THE REST OF THE BEST
(Revised)
By Reminjia
E-mail: reminjia@hotmail.com
Rating: G

Author's Note: This is just a revision of the story I put out last 
summer, I found many errors that sickened me, so here's the revision. 
Enjoy, Lita fans!  

Disclaimer:  I do not own the characters of Sailor Moon, nor the 
music and books mentioned.


*The Rest of the Best*


"Ken," Marian Hamilton called up the stairs.  "Ken Bradley, do you 
hear me?  I said that Lita is here."

"Coming Gram," Ken yelled to his grandmother while he quickly checked 
his short brown hair in the mirror.  He quickly ran down the stairs 
where his dark brown eyes met another pair of eyes that were equally 
brown.

Ken smiled back at the smiling face of his friend Lita Rodgers.  Lita 
had been staying next door with her grandmother Helen Bryan for the 
summer.  While she was in Bar Harbor, Maine, Ken had promised to show 
her around the smile island town and hang out with her.
	
"Are you ready, Lits?" Ken asked uncertainly.  "I know I am, or at 
least I think I am.  Well, am I or not?"   
	
Lita had her long auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail.  She was 
wearing an orange spaghetti strap shirt with a pair of jean capris.  
She checked over the outfit Ken had on.  He was wearing a very 
typical Ken outfit; faded brown jeans and a short sleeved brown 
T-shirt.
	
Sobering her face, Lita made a dramatic sigh and said in mock 
despair, "I don't know, but I guess you'll have to do."  A smile once
again came to her face and she leaned over to give Ken a big hug.
	
"So what are we doing today?  You know I'll only be here for another 
week.  Where has the time gone?  It seems like only yesterday I was 
just getting here."
	
Both Ken and Lita remembered their first meeting very well.  It had 
been at the Bar Harbor airport.  Lita had been on a long plane ride 
from her home in Tokyo, Japan connecting to JFK in New York, then on 
to Bar Harbor.

* * FLASHBACK * *
	
Ken was beginning to suspect that the plane was late.  He was getting 
ready to go ask a person at the information desk about it, when a 
pretty girl with auburn hair caught his attention.  He quickly 
cleared his throat and walked over to where she was standing looking 
very lost.
	
"Excuse me, Miss, but are you Lita Rodgers?"
	
Lita quickly turned around to face the person who had just approached 
her.  "Yes I am, but how do you know my name?"
	
Ken calmly held out his hand and said, "I'm Ken Bradley.  I live next 
door to your grandmother.  She didn't feel up to making the drive, so 
I offered to come pick you up."
	
Lita accepted the offered hand with a smile and her own hand.  Shaking 
Ken's hand, she said, "Hi, Ken, it's so nice to meet you.  My grandma 
has mentioned you before.  It was so nice of you to come and get me 
for her.  Mom and I worry about her making too many car trips.  How 
old did you say you were?  I'm 16-well close enough anyway.  I'll be 
16 on August 17.  I'm from Tokyo, Japan, lived there my whole life.  
I've never been to Maine, though.  How long have you lived here?  Do 
you have-oh I'm sorry.  I've been rambling again, haven't 
I?  If I do that again, just tell me to shut up."

Ken just stood there taking it all in.  He wasn't much of talker then,
and so hearing her talk so openly threw him off a bit.  Ken slightly 
smiled back at her and shyly said, "It's nice to meet you, too.  It 
was no problem for me coming to get you.  I just got off 
work and it's on the way.  Let me see if I can answer your questions.  
I turned 17 in May.  I've been living here in Bar Harbor with my 
grandparents for the past eight years. Here, let me take a couple of 
those bags for you."
	
Lita handed him two of her suitcases leaving herself her purse, a bag
and a suitcase.  Once again smiling, she began to talk.
	
"Thank you so much, Ken.  You really are such a gentleman.  I wish I 
could find at least one nice guy back in Tokyo, but never mind that.  
So Ken, tell me about yourself.  Do you have any siblings? Friends? 
Family?  Pets? Girlfriend?  Anything to say that might help us get 
better aquatinted."
	
On the drive to the house, Lita and Ken learned about one another.  
Ken found out Lita had two siblings.  Her brother Preston was 11 
years old and her sister Carrie was 8.  Her father, Alan, was an 
engineering professor at TOKYO UNIVERSITY.  Her mother Judy, was a 
pediatrician at Tokyo General Hospital.  Lita was going to be a 
junior at Juuban Prep where she played basketball and volleyball.  
She was a member of the School Newspaper, and her favorite classes 
were Music Composition and Journalism.  Her family lived in a nice
part of Tokyo, Juuban.
	
