Chapter Six
Mia and Aurelio had stayed up much later than she thought either of them had intended. They both had skirted around questions about their past, choosing to discuss their hopes for a future. One that looked as if it could include one another. She told him about work, not mentioning the name of the diner, just saying it was close to school. She told him about her degree, and how close she was to finally being done for good. He told her about the shop, how he owned it outright and employed a few dozen people. He had laughed when she asked if being a mechanic was what he had always wanted to be. The hours had passed easily, the conversation bouncing between them. When the clock had told her it was almost 4 in the morning, she had begrudgingly hung up. Aurelio made her promise to call when she could. She had smiled as they argued about who would hang up first before she finally clicked the phone off and went to bed with the largest smile she had worn in a long time.
Days of texting and phone calls went by, Mia and Aurelio getting to know each other better and better. They both took turns, sharing little silly details about one another. Some how they began to discuss scars, Aurelio telling Mia there was no way her’s were worse then his. She protested, telling him about breaking her arm when she was 6 and how the line from where the bone had broken skin was still discolored. He had laughed, deep and robust as she had sat in silent grumpiness. After a moment her anger dissipated, rolling her eyes at her eagerness to have more blemish’s.
“Trust me beautiful, I bet your skin is perfect.” His deep voice brought a blush to her cheek. He had a way of causing her to tremble in all the best ways. She was ashamed to admit of how often she let her thoughts wander to him and his hands. The photos they had shared had remained pg 13, just a little bit of skin from either side. But the photos Mia had taken that first day sat in a folder marked maybe.
“You have a way with words, sir.” Mia said, her hands gripping the remote tightly. She heard the deep rumble of a laugh from him and closed her eyes. She pictured him as he spoke.
“I like talking to you, Mia.” His tone was quiet. “More then I should admit right now.” It had been barely a week and both were feeling this intense draw to one another.
“I was wondering.” His tone shifted slightly, Mia opening her eyes.
“Yes?” she prompted.
“Well, I was wondering if maybe we could try that date idea.” Their was a hint of trepidation in his tone. Mia cast her eyes about the room, the walls around her growing as she took in a deep breath. She breathed in the familiar scent of her home and calmed herself.
“Well.” She stood, the need to move to great with the weight if the words. “I mean.” She was stammering, stalling. She walked towards the kitchen, her eyes catching sight of ther door. The photos and memories pinned there drew her in. she caressed the photo of her brothers at the cemetery and far pitted in her stomach.
“I just don’t think we are there yet.” She said, clenching a fistful of her shirt by her stomach. Aurelio breathed out slowly. His disappointment seeming to come across through the phone and into the air before her. She could almost see the cloud of it hovering before her.
“I really like y, uh, talking with you.” She pushed out the words, filling the growing space. “This has been so wonderful, really.” She knew she was growing desperate for him to say something.
“Its okay, Mia.” He said, a coolness in his tone. “I understand.” Quiet began to grow again. Mia wanted to punch the awkwardness away.
“Aurelio,” she began but he cut her off.
“Its okay beautiful.” His voice returned to normal. “If your not ready. I wont push it. I just hope you get there.” It was like he was asking for a promise, but not with words. She felt the want, the need for her to respond.
“I will.” She said, and in her bones she knew she would.