Twist of Love (4 page)

“Josie! Wear these.” Blake handed Josie a couple of leather arm guards, a chest protector, and a finger tab. The sight of the protective gear was a bit more contrasting with the bow. They were a lot more modern looking.

“What are these for?” Josie asked more out of annoyance than curiosity.

“These are pieces of equipment that are needed to protect yourself when firing the arrow. Here, let me show you how to wear them.”

Blake helped Josie put on the archery equipment. The equipment felt old and had obviously been used by other people before.

“There you go. Why don't you go first?” Blake smiled and offered her the bow and some arrows.

“Me? Why me? No, I don't even know how to use this, and besides I could get hurt! This really isn't-”

Blake laughed. She was just making excuses now.

“Hey, what are you laughing at?” Josie asked Blake angrily.

“Nothing! Look, I know you're scared-”

“Scared? Me? I'm not afraid! Especially not of some centuries-old wooden toy!”

Josie was a lot more defensive now. Nobody ever accused Josie Steele, MD of being a coward. She had seen more than her share of blood in the OR, rode in her fair share of high-speed ambulances, and saved more people than she could count. That was no coward.

Blake chuckled. “Okay. Then calm down and let me show you how to fire it.”

Blake helped Josie assume the proper stance. He held her arm in place and told her that she needed to use her dominant eye in order to assess the distance of the target in front of her.

“Stand upright without tension. That's it, you're doing it...” Blake softly straightened Josie's back. Josie almost felt Blake's breath as he drew close. She didn't want to admit it, but it felt pretty good while Blake was helping her.

“This bow... is pretty heavy...” Josie said, struggling to keep the bow and arrow straight.

“It's okay, just try to relax and keep your body steady.” Blake said.

“Ughh!” Josie dropped the arrow after succumbing to its weight.

“This is ridiculous! How was anyone even able to have shot arrows back then? This is way too heavy to lift, let alone aim! Or I bet this bow is a fake! It's just too heavy!” Josie was ranting now.

Blake just kept smiling and let her continue spouting silly things about the bow.

“This sport is just stupid! I knew that Brave movie I saw wasn't real! Now that I've experienced it first hand, I know it isn't real!” Josie was still ranting.

“Calm down, Josie. Now come on, let's try it again. Nobody gets it right the first time, you know.” Blake told Josie calmly. He gently helped her lift the bow again while Josie aimed at the target.

“This is crazy! Even with your help, this thing is still too heavy! What is this supposed to be made of anyway, some sort of crazy metal?” Blake just smiled at Josie's remarks. That made her even angrier.

“Actually, yes. It's made of metal.”

“What are you smiling at? Do you think this is funny? Was this some sort of stupid prank? You think you can just drag me here just so you can see me frustrated like this??” She dropped the bow and rubbed her eyebrows together.

'This is stupid! That bow is just too heavy! How is anybody supposed to keep it straight?' Without saying a word, Josie immediately lifted the bow and shot the arrow. She didn't even look at where she’d fired it at. She just wanted to get this over with. Josie and Blake heard a loud thump.

“This is just stupid. What a waste of time. I'm going home...” Josie said, as she was about to take off her arm guards.

“Josie...” Blake said softly.

“I can't believe I even agreed to this. I just got more stress out of this silly date.” She was too caught up in her ranting and frustration to notice Blake.

“Josie!” Blake shouted.

“What?!” Josie fired back.

“Look.” he pointed towards the target. The arrow had hit the bull’s-eye mark.

Josie looked closer. She couldn't believe what she had just seen.

“Oh my god... I did it... I did it!!” Josie screamed in great joy. “I can't believe I did it... I knew it... I just knew I could do it!” Josie said in excitement.

“I never doubted myself for a moment!”

'Now she likes it.' Blake thought. He couldn't help but laugh.

“See? You have a talent in archery.” He told Josie with encouragement.

“Yeah! You're right...” Josie suddenly remembered that she still had some work to do soon. She checked her wristwatch and saw the time.

“Blake, look, it's getting late... I really had a great time, but I have to go-”

“Oops! Did I hear that right?” Blake said triumphantly.

“What?” Josie asked, wondering if she had said something wrong.

