Arik #3
Despite the density, I could hear every word of Claire’s conversation with her sister. Sarah’s voice boomed through the speaker just enough to provide clarity from my position.
“How’s Mr. Mysterious today?” Sarah quipped playfully.
Claire sighed deeply, her sweet voice whispering with uncertainty, “I mean, I cannot even begin. We went into town and, my God, the level of romance…. I just cannot.” Claire laughed, and I could practically feel her cheeks burning.
“Oh…do tell,” Sarah crooned, her voice muffled with the sounds of her chewing.
“He just…says things. Does things. It’s like a movie, I swear.” Claire paused, laughter flowing from her perfect lips. “We ate, we drank, we watched the sunset, and then he carried me through the streets in his arms.”
“Jesus Christ. You’re practically living in a movie…” Sarah giggled. “Italian countryside, handsome man…give me some of that! You’re in some dream, and I’m just over here, driving home from work…you know, living.”
“I know. It’s been such a whirlwind. I’m trying my best to enjoy myself without being totally and completely gullible,” Claire replied, her tone softening and filling with apprehension.
“What does he say to you?” Sarah questioned, concern tinged in her tone.
“You know…ridiculous things. Things you can’t say to someone you just met a day ago.” Claire took a sharp inhale.
The line was quiet as Sarah seemed to be waiting patiently for Claire to continue.
“He says he’s crazy about me and obsessed. And…and he wants to follow me back to New York.” Claire quietly waited for Sarah’s reply as I felt the anxiety radiating from her body.
“What in the world would he do in New York? Follow you around like a lovesick puppy, crashing in your apartment, and making your neighbors bang against the wall?” Sarah’s giggling relaxed Claire’s tension.
“I don’t know. He says he has business in New York, and it wouldn’t hurt to check on them.” I could hear Claire’s tone as she struggled between defending the idea and accepting its validity.
“Business? So…some shady, handsome character dug his claws into you. This is getting quite spicy. You must be really enjoying yourself!” Sarah’s laughter burst through the phone.
Claire’s argument was defensive as her tone laced became with irritation. “I mean…that’s the weird part. He hasn’t tried anything. It’s just steamy. There have been opportunities, you know. But…he insisted that he doesn’t want a fling.”
“Holy shit,” Sarah muttered.
“I know! It’s just…it’s been, like, a day and change, you know! It’s crazy!” Claire exclaimed as I heard her roll over in bed.
Sarah’s nurturing tone filled the air, a sharp contrast to her playfulness. “But in that time, how much genuine, quality time have you spent with him?”
“Umm…about eight hours yesterday and just over twelve today,” Claire replied, her voice filled with curiosity. “What’s your point?”
“So, you’re telling me that almost every moment you’ve been awake, you’ve been with him? Deep conversations, romantic moments…oh, swoon.” Sarah moaned, making a smile dance across my face.
I think I am going to like Sarah. Or should I call her sister-in-law?
“What are you getting at, Sarah?” Claire argued back with irritation.
“My point is that it took you months with Alex to get that type of time, and you swore you were in love with him.” Sarah’s tone filled the air with seriousness.
“What are you talking about?” Claire argued.
“You remember…when you two started dating…those little bar dates at Ambrose Hall after your shifts, or whatever the hell you want to call them. You’d meet for drinks for, like, an hour while he waited for his little buddies to go out.
Then he’d text you, drunk and horny, and you’d just…
let him in.” Sarah’s words walked a fine line between wanting to make Claire remember and not wanting to cause her pain.
“I mean…that’s normal. We were in college. It was new. And we were together for seven years after all that, so…” Claire mumbled, her voice cracking with sadness and shame.
“Yes, normal. But you built the foundation of your relationship, and your feelings for him, on much less true, meaningful time than you’ve spent with this guy…. What’s his name, again?” Sarah asked.
“Arik,” Claire replied as warmth flooded her chest. A warmth I could feel from the painful distance that separated us.
I love it when my name crosses your lips.
“You’re crazy, you know. Both of you are insane,” Claire muttered.
Sarah laughed in response. I could hear her car door closing as it came through the speaker. “Oh yes, insane, obviously. Just enjoy your time, and I guess when you come back home, I’ll get to meet your Italian mobster boyfriend.”
“He’s not a mobster!” Claire laughed.
“Yeah, yeah, okay. Well, just don’t get murdered,” Sarah replied sarcastically.
“Oh, I’m not planning on it.” Claire laughed. “Tell the kids I said hi!”
“Will do. Kisses!” Sarah replied warmly before the call ended.
I could feel Claire’s mind racing as emotions crashed through her in overwhelming waves until the space cleared with the sweet serenity of slumber.
Sleep, love. I’ll be here when you wake.