22 comments/ 25380 views/ 3 favorites Magic Words By: wetapap ********** There is no explicit sex in this story. I wish to thank the people who helped contribute to and edit this story, per their wishes, they remain anonymous. This story is totally fictitious; any resemblance the characters might have to persons living or deceased is purely coincidental. No part of this story may be published at any other site without the express permission of the author. © January 20, 2010 ********** Dazed and barely conscious, Eric slumped forward against his steering wheel. As blood began to pulse from the gash in his forehead his mind went totally blank. And for a second or two, nothing registered, not even the loud ringing in his ears. Then as the red fluid began to drip from the end of his nose, flashes of memory started to return. But they were too disjointed... too out of place... and too distant for him to make sense of. Suddenly, somehow... somewhere in all the muddle, Eric was finally able to piece together just enough to wonder, 'Why does everything seem so confusing... why can't I think?' With that, his brain forced itself to search for something familiar. Something it could latch on to and use as a focal point. All of a sudden the mental image of, 'Sharon' popped into his head. He was momentarily confused, but then remembered, 'I'm not alone.' Instinctively Eric tried to turn, but quickly discovered that even the slightest movement would require more effort than he could muster. Frustrated, Eric strained to look sideways, but what he saw wasn't what he had expected. Sharon was lying on her side next to him, her face covered with blood from busted lips and a broken nose as she sobbed in pain. Then without warning, Eric's own protective wall of shock began to crumble. As the first wave of pain broke through, he groaned loudly. Sharon reacted to his sound, but Eric could only watch helplessly as she struggled to lift herself. After a couple of attempts, Sharon paused to get her breath while bracing herself on one elbow. Then using her other arm, she slowly pushed herself back up into a sitting position. Now more confused than ever, Eric vaguely wondered, 'What the hell just happened,' as he desperately strived to recall an evening that had started out like any other. ********** When returning from a night out, Eric and Sharon always parked at the curb in front of her parent's home. It had become their spot, the place where they could take a few extra moments to just hold each other before she had to go in. Tonight though, Sharon seemed preoccupied. Even the shadows inside the car couldn't hide her concern as she kept glancing at the house. Suddenly Sharon turned and with a beaming smile, teasingly replied, "First you have to promise." Eric knew it was her playful, loving way of bringing the evening to a close. Still he pretended to have no choice, and relented, "Oooookay, just one more kiss. Then say the magic words and I'll disappear... but," with a mischievous grin, added, "I will be back in the morning." In return, she teasingly wrinkled her nose at him and smirked, "I had no doubt." Ever since her mom and dad had begun to treat Eric like part of the family, it wasn't uncommon on weekends when he was home from school to see him at their breakfast table. Sharon was in her senior year of high school and Eric, his second year of college. Even though very young, they were deeply in love, and had been almost since their first date two years ago. With Sharon still three months away from graduation, it had been quite a shock that morning at the breakfast table. No one seemed surprised when she and Eric announced their engagement. While making some toast at the kitchen counter, her mom turned and said, "That's nice dear." Sharon's twin sister was reading a fashion magazine and didn't even bother to look up. Her dad just grunted as he finished eating a spoon full of cereal. Eric and Sharon looked stunned until everyone started laughing, then the hugs, congratulations... and real questions began. Her parents had given it their best shot, but Sharon refused to wait. At the end of summer Eric was transferring and would be starting the fall semester at a graduate school in another state. Since he could only come home on holidays, Sharon didn't want to be separated that long, so the wedding was planned for the end of June. It was a great family and Eric knew it. Both girls loved and respected their parents immensely. James, their older brother, was married and had a home of his own. He had taken a liking to Eric from the beginning. When told they planned to get married, him and his wife gave them four thumbs up. But Eric did feel that Sharon's father was way too lenient and spoiled his daughters rotten. Like tonight, Eric enjoyed the extra time, but it was already past Sharon's usual 'twenty minutes late going in.' Normally her dad would come to