Chapter 10 #3
“I want you to listen to me,” Mallory began with a supportive smile.
“Welcome to the big leagues where the men are men. He knows what he’s doing and showing up for you – let him.
Don’t diminish it, don’t play it off, and don’t run away because you get nervous or feel unsure of things.
He’s interested in you – and just remember, the Air Force wouldn’t keep him if he were insane.
” It was so strange, so out of left field, that Maureen nervously cracked a laugh before Mallory chuckled.
“Just thought I’d throw that out there, in case you were wondering…
but I’m happy for you both. Now, breathe – quit crying – and write him an email saying, ‘thank you’. ”
Maureen hadn’t realized she was sobbing until Mallory said something – and sure enough, her cheeks were wet.
Nodding erratically, she put the packages down on the desk, frightened that she would drop something precious or it might slip out of her hands.
Saying her goodbyes, Maureen went to sit in the chair behind her desk and saw the flashing red light indicating that there was a voicemail.
Pressing it, the first call was a hang-up… but the second was not.
“Um, it’s the Melon-head…”
Eli’s voice crackled from the old machine as the message played back.
“It’s about three in the morning here, and I couldn’t sleep. I kept reading your email and wondering what to say – so I thought it was best that I tried calling, but I guess you are busy.”
“Oh no…” she whispered, a fresh rush of tears stinging her eyes.
“I don’t have long, and I probably should try to sleep, but my head won’t stop thinking about things…
and well, I’m interested – and I want to talk.
I’m not exactly ‘boyfriend’ material, but I’m thinking that I might be interested in learning how to be – if any of that makes sense.
I’m not sure how to do this or if that sounds stupid, but it’s honest.”
His voice paused as her heart slammed against her chest… waiting.
“I bought a plane ticket and put in for time off, so I really hope my boss approves it. He’s being kind of a jerk right now…
She smiled tearfully, melting at that unexpected candor mixed with that gruff laugh that told her it probably didn’t happen very often.
“I’ve gotta keep my voice down because you never know who’s listening or creeping around… but Maureen? I’m really interested. I’ll write back tomorrow after I get done with meetings – okay? Good night… and sweet dreams.”
She glanced at the clock; it was nearly three in the afternoon here – but that ‘sweet dreams’ would be something she heard in her mind for weeks or months, she realized as the call ended.
Hitting play, she listened to his voicemail once more, marveling at the surge of feelings it brought simply hearing his voice, glimpsing at the man hidden behind the mask, and hope burning so brightly in her chest that it was staggering.
“He bought a plane ticket,” she whispered in amazement. “He’s coming to see me, and we’re going to give this a try. I can’t believe this is happening – it’s really, possibly happening.”
Opening her email, she immediately started to compose yet another email to him… this time slightly different.
Good morning, Psp-Psp-Psp!
I just got your voicemail and your package – I’m so sorry I missed your call; I was with a client…
but thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for both treats!
I love everything you sent me, and it was perfect – just like the voicemail.
You don’t have to know how to do any of this, because I’d prefer that we figure it out together along the way.
See you soon; just let me know when to pick you up at the airport…
Yours,
Maureen
Smiling, she clicked send – and waited.
It was nearly eleven at night when she received an email from Eli that spoke volumes and sent shivers down her spine.
Dearest Psp-Psp-Psp,
How about we get Mexican food for dinner Friday night? I land at four that afternoon – your time. I’ll rent a car, so it’s not an inconvenience, and we can plan things around your appointments… okay?
Eli
P.S. If I mess things up, just tell me so I can learn and figure it out – okay? No hard feelings, I just need to know, and we’ll be short on time figuring out this dating thing between us.
Maureen chuckled in heartwarming amazement at the man who was starting to emerge from behind that front, just for her it seemed… and she was enchanted. This was not something she could have ever imagined at their first encounter – and truthfully?
She couldn’t wait for their next one.
Dearest Psp-Psp-Psp,
You just get those stuck-up, sweet buns on the plane, and we’ll figure it out together. Have I mentioned that I love Mexican food – and I’m already rescheduling what I can so we have several days free together.
See you Friday!
Yours,
Maureen
When Maureen woke up the next morning and checked her email – there was already a reply from Eli that was better than anything she could have imagined.
She was pretty sure her guardian angel was sighing in relief or singing somewhere gloriously happy, because she had a full-blown crush on an Air Force pilot who was unlike anyone she’d ever met…
and already adored all of the priggish quirks that made him adorable.
My lovely Psp-Psp-Psp,
I’m smiling at my desk, re-reading your email… and I promise that my ‘stuck-up, sweet buns’ will be on the plane, ready to go, even in the event of an apocalypse! Friday cannot get here fast enough to see how this all goes…
Yours truly,
Eli-the-cat-whisperer