11. An awesome month – Emma remembers her Dave
by Emma Hatcher
It was December 10, 2004, and I felt sick. I cried as I put on my ball dress because I had waited all year for tonight but I was miserable as I felt horrible. For weeks leading up to the ball, my friends and I had joked to each other about whether we would have a date to take, but we didn’t, and that was fine, as deep down we were cool with that. We really wanted to cherish that night together as a group that had finally got through the course – we had made it and we were finally teachers!
We got to the Duxton Hotel about 9.30pm and went straight to the bar to get drinks sorted. It was my second visit up to the bar when I met you. I remember noticing this blond cute guy standing there who didn’t look familiar, so I quickly introduced myself; you were simply “Dave from the Army”.
I felt something for you straight away: I liked your deep voice, the way you looked warily at me from the sides of your eyes, how you were not troubled to help with my drink issue, how you seemed on the outside a hard man but I could sense that inside you were soft, loyal and kind, and above all I liked your white shirt – you had good taste!
After chatting for a while, I asked you to dance and you replied, “Nah, I don’t dance, but if you can get the DJ to play SHOUT! I will dance with you.” After a few hours, the song finally came on, and you kept your promise. As I pulled you onto the dance floor, I couldn’t believe I had met you. We looked deep into each other’s eyes and I felt a connection, almost like you and the night were meant to be
December 10 was the start of an awesome, exciting, wild month. I felt I was walking on air. Questions would pop into my head, “How did this happen?” “Where did this blond angel come from?” The funny thing is, Dave, I had never been attracted to a blond guy before, but you mesmerised me. I adored your blue eyes, your long eyelashes, your cupid-shaped lips, your soft ear lobes, and I loved the caramel blond strong arms you held me with!
I thought about you constantly. I loved the way you spoke to me, the simple word “babe” that just captured my heart. I had finally met someone who could show true feelings. You loved me in a way no one else had before. I loved your hard exterior and adored your soft interior, the way you could express your love for James, Anne, and your deep flowing loyalty for your friends, especially Thomas. I felt so safe with you, like no one or nothing would hurt me. I felt, as long as I was with you, then everything would be ok!
I loved the way you drank your coffee – strong with whipped cream. I loved the way we would argue about our differing opinions on music. I loved the way you went out for a smoke at 4.30am “because there is never a time too late for a smoke”. I loved the way you would take your shirt off and throw it to the ground. I loved the way you cared for me and I loved your heart – how strong it was and how fast it would beat – you were just so alive.
That month was the best I have ever experienced. I felt so happy, so sexy, so cared for, so mesmerised, so excited and, above all, anxious that maybe you would leave my life as quickly as you had entered it.
Thursday night was so awesome. We did not know it then, but it would be our last night together, ever. We really opened up to each other that night. You told me about your childhood memories -- Ariana, your childhood sweetheart, Thomas your troubled friend who you would die for, and our desire to keep seeing each other.
That night we expressed how we were so lucky to have found each other and how random the circumstances were. You said you would come down every second weekend. I was so excited, what an adventure we were going to have. We really loved each other that night. There was such a strong connection, an energy between us. I felt I was falling for you. I wish so much I had told you that now!
I was so excited to see you that night (New Year’s Eve), as it was going to be our last night together before you went back to Linton. I really wanted to go with you to Brooklyn but you wanted to spend the first part of the night with James and I wanted to spend some time with my friends. The whole time I was at Nicole’s, I felt lost without you, there was something missing. I now know that’s how you were feeling too. I caught the 11.30pm train into town and tried desperately to find you, to contact you, but it was in vain. I didn't find out that you had died till 10am the next day. I just couldn’t believe it: it was like a bad dream. How could someone so alive die? How could that fast, strong heartbeat stop?
I am so glad I got to see you during the days leading up to your funeral. It was really healing and I hope you knew I was there. At your house was where I found peace. I could feel your presence and knew you were comforting all of us. You looked amazing in your army uniform, so sexy and smart. I wish so much it wasn’t in death I got to see you in it. Dave, did you feel me touch your hand and kiss your forehead? Did you hear my words of love for you?
