Everyone is gonna love him.
It’s impossible not to.
“You should bring him to her birthday party next weekend!”
Her gleeful shriek has me momentarily covering my ears. “Mom, calm down, seriously. You are getting too carried away.”
“My little girl is finally in love.” Her delight filters down the line. “You don’t know how much I have prayed for this moment. I’m so happy for you!”
“Woah. Hold your horses, crazy woman. I didnotsay that.”
“You don’t need to. I hear it in your voice.”
“Mom, I say this with the greatest respect, but you’re insane. And delusional. I told you I like him and I think I’m ready to give this thing between us a shot. No one said anything about the l-word, and you need to dispel that notion right now. Unless you want to freak me out and have me end it before it’s even begun.”
“It’s okay to be scared, honey. Feeling vulnerable is part of being in love. You can’t open yourself fully to another person without it.”
“Mom, we haven’t even kissed, and you are totally overreacting. Right now, I really like him, and even admitting that is a big deal for me. Nothing will happen until after my exams anyway. I already told him I couldn’t get distracted before then, so he knows the score.”
“You can’t place limitations on love, sweetheart. The heart wants what it wants, and practicalities just don’t come into it.”
Maybe that’s true if you’re Monica Colson.
But I am not my mom, and whatever happens with Garrick will happen on my terms and my timeline.
I won’t be rushed into anything by anyone.
* * *
The next week, in the run up to exams, is hectic, but Garrick and I manage to find time to hang out every day. We either cohabit the library companionably or study at my place. I avoid his place like the plague. I have no desire to bump into that asshole Cohen. I saw him in the cafeteria on Tuesday, sporting a fading black eye, and Will confirmed Garrick gave it to him because he was talking shit about me. Perhaps I shouldn’t silently applaud such behavior. Nana always says violence is not the answer, but I won’t criticize any guy who uses his fists to defend me when provoked.
On days where we need to be on campus, Garrick picks me up in his Range Rover with a coffee from Bumble Bees. We ride there to the backdrop of The Carpenters, Abba, the Bee Gees, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, and a host of other popular bands from the sixties and seventies.
The ride home is usually accompanied by contemporary sounds as Garrick educates me on indie rock and pop. We talk about everything and anything, and I wake up every day excited to see him.
We eat together most evenings, grabbing dinner on campus or at one of the local diners or I cook something at home. Ellen and Will join us occasionally. Garrick seems to enjoy my cooking, and I like making food for him.
It’s all very domesticated, and I’m shocked at how much I don’t dislike it. Nothing is official, but we already feel like a couple except there’s been no touching or kissing. We share plenty of sultry looks, and I know he’s as eager as I am to move things to the next level, but abstaining only heightens the anticipation.
I almost cracked last night when he showed up with flowers and a bottle of wine. The fact it was Friday didn’t go unnoticed by me. Is Garrick emulating his father? I can’t even be mad he stole the idea because I’m overjoyed at his thoughtfulness and giddy at the prospect of weekly flower and wine deliveries.
I nearly caved and planted one on him.
I think he was the same a few hours ago when I handed him a Tupperware container of homemade cupcakes and cookies. Garrick does so much for me, and I wanted to do something nice for him too, so I got up at the crack of dawn to bake. I hated having to kick him out at lunchtime, but I had laundry to do, and I needed to pack a bag before making the trip home for Nana’s birthday.
Something that is now appearing less and less likely. I turn the engine on my CR-V again, and it splutters and chokes before dying. “No!” I groan, resting my head on the steering wheel and cursing the shit timing. I had my car serviced recently, so this should not be happening. Glancing at my watch again, I already know I’m cutting it close. I could take public transportation, but it’s over six hours on the train and almost seven on the bus, and that’s before I make it to the station and wait for the next available train or bus. Then I’d have to grab an Uber from Seattle to Ravenna, and I’d be lucky to make the tail end of Nana’s party.
Briefly, I consider calling Ellen, but she’s out in Sutherlin, meeting Will’s family for the first time. She could be here in an hour if I could reach her—but I’m not sure if she has cell phone coverage while hiking the North Umpqua Trail. I know she’d come if I asked, but I don’t want to ruin my bestie’s day.
That only leaves one other option. One other person. As I take out my cell to call Garrick, I console myself knowing he’ll be delighted to spend all this time with me, steadfastly refusing to acknowledge how much I’ll enjoy spending the time with him too.
* * *
GARRICK
“It’s no problem, Stevie. I don’t have any major plans for the rest of the day.” That’s no lie. I was just going to hang out in my room. Now, she’s saving me from an evening of avoiding Cohen.
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I have never missed Nana’s birthday.”
