The Elusive Prince

Blast from the past

It felt weird to be in his childhood bedroom again. Last time he had been here, he was a gawky shy teen who was sure of his future. He would be a lawyer like his father, join his firm, at the age of 27 he would ask Sam to marry him. They would buy a nice comfortably sized house, and have 2 or 3 kids. Sam would be a very successful interior designer, they would be in love even in their old age. He believed in it all. His guy friends often had urged him to see other girls, but he had eyes only for Sam. He endured teasing of his peers, but he knew what he knew and nobody could change his mind. He was so confident, so unwavering in his vision. He had prepared for his L-SATs since 9th grade. Criminal law, he would apprentice for the DA's office for a while, become a civil prosecutor and when Oliver was ready to step down, he would take over the office. He would be a good lawyer, a good husband, a good son, a good neighbor and upstanding citizen. He would help people. Sam and he would build a good life. Simple, honest and enduring. The fates were laughing at him all the time he was making these plans. 

He dropped his carry-on on his old bed and wandered around. Mom had kept everything the way it was. His trophies and medals still crowded on the rough shelf he had made in shop class. His posters of Karate Kid and teenage mutant ninja turtles still were on the wall. His various projects were meticulously arranged in the cabinet. It was clear that mom had lovingly preserved the room. A pang of grief hit him again. Oliver's words echoed, she kept waiting for you. He hated that he was the reason for her pain, but he had no choice. He had to outrun his destiny. If he had stayed, God only knew what had happened. He had lost everything, he had lost Sam. He had caused pain to his parents. He still wanted no part in his past. As far as he was concerned, the life he lived was the only truth and nothing else mattered. He opened his dresser, Ria had kept his old faded t-shirts. He took one gray threadbare shirt. It still fit. He removed his sweater and pulled the t-shirt over his head. 

Sam had decorated his room when she had found herself interested in decor. She had thrown so many ideas at him, he couldn't make heads or tails of it, but it made Sam glow, whatever made Sam glow, Adrian was only too  happy to get it for her. She had settled on a dark blue, cream theme. Looking around the room brought so many memories of Sam that it took away Adrians breath. Every inch of this room was filled with her. How she used to sit at the foot of the bed when he was studying and knit or crochet or whichever hobby she had picked that moment in time. She was interested in many things. She wanted to learn all languages, arts, and cultures. Or she would lounge in the arm chair and tell him tall tales. Adrian had kept all of Sam hidden for the last 15 yrs. Since he had set foot in the Portland airport, her name kept surfacing in his consciousness. He wondered if she still lived in_______. He could ask Oliver but that would open a discussion and he wanted to avoid it. He could cruise around town tomorrow. Find someone he knew and gather information. Town this size, he would find all the information by tomorrow afternoon. It wasn't Christmas yet and the tourist season was far off so many people would be loitering and the mood for conversation. 

He was so tired, Adrian padded up to his bed and laid upon it tiredly. The day had been long and never ending. This morning he had gotten up, he had no idea, now he was back. His eyes started drooping. He started drifting off. He was in a meadow, it was summer. Everything smelled sweet and fresh. Small yellow flowers dotted on a wavy grass. Everywhere he could see was endless blue sky and grass. He saw a movement in his periphery and saw a buck. Huge amber eyes, gleaming white coat and majestic antlers. The buck held his stare for a beat and then bowed. A deep, respectful bow. Adrian asked him “why am I here?” Without moving a muscle the buck replied, “we have been waiting for you”. “I abstain. I reject this life. I want my life the way I want it.” Adrian was getting angry now. The buck answered,”the choice is out of your hands now. You either come willingly and lead or be dragged in without insurance.” “What?” The buck now just looked at him and slowly faded. Adrian started running furiously demanding the buck be back and answer him, when suddenly he woken from his dream. Oliver was leaning over him shaking him

“Whaa?” Adrian groggily asked, 

Oliver's voice shook and he was beside himself with excitement, “Ria, she is out of coma, calling for you. Get dressed, we are going to the hospital.”

Adrian jumped out of the bed and began undressing. They had to get to the hospital fast. He took out his phone, Bria had called him numerous times. Last messaged just screamed CALL. URGENT!!!! He had to deal with that and her, but for now he had to reach the hospital. Oliver drove like a maniac, muttering. He had been at the hospital all this time and nothing, he had been away from her 2hours and she had woken up. Adrian side eyed Oliver but didn't say a word. He was eager too. The dream had shaken him to the core and Bris message sounded ominous. He needed to take control of his life again.