Anthony Williams
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"Man these papers are so tiring to look at.", a student complained. I laughed.

"Well, we're painters after all. It's important that we start with the basics.", I replied.

"But seriously, we're in our fourth year of college already and we're not allowed to paint on a canvas?", he continued.

"Anyway, it's just for today.", I said.

"Just how are you so good at painting even if your are completely blind?", he asked me. I smiled.

"You got to have inspiration to work hard. As for me, she's right here.", I placed my hand above my chest. They looked at me.

"Inspiration.", one of them said. They all looked at each other.

"Does inspiration have to be love?", one asked.

"Doesn't have to be. It could be anything. It's up to you.", I replied. The school bell rang.

"Alright! Be sure to paint something good on that paper. If it passes, I'll let you paint on a huge canvas as a reward!" All of the students got fired up. They all went out one by one.

"I'll definitely find inspiration to paint, teacher Anthony.", a student told me and I gave him a thumbs up. He smiled and got out of the room with his friends. That's right. I became an art teacher. I still paint every day. I have my collection in my bedroom. I graduated college five years ago. It's been almost six years ago since she passed away. I' moving on with my life as an art teacher and as a painter. Until now, I never found her grave. She must have been kept in their house with an altar. I could not have the courage to visit their house ever since she died six years ago. I never got any communication from her parents too. My mom and dad moved to the states and left me with the childhood house. I am now living as an independent twenty-eight year old. Occasionally, I still go to that precious place. I have never loved any one else but her. Yeah, I'm completely blind now. I can't see. I will never be able to see again. Having an eye transplant is just so expensive and being a teacher, my salary isn't enough. That is why ever since college, I have already accepted the fact that I got completely blind. I didn't get mad or frustrated because after all, this is the only visible fact that proved she was here with me in this world. This way, I will never be able to forget her.

I arrived at my house and my phone rang.

"Hello?", I greeted.

"Is this Mr. Anthony Williams?", the man asked.

"Yes it is.", I replied.

"Hello. This is Dr. Mark McLaw from St. Catherine's Hospital. We are looking for a volunteer to be a patient for our new eye doctor. Someone turned in your name and details. Hence, our call now.", he explained.

"I see.", I got flustered. Who would be doing this for me? Nobody knows my details except for my parents, Leah, and Lee but all of them are not in Japan anymore. I'm the only one left.

"May I know if you are interested?", the doctor asked.

"I want to know who turned me in?", I asked.

"The person has identified themselves as Mr. & Mrs. Lee Longbottom.", the doctor replied. I knew it. It was both of them. Should I grab this opportunity? Will this really be an opportunity for me?

"Let's meet at Flor de Blois at one in the afternoon tomorrow to discuss the details and waiver. I'll be waiting for your aswer." The call dropped. My head was swirling with thoughts both positive and negative. Should I take it? I sighed. I got out of my room and took a shower. In the tub, I took my time to relax and dip my body in the warm water. Just when I was already accepting the fact that I will be blind forever, this opportunity comes in. Well, Lee became a scientist and Leah became a famous ice skater. No wonder they would turn me in. I guess they funded this for me. But this is too kind of them to do this for me. However, I shouldn't turn down one's kindness. I just wasn't sure if I was ready to see the world already after so many years of being not able to see. I wonder how she looked like back in high school. I can't really picture her clearly but one thing was sure, she was so beautiful that I gradually fell in love with her. She showed me how love can conquer all things, even hatred. The world must be so beautiful. I want to see it, the world that you saw back then. The beach, the library, the maple tree, the people around me, and I want to see your smile even if I can only see it through pictures. To clearly see your smile will surely light up my dull adult life. Damn it I miss you.

I got out of the house after the shower and while sitting outside the porch, someone called my name.

"Anthony." I heard footsteps coming in closer.

"It's me, Celine's father.", he said. Hearing who he was made my tear up and cry.

"I'm sorry.", I said. I let go of my crane and knelt down.

"Anthony!"

"I'm really sorry. I wasn't able to protect her smile. I failed.", I told him. I felt him kneel down in front of me and he gave me a hug.

"It's okay Anthony. Please don't cry.", he replied. I faced him, not sure if I was facing him the right way.

"I'm doing fine Mr. Garcia. In fact, I got an offer to be a volunteer for an eye transplant. I will be meeting the doctor tomorrow.", I told him.

"That's great. Anthony, no matter how much it hurts, always know that you did not fail to protect her smile. I know that she is smiling. She is happy now.", he replied. I wiped my tears away and sat up.

"Yeah. I know she's smiling. She is already at a happy place. I have to be happy for her as well. That is why, I'm going to take the offer Mr. Garcia. I want to see the world that she saw.", I replied.

