...

"Well, I've a proposition for you, Umbre."

That was what my Uncle said to me three years ago when I agreed to work for him at his club. He told me I "have a natural gift". That I'd "be perfect for the scene". My Uncle made me a deal: I would become an Exotic Attraction at his gentlemen's club in Uptown. In return, he would pay for my schooling, attire, housing, and other expenses. I agreed, and I debuted that same night. Going under the name of "Ambrosia" I premiered on the main stage at my Uncle's club, and instantly became a local favorite. I made the most tips that night, and plenty of jealousy was in the air.

Three years later... I, Umbre Rosa, am the main attraction at my Uncle Bradford's gentleman's club. Rosa Heights, once nothing but a sleezy strip club getaway for men, is now a highly recommended Burlesque attraction in Uptown. The Club is prospering and ratings are skyrocketing. My parents disapprove of everything my Uncle is doing for me, but I don't care about that. It's my life now, and they are no longer my parents.

Tonight Ambrosia is putting on a special dance, and it's ladies' night. Ironic as it is, the club maintains a strong following of women and we have several women who are regulars just like the men. I hear my name on the intercom, and I walk to the stage. The the stagehands draw up the curtains just as I begin my "Cat Walk". Cheers and applause greet me as I reveal my outfit: Hot short-shorts with a denim vest and fluffy fringe. Knee-high socks with lace and a pair of black angel wings, complete with holographic halo. I've fallen, and I don't want to get back up.

My routine starts, and the crowd roars its approval. The steps come to me more naturally than breathing. As I begin the closing steps of my dance, SHE walks in. I don't know who it is, but she's starting to make a scene in the back of the room. A man, presumably her boyfriend, crashes through the doors just as I make my way back to the stage for the end of my act, and everyone in the club just kinda stares at one another for a second, then at the large man who just ruined my Uncle's entrance.

I'm stunned at the situation happening in the club. There's a beautiful girl who obviously isn't a regular at the club, and a very rude gentleman who claims to be her boyfriend shouting and causing quite a ruckus in the middle of my spotlight tonight. Normally I'd shrug it off, but I've never felt... this way towards anyone before. What I'm feeling for this girl... it's as if an inner... lust has awoken from within me.

I approach the scene as calmly as I can, but unfortunately, I can barely contain myself. Several thoughts race through my head "Who is she? Do I love her? Does she know who I am? She looks familiar, do I know HER?" and then I take at the brute who followed her in and a few more "unpleasant" thoughts sneak out. "Who's this Fucker? Why is he shouting so much? Will security just shut him up?" He's making too much of a disturbance for my taste.

It seems my prayers were answered, because the Bouncer (we call him "Bubba") shows up just then and throws Dickhead out. The girl takes off for the bathroom, and I go to comfort her. The next act is being called anyways, so I'm done for tonight. I walk into the women's bathroom and though I still feel somewhat uncomfortable being in here, I push the emotion aside and press forward, looking for the girl. She's leaning over a sink, crying her makeup into it.

I cough to catch her attention, and she gasps, stares at me for a second, then runs into a stall. Not wanting to push it, but my heart getting the better of me, I slowly open the stall door. She looks at me again before covering her face in a vain attempt to hide. I crouch down and slowly remove her hands from her face. She lets me lower them, and then proceeds to hug me and cry on my shoulder.

"Make it stop" she whispers into my ear.

"I promise" I whisper to her. And then my brain started functioning again. "What's your name?"

"Bunanna" was her simple reply.

We didn't speak for a few moments, and as she calms down, she asks me, "Thank you, uh...?"

"Umbre" I replied, as she was lost for an answer.

"Thank you, Umbre, for doing that. I'm sorry I so rudely interrupted your dance. It was very nice. Let me make it up to you. How does a little shopping sound?"

I could tell she was the type who didn't take no for an answer, and more importantly, it looked like she needed something to take her mind off of tonight. Besides, who am I to turn down a free shopping spree? I mean, free stuff? That's like every person's dream! So, I said "Sure, when?"

