Knight in Shining Armor

“Knight in Shining Armor”

Prologue

Martin Maxwell hadn’t been to a girl’s basketball game since before he graduated high school. His younger cousins insisted he attend, just so he could see them play before he left on his mission this coming summer. He initially told them he was busy with everything in his life. It was his first year of college and on top of that he got a job as a security guard at the local museum.

However, something told him to go to the basketball game. So, reluctantly he agreed, which brought on screaming from his two female cousins. Coming from a fifteen and a seventeen year old, it sounded more like they both had seen some hot boy walk by and he had waved at them.

“I can’t believe I’m going,” Martin said under his breath as he drove over to the high school the game was being played at. He was able to find a seat in the bleachers and it took him back – not even a year – to when he was in high school and those dreaded pep rallies that were held in the gym during school before every important game.

Martin tried to enjoy the game and more then once found himself staring at one of the opposing teams’ cheerleaders. She doesn’t look like the cheerleader type, he thought as they got ready to do the half time show. The way she looked in that little cheerleader outfit, Martin could tell she was uncomfortable. Maybe it was something else, but she looked uneasy as they did the routine.

On more than one occasion Martin had seen at his own high school a cheerleader fall, but the moment this one fell he became concerned. Without realizing he rushed out onto the court. Martin finally realized what he was doing and stopped within ear shot just to be sure she was going to be alright. He could see she was still on the ground holding her shoulder and crying, “I told you we shouldn’t have done the routine with only twelve of us.” The other girls looked shocked, but no one seemed to move. They all weren’t sure what to do.

Getting up his nerve, Martin finished his walk over to the wounded cheerleader, scooped her up – after finding out it was just her shoulder that was hurt – and walked off the court. He glanced down at this girl in his arms to ask her a question, but she had her eyes closed. Martin felt it best to let her rest her eyes knowing she would be in the care of a doctor soon. An ambulance was called and just as Martin got to the double doors the paramedics arrived to take over. Martin gently placed her on the gurney and walked back to his seat on the bleachers, unaware the crowd was clapping.

One of the remaining cheerleaders came over and said, “Thank you,” and walked away. Nearly four years passed since that night he helped the wounded cheerleader and each day and night since she had been in his dreams.

Those dreams started while Martin was serving an honorable mission. It was just a few months into his mission and almost a full year after the basketball game, when he received a letter from his mother. He opened it to find another envelope inside. Curious as to who would write him at his parent’s home he opened this letter.

To my Knight in Shining Armor,

I never got the chance to thank you for what you did at that basketball game last year. So, that’s why I am writing. I got your address from your cousins, but they won’t tell me your name. I guess I should tell you what happened that night.

Some of the girls were sick and we didn’t have enough for the routine. I am usually not the one on the top. And I won’t ever be. My shoulder is fine, it just is sore some days. I don’t think cheerleading was really supposed to be my thing, anyway.

After you picked me up and placed me on the gurney I was rushed to the local hospital. I had to wear a cast for two and a half months.

I need to get to class. I am a junior this year. I hope you are doing well and maybe even on a mission. I have a brother on a mission.

Sincerely,

Jerica

Martin quickly wrote back:

Dear Jerica,

I felt it was my duty to help. No one else was. I am glad to hear you are doing better than when I left you. One of your friends came up and said ‘thank you’ and that has always been enough. Although, I am happy you wrote. It was one of many highlights of my day.

I am happy to report I am on my mission. I have been out for only about four months. The first two months I had the best trainer. I’ll have to tell you about him later. My new comp and I need to go to an appointment.

You’re Welcome. I would do it again if I am around to help. Please keep in touch.

Your Knight in Shining Armor!

For the next year and a couple months Martin received letters from Jerica. Then one day they stopped coming. Martin served his mission to the best of his abilities and returned home with honors. I wasn’t until a year after his mission that he finally got her out of his dreams. For nearly four years she was in his dreams and then one day she wasn’t. He came to the conclusion he would never find her in real life.

*****Author’s note (4/29/2011): I fixed a few things, so hopefully it sounds a bit better! Thanks for reading!!