Likewise, Lita heard about Ken's life, though it took a bit of 
persuasion to get it out of him.  Ken was an only child.  His dad 
left when he was four, so he'd never really known him.  Ken's mother, 
Diana, was an archeologist, and always away on the job.  Currently, 
she was in Greece studying the ancient ruins.  Due to these 
circumstances, he lived with his grandpa, Harry Hamilton and his 
grandma, Marian.  He was going to be a senior, the next year, at 
Harbor High.  He was on the basketball and soccer teams.  His favorite 
class was psychology and he was looking forward to his sociology 
class.

* * END FLASHBACK * *	

Ever since, they had been practically inseparable.  Ken and Lita spent 
every spare moment of their summer together.

On this day they had decided to drive into the shopping area of the 
small town of 4,500 people.  They spent most of the drive just teasing 
one another and making sLitsl talk.  As they approached the stores, 
Ken glanced over to the passenger side of his truck.
	
"So, Lits, where do we go first?"

Lita looked over at Ken and said decidedly, "I think that we should 
definitely go to Sherman's Book Store.  I'd like to see if they have 
a book I'm looking for.  Then, we should go to one of the clothing 
stores and see if we can get you something to wear."

Ignoring her last comment, Ken dryly laughed and asked, "May I inquire 
as to what books and c.d.'s you want to squander your money on today?  
No, no, just stop.  You keep forgetting how well I truly know you.  
You also don't seem to remember that I know you have a ton of birthday 
money to spend.  After all it's your birthday."

Lita put her dramatic skills to a good use by rolling her eyes, "And 
you Ken, keep forgetting that you've only known me for two and a half 
months.  Plus, my birthday is still almost a whole day away."

"Ah'yah, but Lits, I saw the fat envelopes with money and cards in 
them that you got from your Grandma Bryan, your Grandma and Grandpa 
Rodgers, your four sets of aunts and uncles.  Plus, you have that 
money your parents sent you to buy accessories for your present that 
is sitting in your garage that is red, has four wheels, leather seats, 
a c.d. player and a sun roof."  Ken paused for a quick breath of air 
before continuing.  "Believe me, I know."  

"Well at least it's good to know that you got over you little speech impediment," Lita said directing her gaze to the view outside the 
window of the brown truck.

"Speech impediment?" Ken said bringing the car to an abrupt stop in 
front of Sherman's.  "I resent that!"

Opening the door, Lita hopped out of the truck and walked up to the 
side walk.  "Oh really?  Puh-lease... it took me, like, twenty minutes 
of straight rambling to get a few words out of you.  Oh well, you know 
I can't hate you because, well how could anyone ever hate someone with 
those beautiful baby browns you've got glaring at me right now."

They walked into Sherman's BookStore together.  Ken said, "So what 
you're saying is that it's just like I can't hate you because of that 
cute little Tokyo accent that keeps sputtering out annoying sentence 
fragments."  Before she could yell another insult at him, Ken continued, "Anyway, let's hurry up.  After all that work this morning, I made quite 
an appetite for myself.  How about we go to the Lompoc Cafe --."

"I'm buying this time," Lita interrupted quietly heading off towards 
the 'Fiction' Section.  She hadn't meant to sound harsh.  She just 
didn't like Ken spending so much money on her.  She knew that he got 
paid next to nothing at the job he had.

Every morning, except Sunday morning, Ken worked from 5:30 am till 
noon at one of the many coastal fishing shops.  He didn't get paid 
much, and Lita knew that he was saving his money up for college.  
One day, Ken hoped to be a behavioral sciences investigator, while 
Lita wanted to be a writer of books and music.

This pretty much meant that they were from two completely different 
worlds.  He didn't have the money to spoil her the way he did.  Lita 
cared about him more than she had for anyone else, and she truly hoped 
that he could go to college and accomplish his dream and she didn't 
want to be the cause of his never getting to.

Just as she was about ready to head towards the counter, Ken pulled 
her aside and covered his eyes.

"Okay, let me guess what c.d.'s you have today... um... Blink 182: 
The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show, 98 Degrees Revelation and Back 
Street Boys: Millenium.  The books you have are The Silence of the 
Lambs, The Cider House Rules, Salem's Lot and Hannibal."  Ken opened 
his eyes and put a triumphant grin on his face.
	