"I'm out of school at three, so if you want to pick me up, we can go then."

"You're out of school at three? Weird, so am I." And that's when it hits me. Bunanna goes to the same school as me, and I've seen her in the lunch hall before.

She must have had the same sort of... what did Uncle Bradford call it? An epitome? Epically? Anemone? Epiphany? Yeah, that was it. Epiphany. She must have had an epiphany about it too, because she looks at my face for the first time, and suddenly we both shout "School!"

I have a friend. It's my first true friend, too. Yeah, I talk with a few of the other dancers here at the club, but I never really connect with any of them. Bunanna on the other hand, is like the sister I never had.

The next day, I walk into school, and even though I don't share any classes with her it's not nearly as boring as it once was. Bunanna is in these school grounds, somewhere, and has been every day I've been here. Why I didn't notice her before is beyond me, but now, once school's out (and after I've gone home to change into something more feminine. I guess I've always felt the need to hide my true self at school, and now that somebody at school knows my true self I don't feel I can just rock up to her in male dress) we're practically inseparable. 

Bunanna makes good on her promise to take me shopping, and after school one day, we hop on a Monorail line and hop out just in front of a small strip mall. We stop in the first store, which is a local thrift shop, and Bunanna tells me to pick out anything I want. It's an odd request, as I've never had anyone other than Uncle Bradford buy me anything, but when I hesitate, she insists, so I start searching shirts, pants, dresses, anything I can use to spice up my collection. I eventually settle on a hat. It's called a fedora, or a trilby, or something like that, and Bunanna tells me it looks good. She buys me the fedora and another hat, a baseball cap that says "#No Hate" on it.

I tell myself I'm going to wear it everyday, but I don't know if I will or not. We exit out of the store and move on down the strip mall into a little diner that I don't catch the name of. We walk in, and I feel really out of place. Yeah, I'm dressed casual in capri pants, a tight tshirt and a waistcoat that makes me look like a flat-chested girl, but this little diner seems really out of my element. There was some sort of "Lost Age" music called "Dubstep" playing, and there were laser lights shooting everywhere and a bunch of really tall, really loud speakers that made me vibrate with every thump and thud they made. The room is also dark, so it would be hard to see where you were going if it weren't for all the glowy lights everywhere.

Bunanna and I arrive at an empty table, and by the time we reach it, random people have thrown or handed me so many lights that I look like I fit right in. That doesn't mean I felt any less uncomfortable, though. But, this is where Bunanna has brought me so it probably isn't too bad.

I wish I was more wrong. We order a pair of... "Firewaters" or something like that, and we're asked to show a valid I.D. I immediately regret ordering whatever it was, because usually if you need an I.D. for it, it's dangerous, or illegal. I hand it over anyway, and try to be quick about it so that Bunanna doesn't see the words “Sex: Male” on it.

As it turns out, "Firewater" is a drink... and it messed with me pretty good. I'm not sure what is in it, but it tastes all right at first, then suddenly my head hurts for a second, and I get really dizzy. I must have blacked out or something because the next thing that happens is Bunanna is trying to get me to drink water and eat. I don't remember ordering any food, though....

Later, I walk Bunanna home. My balance is off for whatever reason, I need to pee pretty bad, and for some strange reason, I can't stop laughing. Bunanna is just so funny! She looks at me funny, she talks a little funny, and even makes walking look easy! We mosey our way up to her house, and I regain enough balance to stand on my own. 

"Well, this is it. I'm home."

"Ah, do you really have to go so soon?"

"Yeah, my parents'll be mad if I'm too late coming home. They're a little over protective."

Bunanna leans in real close... and kisses me!

