Read Indelible Love - Emily's Story for Free Online

too,” he shouted
back.
    “I know you did, but I always felt
like I loved you more, a lot more. Many times, I thought that my
love for you bordered on obsession. My main concern was to make you
happy. I wanted always to please you. My world revolved around you
and your needs, and I probably choked you by being so needy.”
Suddenly, I sat back in my stool and stopped my defense. “Wow, I
think I just had an epiphany. I see now why you said you needed
your freedom on graduation night. I suffocated you.” Relieved to
finally understand our separation, but aching like I did on our
broken night, I quickly changed the subject so I wouldn’t hurt so
much again.
    “So, tell me about Jennifer. She seems
like a really nice person. I got to talk to her a bit during
dinner.”
    Max didn’t confirm or deny anything I
said. He looked visibly upset, but answered my
questions.
    “After we broke up, I actually ended
up in the hospital.”
    “What! What happened? Are you all
right?”
    “Yeah,” he answered reluctantly. “I
got into a car accident and Jen works in orthopedic rehab, and
that’s where we met. She really helped me through a tough time. I
thought I wouldn’t be able to use my legs again.”
    “How did this happen? How did you get
so hurt?” Tears started rolling down my cheeks. I hurt knowing that
Max hurt. No matter what our relationship, I still saw Max as an
extension of myself—even with Jake in my life.
    Silently, I chided myself.
    Emily, why can’t you get a
hold of yourself? Why do you have to wear your emotion on your
sleeve?
    Vulnerable. Transparent.
Weak.
    That was me in a nutshell.
    With a comforting smile, Max placed
both hands on my cheeks and wiped away my tears with his thumbs. He
then pulled me toward him and held me.
    He whispered, “It’s OK. I’m fine now.
It was a freak accident, and I’m completely rehabilitated.” He
slowly added, “It feels nice to hold you again, Em” and didn’t let
go of me.
    His words created an unwanted spasm in
my heart, making me pull away from him. My eyes were down,
embarrassed I was crying.
    “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get so
emotional. I think two glasses of wine and no food are getting to
me. I’m glad you’re OK. Go on.”
    “Jen helped me rehab daily and her
kindness won me over. I guess you are right. I do like being taken
care of by women.” He chuckled lightly.
    “Max, everybody likes to be taken care
of, it’s not just you.” In my heart I wondered why Max couldn’t
have taken care of me just a little bit more…
    With a look of regret he continued his
story. “After the car accident, I finally decided I wanted to go to
medical school, and I studied hard for the MCATs, then applied
everywhere. Once med school started, I realized this was where I
should have been all along. It’s been a long time coming for me. My
big regret is that I didn’t get my act together back in undergrad,
but I suppose it’s better late than never.”
    “I’m very happy for you. You finally
found what you want to do with your life. I’m sure you will do well
in school, since you are the brightest person I know.” I was truly
thrilled for Max. It made me happy to know he had found a career
path and would make something of himself. I always knew he
would.
    After our meal, we walked a little and
continued our conversation. I could tell by his pensive look that
he had something else on his mind but was afraid to tell
me.
    “Em?”
    “Yes?” I replied, my eyes staring into
his soft brown eyes.
    He stopped walking and held both my
hands. In all ways, I feared what would come out of Max’s mouth,
but I also hoped that perhaps I could find closure. I wanted to
start again without baggage. My feelings for Jake blossomed with
each date, but I couldn’t comprehend this last hold Max had on
me.
    “I know I really hurt you on
graduation night. I want to say I’m sorry for messing things up so
badly. You believe I loved you with all my heart, don’t
you?”
    Max