Out of This World, by Meghan Griesbeck

They started last week. Thursday. At first, I thought it was Frank because Thursdays are his later days at work and we don’t see each other until Saturday morning after my “college chicks fighting misogynist dorks” meeting. A single red rose. Charming, right? He knows I love the color red, also made sense why I got the note with it: “HEARD RED IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR.” He’s so thoughtful.

That afternoon, when I got back to my desk, there was a little box sitting on my desk. Inside was a Mars bar, my absolute favorite candy! Folded under it was a new note, “YOU’RE OUT OF THIS WORLD!” Frank is so punny. I decided I would play into his romantic gestures.

When work was out, I raced home. I had decided I would make Frank brownies and surprise him after his long day at work. When I pulled into my driveway, there was a shiny bright package on my doorstep. He was definitely up to something! I ripped the package open quickly and pulled out a large, white sphere. When I looked at it further, it seemed to be a…space helmet? I admit, I was perplexed at first, but then it hit me! We had been talking about a trip to Mexico to scuba dive, Frank must have thought this was a scuba helmet. The note inside read “YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY!” That was it! He booked our trip to Mexico!

 

I opened the door to my house and saw rose petals paving a way to my bedroom. I felt giddy, like a school girl. I called out for Frank but didn’t hear a response. I got closer to my room and could hear the faint tune of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”

Our song. My door was opened just a crack and there was bright light spilling into the hall. I said “Frank…” in anticipation as I opened the door to my room. The light became so bright it enveloped everything around me. I dropped the helmet as I shielded my eyes. “Rocket Man” was overtaken by a sudden, excruciating ringing.

Next thing I remember, I was waking up in a bright, cold room where I was lying on a metal bed. I was surrounded by little green and purple figures. I hoped Frank had bought trip insurance; we might have to postpone the Mexico trip…at least until I was back from Mars.