the door right at midnight, look out, spot them, then point to his watch. It was his way of saying, "Time to come in, evenings over." But Sharon knew just how far she could push her father. He always came back exactly ten minutes later, got their attention, firmly pointed at his watch and waved for her to get her ass inside. At twenty after, he would stand in the doorway until Sharon got out and came in. But for some strange reason, her dad hadn't made his usual appearances. And since their cars were in the drive, she knew her parents and sister were home. Now more than a little concerned, Sharon wanted to get inside and find out what was going on. So this was going to be her and Eric's final kiss for the evening. Sharon tilted her head slightly and they leaned in towards each other. Suddenly the passenger windows facing the house exploded inward, scattering bits of safety glass through out the car as the impact from the explosion forcefully lifted that whole side of the vehicle off the ground. It hit so hard and fast that Eric and Sharon never even heard the sound as it slammed their faces together. Instantly his eyebrow split open and her nose snapped as teeth sliced and bit through lips and tongues before cracking together, chipping a few, but one gave way. Sharon's initial scream turned into gasping sobs as she fell over sideways on the seat. A loud roaring in their ears was all either could hear while excruciating pain reverberated through their bodies. Both were dripping blood as Eric's tooth slid out in a red drool. ********** After Sharon sat back up, they rapidly became conscious of their surroundings and what was happening. As Eric moaned, Sharon looked at her parent's house. Flames were rolling out the top of now empty window frames and a huge gaping hole stood where the picture window and front entrance used to be. Gurgling a scream, Sharon began clawing at the door. Finally getting a grasp on the handle, she jerked and pushed with all her might. As the door swung open, Sharon went rolling out onto the ground, not realizing that her whole body was in shock from the impact of the explosion. Suddenly Eric saw what was happening and tried to jump out, but his muscles and nerves still weren't functioning properly. With his entire body in pain, it took all his will power just to stand. Then through pure resolve, he staggered around the car, frustrated, knowing that he had to get to Sharon before it was too late. By the time he reached her, she had given up on standing and was now desperately crawling towards the house, screaming, and crying, "Mommy, daddy, sissy." Eric knew she was not thinking and would crawl right across the yard into the burning structure. The only thing he could think to do was to fall on the back of her legs, pinning her to the ground as he reached up, grabbing at the waistband of her jeans. Finally getting hold of her belt, Eric hung on for dear life. In their determined efforts, neither noticed that windows of nearby houses had been blown out, or that lights were coming on up and down the street. People were pouring out their front doors to see what the hell was going on. Distant sirens could start to be heard. Help was on the way. But Eric and Sharon were oblivious to it all as they continued their struggle on the grass. Striving to get to her parents and sister, Sharon jerked one leg lose and half way rolled over, still screaming and sobbing, "ERIC, LET GO DAMN IT... Oh God... please make him let go." Eric knew that if he did, she would crawl to her death. His hand kept a tight grip on her belt. In a desperate attempt to break loose, Sharon drew back her free foot and kicked Eric hard as she could. Her shoe caught him right above the ear as it raked down the side of Eric's head, tearing the top of his ear loose. Realizing that he was still hanging on, Sharon sat up and swung with all her might. Her fist caught him just below the same ear as her engagement ring sliced a gash the full length of his jaw. On the verge of passing out, and only partially aware of what was happening, Eric suddenly felt his hand being pried loose from Sharon's belt. At first he panicked, but then realized others were taking hold of Sharon and dragging her away from the immense heat now radiating from the burning house. Eric had a brief feeling of relief before vaguely hearing her scream, "You son-of-a-bitch. You killed my parents." Then she sobbed, "I could have saved them.... Why did you stop me...?" At that point Eric blacked out, not even knowing he was being carried to safety also. After coming to in the ambulance, Eric tried to sit up while managing to slur, "Sharon... how is she?" A firm but gentle hand pressed him back down, just before the needle penetrated his arm. "She's fine," the attendant's voice sought to reassure him, "now just lie still and relax. Everything will be fine. We'll be at the hospital soon." That