ISAAC
It feels like half a day has passed since I heard Blyss scream from the lobby.
There was no doubt who was in the building with me but why she was here was a different question.
I remember hearing that sound for the first time when we were fourteen.
Up to that point, I’d never heard such a visceral reaction by another person.
It was a sound usually reserved for animals in distress.
It was also the only time I felt like my realistic outlook on life was a load of crap.
I wanted to be hopeful for her. Tell her that everything was going to be okay.
But, the reality was we were in a tin can on the highway with a storm rolling across the plains.
Every sound in that bus was amplified and watching Blyss breakdown was something I never forgot.
It was also the last time she took the bus.
“What are you doing?”
Her voice is quiet but I can tell she’s less anxious than when I set her in that chair. Standing from behind my desk, my eyes catch hers. The usually bright happiness that shines is dimmed. I hate it.
“Looking for Cherry’s boyfriend. He’s about as fond of these storms as you two ladies.”
Blyss stands quickly, the blanket on her shoulders falls and puddles in the chair. “Oh no. We need to find him. Poor guy.”
“You need to stay here. I’ll look for him.”
Her eyes narrow and one hand grips her hip. I know my mistake before the words and fully registered.
“Don’t you tell me what I need to do Isaac Langdon. I hate that and you darn well know it. That poor baby is scared out there. My heart may be racing like it’s vying for the win at the Kentucky Derby but I will not just sit here while Ponyboy is out there alone. Isn’t that right Cherry?”
“I wasn’t telling you what you need to do.
I was trying to think of what you need. It’s louder outside of this office.
Why don’t you and Cherry stay here and I’ll go searching?
He tends to hunker down under the large table in resources anyway.
Something about the maps and atlas section he finds comforting. ”
“But—”
I lift my hand to stop her. Slowly I step toward her and exhale, pulling my patience to the surface.
I know Blyss needs me to be calm and not a dick.
Although, I want to tell her that if she looked at things realistically instead of assuming everything will be okay all the time, she would have seen the weather was in fact turning.
Not that I’m any better, but I work for the county and can’t just shut down a public building on the off chance our weather girl is right.
“Just hang out here in case he comes back. That way you can hold on to him. I’ll be quick. The lantern has new batteries so the room will stay lit. I put your purse on the desk if you want your phone for music or anything.”
Blyss nods and I escape the space, on the hunt for my own damn cat.
He roams these rows like he owns them most days, but at the first sign of thunder, he finds the smallest nook to hunker down.
We’ve done this song and dance before so I’m hoping he’ll do as I expect and settle in the cubby of the pedestal table in resources.
The last time he was there it took me an hour to find him.
From the sounds coming through the skylight above, the intensity of the storm has lessened, but the rain continues to pelt the building.
Using the flashlight of my phone is going to drain the battery, but I don’t need the radar to know we’ll be stuck here for a few more hours.
What was Blyss even doing here today? She knows we’ll accept any delivery orders when her shop is closed.
While the postal service is known for their saying, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," I doubt even John Michael is out in this weather.
“Pony?” I whisper so not to startle him. I cluck my tongue and make a few kissing sounds to draw him out. When he doesn’t, I drop to my knees and crawl toward the cubby. “Pony are you there?”
Nothing but an empty space looks back at me when I reach the opening.
That’s surprising, but then again, par for the course with this day.
I stand and venture out into the rows of books to find him.
When I make it to the young adult section, I pause to listen for any sign of him.
Instead of his purr, I can hear Blyss singing from my office.
Her voice is beautiful, and I’m still shocked she never pursued music even if only to teach others how to perfect their craft.
A giggle between verses of “Wide Open Spaces” draws me in the direction of my office. I stop in the doorway and watch as Ponyboy and Cherry roll around on the floor together. Damn cat. Blyss looks up at me, the lyrics fading as her lips curve into a smile.
“Don’t be grumpy. He just got here.”
“You could’ve told me. I was out there crawling on the floor.”
“Did you hear that Pony? Your daddy was out there crawling on the floor! The blasphemy. Calm down Dr. Doom, I was going to tell you but then I remembered I need to stay here.”
I’m not ashamed to say a growl rolls freely from my lips as I tap the flashlight icon on my phone and toss it on the desk.
Sliding down the wall, I settle in beside Blyss and watch our fur children play and wrestle with not a care in the world.
The world could be flooding outside. My parents’ roof is likely leaking in that spot in the hallway, and I’ll need to argue with my dad again that he needs to hire a professional for repairs this time.
“Dr. Doom, huh? Been a long time since I’ve heard that.”
“If the shoe fits. Thanks for calming me down. But you are still pretty doomsday looking.”
I run a hand down my face and sigh. “I had to submit my budget to the finance committee today, the power is out, I know there’s going to be a mess at my parents’ house, and you had a panic attack in the lobby. Pretty sure it’s not doomsday looking; it’s reality.”
“Isaac, for someone whose name is associated with laughter, you sure can look at the negative side of things. Lighten up.”
She nudges my arm with hers and I grunt. Not because it hurt but because this is the same thing she’s said to me our entire lives.
“Not all of us live up to our namesake, Blyss.”
