As we got older, she would let Ethan and me choose some of our favorite music. We had a great variety of the classics Mom adored, the rock my brother couldn’t get enough of, and pop hits that I loved. Dad wasn’t really into music, but he jammed along with whatever was playing. Sometimes we would stop cleaning and break out in a dance until the next song came on.
I know chores are the bane of everyone’s existence, but to this day, every Saturday morning, I pump up the music and get that shit done—even doing my own little dance routine when one of my favorite songs comes on.
So, with my headphones blasting one of my favorite playlists, I get to work. I clean all the bathrooms and the kitchen, reorganize the pantry, and wash all of the bedding. All except for Ethan’s, because I can’t seem to make myself go into his room again.
Every time I look at his closed door, I think about our last conversation.Did. I. Say. I. Love. You?
I’m disappointed when I look at the clock and realize it’s 5:00 p.m. and my parents haven’t returned yet. Quickly pulling out my phone, I send them a group text message.
Hey are you guys getting dinner while you're out, or should I make something for us?
Mom responds almost immediately.
We'll be home in just a few minutes and dinner would be great.
With that, I pull out some food from the fridge and make chicken fajita quesadillas—a family favorite. My parents walk in as I’m assembling the quesadillas and putting them onto the flat skillet.
After dinner, we watchJurassic Parktogether, and I head to bed early. I’m climbing into bed when I realize I haven’t heard from Sam all day. He didn’t say he would call or text today specifically, but I guess I expected it since he said he wanted to spend time together tomorrow.
Not hearing from him is a relief but leaves me feeling empty.
Why do I feel like there’s a massive crater in my heart just because I went a single day without him?
I’m not ready to mull over and obsess these feelings. So, I shove them down and do my best to fall asleep.
***
The next day, my parents leave the house early again. I’m resigned to staying in the house again. With all the cleaning done, I pull out my work laptop and start drafting a business contract for one of my clients. Within a few minutes, I see an email from my boss.
Katherine,
Why are you working? You are on leave. We have everything handled. Spend time with your family. Work will be here when you get back.
I don't want to see your name pop up in the system this week. I mean it. Take the time off.
Cliff
I know he’s just trying to look out for me, but I feel frustrated that I can’t work this week.Well, now what am I going to do?Sitting down on the couch, I decide to watch a movie to fill the time.
Maybe an old favorite likeEver Afterwould keep my mind busy.Before I even turn on the TV, Sam walks into the living room. He’s wearing dark jeans and a fitted hunter green shirt, and I can’t seem to stop gaping at how amazing he looks.Is he trying out for GQ?
“Hey, Kitty Kat,” he says as he walks towards me. He sounds too upbeat for my dark mood. “Your mom mentioned you stressed cleaned all day yesterday, and,” he looks around the space, “by the looks of things, I would say she was right.” He smiles his full smile, showing the dimple on his left cheek. I’m left breathless.
It's all I can do not to fall on my knees before him.God, I’ve missed that smile.
I shrug, trying to cover the reaction my body has in his presence. “I tried to do some work today, buuuut my boss basically threatened to fire me if he caught me online again,” I grumble, standing up from the couch.
“What a mean boss you have.” His tone is full of sarcasm as he chuckles.
“The worst. Well, I was going to watch a movie, if you want to join?”
“I have a better idea.” I can’t read his expression, but something about it makes me worried. “Let’s go for a walk to the park. You need to get out of this house, and I need some Charleston sun.” He raises an eyebrow in challenge.
This isn’t what I expected. A walk sounds… innocent. I look at him, contemplating his offer.Some sunshine and the great outdoors are probably a good idea.
“Can we get coffee first?” My voice perks up, and I’m reminded of our drive to the florist.Did he ask his dad to get coffee because of me?I want to ask him. But I don’t.
He chuckles—the sound is like the air, and I can’t breathe without it.
