Theo:Would children be able to drink a beer at a Red Sox game while shouting, “The judge will NOT see you now!”
Renley:Why on earth would you say that?
Theo:Because there was some guy they were playing with that had the last name Judge. And it was a play on his name. Keep up, Gossy.
Renley:I thought you weren’t into sports.
Theo:I’m not, but I’m into the Red Sox. Are you? We should go to a game sometime. Have you ever been?
Renley:Never.
Theo:Consider it added to our list of things to do.
Renley:You have a list? What else is on it?
Theo:Well, I’d take you to the West Coast, because for someone who has seen the East Coast their entire life, they need to see the West. Also, I’d take you to England. Obviously. Have to show you around. Then there are the smaller things like, go on a roller coaster together—because I need to hear your scream. I want to take you to a strip club—because I want to see you blush. And I wish to take you shopping because it’s vital to me to see you try on lingerie, for scientific purposes, although all of those things could be accomplished by, you know…
Renley:Never going to happen, Theodore.
Theo:That’s what you think.
Theo:What did you do today? Send me a picture, I want to see your pretty face.
Oof, my stomach bottoms out from reading that text. It shouldn’t. He shouldn’t have that kind of impact on me, and yet, here we are. My stomach is dancing with butterflies and the need to send him a picture rests heavy on my chest.
But I can’t go there.
Instead of sending him a picture of me, I send him a picture of the shelves.
Renley:Worked on the shelves. They’re all done now, sanded and stained. I’m so excited with how they came out. The candy is really going to pop on them.
He takes a second, but when he responds, my heart skips a beat.
Theo:Renley, holy shit, they look so good. Man, I wish I was there to see them in person. You must be so proud of yourself.
Smiling, I text him back.
Renley:I am proud. They came out better than I expected. That’s two big projects out of the way and now I can start on the bathroom.
Theo:Wait, I was going to help you with that. You can’t start until I get back.
Renley:When do you get back?
Theo:Monday. We have some sightseeing to do tomorrow and then we leave the next day. There’s got to be something you can do that doesn’t involve the bathroom.
Renley:I can help Aunt Kitty with the cleaning of the jars and canisters. She’s been grumbling about them and hasn’t really been around to take care of them.
Theo:You would really wait for me?
Renley:How else would I be able to help you become a real human?
Theo:You are so right. And here I thought you weren’t on board with the rules.
Renley:I’m fine with the rules.
Theo:All of them?
Renley:Sure.
