Chapter 26 Jimmy
Jimmy
Every minute of the day that I spend away from her, I spend wishing I were with her.
Being at work made me think of her. Being at home made me want to be at work, able to think about her in peace.
So, I work on-site as much as I can. It makes the time pass faster because things at home aren’t great anyway.
Becca and I have not been getting along.
It isn’t the first time we’ve gone through a phase like this, but it is the first time I’ve had something else that made me happy, something to escape to.
Becca’s mood will eventually pass, but mine? I don’t know this time.
It’s a good thing that Autumn’s hospital is more than five minutes away, or I’d be there every day. I just need her close to me at all times. My life now revolves around her.
I wish we could have more. We’ve spent the summer confined within a car or the same four ugly walls. I want to be able to enjoy the rest of August with her, and every month after that.
But how do I get us there? Do I just end things with Becca now since we barely speak anyway? But what will that look like? Will I move out? Will she leave? She would never leave that house.
Even then, where would that leave me and Autumn? I’m sure plenty of people would not be happy about it, and I wouldn’t want her to take all the blame. Would we keep it a secret a little bit longer? But then, how long?
It’s all too much. Every time I try to think about it, I resort to just enjoying where we are right now and checking when the next time I’m going to see her is. Carpe Diem, right?
The front door opens and shuts. Who is that? I walk down the hallway to see Becca in the living room. She’s not supposed to be home.
“Why are you still here?” she asks.
“Why are you here?” I rebuttal.
She looks surprised. “I forgot my laptop charger. Your turn.”
“I’m working late today.” I lie. “I have a meeting at 6:30 p.m.”
“On a Friday night?” her tone accusatory.
“Yes.”
“Lovely, so I take it you won’t be home for dinner?”
“No”
She rolls her eyes and laughs. “K. Thanks for letting me know. Have a great day.” Then she slams the door behind her.
I do have a meeting, but it doesn’t have anything to do with work.
I have a date. Autumn has the night off and suggested getting together for dinner instead of lunch.
It doesn’t make much of a difference, but if it makes her happy, I’ll agree.
I might actually sacrifice one of my limbs if it makes her smile.
Since she wants to switch it up, I’ll go with it.
I get to the room early and do a little rearranging.
This room actually has a table, and I put it in the middle of the room instead of up against the wall.
I lay the tablecloth across it, then place candles on top.
I hate that I can’t bring her on a real date, so I’ll just bring one to her.
The food is delivered right before she shows up, so it gives me time to lay out the finishing touches. The red tablecloth goes perfectly with the rose-scented candles, her favorite.
I know her knock when I hear it, so I answer the door without hesitation.
She looks flawless as usual, but I notice she has makeup on tonight, which is not usual.
As soon as the door is shut, she jumps into my arms. It’s only been twenty-four hours since I last felt her lips, but it feels like forever.
Her eyes grow as I lead her into view of our dinner. “You did all this?”
“Just for you,” I say as I pull her back into my arms.
We eat right away, while the food is still warm.
She tells me about her week and about one of her staff that gets on her nerves.
I love watching her talk. She is so expressive and animated; you could never be bored having a conversation with her.
She tells me about seeing her mom this morning and her new idea of getting a puppy because the house is just ‘so quiet.
' She wonders what she did for the last ten years to survive the quiet she keeps talking about.
Once our food is gone, we get comfortably undressed and climb into bed.
I hand her the remote, and she puts a movie on.
She lays her head on my chest and the rest of her against me, her right leg resting on mine.
We lay like this the entirety of the movie, although I don’t think she watches any of it.
Ten minutes into Captain Marvel, I hear her snore.
But I don’t care. I’ve debated the thought a few times, but these days may actually be my favorite.
The times when most of our clothes stay on, and we just enjoy each other’s company.
I relish the times I get to soak in the feeling of her body weight resting on mine, inhaling the smell of her hair with every breath.
I know I’ll regret not taking the rest of our clothes off when I don’t see her again for three days, but right now, in this moment, holding her while she sleeps feels like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.