was all Eric remembered. The drug went to work and he slipped off into a painless sleep. ********** The creases in James' forehead displayed his concern as he sat in his small den and stared out the window. James and his wife were terribly worried. It was the end of summer, almost six months since the explosion, and Sharon wasn't getting any better. With no where else to go when she got out of the hospital, Sharon had moved in with her brother and his wife. Of course they were more than happy to help and at first thought Sharon's depression would pass, that she would gradually improve with time. Instead, she seemed to be getting worse. With each passing day, James and his wife could tell that Sharon was becoming more withdrawn. She was going through the motions, but there was no life in her step, or light in her eyes. She just moped around and after losing several pounds, still only picked at her food. James and his wife just finished discussing the problem and both agreed that something had to be done, and now. Sharon couldn't go on like this. It wouldn't be much longer before her health would be in serious jeopardy. His wife had gone to Sharon's room to get her. James was mulling over what he needed to say, and do. Even though he dreaded the fact that things had reached this point, for his sister's sake, James knew, 'I have no choice. She has to have help.' After Sharon stepped into the den, she just stood, staring blankly at her brother. James was shocked; her skin was even paler and her eyes more dark and sunken than he thought. Collecting his thoughts, he said, "Sharon, please sit down. We need to talk." Without a word, or expression, she mindlessly followed his instructions and dropped into the chair he had set up across from him. "Sharon... I'm going to be blunt. I have a friend. He's a psychologist. His name is Patrick and he has agreed to see you. He's good. I truly believe... no, I know that he can help you,' James informed her. He could tell by the look on her face that the words hadn't sunken in yet. Finally, with a slightly surprised look, she replied, "I don't need any help James. I'm fine." Sadly, he stated, "No sis, you're not. Sharon, this is not an option. You don't realize what's happening to you. Something has to give. Sis... either you see Patrick... or... for your own sake, I'm going to have you committed for observation." ********** Sharon had been very upset, but finally agreed to see James' friend. Her appointments were scheduled for twice a week. At least in her mind, it would get James off her back. At first, the questions were nothing to be upset about, but this was her fifth visit. And Patrick started off by saying, "Sharon, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that it was an accident, a broken gas connection in the basement. The fire marshal thinks your parent's two pet dogs probably knocked over a freestanding heater while playing. And the coroner's convinced your parents and sister were already asphyxiated from lack of oxygen before the explosion?" Slowly and ever so slightly, Sharon nodded her head in a positive manner. Casually he asked, "Then why do you feel so much guilt, Sharon?" Surprised and a little angry, she suddenly resented this man and his constant questions. Then without thinking, replied, "Because you don't understand. It wasn't fair or right. I should have died in their place. It should have been me in that house... or at least I should have been with them." Angrily, Sharon thought to herself, 'He has no right to invade my privacy. My feelings and thoughts are my own, no one else's.' Suddenly she mentally cursed her brother, 'Damn you, James, for making me come here anyway.' The psychologist's next question caught her off guard again. As usual, she immediately tried to figure out where he was going, and what he was trying to accomplish. This one had her though when he asked, "Sharon, tell me who you've met that made you feel you could live their life for them?" After cautiously pondering the question's potential for a moment and coming up empty handed, she replied sarcastically, "Why no one. You can't live someone else's life... for them or yourself." Patrick nodded, leaned forward, and very seriously but with great concern, asked, "Then why do you think you could or should have died someone else's death?" As the correlation between the two questions hit her, a tear rolled down Sharon's cheek. For the first time since her parents and sister's death, someone had finally broken through her façade. Patrick got through to her. When she got home that night, James and his wife could tell for the first time, there was a difference. Sharon, even though ever so slight, responded to her surroundings, and the most important thing to them, she ate some of the food on her plate at dinner. ********** James smiled, Sharon was back to her old normal self. Patrick had performed