35. Garrett
35
Garrett
I wake up and look over at Evelyn. All of the emotions from the last few days have a moment to settle in my mind as the barest traces of dawn steal through the gap in the curtains.
She’s sleeping easily; moments ago, I was too. Acknowledging the comfort I feel in the spot next to her terrifies me.
I want this. To belong in the silent moments with her. Fill the gaps of life with her in my arms.
The thought starts to tear at me the more I watch the rise and fall of her chest. It only eases up when I’m out of the bed, looking away.
Before I know it, I’m out the door and driving. I pull over an hour later to send a text, but I keep going. I’m running—I’m just not sure if it’s toward something or away from it.
It’s a blur. The red and gold trees. The city grows closer on the horizon until it swallows me into traffic. The elevator I’ve taken countless times over the last seven years moves too fast and slow all at once. I sink into a chair on the other side of Holt’s desk and I know this is it.
“I’m going to ask a second time. Are you sure?” Holt asks.
As she tilts her head, the light filtering in from the office window catches on one of her diamond stud earrings. It’s the first time back at the firm in over a month and it’s disorienting to see everything exactly the same as when I left.
I don’t hesitate. I’ve played this out in my head over and over all the way to the city. “Yes.”
“All right then. We’ll discuss next steps on Monday. Please, make sure to block off two hours to meet with me in the morning and I’ll be sending an email to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
She stands, and I know I’ve been dismissed. Over two hours driving for a meeting that lasted fifteen minutes.
“I’ll keep an eye out for it,” I say.
“And, Garrett,” she says with a rare softness.
“Yes?”
“I do appreciate how seriously you took your time away. I know it didn’t come naturally to you, but relaxation suits you.”
“I can’t take all the credit.” My lips threaten to turn upward despite the current melancholy.
“Then thank that photographer for me.”
“Who?”
“Unless you were set up with a tripod, there was someone there with you,” she explains.
“Oh, yeah. Well, I’ll add it to the list of things I need to say to her.”
“Good. Talk to you again soon, Larson.”
I leave with only one thought in my head: I have to get this next part right.