“As a matter of fact, Mother Hen, I ate a quesadilla before I called.”
“Good. Now tell me everything about your day.”
So, I do. When I get to the part about Pam, he interrupts me, “Pam? Ethan’s paralegal?”
“How do you—forget about it. Yes, Ethan’s paralegal. Anyway, she told me that she asked to be my paralegal because of Ethan. He talked about me.” The last part comes out wobbly.
“Of course, he talked about you. He loved you.” His voice is so gentle, and I feel the words seep into my soul.
“Thanks, Sammy. I think I needed to hear that.”
“I’ll remind you any time you need it.”
At some point in our conversation, I left the dining table, changed into my pjs, and sprawled out on my bed.
I look at the clock and see it’s nearly 10:00 p.m. when Sam groans, “I don’t want to hang up yet.”
His confession has a smile cracking across my face, and my heart beams. “I don’t either.”
“Kat, our calls every night are the highlight of my day. When I’m having a bad day at work, I just know I need to push through a little longer because soon I’ll be able to hear your voice, and everything will be better.”
“Really? I feel the same way.” I pause for a moment, a thought bubbling to the surface. “Sammy?” I move, so I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed.
“Yeah, Kitty Kat?” He is starting to sound tired, and I waver on broaching this next subject.
Deciding I need this, I push forward. “I was thinking. How would you feel about me visiting you in a couple of weeks? Just over the weekend? I could leave work early on Friday, fly over, and then fly back home Sunday evening?” I chew on my lip as I wait for his response.
“When should I pick you up from the airport?”
I laugh. “Well, I haven’t booked anything yet, but—”
“I can help you book the best option. Let’s do it before we hang up.”
“Yeah, ok. Um, let me find my laptop.” I get out of bed and go into the dining room, where my laptop sits on the kitchen counter.
Sam and I discuss the best flight options, and I book a flight from Charleston to Chicago.
“Fuck I’m excited to see you! I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself for the next two weeks.” I wonder if he’s raising his fists in excitement. The thought makes me smile.
“I’ve missed you. It’ll be nice to spend some time together.”
“I’ve missed you, too. I know you have an early morning, so I won’t keep you any longer. Goodnight, Kitty Kat. Sweet dreams.”
“Goodnight, Sammy.”
Six Years Old
Tonight is my parents’ annual holiday party at the house. They invite some close friends and a few of the firm’s bigger clients.
My parents won’t let us join the party, so Ethan and I are hiding upstairs, listening in and trying to peek at the festivities. Sammy is home sick with his mom.
Holiday music is playing on the speakers throughout the house, and I can’t stop myself from singing along whenRockin’ Around the Christmas Treecomes on.
“Shhh. They’re going to hear us if you keep singing.” This isn’t the first time Ethan has scolded me tonight for singing. But I can’t help it.
We sneak a little further down the stairs to try to catch a glimpse of the party. Several people pass by the stairs without noticing us, so we sit quietly and watch.
I love seeing everyone in their holiday outfits, especially the ladies.
