Gabriel was always the progressive one in our relationship. He's the one who asked me out, the one who told me 'I love you' first, the one who always coordinated dates. There were only two times that I was the progressive, or dominant one.

One, when we had sex. And two, when I proposed to him.

It was a late Sunday night and he had taken me to the pier. We were just walking along and then made it to the beach. It was dark and there was a slight breeze swirling his hair around his face. It was beautiful.

And there was the tiny velvet box that I had been carrying in my pocket for weeks, for the perfect time, like this one.

I grabbed Gabe's wrist to stop him and he turned to look at me. "What is it?" He asked, I could tell I had just snapped him out of whatever he was thinking about.

"Gabriel, we have been together for four years, we have a house together and we share income and expenses, and I love you and you've said you love me. I just..well I was wondering.."

I pulled out the small box from my pocket and opened it showing the engagement ring to Gabe. He stood there I silence just staring at the piece of jewelry before he looked up at me.

"You didn't even get down on one knee."

I smiled nervously and chuckled. "You're right how stupid of me." I moved to kneeling down on one knee in the sand holding the box out towards Gabe. "Gabriel Novak will you do me the honor of becoming Gabriel Winchester?"

Gabe smiled brightly and nodded holding out his hand. "Of course Sam I love you so much." And it warmed my heart. I placed the ring on his finger and the box dropped to the sand as I picked him up and he wrapped his legs around my waist as we kissed.

--

That was a good memory. Now I lied here and there was a nurse that just came in, by the sound of her heels.

"Sam I'm going to read you this news article and you're going to tell me whether you remember this or not alright?"

I nodded and she began to read. Why did she use that voice like I was mentally slow?

"Man found dead in violent car crash. Just identified today."

She started and I could tell she had just read the headline by the pause she gave at the end of the sentence. Then she continued.

"Two days ago a man was found in a car crash on the bridge. The detective in charge, detective Garth Williams, had stated that by the way he was positioned and what he had on him that he was headed home from a day of work. But the police have neglected to reveal the identity of the John Doe until now. His name is Gabriel Winchester.."

My mind blanked out after she said the name. What was she talking about?!

"Do you remember this Sam? It was a long time ago." She said again in that same slow voice.

"You're saying Gabe is dead?" I asked.

Beside me I could hear Gabriel stand. "That's ridiculous! I'm right here!"

The nurse went on as if she hadn't heard Gabe. "Sam Gabe has been dead for a while."

I shook my head. That's impossible.
"No he's been right here with me since I got sick." I said. Duh she should know that.

"No he hasn't."

"I'm right here!" Gabe yelled and I started to cry. Why was she saying these things?

She sighed. "I'll be back in a week." She told someone else and I felt a shot in my arm again. Not again.

And I fell into unconsciousness.