Jacob's First Kiss

[Jacob Carpenter]

Jacob approached Kali Jade's hospital bed. She looked surprisingly well for what she had been through. Jacob didn't know if it was possible for her not to look good. He set some flowers he had brought on her bedside table.

"H-hi Kali."

Kali looked up at him and smiled, "Hi Jacob."

Jacob smiled weakly, "How are you doing?"

"Better."

"That's good." Jacob shuffled his feet slightly, "I was wondering if anyone had asked you to the clear skies dance?"

Kali smiled at him, "No."

Jacob looked at the ground for a short while, "Because I... I could take you if you'd like."

Kali smiled up at him, "That's really sweet Jacob, but I don't know if I'll be out of here in time."

Jacob nodded solamnly, "I understand. Do you mind if I visit with you a bit?"

Kali's smile widened slightly, "I'd like that."

Jacob and Kali talked for a couple of hours about everything and nothing. It was only after the nurse came in and told Jacob that visiting hours were over that he started to gather up his stuff.

"Well, it was nice talking to you Kali."

"You to Jake."

Jacob grabbed his coat off the back of the chair, "I'll see you around?"

Kali looked up at him hopefully, "Same time tomorrow?"

Jacob smiled, "Sure."

It went on like this for the next week. Jacob would show up at the same time every day to spend a few hours with her. The day before the dance Kali looked particularly distracted.

"I would have gone with you, you know?"

Jacob looked confused, "Excuse me?"

"The dance. If I could have gone, I would have gone with you."

Jacob smiled, "It's ok."

The next day Jacob didn't show up at the usual time. Kali sighed figuring he was probably getting ready for the dance. She laid in bed wondering how everyone was doing. She wondered what everyone was wearing, and who was taking who. The dance would be starting right about now. She laid there wishing that she could go.

All of the sudden her door opened and Jacob walked through. He was carrying a dozen roses, a CD player and had a smile on his face.

"Hi. I decided that if you couldn't go to the dance maybe I could bring the dance to you."

Kali smiled looking at him in surprise. He set the roses on the table beside her bed and plugged the CD player into the wall. He turned the volume down low so it wouldn't disturb the patients in the next room.

They sat and held hands all night. They talked and laughed. Occasionally a nurse would come in to check on Kali and would give a knowing smile to Jacob. They talked well into the night.

Jacob looked down at her, "Well, it's almost 10:00. I'll have to be going soon."

Kali smiled up at him and nodded, "Thanks Jacob. I think I had more fun tonight than I've had at any dance before."

Jacob smiled, "Me too..." He bit his lower lip, "Kali, I'd really like to kiss you now."

Kali's gaze softened, "I'd like that too."

He leaned forward closing his eyes and kissed her lips gently. It was sweet and soft and long just as he'd always imagined it would be. The seconds seemed like hours and it was still over to soon. It was everything a first kiss should be.

As Jacob finished writing the the last words of his story he sighed and sank a little in bed. That's all it was. It was just a story. He closed his notebook and stared down at the cover. Some where he knew that's all it would ever be. He set it on his bedside table and reached up to turn out the lamp.