35. Olive
35
OLIVE
A s you can probably imagine, we never watched that movie last night. Physical activities throughout the apartment proved more enticing. We’re both insatiable. So much so, I insisted we leave the apartment for a late breakfast to give us a breather.
We leave my favorite bookstore with a small bag of books. Leo lifts it up. “I haven’t bought a paperback in forever. I use my iPad for everything.”
“Same here. I hate technology, but it’s a modern world.”
“I’m dying of hunger. Where are we eating brunch?” He drapes his arm over my shoulders.
I point to the large café next door. “They serve the best breakfast. I wish the bookstore and this place would knock down the connecting wall and make it one big venue. I’d bring my laptop here and work all day long.”
Leo opens the door, then follows me inside. It’s a busy Saturday, but fortunately we snag a table by the windows overlooking the street. A waitress hands us menus and takes our drink orders. When we’re alone again, Leo and I hold hands above the table. He caresses my skin with his thumbs.
“Have you decided whether you’ll quit your job?” he asks.
“I didn’t tell you?” He shakes his head. “Yes. I already spoke to Uncle Bruce. He understood that I need time to work on myself and figure out what I really want to do.”
“I hope you’re considering the medical field again. Without you realizing it, you do subtle things that reflect your caring ways and enthusiasm.”
I lean back and cross my arms. “What do you mean? Like what?”
“For example, the massive container you have of first-aid products under your sink. There’s enough for the entire apartment building.” The corner of her mouth lifts up. “You were eager to take care of the scratches on my back. Or how about when Ma got mustard in her eye. You were the first to offer to help and quickly told her what to do. And the other night when I opened up about Corey’s cancer treatment, you talked about it like a medical professional, not some random person having a conversation. You were truly interested. These are little examples, but they add up. You deeply care about people and their wellbeing.”
I’m quiet for a minute, digesting what he’s said. “You’re right, Leo. That is the way I am. And I do it without hesitation. But it’s different from working in a hospital.”
“I know, Olive. But promise you’ll think about it.”
I nod and break eye contact.
The waitress comes back with two cappuccinos and two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. I’m glad to let the topic drop as we order pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and bagels to share to hold us over until dinner tonight.
“Hey, I didn’t show you the video of the day yet.” Leo pulls his phone out of his pocket. He loads something, then hands it to me. I hit play.
“Oh, my gosh. Where was this? A jungle?” The volume is on low, but I hear someone talking. It’s not Leo. “Is that Corey?”
“This is from Corey’s headset camera. We were in Costa Rica. It’s probably my favorite place I’ve traveled. What you see in the video is Corcovado National Park. We were ziplining over the rainforest. It was incredible.”
My heart sings as Leo describes the experience with animated gestures. Corey’s riding above the trees. Then he looks down, and my stomach bottoms out.
“Guess he wasn’t afraid of heights, huh?” I say, full of jealousy.
He spins the black ring around his middle finger. “Not really. I was when we did that, but it was such an adrenaline rush. Totally worth it.”
“Did you guys ever bungee-jump or go skydiving?”
His glow dims a little. If someone didn’t know him, they probably wouldn’t have noticed. But I did. “Bungee-jumped. Skydiving was next on the list. Then he got sick, and we never got the chance. After that, I didn’t want to anymore.”
I’m going to change that. Somehow, somewhere, I’m going to make him jump. And I’ll be right there with him…even if it kills me.
Our food comes, and we question how hungry we are because the table is almost too small for our several dishes. We’re in our own little bubble, feeling like we’re the only ones in the café. I love doing normal couple things with him. This weekend was beautifully unexpected.
“Olive?” Someone calls my name. I turn and am surprised to see my friend, Dawn. Beside her is her husband, carrying their sleeping daughter.
I usually run the other direction when I see old friends, but this time I’m happy to see them. I jump up. “Oh my gosh, Dawn. Kain.” I give her a hug. “How are you doing?”
“We’re great. But how about you? You look amazing.”
I press my hands to my warm cheeks. “Thank you.” Dawn’s eyes dart to Leo. Leo stands and comes to my side. “This is my boyfriend, Leo.”
That’s the first time I told someone he’s my boyfriend… I couldn’t be more proud.
He shakes their hands, and we make small talk. I haven’t spoken to them this much in nearly a year. I’m not avoiding conversation this time.
Before they leave, Dawn leans close and says, “Keep up whatever you’re doing. You look happy again. Don’t be a stranger anymore. We miss you.” That warms my heart and also breaks it.
We say goodbye, then drop into our seats. “That was unexpected,” I say. “She’s a high school friend. She tried to help me when I returned from LA, but I pushed her away. Like everyone else, she eventually gave up. I don’t blame her.”
“She was thrilled to see you. That’s a true friend.”
Tears threaten to spill over. “Leo, who am I? I was a stranger to myself, avoiding everyone I knew because I was miserable and embarrassed. I’m so ashamed—I treated people like Dawn horribly. But now, I’m a new person. Not completely healed, but I’m getting there.” I dab beneath my eye with a napkin. “Am I making any sense?”
Leo slides his chair closer to me. “Perfectly.”
I take a few cleansing breaths, but my thoughts remain tangled. My food is an afterthought. “The number of changes that I’ve had since my birthday is hitting me like a tidal wave.”
He strokes my hair. “Olive, talk to me. Do you want to leave?”
I put my hands on the table and take a deep breath. “No. Give me a sec. I need to let everything sink in. Please don’t worry. It’s nothing bad. I’m sorry for acting weird.”
I’m happy, healthy, and have an amazing boyfriend. I’m extremely grateful and lucky to have gotten a second chance to live again.
“Don’t apologize for your emotions. Everyone deserves a chance at happiness regardless of their past. I believe that now,” he murmurs as he tenderly holds the nape of my neck and draws me closer. Rubbing his nose against mine, he adds, “And you, Olive, are the reason I do.”
If someone asked me now if I’ve ever been in love, I’d say yes. I am.