Chapter 34 Adam
Currently playing: Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) by Edison Lighthouse
***
Voicemail from Rachel, 9:12 p.m.: “Hi. I miss you. You said to call you every night, but I got completely distracted playing rummy with some of Dad’s friends. You should come to the next game night. These old ladies are really wild. One threatened to throw her dentures at me. Long story. Anyway, I miss you. I hope you’re having…well, I don’t hope you’re having fun, because I want you here with me. But I hope you are having an enjoyable, normal work experience. I guess. Anyway, so yeah. Just wanted to say good night and stuff. I’m going to go wear out my record and eat the rest of your Pop Tarts. Be safe, please. I miss you. Nighty-night.”
***
Adam: Thanks for the gift. I really liked it.
Rachel: Which part? The cards or the sour straws?
Adam: Both. All of it. The underwear too. All the guys were staring at me when I opened it. I don’t think any of them have ever heard me laugh before.
Rachel: I love your laugh and I’m so glad you liked it. I thought the bacon boxers would make you smile!
Adam: They did. How’s Jack?
Rachel: Really great, actually. He asked me where you were. Said he misses you. I agree.
Adam: Miss both of you. A few more weeks, honey. I’m counting down the days.
Rachel: You’ve gotten all soft on me now. Calling me honey and counting days. Where’s my grumpy Adam?
Adam: He left as soon as you got that ring on your finger.
***
Rachel: So Luke and Layla are trying to convince me to go to a Star Wars convention with them.
Adam: They aren’t.
Rachel: Layla told me I should wear Princess Leia’s gold bikini.
Adam: I just looked that up. Please do not leave the house in that.
Rachel: …so I should wear it in the house?
Adam: I won’t tell you how to live your life.
Rachel: And you say I’m the perv.
***
Phone call: 11:39 PM.
“Hi, honey.”
“Hi.”
“I’m sorry it’s late. We just got back.”
“It’s okay. You sound sleepy.”
“Yeah, it’s, uh, been a long day for sure.”
“Save a lot of lives?”
“I guess. We had one guy…it, uh, wasn’t good.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I can’t, legally. Investigations and all have to happen, it’s complicated.”
“Oh, Adam. That’s tough.”
“It’s just work. You get a little numb to it.”
“Hmm.”
“Tell me about the store. Are those managers taking good care of you?”
“Poppi and Ricky are…themselves. She told me that I was invited to their married couples’ dinner, and after I politely declined, my coworker told me they were, in fact, swingers. So that was really dodging a bullet there.”
“Gross.”
“Yeah. But other than that, it’s been good. I’ve been working up the courage to ask them if I could send them some other floor samples than what they’re wanting to put in at the end of the year. I was gonna do it today, but then Poppi came in dressed like she was going to an anime convention, and honestly, it was far too distracting.”
“That…sounds about right. You should still send it to them. Maybe they’ll listen.”
“Maybe. The flooring might actually be too much for some people. I guess it is kind of busy.”
“Send me a picture, and I’ll let you know.”
“Ah, you are my honest Adam.”
“Always for you.”
***
Rachel: *attached picture of article about Adam saving someone at work*
Rachel: Your mom sent me this. My husband is a hero.
Adam: It’s my job. Don’t make me sound like I am so selfless.
Rachel: You are, though.
Rachel: Selfless, I mean.
Adam: Not really. I want you in all the selfish ways I can think of.
Rachel: You know I might consider that to be selfless too…
***
Rachel: Crew asked me to wear a fake mustache and hide out behind his competitor’s food truck and distract them while he does who knows what in their kitchen. Just needed you to know.
Adam: Why is it that as soon as I leave, you end up in some kind of trouble?
Adam: …did you say yes?
Rachel: of course I did.
Adam: and?
Rachel: it started raining. My colored-in brows and mustache started to melt away, and I looked like the matchmaker lady in Mulan. We ran back to your house.
Adam: And you didn’t send me a picture of this because…?
Rachel: I need you to still think I am somewhat hot when you get back into town.
Adam: Don’t think you could make that go away.
Rachel: I like flirty Adam. Does he only come out at night?
Adam: And bank holidays. And the occasional Friday the 13th.
Rachel: Those are my new favorite days.
***
Voicemail from Adam, 2:37 am:
“Hey. Sorry it’s late again. I knew you wouldn’t answer, but I still had to try. I am, uh, really missing you. Like a lot. I feel like I get how some of the guys felt years back when they’d get pissed when the time came to get back out there. I get it now. It pisses me off that I can’t drive home to you now. But just one more week, right? We’ve survived worse. I have some things to tell you when I get back. I can’t say it over the phone, but damn, I want to. I’ve got to go to bed. I’m rambling. Good night, sweetheart.”