"Thank you for a wonderful night, Umbre." And with that, she walks inside, closes the door, and I'm still standing there in the dark of the night like an idiot. My mind comes racing back to me, and now I'm confused and slightly frustrated. I had never told Bunanna that I was a guy and... I think I have feelings for her. "Does she know that I'm a guy? Does she like me for me, or for who she thinks I am?” These thoughts race through my mind quickly enough that I have to sit down due to losing balance. I call up Mr. Waters and ask him if he can come get me. He asks where I am, and I turn around to give him Bunanna's address when the numbers become all blurry and I can't see straight. 

I think I fainted, or blacked out, because Uncle Bradford comes in, and he opens all my blinds, clangs a bunch of pots and cymbals together, and yells at me to get up for school. As I try to clear my head, I realize I have a massive headache, and I try to roll over and go back to sleep, but Uncle Bradford takes my blankets away. "Breakfast is waiting for you, and you'll get your blankets back after we talk." My Uncle must know what's going on with my head and now he's using it to torture me. I hope I can at least get some answers out of him, and not just more loud noises and pranks.

I should talk to my Uncle about my current living arrangements. I mean, a five-minute walk normally isn't that bad, but the room/hut thing I'm staying in isn't exactly the largest of places. Not to mention, Mr. Waters has to sort of shuffle me to the door to the main house so I can get in all right. I think some of the effects of whatever happened last night are still happening.

Where am I? Right, breakfast. I sit down to eat, and Uncle Rose clangs his spoon against a glass to call a toast or something. My head is killing me, and the clanking of the glass hurts even more on top of it all. "I would like to announce a toast," my uncle yells for the whole house to hear. "My nephew, Umbre, whom I'm sure you've all known for a year or two, has finally become a man! To you, Umbre!" And with that, he drinks whatever was in his glass and smirks at me. Meanwhile, I'm trying not to vomit all over my Uncle's things as I tentatively pick at my food.

I arrive at school sometime later, and the bell rings for first class. My headache has just escalated to a migraine, so I ask to go to the nurse, but I'm told to sit down and shush. Bunanna looks at me and takes pity. "Ask to go to the restroom. You'll be able to go to the Nurse then."

I mumble something along the lines of "Thanks, Bun," and I raise my hand to ask about leaving for the restroom, the teacher, paying more attention to the board than to me, simply says "Yes, you may go."

I stumble my way out into the hall and down to the nurse's office. The stairs are a bit of a hassle, but the railings help. When I arrive, the nurse is more concerned that I have been bullied and beaten up because I have so many bruises. "Oh, all this? Nah, just the chairs hate me, the doors are bullies, and I like to give walls and floors hugs." The nurse doesn't stop laughing for a few minutes, and I instantly regret my joke. The nurse gave me an aspirin. The nurse then lets me lie down on some couch/bed contraption she has in her office and I sleep for nearly an hour.

I wake up feeling better, but still not my best. The nurse tells me to take off for today and relax at home. I ask her what was wrong with me, and she giggles a little before replying "Sonny, you have a hangover. That's what happens when you get drunk." She makes this little gesture with her fingers and speaks with a tone that gives me the impression she sees this a lot. Well, at least now I know kinda what happened last night.

I go about my day, and as time progresses, my headache lessens. I still have horrible coordination, but I try to ignore it. Bunanna and I hang out again, but this time, I bring her home to my house. About the size of a small apartment, Uncle Bradford told me it was "all yours, kiddo." He lets me do whatever I want in here, so I figure it's a good place to get privacy. Mr Waters checks in every so often to make sure I'm doing okay, but other than that, nobody bothers me out here, so it was new and strange and exciting to have a friend in my house... and in my room.

"It's smaller than I thought it would be."

"I said the same thing when I first moved in." Bunanna and I giggle, and then we sit down so she can help me study what I missed in History this morning.

Mr Waters comes by to check on us about ten minutes later, and he asked if I wanted "some privacy". I think he was startled by Bunanna's presence more than anything, because when he sees her, he kind of stops and stares for a moment, like a robot that doesn't know how to process new data.

