Plan C

Plan C
“Call me Edward,” he practiced. He stared at himself in the mirror, stood a little straighter and puffed out his chest. “I’m Edward. You remember me from Mrs. Marks’ sixth grade class, don’t you?”

He shook his head and started over. What he said first, when Becky awakened like Sleeping Beauty, would be the most important part of his whole plan. He tried the lines again in a deeper voice. Then he slowed his speech down and watched the movement of his lips as he formed each word, imagining how Becky would focus on his mouth, watching the love pour out. She would see the truth before she heard it. She would see it, then she would hear it and then she would feel it. She would awaken to a new happiness.

He tried again. “Becky, it’s Eddie. Remember? From sixth grade? You used to sit by the window. But I’m Edward now.”

His heart was pounding; he was beginning to sweat. Here he was, alone in the house, rehearsing in front of the mirror, and he was more nervous than any other time he had to speak to someone.

“I’m Edward. Don’t be scared. I love you.”

No, it would be a mistake to tell her that too soon. She’d have to read the diaries first. She’d find out about his love as it unfolded in the wonderful expressions he had penned, the tributes he made to her, the poems, the love letters.

He pounded his fist against his forehead. Think, think. Get it right.

Last try: “Wake up, Becky. Everything’s all right. I’m here to rescue you. It’s me, Edward. Edward Burling.”
(Excerpt from Extra Scenes for EDGE OF ESCAPE )