a miracle, at least to James it seemed that way. Except James and his wife noticed that as Sharon got better, she also seemed to be more nervous, agitated, anxious... it was time for another talk. As Sharon stepped into the den, James pointed once more to the seat across from him. Sharon looked puzzled, but happily sat down and asked, "What's going on, James?" Not looking overly concerned, he replied, "You, sis. Do you mind telling me what's making you so edgy lately? It's almost like you are constantly walking on pins and needles." Embarrassed, Sharon turned slightly red, but knew exactly what James was referring to. "Well... I...," she stuttered. "Come on sis, we've always been able to talk about anything and everything. Now fess up, get it off you chest, what's got you so flustered?" James jokingly inquired. "It's... it's... damn it James, it's Eric," Sharon said as her eyes became teary. Confused, James asked, "What about Eric?" "That's just it James, there is NO ERIC." With that she broke down and started crying, "I miss him... I love him... I wish he was here." James nodded his head and smiled. He had suspected, but was glad to hear Sharon finally say it as he leaned forward and clasped her hands between his. "Then why don't you tell him?" James queried, making it sound so simple. "Because I'm afraid that after all this time, and all that's happened he will no longer love me," she now started bawling. James didn't mean to be disrespectful to his sister's feelings, but he couldn't help but chuckle, "Sis, you will never know if you don't ask. If you stop and think about it, what have you got to lose?" "I know... but I just couldn't bear the pain of seeing rejection in his eyes... that would kill me," she sniffed as James handed her a tissue to wipe her nose. "But you have to admit, after everything that's happened, you owe Eric that much. He has the right to tell you, face to face, how he feels, one way or the other," James stated firmly. Then Sharon hopefully asked, "How about I call him on the phone?" "No way sis," James informed her, "that's not our way. Mom and dad didn't raise us to be afraid. Plus, no matter what happens, you will feel better about yourself in the long run. Just do it and get it over with." "I know... you're right... I'll leave tomorrow. I've put this off long enough. It's time to face the music... but... what if he hates me James, I don't know if I can stand that," Sharon painfully cried. "Then you will live with it, and life will go on sis. That's just the way it is, but you're doing the right thing. At least you're giving Eric the choice, and he deserves that after all that's happened," her brother replied. ********** Eric loved Sharon with a passion so intense that it had made life unbearable the first couple of months after the explosion. He tried repeatedly to see her. But starting at the hospital, and then at home, her family put up a protective wall around her. They sympathized with his plight. But with Sharon's recent loss, her depression, and her insistence that Eric was to blame for stopping her from saving her family, they had no choice. Claiming that she was adamant about not even talking to him, they blocked Eric's attempts at every turn. By the end of summer there was no option left, school was starting and Eric had to return. After picking up the pieces of his life, he'd done his best ever since to move on. But now with his arms folded across his chest and his neck lying over the backrest, Eric sat half sprawled on the campus bench across from his dorm. Looking up at the evening stars, he only knew one thing for sure, after several months without a single word from Sharon... he had finally given up. But unbeknownst to him, at that very moment, just hours away, Sharon pulled her single piece of luggage from the trunk of her car, before shutting the lid. Holding the room key in one hand, she stood with her suitcase in the other as she paused to look up at the heavens. With bitter sweetness, she took a short opportunity to enjoy the moment, relating it to some beautiful memories. 'They used to belong to Eric and me,' she thought. Then as tears filled her eyes blotting out the stars, she wondered, 'Is there any chance they ever will again?' She would know tomorrow. ********** Sharon stood outside Eric's dorm, peeking inside. She had watched several boys and girls coming and going, but could see a front desk just inside. There was a 'Visitors Check In Here' sign just in front of it. Suddenly a male voice said, "May I help you?" Looking up, Sharon found a friendly looking face smiling at her. "I... I don't know. I'm looking for a friend of mine. I haven't seen him in almost a year and I hoped to surprise him," she replied. Magic Words Magic Words "Well, I'd say it's about time to get you two back together. What's the lucky fellow's name? By the way, mine's Mark," he lightheartedly informed