Her Name Was Love
By: Daniel Willis (2018)
The story of love is a tale as old as time itself. I'll never forget my first and greatest experience with this elder emotion. It was a cool summer morning when I left my house to buy my daily newspaper. Ah what a lovely day it was, the birds singing their lovely song.
The smell in the air was quite refreshing as the rain was coming. My how I love the smell of rain almost enchanting in its own way. Everyday I would be greeted by the store clerk's friendly old dog. He was an old Basset Hound that would sleep next to the bottom step before you entered the store.
I had lived in this town for nearly my whole life and pretty much knew everyone. As I walked I would always be greeted by my friendly neighbors. Some days I would stop and chat with them just to see how they were doing. Occasionally sitting down to drink a cup of coffee and hear any new news.
Yet for some reason this day something new happened that I hadn't seen coming. As I entered the store I saw a new face, one quite unfamiliar to me. I walked up to John the store clerk and asked "Who is this new employee?". He only smiled and motion for her to come over so he may introduce her.
He explained that it was his niece who had come to live with him after his sister's unfortunate passing. I offered my hand and she softly took it, telling me her name. Jasmine was her name, such a beautiful name. I smiled telling her that I hoped she find her way in this town.
Days had passed and each day I was greeted by her smiling face as I went to buy my daily paper. Some days I would stay and talk with her for what seemed like hours. John would joke about how it seemed I was there for more than the paper. I would laugh it off, pay for my paper and be on my way.
The more I thought of it the more I realized he may be correct. What if I was there for more than the paper? After spending nearly a month making small talk with Jasmine. I worked up the courage to ask John if I may ask her on a date. Only to be met with some light jokes about how I took my time but he told me it would be fine.
Mustering up what courage I could I approached Jasmine. I looked her in the eyes and ask her if she would accompany me to a movie. A blush washed crossed her face clearly caught off guard by my invitation. Though she agreed while asking what time I would pick her up. I asked her if 6:30 p.m. would be enough time for her to prepare and she nodded.
I arrived on time and there she stood a true vision of beauty. She wore a jean jacket over a navy blue t-shirt and a skirt that came to her knees. I was stunned by the woman that stood before me. My mouth quickly went dry as I could only stare while a blush slowly covered my face.
We arrived in time to catch the movie, enjoying our selection. Afterwards I asked her what she wish to do and she told me. She said she heard there was a small swimming hole back in the woods. I told her I've heard of it and as a kid OI spent many summers there. So we climbed into my truck and drove back the long stretch of dirt road.
After roughly twenty minutes of driving we arrived at the clearing near the swimming hole. We climbed out a truck, tossing our clothes on the front seat. We jumped into the water wearing only are undergarments. The water was quite cold which made us laugh at our dumb decision. Yet we did not leave but instead decided had a splashing contest.
Hours feel like minutes as we spent the night together after our swim we sat on my tailgate. Watching the stars and trying to find the constellations. We talked about many things including our dreams, hopes, and a future we wanted. Our eyes met under the full moonlight with my heart racing. I leaned in slowly as her body mimic my own, our eyes slowly closing.
Our lips met and seem to melt into one another a moment of passion. She wrapped her arms around my neck as I wrapped mine around her waist. Slowly I lifted her onto my lap has to make the moment more passionate. Our stomachs felt as if they were filled with butterflies. I had never felt this way about another but I was glad it was her.
For the next two years I took her on many dates and spend many days with her. She was my everything and I feel like I could not live without her any longer. At the mark of our three year anniversary I went down on one knee. Asking her if she would be my wife and she happily said yes.
We wed on Hallows Eve, moving into our new home back near the swimming hole. Within the years of our dating I had bought land back there. When I was not with her I slowly worked on building a home for us. Then the day we wed I probably took her to our home that had been waiting for her.
Our marriage was one that I've only right of in fairy tales. She was perfect housewife, always making sure I had a warm meal and a clean house to come home to. I would make sure she was provided for and everyday remind her that she was beautiful. Six years into our marriage we began to contemplate having a children.
We tried unsuccessfully for many months until we decide to go to the doctor. We were hoping to be greeted with good news only to be told that I cannot provide a child for her. We left the doctor's office disheartened but still quiet in love with one another. Though the news was quite harsh it did not stop us from continuing to try.
I am sad to say that we never was able to make a child. Twenty years into our marriage my beautiful Jasmine fell ill. We tried everything to find a cure but to no avail. The doctor told us she would only have months to live at best and we left his office. My heart sunk hearing that I could not save my one and only love.
Yet even with this news her smile never faded and her soul never broke. I started to take more time off work to be with her. Even as her body began to weaken and her health failing faster by the day. She never once let that smile escape her beautiful face.
She knew her days were numbered and as if she knew it was her final day. She made one last request of me and that was to take her to the location of our very first date. I took her in my arms carrying her to the clearing we had parked my old truck all those years ago. We sat by the water's edge as I held her in my arms.
She asked me how I felt all those years ago when we decided to jump in that cold water. I told her all I could feel was the heat coming from her. She placed her lips on mine one last time as the life faded from her eyes. I sat there holding the lifeless body of the woman I truly loved. This is my tale of love and lost, of a love I'll never forget.