My worries fade when I see her pull up in the U-Haul I didn’t want her to drive herself, but I will say I’m impressed. She managed to do it and stay in one piece.
Her smile is infectious as I approach her with open arms.
“Hey stranger.” She smiles as my arms wrap around her.
“I missed you.” I make sure she knows. It was the longest five days of my life. It’s like I didn’t even know what to do with myself. I don’t know what I used to do before her, and how I wasn’t miserable is beyond me.
“I told you I’d be back.” She kisses my cheek.
“I know.”
“And I still loveyou.” She pushes her finger into my chest.
My smile grows and I follow her inside. “So, how was everything? How were your parents?”
“Not great.” She sighs.
“No?”
“I mean, they talked to me and everything, but I could sense the tension and judgment for everything that happened still.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not fair.”
“No, it’s not,” she says, walking around her apartment to check on things. I follow her and continue the conversation.
We carry everything in, and I play furniture mover while she directs me where to place everything exactly. She stands back to get the full picture, telling me to move the coffee table a hair to the left, then forward, then to the right. I’ll do it all day. Whatever she wants.
“Okay. I think that’s good.” She lets out an exasperated breath. “I need to shower.”
“Yeah, you do.”
“Huh. Gee, thanks.”
I laugh. “Want me to pick something up for dinner?”
“Sure. Not pizza though.”
“Name the place.”
“Hmm.” She thinks for a few seconds. I pull my boots on and wait by the door. Still watching her think. She’s very indecisive today, I’ve noticed.
“Whatever you want. You want two places?”
“No. No, I’m just between Chinese or Mexican.”
“We can get both.”
“That’s stupid, no. I’m gonna go with my initial choice.”
“Which is?”
“Chinese.” She smiles.
“Chinese it is. I’ll be back.” I pull the door open and head to my truck.
* * *
When I get back to her apartment with the food, I hear the shower running. I’ve been gone for almost a half hour though, and I don’t know about you, but that’s a long time to be in the shower. Worry settles in my stomach as I set the food on the counter and head to her bathroom.
