Look for Me in Rainbows

Maggie gave up on trying to hide her tears as the silver medal was placed around her neck. The tears weren’t happy tears. They were tears of disappointment. An overtime loss in the gold medal game. There couldn’t have been a worse way to lose it. She held her bouquet by the stem and waved dejectedly at the crowed just like the other members of the team.

When they were finally able to go back into the locker room they did in silence. Only the occasional sniffle or mumble of a profanity could be heard. Maggie sat down in her stall. “Goddamnit.” She exhaled. She undressed and changed into her regularish clothes, a team USA jacket and matching leggings. The outfit was what they were supposed to wear after the game to look nice for press, but the worst was that Maggie had to wear her medal.

She walked out of the locker room where Patrick and all the other guests of the players were waiting. Maggie walked up to him and rested her forehead on his chest. “Hey,” Patrick said soothingly as he rubbed Maggie’s back. “You have an Olympic medal. Not many people can say that.” Maggie closed her eyes tightly when she felt more tears coming. Patrick out his arms around her. “I know. I know.” He whispered. She looked up at him.

“I’m gonna talk to some of my teammates now.” She sniffed. “Can you wait here?” He nodded.

Maggie walked over and found Annie. Annie hugged her. They both sobbed for a few seconds. “God!” Maggie groaned. “I thought that second shot you took was in.”

“I know.” Annie let out a mix of sobs and laughs. “I thought like eight of yours were in.” Maggie nodded as Annie’s parents came over to see their daughter.

“I’ll see you.” She replied.

Maggie roamed for a while until she found Julie. Her eyes were red too. She gave Maggie a weak smile. “Coach told me I’m going to carry the flag at the closing ceremony.”

“Nice.” Maggie said. “You deserve it.”

“Can I use my medal as I mirror so I can see how bad I look before I go outside where there are people to see me?” She asked.

“Probably.” Maggie replied. “The damn thing is silver so its probably just like a mirror.”

“Probably.” Julie said. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yeah.” Maggie headed back to where she left Patrick. He held her hand as soon as she walked up. “Let’s just go.” They walked outside and, of course, there were cameras there to take pictures of them. There were other people there too. American fans were there to show their support, but mostly Canadien fans were waiting to congratulate their winners.

Maggie and Patrick made a beeline for the Olympic village and headed straight up to his room. Maggie followed him in. She took one look at the room and stopped.

“Eww, there’s clothes all over the floor.” She said as she kicked a shirt out of her way.

“I know.” Patrick said, kicking some clothes into the corner. “I’m sorry.”

“I don't mind.” Maggie smiled. She sat criss cross on Patrick’s bed. Patrick went through a drawer in a dresser, then came to sit next to Maggie. She rested her forehead on his shoulder and sighed.

“Hey, I know the feeling. It sucks, but can I ask you something?” He asked.

“Yeah. What’s up?”
“You think I’m a pretty simple guy right?” He asked.

“Is that your question?” Maggie answered with a question.

“No.” He smiled. “My question is a few little questions wrapped up together.” Maggie nodded. “So anyway, how have you been liking it here in Sochi?” Maggie raised her eyebrow.

“Fine.” She replied. “I mean, its pretty, but there are a lot of dogs.” Patrick laughed and played with a piece of Maggie’s hair.

“Okay I’m done.”

“Done with what?” Maggie laughed.

“Stalling.”

“Stalling what?” She exclaimed.

“You’ll see.” He smiled. Maggie raised an eyebrow at him, and he sat up a little straighter.

“Margaret Wilson.” He started. “I know your day was pretty bad. When I was planning this I was hoping to add to the happiness, but now I’m hoping to cheer you up.” Maggie raised her eyebrow at him again. “I’m happy now. I wasn’t really happy before I met you,” he looked down at his hands, “but you talked some sense into me and now I’m actually happy. Happier than I’ve ever been. It’s because of you.” He looked into her eyes. “I love you.” He reached into his pocket.

“Will you marry me?”

Notes