"If you'd excuse us, please, Mr Waters?" I seem to snap him out of... whatever it is, and with that, he leaves.

"Who's 'Mr. Waters'?" I forgot Bunanna has never met my Uncle or Mr. Waters, or any of the staff around the house.

"Mr. Waters is kinda like a butler. He serves my Uncle Bradford, better known to some as my Uncle Rosa. He also does a few favors for me, but mostly he just drives me around." That was literally all I knew about Mr. Waters, and yet I trusted him completely.

After a few hours of intense studying, my nose buried deep in some book or another, I get a little tap on my nose and I look up to see Bunanna's face closing in. I don't know how to react, so I just kind of sit there as she kisses me again. It's pleasant, and not unwelcome, but there's something else about the kiss, a sort of "forbidden fruit" sensation that just makes me tingle all over. I toss my books aside and pull Bunanna closer to me. We pull back and she lays her head on my chest.

"Your heartbeat is a mile a minute" I guess I am either really excited, or really nervous. I think it's a mix of the two, but whatever the case, all I do in response is just hug Bunanna tighter to me. I don't know why, but I suddenly feel closer to Bunanna than I have to anyone else in my entire life.

I decide I'm going to suddenly venture into dangerous territory. "Bunanna, do you mind if I call you 'Bun'?" Okay, so maybe that wasn't so dangerous, but it's a stepping stone.

"No, I don't mind. I kinda like it."

And then I ask the dangerous question. "Bun, um... will you... would you be willing to... maybe... go out with me?"

Bunanna kissed me again. I don't need her to tell me that it means yes. We spend the rest of the night talking about how we'd tell our friends, if we had any, what we'd say to our parents, and general school gossip. At dinner with my Uncle that night, after I had taken Bunanna home, I got a lecture over being drunk, and how it could affect my performance, my academics, blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda, school is important, just the same lecture I've ever heard before.

Then he lets me go as if nothing ever happened. Typically this means he's given me a warning and Mr. Waters is going to be following me for a few days. I've tried to never make the same mistake twice, though, so I feel it's a bit of a waste on Mr. Waters' part.

The next day, I woke up to my alarm, hit the snooze button, and rolled over hear a tap on my window. It scared the hell outta me, but I was curious all the same. I open my blinds, and Bunanna is standing outside my window. I was surprised there was someone actually there, more than anything. I open up my window to speak with Bun, and she starts with a bunch of crazy talk. "Umbre, you said you'd make it stop, right? Well, he's after me. He won't let me go unless he can do these horrible things to me, and you said you wouldn't let him! You said you wouldn't let him!"

I think I should feel lucky I managed to catch everything she said, given that my current state is groggy, with a side of crank. I motion Bunanna to come in, and rather than come around and use the door, like a normal person, she just climbs in through the window. As she's clambering in, I pull her in on top of me, and we both collapse on my bed, with me still in the nude. And just my luck, Mr. Waters decides to walk in right as we collapse on my bed!

Mr. Waters looks in, pauses for a moment when he spots us, lying on my bed, with me still in the nude and both Bunanna and I still out of breath from helping her clamber through the window, closes the door, and walks away.

I'm embarrassed beyond belief, so I throw on the closest thing, which just so happens to be one of my dresses. I ask Bunanna who's after her, and she says "It's my ex, the one I dumped the day I walked into the club... and into you."

As if I wasn't already embarrassed enough, I get a knock on my door. I open it and it's Uncle Bradford. Can nothing go right today? I motion him into my room, and he when he see Bunanna, he walks to her, takes her hand, and says "Welcome to the family...?"

"My name is Bunanna... who are you?"

"Welcome to the family, Bunanna. I'm Bradford Rosa, Umbre's uncle. I'm sorry our meeting was so short, but I have a meeting in a few minutes with some... associates of mine." And with that, Uncle Bradford leaves, like it's the most normal thing in the world.

