Liam’s heart pounded in his chest as he clutched the thick envelope labeled Johns Hopkins on the front. Knowing that within it lay the culmination or devastation of his dreams.
His hands shook. The contents of the letter were so much more than simple paper, representing years of study, countless exams, and many sleepless nights. Summers spent shadowing doctors and unpaid internships at the local hospital had all led to this moment.
Oh man, I really hope all those volunteer hours at the homeless shelter and prison kitchen paid off. I still can’t look at an onion without tearing up.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied his core, glancing at the golden John Hopkins emblem on the envelope. With his heart beating out of his chest, he struggled to slip his finger between the folded flaps of paper. Missing once, then twice.
Okay! It is just a letter, calm down and open it. Don’t just rip it in half. Sarah will want to keep it… If it’s an acceptance letter. Oh man, please don’t be a rejection. Calmly… Gently…
He couldn’t take it anymore. Giving up on his fingers he used his teeth to rip off a corner of the letter. Making a “Pffft” noise as he blew the scrap of paper away. Happy to be rid of the oddly lemony tasting envelope. Ugh, reminds me of Sarah’s worst hand lotion, the ones she gets for free from work. With the corner of the envelope shredded, his shaking digits were able to gain purchase. Ripping into it like a lion might tear open a gazelle’s ribcage.
He separated the internal letter from the protective envelope, delicately raising the letter as he stuffed what remained of the envelope into his pocket. His eyes scanned the letterhead. Heart skipping a beat as he read “Johns Hopkins Admissions”.
“Cmon. Please say yes!”
Skipping the rest of the header he jumped to the first paragraph, his breath catching in his throat as he saw the words written there.
“We regret to inform you that your request for a grant from the Future Physicians scholarship program has been denied…”
Liam’s heart dropped out of his chest. Plummeting into an abyss of crushed hopes and discarded dreams. Medical school was expensive, and paying for tuition was beyond what he could afford. Liam’s job as the college’s lead dissection technician paid well, but human cadavers were few and far between, meaning his hours were next to nothing. It covered his basic utilities, and his girlfriend Sarah made enough working as a teachers assistant to help out; but Johns Hopkins might be too expensive for them even if they took out additional student loans.
He stood there, staring at the letter for what felt like an eternity. Reading and rereading that first fateful line. Eventually, the door in front of him creaked open. Looking up from the letter he found his girlfriend, Sarah. Concern etched across her face. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, telling from his sullen eyes that he needed the comfort of her embrace.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“I know how important this was to you.”
Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. Liam had never felt so helpless before. All his days working for free had led down this road, yet, in spite of those countless hours he had fallen short. Their future together, as a doctor and housewife was slipping from his grasp. Sarah saw the tears in his eye and stood on her tiptoes to give him a peck on the cheek. She took the letter from his hands and read it over herself. A small smile flickered across her lips as she looked up at him.
“How many scholarships did you apply for?”
“What? Oh, scholarships. Babe, I can’t even remember, each program wanted their own essay on why I was the best candidate. Had to use ChatGPT to proofread my essays or I couldn’t get them in on time. They all blurred together. Uhm, wait, I know I finished eighteen applications before the deadline. Then three—”
“Eighteen? Can you be accepted for multiple? Oh and I already got the mail today. Johns Hopkins sent you another letter.” Said Sarah coyly.
Liam dared not hope, wondering if his heart could take a second letter. Had there been some mistake? Why would the college send him two letters?
“What! Where is it?”
Sarah smiled, taking Liam by the hand she led him inside their apartment, guiding him into the kitchen. On the table lay an envelope identical to the one crumpled up in his jeans pocket. Liam’s hand shook as he picked up the second letter. Nearly dropping the letter.
“Need a hand?” asked Sarah, opening the letter with a red acrylic fingernail.
“Thanks. Must be nice to have claws.” He gasped, trying to hide his apprehension with humor.
Sarah saw right through him, but held her tongue. This was Liam’s moment. Heart beating fast, he began to read the second letter out loud.
“Congratulations Mr William Wilson! You have been accepted to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Furthermore, your application to the Hodson Trust Scholarship for academic excellence has been granted…”
“Sarah!” Liam exclaimed, voice quivering with excitement.
Overwhelmed with joy and relief, he couldn’t help but smile. All his hard work and sleepless nights had just paid off. His life was about to change, and with Sarah at his side it was changing for the better.
“We are in!” Shouted Sarah.
Liam nodded vigorously, his face beaming.
“Yes! Babe! With a full ride too! We got accepted to John Hopkins Medical School!”