"Ooo," Lita said sarcastically, "so close, but wrong as usual.  I have 
No Strings Attached, and the Titian A.E. Soundtrack.  As for books, 
I've got The Silence of the Lambs, Salem's Lot, and Troubling a Star.   
But sorry, none of that other stuff."
	
"Wha-bu-" Ken sputtered.  "How could you NOT buy Hannibal after I let 
you read it?  And what's this book Troubling A Star, anyway?"

"Well, Ken Sweet Pea, it's very simple.  I was so disgusted after 
reading that book, I decided that I would wait until somebody just 
decided to give me his or her copy.  As for Troubling a Star, that is 
a book that I have been trying to find for a few years now.  It is 
written by one of my favorite authors, Madeleine L'Engle.  I have been 
reading the Austin series for a while now, and now I finally found 
this book.  All I have to say to you right now is HA!"  Lita smiled 
happily at defeating his thinking that he knew her perfectly.  "You 
also know of my not so secret love of the songs on the Titan A.E..  
Ugh, the Back Street Boys, I'm not even going to go there right now."
	
Scowling slightly, Ken mumbled something under the lines of, "I knew 
I shouldn't have taken her to the Titan A.E. movie.  Should've 
guessed she'd want the c.d.  Stupid Boy Bands, what's the difference 
between one or the other anyway?"
	
"I heard that," Lita called out then turned her attention and smile to 
the clerk, a boy of about 14 whom seemed nervous around her.  She 
waited patiently for him to add up the total.
	
Ken also grinned at the nervous boy, whose name was Anderson.  Ken 
knew exactly why Anderson was nervous and completely felt empathy for 
the boy.  Ken of all people knew the effect Lita could have on a 
person.  
	
It had been about a month prior to this day, at Acadia National Park Campgrounds.  Ken and Lita had decided to go camping.  It was about 
9:00pm and they had just watched the sun set, together.  This was 
almost the moment that he fell head over heals for the pretty big 
city girl.
	
Ken was starting a bon-fire and meanwhile, Lita pulled out her 
acoustic guitar and began tuning it and warming up her voice.  Ken 
settled down next to her and turned his full attention towards her.  
Ken knew that she played the piano, he too played and they had 
discussed this before.  It did surprise him a little to see that she 
could play the guitar, but then again, nothing Lita did ever took him 
completely by surprise.
	
She began to sing a song he knew, and he joined her in singing.  Their 
voices blended nicely and the song sounded amazing.  When this song 
was completed, she continued to sing some more songs.  Some of the 
songs she sang were church songs, while others were original 
compositions she had written herself.
	
Lita started to sing one of her songs, and it caught Ken instantly.  
It was a song about pain, heartache, and losing someone you love.  
The song told of how her family had helped her through it.  At this 
moment, Ken felt tears come to his eyes and turned slightly away from 
her.  This sudden movement made Lita look up and over to Ken.  This 
had disturbed her.
	
In a concerned voice, Lita said, "Ken, what's wrong?  Are you all 
right?  Please, talk to me.  Tell me what I did wrong."
	
Turning back towards Lita, with his eyes watery.  His voice shook with 
emotion as he said, "You did nothing wrong Lits.  The song was amazing.  
It just made me feel... I don't know, I'm horrible with words.  I'm not 
good at using them, like you are.  Your song just made me feel emotions 
I didn't count on.  You are a truly beautiful person, Lits.  You see 
things the way they are.  You know how to make someone feel emotions.  
Someday, you're going to be an amazing writer."
	
He stopped and turned away.  He did flinch a little when he felt Lita's 
arms go around his shoulders.  She held him in a tight embrace, and his 
arms went around her waist.  The held one another for a long time, Lita comforting him as best as she could.  That was the moment when Ken began 
to feel feelings towards Lita he had never felt for another person.
	
Since then, the way he felt about her had intensified.  He didn't know 
what he would do when she left in a week and a half.  For the moment, 
he didn't want to think about that.  It was going to hurt too much.  
Right now, he just needed to think of a way he could tell her how he 
felt.  He was scared of rejection.  He didn't want to have Lita tell 
him that she didn't feel the same way, but he knew he had to tell her.  
Even if she just wanted to be friends, he would still find a way of 
letting her know.
	