sticking out his hand. Sharon shook his hand and started to give her name, "I'm...," but changed her mind and replied, "glad to meet you, Mark." After giving him Eric's name, Mark immediately informed, "You're in luck. Eric happens to be a good friend of mine. But I'm pretty sure he's in class now. Come on, I'll get you inside and we'll see." After knocking on Eric's door and getting no answer, Mark informed her before he headed off to his room that she could wait in the lounge area. The campus was just too big. There was no way to track Eric down. Feeling slightly depressed, but facing reality, Sharon realized, 'I'll just have to sit and wait. He has to come back here sooner or later.' But Sharon wanted to keep an eye on the front entrance. With little option, she stepped out of the dorm. Spotting a bench across the street, she thought, 'At least it's in the shade.' ********** It had been almost two hours. Sharon was dying of thirst. But determined not to miss Eric, she kept staring at the dorm's front entrance and suffered in silence. Suddenly her perseverance was rewarded as a familiar figure entered her peripheral vision. Looking down the sidewalk on the other side of the street, she could see Eric with an armload of books striding towards his dorm. With her heart beating ninety to nothing, Sharon was about to get up and head him off when she heard a female voice call his name. Glancing in the other direction, Sharon saw a very pretty young lady waving at Eric... and her heart sank as she watched him smile and wave back. When the girl and Eric met up in front of the dorm, Sharon's heartache ballooned as she watched them hug. Then the young lady took his arm and they turned and went into his dorm building. Sharon just sat there, stunned. Then with big tears rolling down her cheeks, she thought in despair, 'I waited too long? He's gone forever?' After sitting there a few more minutes pondering what to do, Sharon finally realized, 'I have to know for sure,' and stood up. Scared and afraid of what she believed she would find, her legs felt a little wobbly as she started across the street, headed for Eric's room. Mark came down and got her in. After reaching the second level, he asked, "Remember the room number?" Sharon nodded. "Then you're on your own," Mark said and headed back to his room. At the last minute, Sharon remembered to say, "Thanks for helping." Half turning, Mark waved and replied, "No problem, and good luck." ********** Just after Eric and the pretty young lady had entered his dorm room, he informed her, "I really need a shower before we go out for pizza. If you can give me just a few minutes, I'll make it a fast one." "No problem," she said, "take your time. Karen should be here by then." Just then a knock came at the door and she added, "Oh, that may be her now," as Eric quickly slipped into another room to change. ********** Sharon had stood in front of Eric's door, just staring at his room number, trying to get up the nerve to knock. Finally with a deep breath, she lightly rapped on the wood surface and her heart almost stopped as it began to open. Then her emotional world collapsed as she found herself face to face with the pretty girl that she had seen hugging Eric. After what seemed and felt like an eternity of silence, the young lady asked, "Can I help you?" "I... I... I'm sorry," Sharon finally stuttered, "I must have the wrong room." As Sharon turned to leave, the young lady asked, "Who are you looking for?" But Sharon was already fleeing down the stairs as the girl shrugged her shoulders and stared after her in wonder. Just as she was about to close the door, Eric walked out with nothing but a big bath towel wrapped around his waist. Looking over her shoulder, he followed her gaze downstairs towards the front entrance and said, "What are you looking at?" The young lady replied, "I don't know... it was strange. A cute girl knocked on our door and when I answered, all she said was that she must have the wrong room. Then before I could ask who she was looking for, she took off... almost running down the stairs and out the front door... strange." Eric raised his eyebrows and inquired, "What did she look like?" The girl smiled, "Down tiger... but, if you're really interested. She was very cute," adding, "about this tall," as she held her hand even with her eyes. "But...," she paused. "But what?" Eric inquired. "Well there was one odd thing I couldn't help but notice...," she continued, still hesitating. "Odd thing?" Eric snickered. "Yeah... she had a weird scar that ran down through both lips," the girl added. "Oh my god," Eric exclaimed as he brushed past her just before bounding down the stairs and out the front door while clasping the towel together at his side. Once outside, Eric paused to look both ways up and down the sidewalk before scanning the parking lot across the street. Then he took off running