Fright Night

It’s a dark October night. We had just gotten back from our honeymoon when a dear friend sent us an invite asking us to be in Universal Studios for a surprise. Honestly, I should’ve seen this coming from a mile away, but I wanted to trust that she wasn’t that mean. We stand in a cleared out part of the park in front of the American Horror Story Haunted House. My entire body stiffened because I knew what was coming. How could I have known that she would hold on to this kind of information for so long? The only reason I even came was because I knew he would be here with me. His big arms softly wrapped around my middle holding both of my hands in his because he knew how freaked out I would be of this whole situation. We patiently waited for the two camera men to ready their equipment for the shoot. He lightly kissed my neck then nestled his face against mine. His warm cheek melted my heart like it always does. I turned my face to his to kiss that cheek and tuck my face into his neck. To the outside observer, we looked like the perfect picture of love, but to us it wasn’t just a picture, it was the real deal.

“How are you not freaked out by this?” I quietly asked him so not to distract the camera men from their work.

“Well, I’ve come to realize that when you are freaked out, I’m able to remain stronger.” His accent soothed my soul and almost distracted me from what he was actually saying.

“I’m not freaked out.” I lied out of pride, but it was obvious to everyone and their mothers that I was full of it. He looked deeply into my green eyes as if to say, 'Really, Dear, you’re not even a little scared?' “Okay, I may be a little freaked out, but why would that be a reason for you not to be? Cause you’re a man?” I tried to trick him into a verbal snare, one of my favorite games, although I never win. He is too smart for that.

“No, ‘cause I’m taller, gives me a better advantage.” He grinned. “Plus, we are a team, I go for the nose, you go for the... well…”

“John!” I elbowed him in the gut lightly.

“What?” He chuckled. “I was going to say knee caps! Roni, Love, you should really get your head out of the gutter.”

“You’re not funny.” His arms tightened around me as he laughed and kissed my neck once more. I glared at him in disapproval, but I giggled as well. “Okay, maybe a little funny.”

“Alright we are ready when you are,” the first camera man called out.

We both took a deep breath and John asked me softly, “You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be...”

The two men were holding different devices. The first was holding the camera and the second was holding a device that would let us communicate with our friend who was comfortably seated in her studio all the way in Los Angeles far from anything that frightening. We heard her voice on the other end of the device introducing this segment. The first camera man held up three fingers to let us know when he was going to begin filming. 3... 2... 1.

“Hey, honeymooners! How are we doing today?”

“We were great until we found out about your little surprise. You know, we would have been okay with a card to congratulate us on our wedding.” I spoke up with a light tone, but the sarcasm was strong with this one. John gripped my hand tighter telling me to ease up.

“Well, what kinda gift is that!” She laughed. “You guys ready to brave the haunted adventure?!”

“I believe we are!” John shouted before I had the opportunity to run.

“Alrighty! See you both on the other side!” The device shut off, but the camera was still rolling…