His thoughts were ridiculous.  How could a girl like Lita ever learn 
to love a person like him?  She was beautiful, rich, sweet-she was 
Lita.  It still amazed Ken every time he thought of her.  How a girl 
like her could be unattached was shocking, but Ken knew why she was.  
He knew that a girl like Lita could only handle so many egotistical 
jerks in one lifetime.  Ken would have liked to get his hands on the 
guy who had hurt Lita so badly.  Did that guy even know what a 
treasure he had while he had her?
	
They walked to the restaurant in silence.  They then ate dinner at 
the Lompoc Café, a nice little family restaurant.  After eating, they 
walked back to the truck.  Lita stopped at the window to Jack's 
Jewelry Garden.
	
"Look Ken," Lita said pulling the hand she was holding back so Ken 
could see what she was looking at.  "Isn't that pretty?"  Lita pointed 
to a pink piece of coral on a golden chain.  "Someday, I will own it!"
	
Ken looked at the necklace and nodded.  He tugged lightly on her hand 
to get her to start walking again.  After walking in silence, Ken 
stopped, turned to Lita and picked up her other hand in his.
	
"Would you like to go out with me tomorrow night-to celebrate your 
birthday, of course.  It would be a lot of fun," Ken persuaded.
	
Lita smiled slightly at him and said, "That would be great!"
	
'To celebrate your birthday, of course.'  Lita continued to repeat this 
line through her head.  And why shouldn't he want to do something with 
her when it was her birthday.  This shouldn't have bothered her, but 
only Lita could know why it did.  She wanted him to ask her out 
sometime, without there needing to be a cause.  Lita was certain he 
never would, after all, he did only think that they were friends.  She 
wanted there to be more.
	
'How can life be so unfair,' she silently wondered.  'How can God 
create two people on earth that are so compatible, and only let one 
of them fall in love with the other?'
	
Lita knew it and felt no use in denying it any longer.  A little crush 
she had developed on him almost a month and a half ago had turned, 
slowly but surly, turned into more than infatuation and grown into 
love.  It all started while she and Ken had been sharing one of their 
favorite past times together: basketball.
	
Ken stole the ball from Lita and made his way towards the basket.  Lita 
ran ahead of him to block him.  While running she tripped.  Ken turned 
around just in time to see her fall.  For a moment she just sat there 
stunned.  She saw the blood trickling down her knee, and tears came to 
her eyes.
	
Ken ran over to her and sat down next to her.  He put his arm around 
her and gently held her whispering some words of comfort.  He 
released her fairly quickly, then he grabbed a water bottle and began 
to rinse her cut.  Ken pulled a bandanna out of his pocket and wrapped 
it around her knee.
	
He stood up then carefully pulled her up, too.  Lita looked into his 
eyes and that was the moment it hit.  The way he looked at her, his 
gaze full of tenderness, just made her feelings for him begin to take 
form in a different direction.

	
It had happened so quickly and innocently enough, that it shouldn't 
have happened that way.  At least Lita had never heard of love 
happening that fast.  Love wasn't as great as people said it was.  It 
hurt, especially when you were in love with someone who wasn't in 
love with you.  
	
When they got back to their houses, Ken gave Lita a hug goodbye.  He 
said that he had some things to do.  
	
"Remember, I'll pick you up at 6:30 tomorrow.  Dress up a bit too."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next night, Ken took Lita to one of Bar Harbor's nicest 
restaurants, Anthony's Cucina Italiana.  After this, they went for a 
walk on the beach.  The sun had already set, so they had a beautiful 
star filled sky over head.
	
Ken suddenly reached over and gave Lita a hug.  When he pulled away 
and she looked down at a cold ring around her neck, Lita saw the pink 
coral necklace she had been admiring in the window of Jack's.  
	
Before she could speak, Ken pulled her over to a spot where a blanket 
had been spread.  He had her sit down, and he pulled out a guitar.  
She sat there looking confused, she knew that Ken didn't know how to 
play, and she wondered if he wanted her to.  As she reached out for 
the guitar, Ken began to play a song she recognized very well.  He was 
playing her favorite song, 'This I Promise You'.  The fact that he was 
singing for her a song he hated was so sweet.  Why would he do that 
for her?
	
Lita felt like asking him, but he started singing along with the part 
he was playing.  The last thing he sang was what touched her most.
	
