50. Malcolm
Malcolm
Two weeks is a long time. It didn’t feel that way when Makenna was here, but since she left, despite my early optimism, and the presence of the frog pajama bottoms, I find myself moping.
I’ve tried, and failed, to make chocolate gravy.
I’ve eaten an entire carton of ice cream, and I don’t even really like ice cream that much.
It just felt like the right thing to do.
I should hear from her in two days. But every time I look at the clock, I could swear it’s moving backwards.
I assume she’s gotten my letter by now. I hope she isn’t upset that I bent the rules. If she is, I hope the content will make up for it.
I look at the clock. Nine at night. I might as well go to bed.
It’s eleven thirty on the fifteenth day of Makenna being on the dark side of the moon. It’s only six thirty where she is, but I’ve not been further than arms distance from my phone for the last hour.
If she happens to wake up early and is ready to talk, I’ll probably answer far too eagerly. Not that I care.
Thankfully, I have the day off from work. I just finished some body weight exercises in the back garden, and I’m heading up to shower when the post is delivered through my letter box.
I bend to pick up the single envelope and find my name and address written in beautiful calligraphy. Makenna.
I stay frozen where I am as I carefully rip open the envelope.
Dearest Malcolm,
Two weeks has been far too long. You know how you miss holding me? It can’t possibly be anywhere near as much as I miss being in your arms. You’re exactly right. Electricity and peace, and I want to live in it.
You are more than I could have ever dreamed I’d have, and I’d say I can’t believe it’s even possible, but I’m working on believing it. I do believe it.
I’m so thankful I chose to be brave and go to Scotland alone. I’m even thankful for my appendicitis. I’m thankful for everything that led me to you.
I could continue, but I want to keep this brief. Have you looked outside? It’s a lovely day.
Yours,
Makenna
What? It’s a lovely day? I look at the envelope once again. No postage.
My eyes fly to the door, and since I haven’t moved, all I have to do is reach out and turn the knob.
There, on my front step, stands the subject of all my dreams.
Makenna doesn’t say a word, only stares at me a moment before dropping her handbag and launching herself at me. She takes my face in her hands, and her turquoise eyes meet mine for a longing-filled moment before they’re closed and her lips crash into mine.
I’m stunned. She didn’t call. She came.
Makenna makes a soft noise, just in time to keep me from believing this is my imagination. She tastes like cinnamon and everything wonderful in the world.
I pull her closer and she melts into me, her arms sliding around my neck, clinging to me like she’ll never let go.
I go to pull her into the house when a barely there vision of bags surrounding her enters my mind.
We probably shouldn’t just leave those sitting there for anyone to walk by and help themselves to.
I pull back and take her face in my hands. “You’re back.” My voice is hardly more than a whisper, as if I’m afraid I’ll startle her, or wake us both from this dream.
“I realized I never played chess with your dad.” She says it seriously, but she’s suppressing the cutest smile.
“That’s a great reason to come back. It’s not as if we could have set up a game over the internet, or anything. Maybe one day that technology will exist.”
Makenna grins. “We can only hope.”
I look behind her and find two large suitcases, an overfull backpack, along with her handbag on the path.
“You have more stuff than when you were here before.”
“Well, I’m hoping to be here for quite a while.”
I can only stare in response. This is getting better and better.
“I’m hoping to stay with your parents, because I don’t want to ruffle any feathers, but I’m going to look for a place to rent.”
My heart skips several beats, then ramps up to overdrive. She’s staying. I take her lips again. Mine, something deep within me says. And I’m definitely hers.
I lay my forehead against hers. “Is this real? You’re here and you’re staying?”
“I’m here and I’m staying,” she whispers against my lips, then kisses me. It’s slow and tender, and all too brief. “Are we gonna stay out here all day? Is that how y’all do reunions?”
“Definitely not.” I grin, and step toward her bags.
She grabs her backpack and purse and follows me inside where we spend quite a while making up for lost time.
When we come up for air, I call mam and ask her about having a house guest, and she gives an excited scream the likes of which I’ve never heard from her. Then Makenna and I start looking for places to rent.
“Assuming things work out”—she pauses and grins at me—“Mom says she’ll move here. You could help her get a job, right?”
“I could definitely try to help her. I’m sure she’ll be able to. Do we need to look for places to fit both of you?”
“No. Better for her to get settled into a place, since I hope to not rent for too long.” She gives me a meaningful look.
She doesn’t want to have to rent too long. She’s looking toward marriage.
With me.
Of course, I can’t imagine she’d up and move here if she weren’t.
I grin. “Perfect.”
Makenna runs her fingertips through my beard and kisses my cheek.
I stare in awe at her. “I was about to ask if you were okay leaving your friend, but I’m not sure I care.”
She laughs and I join her.
“Mai’s a lawyer. She’ll be able to come visit. Or at least she’ll have the money to. Hopefully she’ll have more time once she becomes a partner.” She shrugs. “I can’t believe I’m here.”
I pinch myself and smile, then take her lips with mine once again.