Embarrassed, confused, and not dressed for school, I turn to Bunanna and said "I'm sorry for all of this. Really. I don't know what all of that was with my Uncle, but you can just ignore what he said."

"Oh, it's fine. I was actually a little flattered he accepted me."

Music to my ears. I take Bunanna in my arms and kiss her. She responds in kind, and time seems to stop. There's nothing else in the world except Bunanna... and that's perfectly fine with me.

Eventually we pull back so Bunanna can leave and I can dress properly, but I admit I was disheartened to see her leave, knowing I let her walk into danger alone.

After school is over with, I head back home. I have to prepare for a dance tonight, and Ambrosia doesn't disappoint anyone. I'm dressed for tonight in a red Ball Gown, and as I'm interrupted as I'm finishing touching up on my eyeliner. Uncle Bradford walks in.

"How ya doin' sport?"

"I'm almost ready. Just give me a few moments." I contemplate adding a little glitter, but decide against it. "All right, ready. Will you be watching tonight?"

"Not tonight. I have a couple of errands to run. Sorry, Umbre. I'll have Mr. Waters record it and send the video to me later. Uh, put on a good show like always, and you're free after your routine finishes."

"All right. I love you, Uncle Bradford."

"I love you too, Umbre." He gives me a hug and leaves me to finish my make up.

The announcer calls Ambrosia to the stage, and the curtains draw back as I step forward.

"Tonight is a special night. Everybody loves Uncle Rosa for this wonderful club and the brilliant dancers. Everybody in the audience, I have one question for you: Would you like to dance with me?"

Cheers and applause flood the club as a stampede of men and women alike hoard on to the stage. They encircled me but left a large enough space for me to dance. The first to ask my hand in a dance, surprisingly, was Bunanna. I took her hand and let her lead. As we danced, we got lots of compliments on how "cute" we look together.

Bunanna whispers in my ear "He's here. My ex is here in the club, and he's going to kill me if somebody doesn't do something."

At this point I'm conflicted. Either save the girl, and ruin a night for the club, and possibly my future as a dancer, or continue to dance the night away and risk the safety of Bunanna's life. I decide to try a compromise.

"Okay, nobody move. I have to go speak with Uncle Rosa real quick. Nobody leave. Feel free to dance on, but nobody leave, okay? I'll be back in a little bit."

I take Bunanna's hand, and head for the Announcer's booth. "Get Uncle Bradford. Now." The announcer doesn't question, but instead hits a button and Uncle Bradford comes down from his office in a few minutes.

"I'm in the middle of a meeting, and I have errands to run. This had better be important." He's pissed, but I have a good reason to drag him out of his meeting.

"Uncle Bradford, Bunanna is in trouble. Is there something you ca-"

"Look, Umbre, unless she's pregnant, then it can wait until later, okay bud? Right now, we both have more important matters to attend to. I have a club to run, and gentlemen to speak with, and you have a dance to finish. If she's in trouble, I'm sure you'll find a solution. Now, then, I'm sorry to be so curt, but I have to get back to my meeting. Please don't call me again, unless security can't handle whatever the issue is." And then my Uncle left as quickly as he came.

Now I was pissed, and so I asked Bunanna "What's your ex's name?"

"His name is Richard."

"Okay, how do you know he's here?"

And that's when I felt a strange sensation. A woman screams from somewhere nearby, and I look down to see a rather large knife has been stabbed through my shoulder. Some douche has just stained my dress with my blood. And then I collapse. Colors begin to mix, and the crowd becomes a blur. I hear yelling and screaming before I black out. The last thing I hear is a voice. It sounds almost like my mother, and it says everything is going to be okay.

