Sawyer
I’m almost asleep on Wednesday night when my phone vibrates on the bedside table, and I drag myself out of the doze to see what the hell it is.
Zelda’s name on the screen bulldozes through my irritation.
I’m not some fragile woman
Something is definitely on her mind, and it’s probably all mixed up in that little visit we paid to the storage closet. This is on another level.
You’re up late…
Our walk is on my mind
Did we go too far?
Ha, ha.
I’m listening.
I’m not fragile. I’m here because it was a smart thing to do, not because I’m afraid to move.
It’s okay if you’re afraid to move.
There’s a long pause, and I wonder if I’ve said a foolish thing.
You’re not afraid of anything
That’s not true.
I settle back into the pillows. It’s past midnight, so we’re in that time of extreme honesty, and it shows in Zelda’s messages. She’s usually asleep by now, and I blink my eyes hard. This is rare.
What are you afraid of?
It’s a little ironic that she’s messaging me because she doesn’t want me to think she’s weak, but she wants to know what my weaknesses are.
This isn’t a topic of conversation that comes up in my line of work, and my line of work means that I don’t spend a lot of time making friends.
The only person I can think of who would ask me this kind of thing is Max, and it’s not like we’ve ever been big on heart to hearts.
But Zelda…
I could say anything to her, and she’d take it in with those big green eyes.
Never getting to go on a date with you.
What’s going to happen between today and tomorrow?
You never know.
Cryptic…
You never know.
Do you have to work or something?
No. Why?
Because maybe a security job is dangerous at night.
It’s dangerous most of the time.
This is as close as we’ve come to talking directly about what I actually do at work
I wouldn’t know about that. I’m a sexy librarian.
Too sexy for your own good.
I could do it if I wanted.
Do what?
Move to the city.
I know you could.
Can I ask you something?
Anything
Are you…having fun while you’re in town?
With you?
Yeah, with me.
I have to think about how to answer this. My heart beats a little bit harder.
No.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Can you…say a little bit more on that topic?
I don’t want to say the wrong thing
It’s past midnight. Anything goes
It brings a smile to my face. That’s my girl, I think, and the thought makes me so happy I can’t stand it. And she’s not even my girl.
Not yet.
I’ve never wanted to know this much about anyone else.
I haven’t either.
We can talk to each other
We talk to each other a lot
You should tell me a secret about you.
You already know my biggest secret.
About your friend?
Yeah
That’s really a secret?
It’s not something I talk about
I get that.
I wait a minute, and then I send a follow-up.
But it doesn’t have to be a secret.
A series of messages from her.
What do you mean?
It was a freak accident
I shouldn’t have been up there. If I hadn’t convinced her to go she’d be alive
I hesitate, then write back.
Things happen, you know?
Has that kind of thing happened to you?
A freak accident? Not really, unless you count being my dad’s son
What does that mean?
We should get into that another time
I don’t want to tell her about all that over a text message.
Like tomorrow?
Yes. Like tomorrow. On our date!!!
LOL
Don’t laugh too hard…your parents might hear you
I know, I know!
It’s not going to happen twice
What’s not going to?
A freak accident by a quarry
Freak accidents can happen in other ways
They can, but they’re rare
You’re rare.
Nice one
No, really. I’ve never met anybody like you
You mean you’ve never met somebody with so many tattoos?
Well, that, but…you’re tough. But you’re sweet
Nobody has ever called Sawyer Mitchell sweet
Not even your favorite aunt?
She’s my only aunt
Doesn’t mean she’s not your favorite
True
Have you always been close?
Yeah. I used to come here a lot when I was growing up
And you still do?
No. This is my first visit in a while
Too bad. Did you miss her?
Yeah. I did. Even if I didn’t miss…other things.
If I know Zelda…
Other things like things we’ll talk about tomorrow?
Yes. We’ll talk about them tomorrow
I’m excited to know more about you
I’m always excited to know more about you.
I’m more excited.
This could go on all night. Don’t you have work in the morning?
Are you trying to get me to go away?
Not even. Let’s text all night
Okay.
Okay.
The pause is so long I almost fall asleep.
You still awake?
Barely
Have nice dreams
I will if you’re in them
Good night, Sawyer
Goodnight, sunshine