“I’m so glad things have been going well for you.” I smiled at Luke and a feeling of genuine happiness overtook me.
Luke went on, apologizing for not coming to visit me in the hospital recently. He explained how time-consuming EMT classes had been. He also explained he’d been working on top of it all trying to save up and figure out an apartment since his uncle was moving in with Bianca’s mom.
Hearing her name roll off Luke’s tongue made me ill. I tried to ignore those feelings and continue our conversation.“I understand completely.” I replied. “Life can be crazy.” I laughed. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Shoot,” Luke replied, folding his hands on the table in front of him.
“A girl who just woke from a coma tells you she knows you and loves you. Why are you even giving me the time of day?”
Luke giggled. “I’m different.” He replied. “I believe in shit. There are too many coincidences here for this not to be fate. You got in an accident on the same bridge as my parents. My dad dreamed about my mom while he was in a coma. You dreamed about me. I dreamed about you. I don’t know Sutton, I feel like my parents sent you to me or something. I know it’s weird.” He sighed and cracked his knuckles.
“I wouldn’t doubt that.” I smiled. Luke leaned in again about to kiss me when I noticed something behind me.
Two people were sitting side by side at the table just a few feet away. I recognized them right away. Reagan was wearing large round sunglasses with a tag still hanging off of them, hiding behind a menu. Shane was perched beside her wearing a fake mustache and a hoodie.
Just inches from my face I whispered to Luke. “My friends are behind us watching.”
“Then let’s give them a show.” He replied, about to kiss me again, when his phone rang. Luke stood up and grabbed it from his pocket. I flipped Reagan off and she mouthed “shit” sinking down in her seat.
“Yeah. Well is she okay?” Luke said concern in his eyes. “I’ll be right there.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked as he hung up his phone.
“Poppy got into something. She’s not acting right. I need to get home.” He explained shoving his phone into his pocket clearly in a hurry.
“Do you want me to come with you?” I asked, nervous to hear his response.
“Sure.” Luke smiled. “Damn all I have is my bike.”
Suddenly Reagan was behind us standing up removing her disguise. Shane was by her side ripping off his fake mustache that was clearly from the arcade.
“Oh hi, guys! I just overhead you but I have the van! I can drive us.”
“You have my mom’s van? Why not your car?” I laughed.
“Who do you think sent me here! Your dad’s giving me an oil change or something.”She said as we all walked down the ramp to the car.
We got to Luke’s house and he quickly ran inside and got Poppy. He carried her out in his arms, his muscles visible through his shirt. Poppy didn’t look good. When she got in the van, she laid across Luke’s lap.
Reagan sped to the vet. Luckily, it was just in the center of town. When we finally got there they immediately took Poppy in the back. Luke filled out paperwork.
“Poppy’s family?” Luke stood up and I stayed seated. “You come too, mom!” The woman said grinning at me. I felt awkward but stood up and followed Luke to the back.
“So we did some x rays and it looks like she swallowed a marble.” Luke chucked a little bit.
“Is she going to be okay?” He asked, also concerned.
“Yes, it doesn’t look like it’s causing an obstruction, so she should pass it on her own. Just to be safe, we’d like to keep her overnight for observation and we’ll give her anti-nausea medication.”
Luke nodded and thanked the doctor, shaking his hand. He then invited us back to see her.
A technician led us into a back room and there Poppy was hooked up to an IV. Her tongue was hanging out of the side of her mouth and she was clearly so happy to have visitors. Luke and I spoiled her with love.
“She already looks a little better, don’t you think?” Luke asked me. His eyes still filled with concern.
I smiled. “Definitely.”
“I’m going to stay here with her for a while but I’ll text you later? Thank you so much for coming with me.” He said, pulling me in for a hug.
“I’m glad I could be here. I should probably get home anyways though. I’m on a tight leash these days.” Luke laughed.
I walked towards Poppy to give her a little love. “Bye Poppy girl,” I said petting her.
“Hey Sutton, how about see you later?” Luke said.
I nodded. “See you later, Poppy,” I said kissing the top of her head.
Luke sent me a text three minutes after I walked out of the vet’s office. Reagan had just pulled out of the parking lot.
“He texted you already?” She asked, noticing I was grinning at my phone getting ready to type a reply. I smirked.
Bianca will have to find a new partner tonight. It read.
A few seconds later, a second text popped up. That was long overdue anyway.
“This whole thing is nuts, Sutton, we should really contact the media about this. They could make a movie about you.” Reagan said. I laughed.
“I can’t believe this is my real life,” I said out loud gently pinching my arm wondering if I would wake up soon.
I
