CHAPTER 3 #2
Surprisingly, the introduction of Kiran had significantly lessened the strain on Reese’s relationship with her parents.
He was viewed as the perfectly handsome rule-following man to sweep Reese off her feet until she ‘got over’ her queer phase.
Reese had joked about the fact that her parents preferred him over her, but after years, it felt a little too real.
“Hey mom,” her words came out clipped.
Her mother’s voice sounded shrill on the other end of the call. “Jesus, Reese. What’s all that racket?” Wind was still whistling through the car as she scrambled to roll the windows up. The highway noise seemed to roar around her as the windows slowly came to a close.
“Sorry!” she yelled over the din. “Sorry about that. I’m driving.”
“Is Kiran in the car with you?” Her mother didn’t even try to hide the eagerness in her voice.
“He’s at home,” Reese answered gruffly. “I’m coming home from practice.”
A disapproving noise came from the phone before her mother sighed.
“You’re still playing roller derby?” Reese sat up straighter in her seat before answering.
They’d been having the same discussion for years.
Her parents hadn’t even once bothered to attend a single game, determined to show their obvious disdain for the dangerous full-contact sport.
“Yes, mom,” Reese replied simply.
“Did anyone break their leg today?”
Reese stifled a snort. “Mom, that happened one time,” she reminded her, “And that was years ago.” It didn’t have the intended placating effect, but it was enough to clear the air long enough to exchange pleasantries.
Reese could faintly hear her father chiming into the conversation in the background.
It had been ages since he was the parent to actually pick up the phone and call her.
“You’re still coming home for Christmas, right?”
“That’s the plan,” Reese agreed. “Just for a few days,” she amended.
“We’re spending New Year’s with Kiran’s family.
” Her mother’s tone noticeably warmed as she asked about Kiran’s family.
The idea of spending the holidays split between her own family and Kiran’s already gave her a preemptive headache.
Thankfully her brother, Seth, and his fiancée, were making the trip home this year too.
She was looking forward to having a much needed buffer between herself and her parents.
“Of course, of course, that’s fine,” her mother chimed in. She dropped her voice conspiratorially, “Did you hear Seth is bringing Lilly? Such a nice girl. I’m glad you two will finally get the chance to meet.”
Reese rolled her eyes, “We’ve met like three times now, Mom.
” Her mom continued on as though Reese hadn’t spoken.
She gave the shortest polite answers possible for the rest of the drive home.
It wasn’t as though the routine phone calls with her parents lasted long, they’d have to actually pay attention and ask questions about Reese’s life in order for that to happen.
And Reese wasn’t in the mood to hang around on the phone.
As she approached the grocery store on her right, Reese realized it was a welcome excuse to cut her weekly call short, insisting that she absolutely needed to go shopping right this moment.
Her mother grumbled something indecipherable before sending her love and hanging up.
Reese sighed in exhaustion and continued through the crowded intersection, swiftly cruising past the entrance to the parking lot without hesitation.
She gathered her bag and headed up the front steps to the apartment and was surprised to hear music coming from the front door.
Fumbling with the keys, she pushed the door open, and was pleased to see Kiran in the kitchen.
His hair was tousled from sleep and he wore a faded and well-loved college tee shirt.
His face lit up as Reese walked through the front door.
All of the furniture in sight was stacked on top of other furniture and she saw the vacuum sitting in the center of the hallway.
Everything smelled freshly cleaned and all clutter had been tidied up.
She slumped her bag against the wall and kicked off her shoes, feeling relieved to finally be home.
Kiran came down the hallway with a mug and set it down before pulling her into a hug.
“Morning,” he mumbled into her hair. He smelled like a comforting blend of soap and coffee in a way that made Reese relax. She couldn’t help smiling as she wrapped her arms around him. They stood for a few minutes like this, simply holding each other.
“I figured I’d clean while you were out. But I waited to start laundry so you could throw your clothes in after practice,” he finally said.
Reese groaned, “Oh my god that’s the sexiest thing you’ve ever said.”
Kiran laughed, “I mean, selfishly, I didn’t want them stinking up the room.”
“Oh please,” Reese teased as she reached over to steal a sip of coffee. “But I get it. I need a shower.”
“I wasn’t gonna say anything…” Kiran jibed as she gave him a kiss and headed upstairs.
The scalding water eased the pain radiating from her muscles as she slowly stepped into the shower.
The bruise on her calf was now a shade of deep purple that stood out vividly against the yellowing faded bruises from last week.
The steamy air was warm and thick and Reese felt her eyelids growing heavier the longer she stood under the stream.
She quickly dressed in an old pair of sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt before towel drying her hair.
Padding down the stairs, she called out to Kiran but heard no answer.
The furniture was now in the correct places around the apartment and she could hear the faint hum of the dishwasher running in the kitchen.
She collapsed on the couch and browsed through Netflix for a moment before settling for an old comforting sitcom.
No more than five minutes had passed before Reese drifted to sleep, nestled into the throw pillows.
She awoke some time later when the front door opened. Kiran came through the door holding at least ten canvas bags full of groceries. She sleepily smiled as he turned to look at her. He grinned before taking the bags down the hallway to the kitchen.
“D’you want help?” she asked while stifling a yawn.
He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, go nap.”
She curled back into the couch, listening to his quiet rustling in the next room and letting the mundane sounds lull her back to sleep.
There was something incredible about the feeling of complete exhaustion on a Sunday afternoon.
In clean pajamas, in a freshly cleaned apartment, with absolutely nothing to do until Monday morning.
Everyone always complained about Sundays, but Reese had a soft spot for them.
Nothing was ever expected on a Sunday. On Fridays you were expected to work all day then go out and do something.
Saturdays were for parties, concerts, or hanging out with friends—anything fun really.
Saturdays were the one day a week that you could guiltlessly stay out late because you could always sleep in the next morning.
And as such, Sundays typically started a little slower than other days.
The unhurried nature of Sundays was a perfect setting for a rigorous morning practice with her teammates, a long sunny drive, a scalding hot shower, and an afternoon nap on the couch before an early dinner.
She fell into a deep sleep knowing nothing could disrupt this moment. Nothing was ever expected on a Sunday.