“You had a great time, did you not? Then I guess that means...” Blake flashed his eyebrows up and down.

“Oh, yeah, yes... we get to go on another date.” Josie said. She didn't want to admit it to Blake or to herself, but she actually really had a great time with him tonight.

“Yes!” Blake said. Josie smiled.

'Hey, maybe this guy isn't so bad after all... maybe.' She thought to herself.

“Hey, come on, let's go. It's getting late.” Josie told Blake.

The drive to Josie's car was uneventful. Josie fell asleep until Blake dropped her at her car in the hospital car park.

11. Thriving Under Pressure

“Come on Blake, let's go!” Josie waved her arms at Blake.

Josie was a lot more comfortable on their second date. She had almost completely stopped complaining. It was a very encouraging sign for Blake.

“I'm coming!” Blake said.

He smiled at Josie. He knew she was excited about riding the roller coaster, as she'd told him so many stories of her riding it back when she was just a little girl. Blake had known right then and there that the amusement park was the perfect place for their next date. Although Blake would have preferred to ride the tunnel of love, he decided to let Josie have her way on this one.

“Two tickets, please.” Blake said.

“Here you go. Thank you and enjoy the ride.” The ticket attendant told Blake.

One of the crewmen escorted them to the cart. They sat on the cart's plastic seat and strapped on the seatbelt just as they were instructed. A leather pole was horizontally positioned against them to ensure they would stay in place throughout the entire ride. Josie's heart was pounding with excitement.

“Can you believe this, Blake? The ride is about to start!” Josie said with strong feelings of exhilaration.

“Pace yourself, Josie.” Blake softly kissed Josie on her cheek. She blushed.

“I love you, Blake...” Josie said softly.

“I love you too, Josie...” Blake kissed Josie's lips gently. It was a soft yet passionate kiss. Josie had completely forgotten about the ride. She was totally lost in the moment. The taste of Blake's soft lips were so sweet, and the feeling was just unforgettable.

Josie opened her eyes. She sat up from her bed and looked around. She held her head, still dizzy from the dream.

“What a dream... It felt so real...” Josie could picture Blake and the amusement park in her head as if all of that had really happened. Then she remembered the kiss. She couldn't help but blush.

“Why...what's going on here...?” She felt a strange feeling in her heart. She hadn't felt this way towards anyone in a very long time. She looked up and checked the clock on her wall.

'5 am... and I don't have any work today. Thank god.' She thought. She'd been so used to waking up early feeling totally fatigued, knowing that she still had a huge load of work to do in the day ahead. She wasn't used to this feeling, the feeling of freedom.

She fell back on her bed and covered herself under her soft blanket. She tried closing her eyes, but to no avail. She couldn't get the image of Blake's face out of her head.

“Damn,” she whispered to herself. She made her way to the kitchen area and filled a plastic jug with water. She flipped the switch on and sat on her wooden chair, waiting patiently.

'Come on, Josie. Don't get so worked up with this guy. Okay. So the first date was indeed a great date. I admit, I didn't expect that. And I admit, he took me by surprise. I underestimated him! Fine! But that's no reason to go all gaga now!' Josie thought.

She was trying desperately to rein her feelings in. This was not the way Josie had expected to feel about Blake.

“Maybe some coffee oughta get that dream off my mind...”

Josie was startled by the sound of her cellphone vibrating against the table's surface.

She checked her phone and saw that she had 4 unread messages. She checked her inbox and saw that all the messages were from Blake.

A message sent at 2 am said: 'Hey, thanks for having that date with me. I had a great time. I know you did too. And I'm looking forward to our next date. :)' Josie giggled.

She couldn't help but giggle. And she was beginning not to feel bad about it.

'I couldn't reply to him straight away since I was already asleep when he sent this...' she thought. She scrolled down on her phone's touchscreen to read another one of Blake's messages.

This one sent at 2:30 am said: 'Can't sleep. Can't stop thinking about you. Still really excited about our next date. Still up? :)' Josie smiled as she kept reading through Blake's messages.

