Sweet Silver Lining

Two Years Later

Annabelle sat in the bleachers, wringing her hands nervously as she watched Landon skate around out on the ice. He had been playing hockey for over two years, and she still couldn’t remain calm while she watched one of his games. She heard Lily laugh from beside her, and Annabelle shot her a glare.

“Seriously, Annie, you’d think you’d be okay watching Landon play by now. I mean, this is his, what, two hundredth game, or something?” she laughed. “And, not to mention it’s your boyfriend’s profession,” she added.

Annabelle smiled at her, looking to her right to where Andrew was sitting next to her. He could feel her eyes on him, and he glanced over, smiling at her. He grabbed a hold of her hand, giving it a squeeze, hoping to calm her down a bit, even though he knew it wouldn’t help at all. “Yes,” Annabelle said, looking back at Lily. “And, it’s your husband’s profession. But, neither Andrew nor Dave have had two heart surgeries, now have they?” she questioned.

“You know Landon’s as healthy as anyone else out there,” Dave said, entering their conversation.

Annabelle started to say something, but Andrew interrupted her. “Annie, let it go. Just watch the game, and enjoy it. Nothing’s going to happen to Landon. He’s been healthy ever since that last surgery. He’s been cleared to play, and he’s doing a pretty good job if I do say so myself,” he said.

“You’re right. I need to just stay calm. Nothing’s going to happen to him,” Annabelle said, more to herself than anyone else. But, she continued wringing her hands, and Andrew couldn’t help but laugh, knowing she was never going to change. But, that was why he fell in love with her in the first place.

They watched the rest of the game, and waited for Landon afterwards. He came running towards them, and Annabelle had to tell him to slow down. “Hey, Annie, can I go with Michael?” Landon asked, pointing behind him to his best friend. “His parents are taking him out for pizza, and they said if it was okay with you that I could go with them,” he said excitedly.

“Sure,” Annabelle said, and as soon as the word left her mouth, Landon was already running towards Michael and his parents. Michael’s mother waved to Annabelle, and she returned it.

“Well, I feel unloved,” Andrew joked, noticing that Landon had completely ignored him.

“I remember a time when he used to bypass me to get to you,” Annabelle laughed, thinking back to just a couple of years ago. “But, what do you expect?” she asked, looking up at Andrew. “It’s not as exciting to see your favorite player when you live with him,” she told him. She and Landon had moved into Andrew’s house a few months ago. Annabelle had been reluctant at first, but finally after both Landon and Andrew had begged her, she caved in.

“I guess you’re right,” Andrew said.

“Hey, you guys feel like going out to eat?” Lily called out to them.

Annabelle looked up at Andrew, who shrugged his shoulders. “Sure,” Annabelle said, grabbing Andrew’s hand and pulling him towards Lily and Dave. She couldn’t help but think that her life was finally the way she had always dreamed it to be.