"I know when he's been on your mind 
That destined look is in your eyes 
I thought with time you'd realize, 
It's over, over 
It's not the way I chose to live 
And something somewheres got to give 
As sharing this relationship 
Gets older, older 
You know I'd fight for you 
But how can't I fight someone 
Who isn't even there 
I've had the rest of you 
Now I want the best of you 
And I don't care if that's not fair 

'Cause I want it all 
Or nothing at all 
There's nowhere left to fall 
When you reach the bottom it's now or never 
Is it all, or are we just friends? 
Is this how it ends 
With a simple telephone call 
You leave me here 
With nothing at all 

There are times it seems to me 
I'm sharing you in memories 
I feel it in my heart but I 
Don't show it, show it 
Then there's times you look at me 
As though I'm all that you can see 
Those times I don't believe it's right 
I know it, know it 
Don't make me promises 
Baby you never did 
Know how to keep them well 
I've had the rest of you 
Now I want the best of you 
It's time to show and tell 

'Cause I want it all 
Or nothing at all 
There's nowhere left to fall 
When you reach the bottom it's now or never 
Is it all, or are we just friends? 
Is this how it ends 
With a simple telephone call 
You leave me here With nothing- 

Cause you and I 
Could lose it all if you've got no more room 
Inside, for me in your life 

'Cause I want it all 
Or nothing at all 
There's nowhere left to fall 
It's now or never 
Is it all, or nothing at all 
There's nowhere left to fall 
When you reach the bottom it's now or never 

Is it all, or are we just friends? 
Is this how it ends 
With a simple telephone call 
You leave me here 
With nothing at all" 

The last time he sang the chorus was what touched her most. 

"Or nothing at all 
There's nowhere left to fall 
When you reach the bottom 
It's now or never 
Is it all, or are we just friends? 
Is this how it ends 
With a simple telephone call 
You leave me here 
With nothing at all" 


She felt tears come to her eyes.  It wasn't the words that got her, 
as much as it was the look in his eyes.  It was a look that she had 
never seen from him before.  When he finished the song, it was all she 
could do not to attack him.  So, as calmly as possible, Lita crawled 
over to where he was and and put her arms around Ken's neck.
	
Pulling away from her grasp just enough so he could see her, Ken said,
	
"I love you, Lits.  You are everything to me.  You know I'm not very 
good with words, but I love you.  I am also promising that I will be 
here for you.  Whenever you need someone, I'll be the one you can 
turn to.  If you don't want to be that way, I understand, and we can 
just be-"
	
"Ken," Lita interrupted.  "Could you please just stop for a minute.  
If you would've been quiet for a minute, you would've heard me say 
something under the lines of this.  I love you, too, Ken.  You may not 
think that you're very good at words, but I think that you did just 
fine Ken.  You said you loved me, that is all I need."
	
"Really?"
	
"Really, Ken."
	
"I love you so much.  I've wanted to tell you for so long.  I did mean 
what I said.  You know, about the promising to be here for you forever.  
Even if being together doesn't work out with our plans, you must know 
that I'll be your friend.  I know you don't need another controlling 
guy, so I think that we should just take this slowly.  Give us both a 
chance to be together before we make any huge decisions," pausing and 
blushing, Ken continued.  "God I'm rambling, but I did mean every word 
of that.  If everything goes well, I'll be with you all the time next 
year."
	
Looking confused, Lita asked, "What do you mean?"
	
"I'm going to apply myself to school more than ever, this year, and 
then I'll hope I can go to Tokyo College.  I'd do anything to be with 
you," Ken explained.
	
Lita smiled and gave him a light kiss.  They teased each other a 
little bit, but all of that is history.

* * * * * * * *

The next morning, Lita was all smiles when she woke up and headed down 
the stairs.  Her happiness was shattered when, upon entering the living 
room, she found her Grandmother Helen Bryan holding Ken's sobbing 
grandmother, Marian Hamilton.
	
"What's wrong?" Lita asked looking very concerned.
	
"Lita, dear, maybe you should sit down," Helen said seriously.

Once Lita was seated, her grandmother began to calmly explain what was 
amiss.  Early this morning, Harry Hamilton and Ken had been in a car 
accident on the way to the docks.  Harry was killed and Ken was in 
critical condition at the local hospital.
	
Lita was in complete denial.  When she finally was able to accept this, 
all she could do was cry.  Once Marian and Lita composed themselves, 
Helen drove them to the hospital.  When they got to the hospital, Lita 
sat out in the waiting room while Marian went in to sit with an 
unconscious Ken.  While she sat there, Lita began to remember a couple 
of the moments she and Ken had shared during the summer.
	