"That's the way to do it. Keep your head up high. You never know what will happen right after the operation. Who knows your life might be better than it is now, more opportunities for your career as a painter. So don't give up and move forward.", he encouraged me. I smiled and nodded in reply. That really motivated me to keep going. I need to move forward and expect a better tomorrow. I need to do my best at this operation.

The next day came and I turned in my leave papers.

"Get better soon Mr. Williams. See you in three months.", the principal said.

"Yes. Thank you cery much.", I replied. I exited and closed the door. To my surprise, my students said my name together.

"Teacher Anthony!" I was surprised.

"Everyone.", I uttered.

"You're leaving?", one of them asked.

"Only for three months. I'll have my eyes replaced.", I jokingly replied.

"Geez Teacher Anthony! You make it sound like it's nothing. ", another said.

"Don't worry guys. I'll be fine and when I get back, make sure you paint me some good pictures, okay? So be good to your substitute teacher while I'm gone.", I told them and they agreed. They all dispersed and someone called me.

"Anthony, or rather, Mr. Williams." I recognized her voice.

"Oh. Hi there Ms. Aira Takahama. So you will be substituting for me?", I asked.

"Yeah. I hope I won't be eaten alive.", she laughed.

"Don't worry. They won't bite.", I replied and both of us laughed.

"Good luck at your operation.", she wished me luck. I smiled.

"Thanks and when I get back, I'll treat you sometime.", I replied.

"I'll take you up in that.", she said as she patted me on the back. I sensed her walk past me.

"I still have a class to attend to. Be sure not to be late on your meeting with the doctor!", she said as she walked away. I turned around and made my way out of the school. I took a bus going to Flor de Blois and arrived there on time.

"Table with Dr. Mark McLaw please.", I told the receptionist.

"Oh. You must be his guest. Please grab my arm and follow me.", she said as I grabbed her arm and we both arrive at the table where Dr. Mark was waiting.

"Glad to see you Mr. Williams.", he said as I took my seat.

"So what waiver will we be discussing?", I asked.

"I'll just get straight to the point. Here is a copy so you can read it at your own pace.", he said as I touched the paper and tried to read it.

"Basically, this waiver states that you are volunteering to be in this operation and we by no means guarantee its success.", the doctor blatantly said it just as I finished reading it.

"So you can't guarantee its success?", I asked.

"I could, if I was the one conducting the operation. But I'm there to assist so there's no need to worry. She's still a licensed doctor anyway.", the doctor said.

"I see. Then it's okay. The mere fact that I have already accepted my blindness doesn't scare me if the operation isn't a success. So yeah, I'll sign this. Just tell me where.", I said. The doctor grabbed my hand and positioned it to where I should sign. I did sign it now.

"Alright Mr. Williams. See you in two days. Today, you need to go to St. Catherine's for some laboratory exams prior to the operation. Can you make it?", he asked.

"I can.", I replied.

"Okay then. Please grab my arm and I'll go with you to the hospital.", the doctor told me as we both exited the restaurant and rode a taxi to the hospital. We arrived a few minutes later and I started with my laboratory exams right away. Right about seven in the evening, the exams were done and showed that everything was okay and that I was ready for the procedure. I was happy to know that the results turned out okay. I got back home and laid in bed.

"I hope it'll be successful.", I said. I got up and started to pack. I will be admitted tomorrow then the operation will start the following day. After packing, I called Leah.

"Hey Anthony!", Leah greeted me.

"Hey you guys. Thanks for the offer.", I thanked them.

"You got straight to that without even asking how I am doing?", Lee asked. I laughed.

"Well, this is a big change for me. Once I will be able to see again and I can finally see you two clearly. I just excited, I guess?", I replied.

"We'll be there in a week to visit you for a month. So you better do great in the operation.", Leah said while Lee sat beside her.

"That's right! You better do great or all her efforts will go to waste!", Lee said.

"Lee! Shut it!", Leah stopped him. I guess she was embarrased to admit that she exerted effort just to make me see again.

"I gotta say, you two are the best people I have ever met in my life. Thank you.", I thanked them.

"No biggie man. It's what we can only do for you.", Lee replied.

"A-anyway, we have to go. Right, Lee?!", Leah asked and Lee nodded.

"Still bossy as ever, huh?", I laughed.

"She is. Oh boy wait until I tell you everything when we get there.", Lee replied. I laughed.

"Well, we'll see you in a week Anthony! Bye!" We waved at each other and the call ended. Though I could not see them, I wonder if I faced them in the right direction?

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"What the hell? You almost blew our cover!", Leah said.

"I'm sorry! I hust got really excited.", Lee replied and Leah sighed.

"Anyway, let's just hope it will all go smoothly. After all, hard work pays off."