Page 86 of Champagne Nights

“Because it’s the only world I know!” I shouted back.

“It’s not the only world you know, Aubrey. You’ve seen things before the accident, and you were forced to adapt to a world only people who are blind can understand. I’m giving you the opportunity to go back to that other world!”

The next set of words flew out of my mouth faster than I could stop them. They were out of anger because he didn’t understand.

“I’m not Sophia, Ethan. I don’t need saving! You can’t save me just like you couldn’t save her.”

There were a few moments of silence between us. I could just imagine the angry look on his face. The same look that my father had before the crash. I swallowed hard as the tears started to fall down my face.

“That was a low blow, Aubrey.”

“Get out,” I whispered in a low voice.

“I’m leaving, and I don’t know when or if I’ll be back.”

“Don’t bother.”

“Fine. Then it’s over. I thought I was doing something good. But apparently, I’m just a selfish bastard. Good luck to you, Aubrey.” I heard the door slam shut.

Falling to my knees, I held my face in my hands and sobbed. A few moments later, the door opened, and I heard my Aunt Charlotte’s voice.

“Oh my God, Aubrey. What happened?”

She wrapped her arms around me as I cried hysterically into her.

“It’s okay, baby. Tell me what happened.”

I couldn’t talk. My chest felt tight, and the tears wouldn’t stop falling. We sat on the floor for a while before she helped me up and led me over to the couch.

“I’m going to get you some tissues. I’ll be right back.”

She returned and dabbed the tissue around my eyes.

“There, there, sweet girl. Everything is going to be okay.”

“No. No it’s not.”

“Tell me what happened.”

After composing myself and blowing my nose, I began to tell her, and I instantly felt she took his side.

“He shouldn’t have done that without speaking to you first, but he did it for you, honey. I believe it was all with good intentions.”

“So you’re taking his side and saying that I shouldn’t have gotten so upset?”

“No. I’m not taking anyone’s side. When two people love each other, they want to do things to make the other person’s life easier.”

“No! He did it for his own selfish reasons. He wants me to see him. He can’t stand the thought of being with a blind girl the rest of his life who will never see what he looks like.”

“Aubrey.” She pulled me into her. “I don’t believe that’s entirely true. He was trying to give you a gift. The gift of your eyesight back. If this doctor can help you, I don’t understand why you won’t talk to him.”

“Because this is how my life was meant to be.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. If you’ll excuse me, I want to be alone.”

“Aubrey.”

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