Kim: The frame is a great addition because then she won’t have to wait to go out and pick up a frame.
April: Or risk getting the wrong size.
I jumped over to the website and clicked on the link that asked me if I wanted to put my photo in a frame. It was like they knew guys were shopping and needed those nudges and prompts.
Ryan: Yes, there are frame options.
Kim: What kind of stuff do they have in the house?
April: Style and décor wise.
I stared at the bathroom door while I pictured their downstairs.
Ryan: I don’t know. House stuff. Couches. Dining table in the kitchen. The hobby room has picture frames, and the entryway has them.
Kim: No, Ryan. I mean style. How is their house decorated?
April: A couch and a dining table isn’t a style, doofus.
Kim: April, I’m thinking about redecorating my house. Any suggestions?
April: You should get a couch or a dining table. Those are stylish.
Ryan: Okay, I get it. I’m running out of time. Please help me find a universally acceptable frame. The house is decorated like the Pottery Barn exploded.
Kim: I swear, Ryan.
April: Had you said that five minutes ago, we’d be done by now.
Kim: The guy pretends to have no clue.
April: No clue, whatsoever.
Kim: Calls a couch or a dining table a certain style.
April: Then chimes in nonchalantly with the Pottery Barn.
Suddenly the chat box filled up with pictures and links to the frames they thought would go well with Lily and Stanley’s house. I picked out a wooden frame with a color called walnut. The order was placed, and it would be ready to pick up the day before Christmas Eve.
* * *
Today was the pick-up day.
I was nervous because I really wanted the book to look perfect, but I had the digital book for him. So I had that at least. What I was nearly panicked over was the print and frame for Lily and Stanley. I was also worried that for some reason, it wouldn’t be there when I went to pick it up.
“Keep your hat on, Ryan. It’s supposed to drizzle a little later. Please keep your ears warm,” Russell instructed as I put my coat on in the entryway.
“I will.”
“Do you know exactly where you’re going?”
“I know the stores I need to go to. When I get inside the SUV, I’ll program the address into the GPS. But no peeking!” I warned. I didn’t want to give away my grand gifts. Not that he would think much of my stopping into a Walgreens.
“I won’t peek, Ryan. I’ll be here with my phone in my hand, nervously waiting until you arrive safely.”
Russell pulled me into his arms and squeezed me against him, kissing my cheek. He pulled my beanie away from my ear and kissed it.
“I’m not ready to live without you either,” Russell whispered, mirroring the fear I had the other night. He kissed my ear again and smoothed down the material of my beanie over my ear. “Drive safe, Ryan.”
