Chapter 29
After the game, the reporters rushed to the Ram’s locker room. Dave kept his good arm around Joan. The reporters rushed in and gathered around Dave. He smiled and said, “This is my wife Joan. When I was out eating at a restaurant, she brought me back from the dead. I swallowed a piece of meat and choked on it. She recognized the problem and, thankfully, she rushed into action and used the Heimlich maneuver and admistered CPR until the paramedics arrived, and she revived me. When she began working on me, my heart and breathing had both stopped. According to the doctors, I was clinically dead. It took more than ten minutes for the ambulance to reach me. After 4 minutes without a heartbeat or breathing, brain cells deteriorate and die, and irreversible brain damage occurs. If she had not been there and acted so quickly, I would have been pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Thanks to her, I am alive and well today. After meeting her and getting to know her, I realized she is the most beautiful, intelligent, and kind woman I have ever known. We fell in love, and she finally agreed to marry me. We got married in a small town in Alabama last week. While I am out with this shoulder injury, we will be honeymooning, and we hope everyone will respect our privacy.” Dave and Joan remained to answer questions for a few minutes afterwards.
That night back at the hotel, Dave and Joan sat together and watched the TV news shows. The highlight of the sport’s news was the surprise announcement Dave had made. His statement to the press about Joan’s having saved his life was shown on several other channels later that night. The comments had all been positive.
The next day, they left the hotel and began driving over to Dave’s parent’s house. About 3 pm, Dave took out his cell phone and called his parents’ house. When his mom answered, he said, “Hi, Mom. Did you watch the Ram’s game yesterday? Oh, you didn’t? Yes we won, but I didn’t play. I am still on the injured list. What are you doing today? Nothing. That’s great. I was wondering if you’d like some house guests. I thought you might like to get acquainted with my wife,” he laughed. “Yes, that’s what I said. My wife! Where am I? I think we are about an hour away from your house. Would you mind if Joan and I come for a visit? After making our wedding announcement during halftime, we’d like to come and hide out with you. Of course, I’m fine. I’m married to the most wonderful woman in the world, except you, of course,” he laughed. “Yes, I am still injured and I had emergency surgery, but I ran away from the hospital so I could find and marry the woman I love. Joan and I got married a few days ago. Since I am out for several games, I decided this was the perfect time to get married. Yes, Mom, I am happier than I knew it was possible to be. Seriously, are you up to having company? If not, there are lots of ‘tourist traps’ we can go visit,” he added with a grin.
When Dave got off the phone, he announced, “Mom is thrilled! When we visited here before, she told me to hang on to you. Now you are officially, legally, and permanently a member of this family. I got to thinking, you’ve only been in Florida once before, and we never saw any of the sights. I want to be the one to show you the world,” Dave said.“We might as well start with Florida’s tourist attractions and move out from there.”
When they arrived, Rich and Caroline rushed out and hugged both of them. Dave and Joan told them all about how they decided to get married in a quiet ceremony. Dave said, “Mom and Dad, I hope you aren’t angry about our eloping. I just had to get her to marry me before she could change her mind,” Dave laughed.
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to see it, but we are so happy you worked things out and are married. Your happiness is the most important thing to us.. We are so happy you came back so we could celebrate with you. Later this evening, we are going to take you out to dinner at the local country club to introduce the newest and prettiest member of our family.” Caroline announced. That night, Joan wore the beautiful blue chiffon and satin dress that Cindy had added to her shopping trip. Dave dressed in a suit and tie.
Dave, Joan and his parents celebrated with a small dinner party with some of their friends. Later that evening, Dave and Joan danced slowly together. They walked out on the moonlit terrace to get some fresh air. Dave pulled her close and kissed her happily.
When they got home, it was late, but they sat outside on the porch swing and listened to the sound of the night. Finally, after finishing a nightcap, they went up to their bedroom. Later, snuggled together in bed, Dave sighed and said, “Joan, I don’t know what the future holds for me in football, but I know that as long as I have you to hold on to, my life will be perfect. You are all I want or need,” he vowed.
“Dave, I love you so much. I didn’t know the meaning of that word until I met you. Now I know what it feels like to really love someone and how wonderful it is to be loved by you. I will love you forever,” Joan said surrendering to him again. Joan snuggled up and lay in Dave’s arms. She sighed and drifted off to sleep feeling totally fulfilled as a woman, who felt loved, cherished, and protected for the first time in her life. She sighed and snuggled closer to Dave and thanked God for his blessing on her life.
About the Author
Mary has enjoyed writing all of her life, but has just begun sharing her stories. She has worn many different hats in her lifetime. She worked as a church secretary and proofreader in a small weekly newspaper in California while in high school and college. She taught for seven years before stopping to adopt her son. While her son was growing up, she managed a camera store for three years and then worked ten years in a municipal court system in California as a courtroom clerk. Next, she returned to teaching at a boarding school on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Kayenta, Arizona, teaching there for two years. She finished her teaching career teaching working in special education classes for fifteen years in Globe, Arizona. After retiring in 2005, she moved to Oracle, Arizona, to be closer to her family--her son, daughter-in-law, and her three wonderful grandchildren.
She is active in her church and enjoys playing canasta, hand and foot, reading, writing, and volunteering at the local pregnancy care center.
A Note from the Author
Within the next few months, I am hoping to publish more of my stories for your enjoyment. I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I liked writing it. Check back and see if I have any new books you might like to read.
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