“Something has you running downhill fast. It has you feeling insecure, and that has you second guessing the good things in your life. You’re stretching and looking for reasons to fault or find a weak place in them. Simply because, you don’t think you’re good enough to have something good, trustworthy, and faithful in your life.”
“I’m not running,” I added.
“Ryan, I can tell when you are. I knew you were sprinting after your second text. I know you. You can run, I’ll let you stretch a bit. But just know that when you stumble and skid your way down the rest of that hill, I will be at the bottom of it, waiting for you. I will pick you up, dust you off, tend to the bleeding places, and we’ll talk. No matter what has caused you to run, I will love you no less. Now, tell me, what is on your mind, my boy?”
“Moving,” I forced out.
“Good. Let’s talk. Would you like to come over here, or would you prefer that I come over there?”
I thought hard for a moment. Did I want to engage in the moving talk with him, and did I want to do it here?
“Here. Please.”
“I will be over within fifteen minutes.”
“Okay,” I said and tried to calm down.
“Relax, Ryan.”
When we got off the phone, I glanced around to make sure the place was presentable for him. I picked up the laptop and saw tons of messages from April and Kim.
Ryan: Sorry, I have to go. I sent Russell some texts and now he’s coming over.
April: Were you a dick?
Kim: He does adore your dick. Obviously.
April: What man in his fifties wouldn’t adore Ryan?
Kim: True.
Ryan: My tone might have been a bit gruff.
Kim: Your tone?
April: I thought you said that you sent him texts.
Ryan: I did. Then he called.
April: Don’t poke the sadist Dom with a stick, Ryan.
Kim: He’s liable to poke back.
Suddenly, I was a little worried about what was coming. My comments and tone were out of line, but he was still relaxed and calm with me. But he was coming.
Ryan: Do you think he’s going to end it with me?
April: No!
Kim: He’d be nuts to.
Ryan: But he could.
April: I could also come through this screen and slap you upside the head, junior.
Kim: Hey, maybe you could serve him a refreshing glass of the iced tea from the plastic jug.
The two added some laughing gifs and emojis as my heart pounded. I said goodbye to them for now and closed my laptop and waited for Russell. I felt like a kid again as I waited for Russell. As if I had gotten mouthy towards my mom and was sent to wait in my father’s den for him. That is oddly, how I felt.
