13
SEPTEMBER 2ND
Jeff’s chest ached at being away from Megan. His days always dragged unless he was talking to her, and he couldn’t stop himself from counting down the days until he would see her again.
Jeff: It’s torture not being with you.
Megan: I wish I could see you right now.
Jeff: Video chat? Maybe some special friend time?
Megan: Special friend time, huh? My favorite.
Jeff smiled and started a video call. She answered after only one ring.
“Hello, stud.” She sat against the headboard of the bed in a hotel in Chicago. Then she held up their crinkled ten-dollar bill. “I found this in the front zipper of my suitcase.”
“Dang. It took you an entire month to find it?”
She shrugged. “I rarely use that zipper. I’m not even sure what made me open it. But it was a welcome sight.”
He smiled softly. “Tell me again why you aren’t working remotely from Wintervale?”
She frowned. “I just need to finish these trips. I’ll see you in a few months though.”
“I know. I’m just teasing because I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.”
He laid down on his bed and propped his head on a pillow. “What are your Christmas plans? I don’t think we’ve discussed it yet.”
She sighed. “I’m going to spend it with my parents. I feel like I should since I didn’t spend it with them last year. Are you going home?”
“No, I’ll see them at Thanksgiving, and then I’ll work Christmas. We’ll get together in the new year. It’s a lot easier for my sisters not to have to worry about which family to spend Christmas with since they’re all married. What are you doing for Thanksgiving?”
“Going home. My parents and I always try to volunteer at a homeless shelter for Thanksgiving. I don’t want to give up the tradition. We serve food. It’s our way of giving back.”
“That’s amazing.”
She smiled softly, and his stomach did somersaults. “Thank you. You could come join us if you’d like.”
Jeff’s mind ran a mile a minute. He wanted to say “yes” and immediately book it, but he promised his parents he would go home. He couldn’t go back on that.
“You do not know how much I wish I could, but I really need to go home.”
“I understand.”
“So… maybe New Year’s?”
She smiled brightly. “It’s a date.”
“I can’t wait to kiss you at midnight.”
“Me neither.”
OCTOBER 15TH
Megan: Find any rentals yet?
