Deciding that I can’t lurk and watch her all day, I turn my feet to leave, only to see that two stacked boxes are stacked crooked and might fall. I decide to quietly shift them but fail when one box drops. I curse to myself and glance up, but Rosie barely stirs and seems to be deep in sleep. It wasn’t loud since the box is light.
Leaning down to pick it up, one flap is loose, and my eyes drive down to see the contents, and instantly my entire body tugs.
There is an array of troll figures on the floor. Some with different vibrant-colored hair and others more traditional trolls with ugly faces or dressed in national costumes. Anyone would laugh because it’s a funny thing to collect.
Leaning down, I slowly pick up the one in a fur parka with Alaska written on the coat and realize a simple fact. She’s been collecting them on her world trip.
She’s been thinking of me while she was away.
* * *
Rosie pattershesitantly into the kitchen. We are only on day three, and I’m still sensing that she isn’t yet fully comfortable or has made herself at home. My eyes slide into the living room where I see a tray of candles and a holder for incense on one of the living room side tables.
“Morning,” she greets me shyly as I pour my protein shake into my to-go bottle.
“Hey there. I didn’t wake you, did I?” I had duty yesterday and didn’t see her except for a quick check-in on my way out.
She slides onto a stool and gently shakes her head. “Nah, I was up early and couldn’t sleep anyhow.”
“Morning sickness?”
Rosie’s shoulders go slack. “A little. Not like a few weeks ago, thankfully. I just need to eat something as soon as I wake up, I guess.”
Abandoning my shake, I head to the freezer and pull out one of her oat waffles that she toasts. In my peripheral view, I notice the affection on her face, especially when I walk straight to the toaster.
“Thanks. I’ll grab a drink?—”
I cut her off. “Chai tea?”
“You remember?” She sounds surprised, but the faint smile of hers warms me, it’s promising.
“Yeah, you used to drink it while journaling in the morning before I even woke sometimes.”
Her lips press and roll in while she stays silent for a few seconds. “Carter.”
My eyes flick up to link with hers. “Yeah?”
“I know the air between us since I moved in has been a little…”
“Awkward,” I complete her sentence.
She grimaces. “Something like that. I just… I…” She is trying to wrap her words around a feeling, and I notice. “Give me time. To navigate living with you again. It’s new but not new, and my head is a mess and my stomach a rollercoaster. It’s just a lot, and it will be okay, just taking it day by day. I’ll relax, already today feels better than yesterday. I hope you understand.”
Her honesty doesn’t scare me because it’s understandable. “I get it. It’s okay. I’m also tiptoeing around you, unsure what is best for this situation.”Patience.A lot of patience.
She lets a deep breath out. It sounds as though she has been holding it in. “Good. I mean, good that we are on the same page.”
I glance on the clock on the oven and decide to use it as my escape. “I need to get a move on, as I need to be at the courthouse by ten.”
“Right. Well, stay safe. Don’t forget to drink your daily water.”
A short laugh escapes me. “Thank you for your concern. Take it easy, call if you need anything.”Like me.
“Of course. I’m just going to plan some classes and nap.”
Our connected eyes don’t seem to unwind from the knot that keeps our sight on one another. Finally, they drop, and when I leave the kitchen, I feel her gaze on me. It’s heavy but feels good.
There are emotions inside her that need to unravel, and I’ll wait. We have time. I just wish the clock had fewer hours.
