The Sands of Destiny

Is there a specific timeline in life that we're meant to follow? We're born. We grow. We experience living and we reach the end. Is there ever a point in the plan where it becomes weak? Can we alter our destiny?

I used to think the world was what we made it. I graduated at the top of my class from Clemson University at twenty-six. Obtained my dream job working as a physical therapist for one of the best sports medicine clinics in the state of South Carolina. I was digging the roots I yearned for until one day, I woke up and realized I wasn't living in my reality.

"Excuse me, Sir. Are you okay?"

Lifting my gaze to meet her voice, I feel my body tense, recognizing the green eyes staring back at me. "I'm okay. I'm waiting for the bus." I try to offer her a smile, but my facial expressions have been slowly dwindling for weeks.

"You do know the bus station is closed, right? Is your ride coming shortly? It looks like it's about to rain."

"I'm waiting for the bus station to open to purchase a ticket to Myrtle Beach."

Not being able to drag my eyes away from her beautiful emerald orbs, I recall seeing them for the first time. Doctor Harper Phillips. I remember hearing her name and thinking how it matched her heavenly voice perfectly. Like the strings of a harp that play so eloquently, her voice lulled me into a state of complete relaxation. We hadn't met before my procedure, but the second she spoke to me in that operating room, I knew she was something special. Call it a sense of nostalgia, but something told me I could trust her with my life.

Harper looks at her watch as I notice that she's still wearing her teal scrubs. The rich color accentuates her caramel brown hair that dangles just below her chin. "It's nearing five PM. The bus station won't open until morning."

"I know." She furrows her brows at my response and looks me over. Surely she's thinking I'm some homeless person with my ripped gray sweats and oversized hoodie that looks like it hasn't been washed for days, but it's far from the truth. Although I have no place to call home, I prefer to live with less. Material things are just that. Things. All of which can be replaced but time... Time is what I treasure most.

Catching Harper's eyes zoned in on the wheelchair parked next to me, I glance at it before she speaks again. "This might sound crazy, but I'm headed to Myrtle Beach. My sister is getting married there this weekend. I would be happy to give you a ride."

Feeling the strong urge to smile at her offer, I lean forward and shakily extend my hand. "The names Owen and I would love a ride. Thank you, Doctor Phillips."

"Oh, please call me Harper. Wait, how did you know my name?"

"Your name tag," I say, pointing to her chest.

"Oh, right. I forgot I came over here after work to grab a coffee and I saw you sitting here and..."

"You thought you'd help the disabled man get to his destination? Although the wheelchair is present, I don't solely rely on it. It's more of a crutch for when I need it."

"Of course." Harper nods and for once, I don't get asked the dreaded question, "what's wrong with you?"

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Owen. My cars across the street. I can drive it over quickly if..."

"I can manage. After all, free will is all we have left when the rest of the world is against us, right?" Harper smiles and I feel my heart somersault in my chest. She's even more beautiful than the memory I have etched into my brain.

Being a twenty-eight-year-old man reduced to living the type of life I have has left me little to no room for romance. Anytime a woman got close, they fled because my condition was too much of a burden. It's not something I expect anyone to deal with, but it's been my life's story since I was eighteen.

"Can I at least offer you an arm?" She holds out her limb as the wind starts to howl and a light mist begins to sprinkle on the sidewalk.

Placing my hands on the metal bench, I lift myself. My knees shake as my legs get accustomed to standing. Mustering up my best smirk, I confidently take a step and hook her arm in mine. Reaching behind me, I grab the arm of the wheelchair and stroll it along with me, down the curb and across the street to Harper's white SUV.

Harper opens the passenger door and waits for me to settle in the seat before shutting it and folding up my wheelchair to place it in her trunk. The raindrops start hitting the windshield faster as she rushes into the driver's seat and slams the door shut, letting out a screech.

"Phew, good timing, huh? You'd be a drowned poodle by now." She giggles and I can't help but let the corners of my mouth rise higher than they ever have before. Something about her forces me to do things I never thought I could do again. Like smiling so hard it hurts my cheeks. I can't recall ever feeling such vibrant flutters without knowing more about a woman before.

"I don't want to sound too forward, but have we met before? There's something that seems familiar about you."

"Are you only asking, so you aren't driving four hours away thinking you're with some strange man?"

"Okay, now that you say it out loud, I sound like a nutjob. But something told me you needed a friend. We all need a helping hand every once in a while and that's precisely why I love being a doctor. I love helping people."

"I bet you're very good at it too, Harper."

"I didn't spend seven years of college and residency to be mediocre. Being the best neurosurgeon I can be is more than being good at the job. It's building relationships. The honor of telling someone their surgery was successful after they've had a long road of failures. It's being their last string of hope." Watching her eyes fill with light as she lets her passion seep from her words, I nod my head, knowing exactly what she means but not quite sure how to put into words how she did exactly that for me.

"Anyway, sorry, I tend to ramble. I suppose we should get going if we want to make it to Myrtle Beach by ten. Are you visiting family?" She asks before taking off down the street and driving onto the freeway.

"No, my Mom passed when I was sixteen and my Dad's too busy to give a crap." I fire out, feeling the resentment swirling in my chest.

"I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, Owen. I understand completely regarding the Dad thing. Mine thought I was insane for pursuing the career I chose."

"Why? Doctors are why we have all these advanced medicines and procedures. I've had an excellent team of doctors over the years who've gotten me this far."

"Not everyone can see the miracles of medicine. But I'm pleased to hear that at least one person can see it how I do."

"What about you? You said your sister's getting married? Are you happy about that?" I ask, noticing how her skin turns pale, bringing up the topic.