for the only exit it had. The few but tiny pieces of rock and gravel hurt like hell but Eric just cursed and continued on, suffering the pain. Just as he reached the center of the exit, he spotted Sharon's car coming down the side of the lot. ********** Sharon hit the brakes. The car came to an abrupt halt. Eric was standing in the center of the parking lot exit, naked except for a big fluffy white towel wrapped around his waist. He looked so comical that her half chuckle was suddenly stifled when she saw the pink scar that ran the length of his jaw. Sharon had forgotten, but the vague memories of that night came rushing back. Her tears started to flow as she wondered, 'How could I have ever hurt him?' Leaning forward, Sharon laid her forehead on the steering wheel, and sobbed. Eric just stood his ground, not budging. 'This is her show,' he thought, 'she has to make the first move.' Finally the car door began to open as Sharon slowly raised her head. Stepping out, she took a deep breath and walked towards him. Her knees almost buckled as she paused briefly to deal with the anxiety her deep rooted fears were causing. After regrouping, she continued on to face Eric, realizing, 'I at least owe him that much.' Eric was standing tensely with both feet planted firmly apart, elbows out, and his hands clinched into fists pressing into his sides right above his hips. As Sharon looked up into his eyes, she nervously said, "Hello Eric." Eric stared into her eyes, pondering as he replied, "Hello Sharon," before curiously asking, "What are you doing here?" Stammering, she replied, "I... I...," then caught herself with, "damn it." After pausing to take a deep breath, she continued, "I came to apologize. "Oh Eric," and with that Sharon started to cry, "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry if I hurt you. That's the last thing I ever really wanted to do. It's just that I felt so guilty over the death of mom, dad, and sis. I felt somehow I had let them down and it was my fault. I felt that if I had been in the house instead of out that evening, I might have saved them. I know that sounds crazy, and I know better now, but it took months, and a lot of professional help for me to understand what I was feeling and going through." "So, are you here to tell me that you're sorry, and that's it?" Eric asked in a firm voice. "Yes, and no, I am sorry, but for more than just the way I acted and treated you. I... that's not how you share your life with the person you love. I know my actions weren't intentional, but that doesn't change the fact that they probably destroyed all my... our hopes and dreams, and that, I am truly sorry for. I'd give anything if I could take it all back and do it over. "But the main reason I came, you have the right to tell me how you feel and what you think. After all that's happened, I at least owe you that much." At that moment, the pretty young lady from his room showed up with another girl in tow. They stopped a few feet away and just stood on the sidewalk holding hands while watching with puzzled curious expressions on their faces. Sharon was staring at them with a hopeless look when Eric said, "That's my roommate Carissa, and her girlfriend Karen." "Are you and she...," Sharon started to ask. "No Sharon, you don't understand. That's her g-i-r-l-f-r-i-e-n-d, and Karen is very jealous. I am the only guy who was willing to room with Carissa since Karen refused to let her room with a girl," Eric informed her. Suddenly Sharon said, "Oh," then her eyes lit up with full understanding and she replied, "Oh, you mean...." Eric looked slightly irritated as he said, "Sharon, I just have two questions before I tell you how I feel. The first is do you remember the 'magic words'?" Momentarily Sharon looked a little confused, then her eyes grew misty as she nodded 'yes.' Sternly Eric looked at her, and inquired, "Do you still believe in their power?" With tears streaming down her cheeks, Sharon whispered, "Oh yes." All of a sudden, with a big smile Eric told her, "Then just say them and have faith that everything will be made right." Suddenly Sharon threw her arms around Eric's neck as he picked her up in a big bear hug. With her feet dangling in the air, Eric's towel came loose and slid to the ground. The gathering crowd let out with loud shouts, whoops, and whistles, but Eric wasn't paying any attention. All he had ears for were the words Sharon almost shouted, "Oh Eric, I DO LOVE YOU, I DO," just before pressing her lips to his as they melded together into one. And in that split second, they were once again in their special place reserved just for them, as they surrendered themselves to the magic of their love. ***************** ***************** ***************** Please take time to vote. A huge amount of time is devoted to writing a story, good, bad, or indifferent. 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