“Have you ever watched a football game from start to finish, Adrienne?”
“Nope.”
He seems displeased with my answer and I wonder if in someway I’ve offended him yet again. I seem to have a knack for that. I guess he’s a touchy guy.
“I mean, it’s just that I’ve taken an oath to care for human beings and save lives,” I explain. “To put your health on the line like that, every game seems self destructive to me. I know you enjoy watching it, but think about the men that are playing it. You’ve got to ask yourself why the put themselves in harms way like that.”
“Because it’s fun?”
“I think the more accurate word is dangerous.”
“It’s a highly strategic sport.”
“Yeah, like war.”
An irritated look covers Jason’s face.
“Where’s your tv?” he asks impatiently.
“He’s ringing it up. Crap, I didn’t even think about how I’m going to get this thing home. Let me ask him how much delivery is.”
“Uh-uh, we’re going to take this baby to your house and set it up so you and Mittens can watch Patrick Swayze and Baby all comfy in your bed if you want.”
“But your shoulder.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
And figure it out we do.
Twenty-Three
ADRIENNE
A staff associatecarries the box outside, and another one waits with us as we call for an Uber. The driver has a completely empty trunk, and the tv fits perfectly inside. Due to traffic, we take about twenty minutes to get to my apartment and once we arrive, Jason slips the driver an extra twenty dollar bill to help him get the box in the elevator. We figure we can both slide it out together once we get to my floor.
“This is it,” I tell him.
I fiddle inside my bag for my key and unlock the door. The lights are on in every room and I second guess if in my excitement for the date I forgot to turn off my lights. That question is quickly answered when the toilet flushes and my ex-fiancé exits the bathroom.
What the hell?
The two of us stand stock still, staring at each other, but I can feel a stormy energy rolling off of Jason. Immediately, I feel the need to explain. This doesn’t look good. Even though I don’t owe Jason any explanation at all. We’re just hanging. I have to keep reminding myself of that.
We’re just two friends hanging.
“What are you doing inside my house, Troy?”
“What is he doing here?” Troy retorts, pointing to Jason.
“Adrienne, where’s the cat?”
I look nervously around for Mittens and notice that the office door is shut again.
“Did you lock up Mittens again?”
“How does he know you own a cat?” Troy says angrily. “Has he been in here before? Have you been cheating on me this whole time, Adrienne?”
Troy glares at Jason as if he’s some sort of complicated puzzle he can’t put together.