We all have so many questions, so many “what ifs” and so many shattered lives to rebuild. It’s just so crazy. Why did you come into my life for such a short time? Are all our lives mapped out, and you were never supposed to live beyond 21 years? I am so confused.... I miss you so much!
I will always remember you, smile at the times we shared, cry for the future we can’t experience together, dream of you, and hold on to my belief that I will, one day, dance with you again!
All my love Babe
Emma xxxooo
by Emma Hatcher
It was December 10, 2004, and I felt sick. I cried as I put on my ball dress because I had waited all year for tonight but I was miserable as I felt horrible. For weeks leading up to the ball, my friends and I had joked to each other about whether we would have a date to take, but we didn’t, and that was fine, as deep down we were cool with that. We really wanted to cherish that night together as a group that had finally got through the course – we had made it and we were finally teachers!
We got to the Duxton Hotel about 9.30pm and went straight to the bar to get drinks sorted. It was my second visit up to the bar when I met you. I remember noticing this blond cute guy standing there who didn’t look familiar, so I quickly introduced myself; you were simply “Dave from the Army”.I felt something for you straight away: I liked your deep voice, the way you looked warily at me from the sides of your eyes, how you were not troubled to help with my drink issue, how you seemed on the outside a hard man but I could sense that inside you were soft, loyal and kind, and above all I liked your white shirt – you had good taste!
After chatting for a while, I asked you to dance and you replied, “Nah, I don’t dance, but if you can get the DJ to play SHOUT! I will dance with you.” After a few hours, the song finally came on, and you kept your promise. As I pulled you onto the dance floor, I couldn’t believe I had met you. We looked deep into each other’s eyes and I felt a connection, almost like you and the night were meant to be
December 10 was the start of an awesome, exciting, wild month. I felt I was walking on air. Questions would pop into my head, “How did this happen?” “Where did this blond angel come from?” The funny thing is, Dave, I had never been attracted to a blond guy before, but you mesmerised me. I adored your blue eyes, your long eyelashes, your cupid-shaped lips, your soft ear lobes, and I loved the caramel blond strong arms you held me with!
I thought about you constantly. I loved the way you spoke to me, the simple word “babe” that just captured my heart. I had finally met someone who could show true feelings. You loved me in a way no one else had before. I loved your hard exterior and adored your soft interior, the way you could express your love for James, Anne, and your deep flowing loyalty for your friends, especially Thomas. I felt so safe with you, like no one or nothing would hurt me. I felt, as long as I was with you, then everything would be ok!
I loved the way you drank your coffee – strong with whipped cream. I loved the way we would argue about our differing opinions on music. I loved the way you went out for a smoke at 4.30am “because there is never a time too late for a smoke”. I loved the way you would take your shirt off and throw it to the ground. I loved the way you cared for me and I loved your heart – how strong it was and how fast it would beat – you were just so alive.
That month was the best I have ever experienced. I felt so happy, so sexy, so cared for, so mesmerised, so excited and, above all, anxious that maybe you would leave my life as quickly as you had entered it.
Thursday night was so awesome. We did not know it then, but it would be our last night together, ever. We really opened up to each other that night. You told me about your childhood memories -- Ariana, your childhood sweetheart, Thomas your troubled friend who you would die for, and our desire to keep seeing each other.
That night we expressed how we were so lucky to have found each other and how random the circumstances were. You said you would come down every second weekend. I was so excited, what an adventure we were going to have. We really loved each other that night. There was such a strong connection, an energy between us. I felt I was falling for you. I wish so much I had told you that now!
I am so glad I got to see you during the days leading up to your funeral. It was really healing and I hope you knew I was there. At your house was where I found peace. I could feel your presence and knew you were comforting all of us. You looked amazing in your army uniform, so sexy and smart. I wish so much it wasn’t in death I got to see you in it. Dave, did you feel me touch your hand and kiss your forehead? Did you hear my words of love for you?
We all have so many questions, so many “what ifs” and so many shattered lives to rebuild. It’s just so crazy. Why did you come into my life for such a short time? Are all our lives mapped out, and you were never supposed to live beyond 21 years? I am so confused.... I miss you so much!
I will always remember you, smile at the times we shared, cry for the future we can’t experience together, dream of you, and hold on to my belief that I will, one day, dance with you again!
All my love Babe
Emma xxxooo
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