Seeing Forever by Vanessa Devereaux Page B

buy all the same color. But what fun would that be?
    He heard the doorbell ring and then felt Willow
brush by his leg.
    “Okay, I know, Katey’s here, and it’s your big night too.”
    He felt for the harness and let Willow lead him down
the stairs to the front door.
    He opened the door and immediately smelled her
perfume.
    “You look great,” she said, stepping inside.
    “I’m going to guess that you do, too.”
    He leaned in and felt for her cheek and then her
mouth, and kissed her.
    “I had Josie pick some flowers from the garden for
you. They’re my gift for our date.”
    “You didn’t have to.”
    “I know, but if I was picking you up I’d arrive with
something.”
    “So, you almost ready?”
    He took a deep breath and she must have seen his
long face. He didn’t want to spoil the evening, but this was his first date
since the accident.
    “You okay?”
    “Sure, but I just feel stupid having you drive me.”
    “I love driving and I’d probably ask you if we could
take my car even if you could see.”
    He loved the way she made him feel better about
every little thing.
    “I guess we should get going. I want to get to our
seats before loads of people get there and stare.”
    “They’ll be staring for one reason and that’s
because you’re a handsome man.”
    He’d like to believe it, he really would.
     
     
    ****
    Luc felt the sweat building on his forehead. Despite
what Katey had said, he knew people were looking at
him as they made their way into the auditorium. He sensed it and probably
Willow was a dead giveaway.
      Besides which,
he heard their whispering. He still had his hearing and the voices were coming
from both sides of the aisle as he and Katey made
their way to the seats.
      Wonder what happened to him?
    Car
accident?
    Maybe
he was born like that?
      Cute dog.
    He couldn’t stay here. This was a huge mistake. It
might be a great exercise for Willow, but not for him. Besides, he wouldn’t be
coming out to public places like this ever again. He’d be more than happy to
sit in the house and listen to his CDs.
    “These are our seats,” said Katey .
    She helped him down and once he’d sat and heard more
whispering, he was pretty sure he was on the verge of a full blown panic
attack. He’d never had them until he’d woken up in the hospital and now he knew
when one was about to break forth. He took a deep breath and silently counted
to ten. It hadn’t helped.
    Luc was about to get up when he sensed that the
lights had dimmed because he couldn’t see a brightness in front of him anymore.   And then the orchestra began playing.
    Shit, he was trapped. If he got up now he and Willow
would disturb everyone around them, and that would mean more stares and
comments.
    The only comfort was the warmth of Katey’s leg pressed up against on his thigh. He wished he
could see what she was wearing tonight. At least he could smell that beautiful
perfume again. He reached out and felt for her hand. She knew him well enough
by now that she slipped it inside his and squeezed it.
    “One of the violin players looks exactly like Sadie
Sutton,” whispered Katey . “She never mentioned that
she was a member. Or maybe it’s her sister.”
    “Maybe that’s how she got the tickets,” said Luc.
    Someone began playing a flute solo, which Willow
obviously thought was his cue to start howling along.
    “Hey, Willow… no, be quiet,” whispered Luc while
tugging on his harness. But the dog continued.
    As the flute played on, Willow seemed to be
answering it back with a howl and then a bark.
    “Willow, quiet,” said Katey .
“No barking.”
    Willow got louder and a few people began laughing.
    “Here let me let try something. I’m guessing it’s
hurting his ears,” said Katey . She moved by Luc’s lap
and then he sensed she was kneeling on the floor by Willow.
    “Willow, no, Willow, cease.”
    There was silence, no more Willow singing along. Katey stayed with him until the tune was over and