I wake up in an unknown bed, the drone of a breathing device my only company. I haven't yet opened my eyes. It's not that I don't want to, but they're suddenly... very heavy. A hand holds mine, and I snap awake. My eyes, though it's a struggle to open, eventually do flicker open. Everything is still a blur for a moment, and as they adjust, I look to my left, and see my Mother, my Father pacing nervously just behind her. Mom is holding my hand, and Dad stops pacing to check on me, now that I've finally woken. I shift my eyes right and spot Uncle Bradford in a chair in the corner, Mr. Waters beside him, and Bunanna next to me. Bunanna smiles when I see her.

A doctor walks in. "Oh, you're awake? You've been a little touch-and-go there for a while, Umbre."

"How long have I been here?"

Mom answers for him, "About a week. How are you feeling?"

"My arm still kinda hurts, and my eyelids are heavy."

"The heavy eyelids are a side effect of one of the painkillers. It should clear up within the week. I'll let you guys have some privacy. If there's any changes, or he goes back to sleep, come get me, all right?" The doctor leaves.

I'm still trying to process the fact that my parents are still here, along with my Uncle and Bunanna. Have they talked to each other? Do my parents know about Bunanna and me? Do they like her? Do they want me back as their son?

As these questions start to bring me back to life, pun not intended, I ask the one that's bothering me the most. "What happens now?"

My mom goes first, "Well, that Richard fellow is in jail, thanks to your Uncle. Umbre, we've seen you dance and we saw the crowds at the club. We were rude and brash, and we should have handled your... fashion sense more...maturely. We're sorry, and we want our son back. We want you back home, Umbre."

My dad was next, "What your mom said is true. We've missed you a lot these past few years. Your laughter, your smile... your knack for staying out of trouble." Dad chuckled at himself. "We really do miss having you around the house, and we hope that you can forgive us for being the assholes we were. Mostly, I hope you can forgive me. I'd like you to come home, and be my son again. I don't know why, but when I found out you did these beautiful things, I hated it. I hated that you danced, and weren't... I guess the word 'normal' comes to mind. I hated your fascination with dresses and makeup. I was so blinded by my hatred for you, that I forgot who my son was. I'm so, so sorry, Umbre. I know you probably won't ever forgive me for what I've done, but I want to let you know, our -your mom and my's- door is always open to you."

Up next was uncle Bradford, "Umbre, didn't I tell you not to scare the hell outta me like that? I'm sorry I didn't listen. I blew you off one too many times, and look what happened. My favorite nephew nearly got himself killed. I'm sorry, Umbre. I should have stayed and listened. I should have hired more security, something. I'm sorry, Umbre. This is my fault. You tried to tell me. If there's anything I can do for you, you let me know, okay? And, if you want to move out, I get it. If you want to go back home with your parents, I can arrange that too. Just say the word, Bud..." Uncle Bradford sighs. "Your parents and I have talked since you took that knife for Bunanna, and we agreed to be more open minded about things, as well as to listen more often. You don't have to make a decision on anything right now, but we'll all support whatever decision you make."

Mr. Waters stepped forward, "Umbre, I've been assigned to you as a personal guard and butler. I serve you and the only one who can tell me otherwise is your Uncle Rosa. It's not much of a change, just means I'll always be around to keep an eye on you, cook for you, drive you somewhere, whatever."

And lastly, but most certainly not least, Bunanna takes my hand and puts it between both of hers. I am lucky to have such a cool girlfriend, and I don't want to lose that. As I'm thinking however, I catch myself staring in her eyes, and I blink and look away. Bunanna giggles and then speaks, "Umbre, whatever you choose to do, wherever you choose to go, I'll always be right here, at your side. I love you, Umbre, and I can't even begin to thank you for saving me. You're the best boyfriend ever, you know that? Don't worry about Richard. He's not getting out of jail any time soon, he's in for life. My dad would like to talk to you when you get released from the hospital. I don't know what about, but I think it's about us and this. The whole town's been talking about it since that night. You're a local hero now, if you weren't before. But whatever happens, please never stop dancing, and never stop being you, Umbre. Yes, you might have a scar, but that shouldn't define who you are. It's simply a memento of this one crazy time you were dating this crazy girl and-"

I hold a finger to her lips, shooshing her. Bunanna stops talking and I squeeze her hand. It's my turn to talk, "Bunanna, I know we've only been dating a month or two, but I've never felt this way before, the way I feel about you. I love you. No, more than that, like... I've found a part of myself. I need you in my life, probably more than you know, and I don't want to lose the connection we have. So, I'm playing my final card, since I've seen my own death. Bunanna, will you marry me?" 

