeling that with all you had on your plate that day you would probably forget to get my lotto ticket. So during my lunch break I picked it up. Later when we left the restaurant, I was really disappointed when you told me that you forgot to pick it up. At that moment I decided to let you feel the weight of your actions. If it’s any consolation, I felt miserable for causing you to feel miserable. I promise from this day forward to never purposely cause you misery. Now if you have found it in your heart to forgive me, come outside for the rest of your surprise. Placing the letter down, she ran to the door. Standing outside leaning against a brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was David, Diane and her best friend Taylor. David said, all together now. In unison they yelled, SURPRISE! Ellen ran down the steps and into David’s arms. For several minutes they embraced and kissed. When Ellen pulled back she said, if you ever… She didn’t get to finish because David kissed her again.

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