Throwing the letter onto the table he swept Sarah off her feet, twirling her around their cramped apartment. She let out a joyful scream, hugging him tightly as their hearts danced with elation.
“I knew you had it in you, Liam! I’m so proud of you!” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes shimmering with pride.
Liam grinned, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Sarah. You’re my rock.”
She cupped his face in her hands and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I’ll always be here for you, except when you come home reeking of prison onions.” She said with a giggle.
“Let’s celebrate!” She added. Eyes bright with hope.
Liam did not need any convincing. Leaving the apartment, they cut across their lawn to his car. A Subaru outback in the iconic Suba-blue shade. Opening the door for Sarah he snatched his jacket, giving it a surreptitious squeeze to make sure the small black box —that he had spent his entire summer earnings on— was still in his left jacket pocket.
They hastily arranged to go to their favorite Italian restaurant. It was there, amidst the candlelight and the aroma of freshly baked bread, that Liam knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Sarah, and that this was precisely the right place to ask her. Their relationship, and the acceptance into medical school made the date worthy of such an event. Liam discarded his plans for a more extravagant proposal and began to strategize on how best to pop the question.
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The restaurant hummed with the sound of clinking glasses, sizzling pans, and muffled conversations. Excellent cover for one more elated couple. Liam felt the weight of the box in his pocket and uneasily fiddled with it, watching Sarah as she closed her eyes, letting out a happy sigh after taking a bite of her Truffle-Infused Spaghetti Carbonara. He cleared his throat, feeling his pulse quicken.
“I think we should get some Champagne. You know, to celebrate the occasion.” He said nervously.
Sarah reached across the table, covering his hand with hers. Her hazel eyes met his, seeing love reflected back in those sparkling orbs.
“Oh! That sounds lovely darling. Let’s order a bottle and walk home through the park! I’ll powder my nose while you pick a good one out for us.”
Liam’s heart skipped a beat; wondering if she was onto him. Sarah squeezed his hand gently. Flashing a smile as she made her way past him to vanish around the corner. He watched her go, waiting until he heard the bathroom door close to sprint for the front desk. Dodging several screaming children along the way.
“Hello, I have a special request that probably needs to go through a manager for approval.”
“Well then, your timing happens to be perfect. I am the evening manager. What’s the special occasion? A graduation or maybe an engagement?” Asked the man behind the counter, smiling as he finished speaking. His nametag said the man’s name was Robert.
“I’m proposing, we got accepted to med school and I want to elevate our relationship. But… uhm… I know nothing about alcohol, anything more expensive than blue ribbon is fancy to me. Robert, I’m begging you, help me pick out some champagne and bring glasses to our table?”
The manager chuckled at the mention of blue ribbon, beaming a reassuring grin that spread from one ear to the other.
“A proposal! It would be my pleasure. Hey, didn’t I see you two in here just last month for your birthday?”
“Oh, uh yeah. Sarah really loves coming here. Always makes us sit in the darkest booth back there.” Said Liam, pointing towards the far corner of the restaurant. Weird question, I wonder what that has to do with anything.
Robert made a few quick taps on the tablet he was holding. His bushy mustache bending upwards into a smile.
“I thought you two looked familiar, you even used the app to reserve that table. Ha, I know just the bottle for you two and in honor of this special occasion this bottle is on the house.”
“Oh wow, thank you so much Robert. I really appreciate it.”
“Sure thing, leave the preparations to me.”
Liam felt a weight lift from his shoulders, returning to their booth he removed the small black box from his jacket. Flipping the lid open he found the jewel encrusted ring to be reassuring. Sarah had picked out the design. Sparing no expenses despite their meager income. “The ring represents our relationship and your love for me.” Is how she had justified the four thousand dollar price tag.
Robert and another server arrived, placing an ornate silver bucket of ice and two tall glasses on the table. Liam immediately snapped the box shut, setting it down on the bench beside him.
“That is quite the ring. I believe this will pair well with it.” Said Robert.
He wore a smug smile, and spun the bottle within the ice so it was visible for inspection. Liam didn’t recognize the brand, and too much of it was in French for him to understand what it said. Though the name “Dom Perignon” sounded familiar.
“Will this do?”
“Looks great! Thank you again Robert.”
“Oh, hello there, is this for us?” Asked Sarah. Slipping past Robert and into her seat.
“Only if you are the lucky couple who recently got accepted into medical school.” Said Robert, waving to one of the servers as he spoke.
“Congratulations to you both, and best of luck on your future endeavors.”