Another one sent at 2:40 am said: 'ur probably asleep already... no worries. nighty night.' Josie blushed after reading that one. Blake's last text, sent just a few minutes ago read: 'Morning! Couldn't sleep too well... had a strange dream... a bit embarrassed to talk about it right now. Care for a chat? :)'

Josie suddenly felt chills went up her spine. Could he be talking about the same dream she had? Feeling curious, she pressed the reply button and texted: 'hiya. :) just got up... yeah, i'd like to talk abit. feeling lonely. :('

Blake was surprised by the sudden ring tone his cellphone blared. He couldn't sleep, so he’d gone to check on some of his students’ test answers on his computer. His ringtone was an old song from the 80s, a reminder to everyone that Blake was much older than how he usually behaved. He checked his cellphone and hoped that it was from Josie.

“Hmmm...” he scrolled down on his phone and saw Josie's text.

Blake's lips formed a smile.

'So. She's finally seeing the light. I think I'm actually getting to her,' he thought in triumph.

He texted her back.

'Aww, what's wrong? Wanna talk about it over some coffee at Jamie's? ;)'

Blake waited a few minutes and heard his cellphone ring again. He had gotten the answer he was looking for.

'I'd like that. :D'

Blake rushed into the bathroom and quickly brushed his teeth. He hastily put on some casual clothes and made his way to his car.

Josie sipped the warm coffee she had bought herself at Jamie's. Jamie's coffee shop was open 24/7, and she would sometimes stop by for some coffee whenever she had free time. It was still pretty dark because the sun hadn't risen yet. She loved little moments like this. She was the only person in the shop, and she enjoyed the cool silence of the shop during these wee morning hours. It was one of the few times in Josie's life when she wouldn't have to think about saving someone's life. And she deeply cherished these short but sweet moments.

“Heya. You got up pretty early.”

Josie immediately recognized the voice. It was Blake's.

“You got here pretty fast.” Josie said.

“Of course. I live just across the street from here.” Blake smiled at her.

“You want me to get you anything?” Blake asked as he was about to reach into his pocket.

“No, no, I already have some coffee here. Go get yourself something first. I'll be here.” Josie said.

Blake shrugged and smiled at Josie. He went up to the cashier and ordered his favorite mochaccino drink. He came back to Josie's table with a piece of paper that had a number on it.

“What did you get?” Josie asked.

“Just the usual mochaccino I always get here. So, you told me you were feeling lonely?” Blake asked. He wanted to know what was bothering Josie, so he got straight to the point.

“Yeah, that's the thing... When I woke up this morning... I don't know. I just really felt lonely. It's as if I wasn't used to sleeping alone. I've been doing this for years... I don't know why I suddenly felt this... sadness in me.”

Josie's answer confirmed Blake's earlier musings. He knew he was getting to her. This was his chance.

“Hey, hey... don't worry about it. I know that feeling... sometimes, you just gotta let someone into your heart, you know what I mean? It's a natural thing. It's your heart. It's trying to talk to you...”

Blake walked up towards Josie and sat beside her. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a tight hug.

What surprised Josie wasn't Blake's sudden embrace. She was surprised at herself. She had actually let him hug her. She felt something in her heart when Blake hugged her. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in such a long time.

She had once been married to Trevor and it had felt good. She’d cherished that relationship, and once it had died, she’d felt devastated. But even though she’d once loved Trevor, it was as if she had never felt this feeling before. Her heart actually felt warm. After so many years of being cold and suppressed, her heart's feelings were now starting to show.

Josie didn't say a word. She just closed her eyes and hugged Blake back tightly. She resisted the urge to cry. Blake, sensing Josie's desolation, tried cheering her up.

“Hey, don't be sad... look, we still have a date today, don't we? I'll take you somewhere I'm sure you'll love.”

Blake's attempt at cheering her up made her smile. She couldn't help but chuckle a bit, especially after remembering their date at the hunting lodge.

“I hope it's not gonna be another trip to the archery range.” Josie giggled.

Blake smiled. “Hey, don't underestimate your skills! You actually got a bull’s eye on your first try!”

They both laughed and hugged each other again.

“Hey, remember, if I don't like our date today, you're not gonna get another chance. So you'd better make it good.” Josie winked at Blake.