Perhaps I'm rushing into it too soon, but I don't care at this moment. I am probably at my worst in this moment now, and if she's still here, caring for me, then we have a connection beyond friendship and dating. So, that is it. I "threw the dice" as Uncle Bradford would've said, and now it's time to see how they'll land.

The room has gone silent, and there was a tension in the air that I can feel. The doctor comes back to check in, and turns around and walks away as soon as he pops his head through the door. Bunanna has a huge grin on her face, along with my Mother, Father, and Uncle. Mr. Waters doesn't seem surprised in the slightest. At first I begin to wonder if I'm about to be stabbed for the second time, and then Bunanna explodes with joy.

"Yes, yes, and yes, Umbre! Of course I'll marry you! Oh, Daddy will be so happy!"

Everyone in the room starts clapping and hugging and shouting and congratulating me and Bunanna. It's the most touching though, when my dad picks up Bunanna and squeezes her in a bear hug. Bunanna tries to hug him back, but can't because her arms are trapped underneath his. My mom starts crying tears of joy (I hope) and hugs Bunanna as well, welcoming her into the family.

After everyone starts to settle down, the doctor comes back in to deliver more good news. "Well, Umbre, as long as you hold stable for the next hour, you can be released today." Cheers rip through the building as my Uncle rushes outside to shout "He's gonna be okay! Umbre's gonna be all right!" I guess a few of my fans are here too.

An hour turns into seconds, because the doctor left, and before I know it, he is back in the room, taking the breathing device off of me, and telling me I've been released. So, I'm out of the hospital, but now I have to go speak with my fiance's father. He wanted to speak with me beforehand, anyways, so maybe it will go well.

I turn to face the side of the bed, and I realize I'm in a pink A-line dress, socks, and hi-tops. "What happened to my other dress?"

My dad taps me on the shoulder, "Well, son, I'm sorry to say this, but the dress wasn't as lucky as you were. We can replace it though. We can't replace you."

Dad and Uncle Bradford help me to my feet, and each holding one of my arms, I start my way out of the hospital room. It's slow, but everyone's there to help. Bunanna gets the door for me, and the trio of me, Dad, and Uncle Bradford shuffle out into the hallway, and down to the cafeteria. I start to regain some sense of balance, and my dad and uncle loosen their grips on my arms as we move until I'm walking on my own. Our little group reaches the cafeteria and about 30 or so people come running at me, chanting my name. They pull me up and I'm crowd surfing for a few moments before I'm placed back down in front of a man I don't know.

"Hello, Umbre. My name is Mr. Silber..." He extends his arms as if to hug me. "Or as you'll soon know me, 'Dad'. I'm Bunanna's father, and I heard the commotion about you marrying my daughter. These walls are thinner than you might've guessed. So, come here, Umbre." We embrace for a moment, and my father walks over. He shakes Mr. Silber's hand, and they chat for a moment before Uncle Bradford cuts in and he and Mr. Silber walk off, chatting.

I don't know what's in store for tomorrow, but I know that today is a new day, and I have a whole life ahead of me to figure out what to do with tomorrow. I find Bunanna in the crowd, take her by the hand, spin her to me, and kiss her. Cheers from the crowd and family alike, I never want this moment to end.

Mom snaps a picture of it just in time, and it's on the cover of Bunanna and my's family scrapbook. We're in our early twenties now, and we've got our first child on the way. Our wedding was the event of the decade, but, as I've said before, that's all a story for another time.

The End