Sometimes he drew himself. Underwater. Except for one hand holding up the phone.
They both got antsy when it was time for Tom to pack. Cherry had watched him pack so many times. When he’d first started traveling, she used to help him.
“You should take something to wear to the premiere.” Cherry was sitting on the bed next to his suitcase. “In case you decide to go.”
“I’m not going.” Tom was standing in front of the suitcase, folding his fancy cargo pants.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.
“If I can help it, this whole thing will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Cherry looked down at the suitcase. “Do you have clothes for the interviews?”
“I have a stylist.”
She made a disgusted face. “Astylist?”
Tom was smiling at her. “My personal stylist wasn’t answering my calls.”
“I guess you didn’t need me...” Cherry said sadly. “You’ve looked really great in all your interviews.”
“I’ve looked like I have a stylist,” he corrected. “She always brings three options—” He tilted his head at Cherry. “You want me to FaceTime you and let you pick?”
Cherry sat up. Excited despite herself.“Yeah.”
Tom smiled at her. Fully. Then a cloud of anxiety moved over his face. “I know I haven’t always called home... as much as I should.”
She nodded. She remembered.
He was looking in her eyes. “It wasn’t the same asbeinghome, and I always felt like I may as well just wait and see you when I saw you.”
Cherry nodded. “I know.”
“But then I was gone for so long...”
She took his hand. “So call me.”
“I’m gonna call you,” he said.
She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed it.
Tom frowned. “Though I don’t know what we’re going to talk about.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re already talking yourself out of calling home...”
“I’m talking myself out ofleaving.”
“Go,” she said, kissing his hand again. “Do what you have to do.”
Tom caught her chin and turned her face up to him. “You always say that.”
Cherry nodded. “Should I say something else?”
He looked troubled. “I don’t like hearing you tell me to go.”
Cherry kissed his thumb. It was right there. “I was only ever saying it to be encouraging,” she said. “Ihatewhen you go.”
“Say that,” he whispered.
