Page 64 of Crash and Burn

I had been planning this day for months. Every detail. I wanted it to be perfect. September had been the one-year anniversary since I met Amelia. A year since I walked into that diner and made a complete fool of myself. It makes me laugh now, thinking back. My life was so messed up, but she didn’t care. It’s November now and I didn’t want to do this on my birthday, so I chose right before my birthday. One, because it would be the best birthday gift if she agrees, and two, because Ihadto do it this way. When I thought about all the ways I wanted to ask Amelia to marry me, I knew the only right way would be in the same way she helped me celebrate my birthday a year ago, pulling me out of the darkness. Man, a year ago felt like five years ago.

So, I’ve planned every detail with the help of Jimmy, the crew, Harvey, and Sheila. By the way, Harvey and Sheila…Yeah, they’re a thing now. Turns out Harvey was spending all that time at the diner for Sheila, and Amelia, well, she was just an added bonus. He finally got up enough courage to ask her out. No two people deserve happiness more than them.

Pretty soon, Jimmy would be coming to pick us up. I’ve planned a little bus trip with a few surprises along the way.

“Amelia, baby, are you about ready?” She had been in the bathroom forever. “Our ride is going to be here any minute.”

“You still haven’t told me what we’re doing today,” she said as she came walking down the hall.

“Just a little day date full of surprises for me to know, and you to find out.” I chuckled.

“Har har… you’re so funny HudsonEugene.”

She giggled and I scowled. “Easy on the use of my middle name there. Geez.” I knew this would be a thing as soon as I told her my middle name, and it had been ever since.

“Pretty please, tell me what we’re doing.”

I shook my head and peeked out the window. Jimmy had arrived. “Nope, but our ride is here so let’s go. You look gorgeous, by the way.” She smiled.

We locked up and the smile on Amelia’s face when she saw Jimmy was one I wish I would’ve captured on camera.

“Hey Amelia, babay!”

“Oh my God! Jimmy! I’m so happy to see you. What are you and Hudson up to?”

“Oh nothin’, but it does feel a bit like déjà vu, huh?” He laughed straight from his belly. Amelia hugged him and I shook his hand, giving him a wink to thank him. He winked back, with a big smile.

“Let’s sit in the back!” Amelia said. She was practically skipping to get to the back of the empty bus. Jimmy turned up his radio and there was some nice jazz playing, as planned, of course.

“I miss riding the bus, Hudson.” She had a little pout when she said it. I slung an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into me. “I know, baby. Let’s enjoy the ride today.”

Jimmy pulled over near the diner for our first stop. I glanced at Amelia, and she was fidgeting with her lip, how she does when she’s nervous. Sheila and Harvey got on the bus. Amelia’s eyes went wide.

“Harvey! Sheila! What are you guys doing?” She sat straight up.

“Hey sweetie. Oh, we’re just heading out on a date.” Harvey puts his arm around Sheila and winked at us. I was trying to hide my grin.

“Wow. That’s kinda crazy. Well, you guys enjoy your day. Don’t letusintrude.” She leaned back into me and looked up at me. “Kinda wild seeing them on the bus.”

“I guess you got everyone loving the bus rides, babe.” I shrugged.

Jimmy took off and Sheila and Harvey were seated somewhat in the middle of the bus in two different seats. We drove for another ten minutes when he pulled over for another stop. The crew all hopped on together. Lex, Carter, the girls, Vinny, Bianca and their kids, and Cole and Darla. Amelia elbowed me in the side, making me flinch.

“They never ride the bus. What is this?”

“Hey you, two!” Lex yelled back. “Amelia, Hudson told us how much you loved riding the bus so we thought we would take the kids on a ride. We were gonna invite you, but Hudson said you had plans already.” She shrugged.

“Oh, um…well, yeah I guess we do. I hope you guys enjoy the ride. Hi kids!” Amelia sounded semi-hurt not being with the group but said hello to the kids in a happy voice. They all ran back and hugged ‘Auntie Am’ before rejoining their parents. Amelia leaned back into me again, so I kissed the side of her head. The next stop will be the one to send her over the edge. I was trying to ready myself.

Jimmy pulled over in front of Barnes & Noble. This was a strategic stop. I needed to get our next guests to this bookstore so that we stopped here, the same way we stopped here on my birthday. Only we wouldn’t be going inside, our guests would be getting on the bus. I was so full of nerves for this stop, my stomach turned.

Jimmy came to a stop and opened the doors. I could feel Amelia tense up next to me, wondering who was getting on and before we could see them, we heard them.

“Where’s my sistaaaa?” That must be Victoria.

“Ma’am, I didn’t come all the way from Canada for you to just sit there, looking stunned.” And there’s Amanda.

I looked over to Amelia as she saw her two best friends climb on the bus and ran up to her. They were so theatrical. I understood why she loves them. Amelia jumped up and screamed as she hugged them.

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