34. Mason
Chapter 34
Mason
July 2023
This weekend has flown by.
Tomorrow morning at 6:15 Cal leaves to head back to Georgia.
Yesterday we visited two more places on her list and then ended our night getting take-out and staying in to watch a movie. We both agreed that our bodies needed a break after all the walking we had done over the last two days. Cuddling with Cal is one of my favorite things to do. I didn’t want to get up or disturb her, but we were both very tired.
She packed her bags before jumping in the shower this morning, only leaving out what she was wearing today and the comfy airplane clothes for tomorrow.
She’s currently doing today's Wordle while I make us eggs, bacon, and toast before we head back out to be tourists for the day. There is one more place she’d like to visit while she’s here and it’s my mission to make it happen. Today we will be heading to the Statue of Liberty. That’s one of the more popular places in NY that I haven’t been to since I first moved here fifteen years ago.
The last two days have been nothing short of amazing having her back in my life and I can’t stop thinking about all the things we’ll get to experience together if this works out. I’m still completely shocked that she opened her heart back up to me after the hurt I put her through. However, I am willing to put in whatever work it takes to make her fully trust me again as we move forward, wherever this goes. I’m very hopeful that dating will turn into much more over the next few months as we navigate long-distance.
Cal jumps in excitement from the recliner, causing me to startle.
“I got it on the second try!”
I have never played Wordle, but I’m assuming based on her reaction that that’s a good thing.
“Our reservations are in three hours. I was thinking we could finish breakfast and then head out to get some sightseeing in while we wait to get on the ferry.”
“That sounds good to me. Breakfast smells amazing, by the way.”
“Breakfast is one of the meals I can actually cook,” I laugh before adding, “It should be done in a few minutes.”
“Okay, I’m going to go do something with my lion’s mane while you finish up.”
While Callie is taming her lion’s mane, as she called it, I finish breakfast and grab two plates, two forks, and two cups. I’m finishing plating our food when I hear Cal coming back up the hallway.
“Would you like water, tea, or orange juice, Cal?”
“Hmm, is it southern sweet tea or northern sweet tea?” Cal asks, hands sitting on her hips.
“Ma’am, you think I forgot how to make sweet tea?” I say, winking at her. My ma’s sweet tea is famous in our neighborhood in Georgia. She taught me from a very young age how to perfect it.
“I’ll have some tea then.” She says, smiling shyly.
After pouring tea in both of our glasses Cal grabs them and carries them to the bar. I’m right behind her with our plates. As we enjoy breakfast I can’t help but think about the possibility of Cal one day living up here with me. Not to say she would up and move, but I can be hopeful, right?
While we eat, we get into a heavy discussion, continuing from last night, about what’s to come with us. The long distance, the flying back and forth to see each other, what we want for our futures…
When we’ve finished, I notice a tear making its way from Callie’s eyes. I immediately grab her into a hug, placing a small kiss on her temple. I pull away only so that I can take our dishes to the kitchen. I rinse them off before placing them in the dishwasher. I then grab my keys and Callie’s hand and pull us out of the house and towards my car.
On our way to the ferry Cal sits in the passenger seat going between making conversation and taking in the sights. I’ve enjoyed seeing New York through her eyes this weekend.
Our conversation this morning didn’t leave us much time to sightsee, so we decided to hang out at Battery Park and wait until it was time to load onto the ferry. I didn’t realize how many things there were to do at Battery Park so maybe it was a blessing in disguise that we ended up here instead of sightseeing downtown.
“That was just as cool as I thought it would be! Thanks again, for helping me cross things off my bucket list.”
“It was a lot of fun. You’ve made me go places I wouldn’t have thought to go, and I live here, so I should be thanking you.”
Making our way through the parking area Cal laces her fingers through mine. Finding my car in this parking lot is tough now that it’s approximately 15 times fuller than it was when we got here. Once we finally find it, I open Cal’s door before heading around the front to the driver's side.
“I need to make time and get down to see your parents. I loved hanging out with all the animals when I came over back in the day. Secretly I enjoyed seeing them more than seeing you, you know?” Callie laughed.
“Of course I knew that.” I winked at her. “I’m sure they’d love to have you come down for a visit. They’ve added some goats and a few more horses to their farm in the last few years, too.”
“Oh yeah! We need to set that up! I miss your ma. She’s a great woman.”
“I may be a little biased, but I’d have to say she’s the best.”
We both start laughing and before I know it, we’re turning into the parking lot of my complex.