Two months ago, the two of them got up really early one Sunday morning, 
before the sun rose.  They drove up to a mountain pond in Acadia 
National Park.  They sat fishing, though they spent more time talking 
about their lives, and hopes and dreams.
	
"I love music and words," Lita said, eyes aglow.  "They are my passion 
in life.  I feel completely at peace while I write and sing.  What 
about you, Ken, what is the thing that makes you so happy?"
	
Ken looked thoughtful for a few moments before answering.  "I guess 
sailing.  When I'm on the ocean, it's like no other feeling in the 
world."  They looked at one another and started giggling.  Not because 
what he said was funny, but because it was a way to get over their 
nervous feeling.  That was the first moment that the two of them 
completely connected.
	
Lita smiled at the memory.  She looked up to see Marian walk out of 
Ken's hospital room.
	
"Why don't you go in and sit with him for a while, Lita darling," 
Marian said giving her a brave smile.  Once settled in the room, Lita 
started remembering yet another time they were together.  This one had 
been only last week in her Grandma Helen's living room.
	
"Good Will Hunting" was playing on the television screen that the two 
teens were watching.
	
"I've really got to stop letting you pick out the movies," Ken said 
rolling his eyes.  "I don't know how many more chick flicks I can 
handle in one summer."
	
Lita laughed at the face he was making.  "Silly, Ken.  I don't pick 
out that many chick flicks."  Ken rolled his eyes again, "Okay maybe 
I do.  Who cares what you say?  I won't let you ruin this movie for 
me."
	
They watched the movie for a while longer.  Then Lita got up to get 
some more popcorn.  When she came back, she set the popcorn down and 
sat down to read a letter she had just gotten.
	
"Let me see, let me see," Ken said grabbing the letter.  "Who is it 
from?"

"My best-friend, Mina," Lita said, pretending to look annoyed.

"How cute, Lits and Mina," Ken teased.  The letter read:

'Dear Lits,
	
Hey girl?  How are you doing?  I'm fine.  From what your letters say, 
it sounds like you are having a blast up there in Maine.  Who'd have 
guessed you would in SLitsl Town, U.S.A?  Things here have been pretty uneventful.
	
Aaron, the evil ex, has been bothering me to try to get your Grandma's 
address.  Since we're best buds, I told him no.  He says he misses you, 
and that he is a "changed man".  I wouldn't buy it.  He is really 
obsessed with you.  Blah, how did you ever go out with him?  What did 
you see in him, other than that fact that he was rich, popular and 
good looking?  Wait a minute, I just answered my own question.  Thank 
God you got over looking for that in a guy.
	
I can't wait till you come back and tell me about your summer.  I know 
I've got a lot for you to hear.  Speaking of sharing tid-bits, I can't 
wait to hear about that hottie you have next door to you.  I really 
liked the picture you sent me of you two.  Tell me one thing, did you 
two ever hook up?  If you didn't, that's such a shame.  I mean, two 
attractive, nice people not together, what a crime?
	
Anyway, I've got to go, but HAPPY (early) BIRTHDAY.  I'll see you 
soon!
Lots of Love,		

Mina		
	
	
Ken looked up from the letter and raised an eyebrow.  "Wow, so she 
thinks I'm a hottie."  He was desperately trying to hide his concern 
about what he read about her ex-boyfriend Aaron.  "So who is Aaron, a 
former boyfriend?"

Lita looked away from the screen briefly, "Yeah he is.  I broke up 
with him back at the end of April.  He was a major jerk.  Mina sure 
is funny."

"Why, cause she thinks I'm a 'hottie'?"  Ken sarcastically asked.

"You're so funny, Ken.  Maybe you should think about pursuing a 
career as a stand up comic," Lita said looking at the t.v. again.

"So, Lits," Ken said slyly, "have we decided to make it official?  
You know, become an item.  After all, I'd hate to disappoint your 
friend."

"Boy that Matt Damon is a stud muffin," Lita said, changing the 
subject.  "And Ben Affleck isn't so bad either."

Ken made a face and said, "I prefer Minnie Driver, myself."

"Thank God," Lita said causing the two of them to burst out in a fit 
of giggles.  They spent the rest of the afternoon watching movies and 
teasing one another.