Robert spun the bottle so Sarah could read the label. Her mouth dropped open for an instant as she read it. Impressed by the label.
She approves! Robert you genius, you nailed it!
“Thank you so much.” Said Sarah.
“There is one small condition. A bottle like this cannot be opened without some pomp and circumstance.” Said Robert with a mischievous grin.
Beckoning for Liam to stand he handed him the bottle. Closely followed by the hilt of a jewel encrusted —probably rhinestones— short sword. Liam looked at the basket hilt, knowing what tradition dictated he should do.
“But, we are inside-“
“Actually, we use this specific corner booth for occasions like this! That wood paneling can take a few corks every now and again. Do not worry if a little spills. Just point the bottle at the wall and hold it by the bottom. Like this.” Said Robert. Miming the pose Liam should imitate.
Liam couldn’t contain his smile as he copied the manager. Pointing the bottle towards the wall he drew the short sword, noticing with deep relief that the blade had been deliberately rounded. Oh thank god. I don’t think I could have done this with a sharpened sword. With one smooth motion he swung the saber. Dull blade slashing up the side of the champagne bottle until it connected with the stopper, cracking the top open with a satisfying *POP*
“Ah, Bravo sir! A clean break.” Said Robert.
A round of applause started with the server who had accompanied Robert, spreading to the other servers and even some of the other patrons. Moments later and the champagne was on ice with the couple sipping away like giggling schoolgirls.
“I can’t believe he let you use a real sword!” Laughed Sarah.
She looked at him, her eyes softening with curiosity.
Liam took a deep breath, his hand reaching into his pocket and pulling out the ring. He knelt down beside her, his heart pounding, and said, “Sarah, will you marry me?”
Sarah’s eyes widened, her hand instinctively covering her mouth in surprise. Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded emphatically. “Yes, Liam, a thousand times, yes!”
Their future love was sealed in that moment, with Liam sliding the sparkling diamond onto Sarah’s finger. The rest of the evening was a blur of joy, champagne toasts, and the sweet anticipation of the life they would build together. Sarah took hundreds of pictures, sending them to her mother first, then to Liam’s mom and all their siblings.
After their celebratory dinner, they strolled hand in hand through the cool night air. Thunder echoed in the distance and the streets glistened from a recent rain. Liam couldn’t believe how perfectly this evening had turned out. As they walked, Sarah snuggled up to him, her radiant smile lighting up the night.
“I can’t wait to be your wife, Liam. Our future together is going to be incredible.”
Liam kissed her forehead. “I’m the luckiest man in the world, Sarah. I love you more than anything.”
Soft drops of rain interrupted their conversation. Falling with a heraldic fury.
“Ah crap, back to the car.” Said Sarah. Letting go of his hand to raise the hood of her sweatshirt.
Lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening crack of thunder that seemed to shake the very earth they stood on.
“Ouch, that was close.” Said Liam. Covering his ears he opened his mouth, checking to see if his hearing had been affected.
Without warning, a second bolt struck. and Liam watched in helpless horror as it connected with Sarah.
For a brief instant he could see through his fiance, as electricity flowed with the sun’s brilliance. Time slowed to a crawl as Sarah crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Her once bright eyes, now vacant. Liam couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Could not comprehend what had happened. Her body lay still in the wet grass. Liam fell to his knees beside her. Hands trembling as he reached out to touch her.
“Sarah!” he cried, his voice a desperate plea. Utterly consumed by a mixture of grief and sorrow.
“No, no, no, this can’t be happening!”
Tears poured from Liam’s eyes, mingling with the rain that fell around them. Dialing 911 he put his phone on speaker. Freeing his hands so he could begin CPR. Chest compressions could not undo the lightning strike, but he was desperate to do something, anything. No matter how futile it might seem.
Sarah’s empty eyes stared back at him. The love of his life, the woman he had just asked to be his wife, was now lifeless, cooling in his embrace.
By the time the paramedics arrived, there was no hope left in his soul. As they secured her body to the stretcher he cradled her motionless body. Whispering one last “I love you” to her before placing a kiss on her forehead. Her skin chilled his lips.
The rain continued to fall, the heavens crying in sympathy for the tragedy that had unfolded. And then, as if the universe couldn’t bear the weight of his grief, another bolt of lightning struck.
Raw electrical fury coursed through his body, causing excruciating pain beyond comprehension. In that instant, he felt a surreal connection with Sarah, as if they were bound by the same force that had torn them apart.
Darkness enveloped his soul.