“Well, you could try the power of positive thinking. Lets go through your list of negativity, shall we? You completed your budget, which is actually part of your job, so you really have nobody to blame but yourself for that situation. But, you can also hold hope that the committee will see the importance of your requests and grant you the funds.”
I open my mouth to speak but her finger presses to my lips as she shifts to face me.
Her smile is bright and her beauty shines through.
Her name isn’t just a way to identify her, it’s also who she is.
Pure sunshine. Beautiful. Staying quiet I wait for her to continue, enjoying the feeling of her touch.
“As I was saying, yes the power is out and there’s an awful storm.
My heart is still racing but we’re together.
And safe. We’re safe, Isaac. I know that even if my mind still wants to panic.
You are keeping me safe. Us safe. So what if your parents’ house has a mess.
Half the town is going to be littered with branches and debris.
It’s a storm, Isaac. Nature. After it passes, the grass will be so vibrantly green it’ll take our breath away.
The flowers will bloom and the days will be longer. ”
“Don’t you get tired?” I ask.
Blyss turns her head like she’s trying to figure me out. “What do you mean?”
Taking her hand in mine, I trace the outline of her fingers one by one. She watches the movement at first but then lifts her gaze to mine again.
“Being positive. Always seeing the good in everything. What if things go wrong? It’s always been something that I’ve both admired and found annoying about you.”
She slaps me playfully before resting her cheek to my shoulder.
“It isn’t exhausting to believe, Isaac. It’s the opposite, actually.
I find it exhausting to wait for the worst case scenario.
This morning, sitting at the breakfast bar I saw all of the good in the world.
The sun was shining in front of me. Everything I’d ever wanted was there in my hands and I wanted to share it with the world.
To give hope and happiness to others. Why is that so hard to believe? ”
I know there is no response needed. It isn’t what she wants or even cares to receive.
Why is it hard? Because what happens when we’re disappointed.
If something happens. The reality is, sometimes it is easier to accept the bad when it isn’t a surprise.
Maybe that is cynicism like she’s always said, and maybe for her, I could try something different.
Hours pass, and at some point, we both fell asleep.
Unlike our cats who are nestled in Ponyboy’s bed, we’re propped against the wall.
The sounds of the printer turning back on and the music piping through the speakers jolts us both awake.
Groans rise from both of us, waking the cats.
Neither seem happy with us and I can’t blame them.
If I were on a comfortable bed I’d be a lot happier than I feel now with a crink in my neck and a numb pair of legs.
Slowly, we shake out our sleepiness and stand. While Blyss sluggishly moves about the room, I make my way out to the lobby and take in the scene before me. More branches have fallen and there is debris scattered across the parking lot.
Cautiously, I step outside, the rain is no longer falling and the first signs of the sun are peeking through the clouds.
I walk around the building, assessing any potential damage.
By the time I make my way back to the front, Blyss is standing in the parking lot, her head tilted back with a smile on her face.
When I stand beside her, my own chin raised her hand slips into mine.
“How’s the building?” She asks.
I turn to face her, tugging her towards me. Blyss wraps her arms around my neck, her fingers playing with the hair above my collar.
“No damage. I’m sorry I was such a grump.”
Her left brow lifts and I chuckle as I lean forward capturing her lips with mine. It isn’t a kiss that will start any gossip, but enough to convey my love for her.
“I’m sorry I was such a grump this morning and during the storm. I just worry and don’t want to jinx anything. You know the recommendation is to wait twelve weeks.”
“Isaac, my amazing husband and soon to be baby daddy, can’t you join me on the bright side of things?
I want to tell the world about this life we’ve created.
It’s scary. I’m freaking out because what do I know about being a mom?
Your apprehension and concern for me—for us.
It’s one of the things I love most about you. What I’ve always loved about you.”
It’s my turn to give her a look that demands clarification. “Fine, I didn’t always love it. You were really annoying in middle school.”
I laugh and cup the back of her head, pulling her mouth to mine once more.
Savoring in the way our bodies melt into one another.
After all these years together, loving each other through our teen years and beyond, I will never tire of this woman.
People have always said we were the true depiction of opposites attract, and I don’t doubt they’re right.
Blyss sees so much good in the world, and I tend to lean toward the potential downside of the big things. It’s all about balance is what we say. But, what we’ll always agree on is how much we love one another.
Pulling back from our kiss, I ask, “If I concede and agree to share the news with our families now instead of the usual three month mark, do you agree to at least considering my baby names?”
My wife scoffs and smacks my chest. “We are not naming our child after The Outsiders . The fur babies are one thing but I draw the line there.”
“But literary names are still on the table, right?”
Blyss smiles. “Honey, you’re a librarian and I’m a romance bookstore owner. It’d be a travesty if they weren’t. Now, take me home so we can call our folks.”
I vowed to love and cherish this woman for the rest of my life and that’s exactly what I’ll do. All while I try to convince her that Sodapop is a reasonable name for a boy.
Andrea Johnston is a hopeful romantic and avid reader.
Known for her slow burn small town romances she considers it a win when the reader laughs, swoons, and sheds at least one tear.
Each story is crafted to feature relatable characters that the reader cheers for and secondary characters who bring the sass and laughs.