Love, A Ray of Light

I wrote this story when I was 15 years old, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. It actually came to me in a dream! I remember going back to school and telling my best friends at the time, Caro and Diana. They thought it was such an incredible and weird dream that I should turn it into a story. They knew how much I enjoyed writing, so they encouraged me to do it, and I’m glad I did.

Reading it now, I see it's missing a bit of backstory, but at the time, it was just a dream translated directly into a short story. Maybe in the near future, I’ll write a longer version! But for now, here it is: what was once just a nighttime dream in my head that became a story. By the way, I loved this story so much that in my last year of high school, I submitted it to a contest. Sad to say, I didn't win, haha. Thanks for reading!

PS. This English version is the one I turned in for the contest, the original story is the one I wrote in Spanish.

It was a beautiful morning in June 1950. I was sixteen, and I felt like a woman. I felt that I could manage every problem in life without any help, so I ran away from home. I wanted to make my dream come true—to become a famous singer, a woman envied by every other woman. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I was determined to reach my goal. I had it all planned out, and I had even saved money. The only thing I was missing was someone to hire me.

I looked everywhere, but no one could see my talent, or they said I was too young to work there. I was starting to give up, and I was running out of money. So, I decided that I had to start from the bottom. I went to this very famous nightclub called "A Ray of Light." I remember when I walked in, I marveled at the place; it was beautiful and elegant. I wanted to work there. I went to ask the owner for a job. His name was William McDowell. He asked me to sing, and I did. I saw his face, and then I knew he was going to give me the job. And so he did. The only problem was that I was a minor, so he told me to never mention my real age and that I was lucky to look older.

It was the day of my debut. I was so thrilled and excited. I felt that for the first time, I was doing the right thing; it made me feel important and mature. Of course, I was nervous, but Mr. McDowell told me that everything was going to be perfect, and so it was. Everyone there stood up and clapped when I finished my performance. I cannot explain what I felt, but I knew it was terrific. To celebrate my success, Mr. McDowell invited me to have dinner with him. I think that since that day, I felt something nice inside me. I really didn't know if it was love or some kind of admiration, but what I did know was that when I saw his black eyes, I got lost in his gaze.

Five months passed, and I was still capturing the same attention as I did on my first day. During those months, I became William's close friend. He told me almost everything. I waited for him every night. We used to talk and tell each other everything; it was weird if he didn't mention something to me. But one night, three mysterious men walked into the club, and William told me to go home. I didn't listen to him, and instead, I tried to hear what he was saying, but all I could hear was him and the other men arguing. The three men left, and I went to see William in his office to find out what was going on. I asked him, but he just said it was something I wouldn't understand. However, I was aware that he was having serious problems. He was worried, and I couldn't do anything to help him.

Four years later, everything had calmed down, and I was still working there. Although I had better job offers, I always declined them, and I don't regret it. I preferred to stay beside William.

It was my birthday on June 26, 1954, and everyone who worked at "Ray of Light" was there, including William. We were having a nice time until a gentleman entered with a gun in his hand, looking for Mr. McDowell. I was scared, but William told us not to worry. However, I recognized that look, and I knew he was terrified. It was the same look he had a couple of years ago. William went with the gentleman, and I followed them, but once again, there was a tall man outside making sure no one passed through that door. The two gentlemen left, and I went running to see if William needed anything. To my surprise, I saw him lying on the floor bleeding; it looked as if he had been in a fight. I got closer, pulled him into my arms, and he said, "Don't worry, everything is going to be fine," but I knew he was lying. I helped him up, laid him on the sofa, and he confessed that he was happy I hadn't left the club and was still working with him. I looked into his eyes and told him I was still there because I wouldn't be who I am without him, and he said, "Then I think we need each other."

That night I slept at the club because I was taking care of William. When we woke up, he asked me if I wanted to have breakfast with him, and I said yes. The best part was that the invitation lasted all day, and that night we had dinner. There, he confessed, "Since the day you came to ask me for work, all lonely and nervous, I liked you. But I never told you because you were too young, and I was twenty-four. That would have ruined my reputation, but now it is different. Now I can tell you that I love you, Carolyn, and that without you I cannot live." After he finished saying that, we kissed—our first kiss. It was a magical moment; like the first time I was on stage, it was indescribable. But when we went back to his office, the place was destroyed. It was like a warning. At that moment I was so mad because I knew he was hiding something from me. I demanded that he tell me what was going on because I was tired of seeing him suffer. He just looked at me and started crying, and the only thing I could do was hug him and tell him that I would always be there for him.

We got married, and a lot of people came to our wedding. It was the most wonderful wedding. We had a marvelous honeymoon with no worries; we were together, and that was all that mattered. The nightclub was now a restaurant. It was one of the most famous in the country, and many important people ate there. It was the best year of our lives.

All good things end, though, and for me, it ended very fast. The same man from past years came back to our house and spoke with William. When the man finished arguing with William, William told me to pack all my things. He said we had to leave town and that his time was running out. I was against leaving until he told me what was going on, but again I saw his terrified eyes and started packing. It was 10:00 p.m., and we were to leave as soon as possible. But the telephone rang, and William answered it. When he hung up, he told me to go alone. I refused to leave him there, and we hugged. It felt like our last hug. He decided to go with me.

It's difficult for me to continue telling my story. We were leaving with our luggage. He was putting it in the back of the car. I was already inside, but when William was about to get in, I saw a man from a black car pull out a gun. No! They started shooting, and William was hurt. It was horrible! I got out of the car, and there was William on the street, dying. He was telling me that he loved me, that he hoped I would never forget him. He thanked me for always being with him. I told him to be quiet and told him that I was pregnant. He smiled, a tear came to his eye, and we kissed. Our last kiss, my last kiss of true love.

Now that I remember all this, I see it like a ray of light. When I think of him and see my son, William, I feel he is still beside me. I truly loved him, and I still do.