Not having many conversations with people over the years, I've picked up on reading their expressions well. For example, Harper avoids eye contact and wraps her hand around the back of her neck like she's suddenly having hot flashes and needs the dampness of her skin to cool her racing thoughts.

"Honestly, I'm nervous. My sister is marrying my ex-boyfriend," Harper says as her eyes float between me and the road.

"Wow--that's I mean, how does that even happen?"

"I found out they were screwing around behind my back after we were together for two years. It was surprising, but I realized shortly after that it wouldn't have worked out anyway. He hated the long hours I had to put in at the hospital and we fought more often than not. I chose to keep my relationship with my sister peaceful for the sake of our family."

Feeling my heart sink hearing that a man could do such a thing to a rare beauty like Harper, I reach out and touch her forearm. My fingers hesitate as it's been so long since I've felt the warmth of a woman underneath them, but her radiant smile softens my thoughts.

"Any man who can give you up is unworthy of your affections, Harper. You're brilliant, beautiful and kind. A trio of qualities any man would be lucky to have in a partner." Letting my heart run away with my mouth, I retract my hand and face my attention back in front of me.

Feeling mortified that I said all that out loud, I realize that if she didn't think I was a whack job before, I'm sure she does now. Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to calm the rising idiocy I feel crawling up my skin. Before I panic too much, I feel her soft touch greet my trembling hand. Just then, my tremors cease their existence as our eyes meet.

"Thank you, Owen. For a stranger to see all of those things in a short time, it's very sweet of you." Like her smile is the magician to whatever spell she placed on my heart, I feel it beat like never before.

"You're welcome, Harper."

Letting our moment settle the panic I thought I was headed into, I relax in the seat and reach into my jacket pocket. Pulling out the orange bottle, I dump the last pill into my mouth and take a swig from the water bottle I also have stashed in my pocket of treasures. Swallowing the last dose of medication, I lean my head against the headrest.

Thinking over my journey, I realize how lucky I've been to make it this far. I strived to reach my goals when others said it was impossible. I achieved everything I ever wanted when everyone said I could never do it. I'm a living, breathing miracle and sometimes I find myself so overwhelmed I look up at the stars and thank God.

I thank him for creating beautiful people like this woman beside me. Harper doesn't know it, but she's responsible for breathing what life I have left. If it weren't for her excellent doctoring skills, I wouldn't have had the last six years of my life.

Spending the next four hours talking like I've never spoken to anyone before, I find myself grinning brighter than a child who's seeing Disney World for the first time. I mean, what are the odds that it was her who approached me tonight? Was this part of my destiny?

"This has been one of the best car rides I've ever had, Owen. Did anyone ever tell you that you'd make a great shrink? Maybe I should pick up strangers more often." Harper lets out as she giggles once more.

Before I can respond, I see the sign for Myrtle Beach come into view. Feeling the excitement travel through my body, I roll down the window and let the refreshing ocean scent fill my nostrils.

"So, where am I dropping you off at, Owen?"

"Right over there is fine." I point to the beach area and unbuckle my seatbelt.

Eager to dip my feet into the saltwater, I scramble out of the car and almost trip, forgetting my unstable condition. Reaching out for the vehicle, I hold onto it for support as Harper wheels my wheelchair towards me.

"Are you sure this is where you wanted to go? It's so late and there's no one here. I can't leave you alone here like this, Owen." The concern in her voice makes my heart jump for joy as her sympathetic eyes pull at my heartstrings—streaks of moonlight dance in her hair as we stand under the evening sky.

"I won't be alone, Harper. Soon enough, I'll be reunited with my mother." Pushing the wheelchair towards the beach, I get stuck as the sand builds up in its tires and causes me to stop.

Leaning on the arm for support, I kick off my shoes and peel off my socks, eager to feel the warm white sand squish between my toes. Feeling the ache in my back, my body freezes in place as I try to stand up. But it fails me and I plummet to the ground, hearing a loud crack.

"Owen!" Harper shouts and rushes to my side. "We need to get you to a hospital."

"No. No hospitals. They've done all they can."

"What do you mean?"

Attempting to get to my feet, I struggle as my foot throbs and my hands tremble more profusely. "You asked me earlier if we've ever met. The answer is yes, Harper. I told the stars about you. I told them how you saved my life."

Our gazes lock as she tries to understand my truthful words. "I did? How?"

"Six years ago, you performed deep brain stimulation on me. I was in stage II of Parkinson's at the time, but that procedure improved my way of life. I didn't need to rely heavily on medication and I finished school. You gave me a shot at life, Harper."

Harper's hand covers her mouth as she starts to piece together who I am. "You're Owen Charleston?"

"Yes."

Harper's eyes soften and tears collect in her eyes. "But your condition seems much worse."

Feeling our heightened emotions, I brush my fingers across her cheek. "You gave me six years when I was told I would have six months, Harper. I've been living on borrowed time, but my destiny is here."

"But Owen..." Ignoring her call, I limp forward and try to reach the ocean's waters. My weak body fights me at every step.

Seeing the ocean is the last piece in finalizing my journey. I could never get here because of my worsened condition, but then I decided to hell with it. I've defied every odd up until now, so the only thing stopping me was me.

Harper sprints towards me, slinging my arm around her shoulder. Her sparkling smile illuminates my vision as she walks me to the shoreline.

Grinning as the water splashes on my toes and fills me with a sense of peace, I look to Harper once more. "I don't think I've experienced anything more beautiful than this."

Harper smiles and wraps her arm around my waist. Leaning into me, she whispers, "Me either, Owen."