What Lita would give to have those days back, she didn't know.  She 
would probably give up everything she had, so Ken could pull through 
and come back to her.  Lita was with Ken when he woke up.

"Hey gorgeous," Ken said smiling at her once his eyes focused.  "I 
love you."

Gently squeezing his hand, Lita answered back, "I love you too, Ken.  
You're going to be okay, I know you will.  We're both going to be 
together always."

Wincing slightly at a pain in his side, Ken gazed into Lita's eyes.  
After a few moments, Ken spoke up, "In case I forget later, I just 
wanted to say thank you."

Lita looked at him perplexed, "What do you mean?"

"Thank you," he said breathing harshly, "for teaching me what it is 
to love and be loved.  I will forever be indebted to you.  That is 
why it's so hard for me to ask you this."

"What is it?" Lita asked holding his hand up to her cheek.

"Remember of few things for me,'" Ken stopped for a minute.

"Remember...?" Lita gently prodded.

"Remember that I'll never give up without a fight. If it's not too 
much trouble, watch out for Gram, she'll need it. Then, remember that 
I'll forever love you. Remember, you still have the rest and the best 
of me." 

"I love you too," Lita said kissing his hand. Ken smiled at her and 
winked. 

Then he closed his eyes once more. 

A tear slid down Lita's cheek as she said, "After all, you are the 
rest and the best of me in every way." 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


The sun shined on the dew-covered grass, as it rose over the Atlantic 
Ocean.  A funeral was in procession.  Three women sat very close to 
one another.  Dressed in brown, the two women sit holding onto one 
another.  One of them is crying.  The young lady, also garbed in brown, 
who sat next to the elderly woman who was comforting the other, sat very stiffly.

She looked to be about 16 years old.  Her long auburn was pulled into 
a tight bun at her nape.  Her dark sunglasses hid her eyes, and her 
face held no expression other than her lips held together tightly.

"... His tragic death has taken him away from us, but this will not 
prevent him from being forever remembered.  God bless you.  Amen."  
At the conclusion of the prayer, the three women each placed a 
single red rose on top of the casket.  

While the two elderly women thanked the well wishers that came to the 
dinner following, the young lady snuck out of the house and walked 
down to the beach.  She pulled out her hair and let it blow freely in 
the wind.  She took off her shoes and the sunglasses.  She waded out 
into the ocean and stared off into the horizon.  

After some time, she softly spoke.  "I love you.  I will fulfill my 
promise, Ken.  You'll always be my best, and I'll be the rest of 
everything for you.  I will see you again, soon.  I promise."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


A little less than a week after the funeral, a car pulled up to Mrs. 
Helen Bryan's house.  Lita looked out the window and saw the car.  
She jumped out of the chair and ran out of the house.  She opened the 
passenger side door and pulled the person off of the seat and gave 
them a huge hug.

"Oh it's been forever.  I missed you so much.  You can't know how much 
I've missed you," Lita said very quickly.

'Woah Lits," a young man with brown hair and sparkly eyes gasped.  
"Remember, I'm and injured man.  You wouldn't want to see me back in 
the hospital, would you?  You saw me last night, anyway."

"Of course I don't want to see you back in the hospital.  I also know 
that I saw you yesterday, but it seems like so much more time when I 
was waiting for you Ken," Lita said, breathlessly.

"Yes it does, Lits," Ken said, pushing a piece of hair away from her 
eyes, so he could look into them better.  "Hey great news!  My 
application to TOKYO COLLEGE has already been accepted.  Imagine that, 
not even started my senior year and I'm already accepted as long as I 
keep my grades up."

"Hey that's so great!  Now we can definitely be together," Lita said 
smiling.  "Have I told you, lately, how much I love you?"

"I don't know," Ken said pretending to look thoughtful.  "How much?"

"This much," Lita then grabbed Ken closer and kissed him.  It was a 
kiss of hope and promise, a promise that they would prove to be the 
rest and the best for one another.


End Note: There you have it!  I hope it isn't too mushy or gushy... but
sometimes a hopeless romantic like myself needs to write a sappy 
story.  As I said in the original, this was first a creative writing
assignment.  I researched a lot to have this up here, and last summer
I decided I should submit it as a story on here.  The names were 
changed, and I ultimately decided to keep the location in Bar Harbor,
Maine, though I changed Lita's home from Boston to Tokyo.  I hope you
enjoyed reading this as much as I loved writing it.