I was slightly surprised. It was not the question I was expecting, but I knew it was probably next. “It helps with spasticity. With my disability, I have a tendency to spasm a lot and the medicine helps me not to as much, but I'm in the process of getting off of it.”
“Why do you want to stop taking it if it helps?”
“That’s the thing, I've been taking it so long that I don't think it's working anymore.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
“But it’s one of those medicines that you can’t stop abruptly unless you want to play Russian roulette with the side effects. And with my track record, I’ll pass.” I let out a small laugh, and so did he.
He asked, “I hope you don't mind me asking, but what do you have... I mean your disability?”
Yep, there it is. I smiled. “I don't mind at all. I have Cerebral Palsy, better known as CP.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I’m pretty open about it, so don’t hesitate or worry about asking any questions about it.”
“Okay. I just didn't know how you felt about wanting people to know.”
“Oh, don't worry about it, I completely understand. Almost everyone I meet is afraid to ask me about it because they're afraid I'll get upset, so you're not the only one.” My lips turned up, then I continued. “The way I look at it, is I was born this way, so I don't know any different. However, if I was born normal, I might feel differently, but since I wasn't, I don't mind telling people pretty much anything they want to know.”
“That’s a positive way of looking at it.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I try. There are definitely bad days, but the good, or at least functional, outweigh them.”
A moment later, Steve asked, “Do you want to come in the kitchen?” “That way I can watch the food and we can still talk.”
“Sure.”
“Okay, great. I'll take that for you.” He reached for my glass.
“Thanks. Can I help with anything?” I asked, as I followed him into the kitchen.
“If you want, you can grab the plates and silverware on the island,” he answered, as he set my glass down on the table.
“Okay.”
“I’m just gonna check on the chicken again. Be right back,” he said as he went out the sliding glass door to the balcony.
“Okay.” I went and grabbed the plates and silverware and brought them over to the table. After I set them, I took a drink of my Pepsi and waited for Steve to come back in.
A few minutes later, he returned with a plate of chicken. “It's ready,” he commented, walking through the doorway.
“It smells really good.”
“I know,” he agreed, shutting the door with his right hand.
Walking over to the table and setting the plate down, he said, “Be careful, it’s really hot.” He set the tongs he’d used on the counter by the sink and grabbed the side dishes off the island before sitting down at the table next to me.
“So, what year are you?” Steve asked.
I filled my plate with food as I answered, “I'm a sophomore.”
“What are you studying?”
“English. How about you?”
“Well, I'm a first-year grad student at the University of Indianapolis for physical therapy,” he replied, filling his plate as well.
“Oh, wow. What made you want to be a physical therapist?”
“Well, back in high school I broke my leg playing football and I had to have surgery. So I just want to help others. What about you? Why did you choose English?” he asked, before taking a bite of food.
“Well, back in high school it was my favorite subject. Plus, I like to write.”
“So, do you know what you want to do?”
“Not yet.”
“Well that's okay, you still have time.”
“This is really good,” I said, with a smile, after swallowing a bite of chicken.
Steve grinned at the compliment.
“So, what do you usually do for Christmas and New Year's?” I asked, before taking another bite of food.
“Usually I go to church with my family, then we go to my Grandma and Grandpa Jones's, in Carmel, for dinner and to open gifts. On Christmas morning, we get up about seven, open gifts, and have breakfast before going to my Grandma and Grandpa Thompson’s, in Riley, for lunch around two. On New Year's Eve, my parents usually have somewhat of a big party.” He took a drink of his Coke and then asked, “What about you?”
Taking a drink I told him, “Well, last Saturday, we had Christmas with my stepdad, Matt's, side of the family. Then, on Christmas we're going to Terre Haute and having Christmas with my mom's side. I would normally go see my dad while we’re in town, but he won't be back from Vegas until later that night. He goes there several times a year for work. So I'll probably get his gift when my brother, Morgan, my nephew, Sam, and my sister, Leigh, come for our family Christmas the day after. That’ll be a little different this year, with a few people missing.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, Leigh’s husband, Charlie, is on his second tour overseas and her stepson, Aaron, is in Spain until May. And Alli, Sam’s mom, and my brother split a few months ago. She’s really sweet and they are still good friends. They share custody of Sam.”
When we finished dinner, we moved back into the living room. I drove my chair up to the couch and transferred myself out of my chair and onto the soft blue leather. We continued talking about everything from our families, to when we were kids, to high school, to now. He told me some stories from when he was younger that made me just crack up laughing. We were so engrossed in each other's conversation that we didn’t realize it was almost midnight. Suddenly, I heard the clock at the end of the hall, and I looked at my watch.
“Oh wow... it's almost midnight.”
“Really?” Steve asked, surprised.
“Yeah,” I said, just as surprised.
“It doesn't seem like that late.”
“I know. And I really don't want to, but I have to get goin’. With tomorrow being not only Sunday, but Christmas Eve, I’ve got to get up and go to church in the morning,” I said, a few seconds later, as I put my glass on the coffee table.
“Okay.”
“If it was any other Sunday, I wouldn't worry about it, but I think my sister, my brother, and my nephew are all going.”
“Oh, don't worry about it... I completely understand.”
“Okay, good. I just didn't want you to think I was just trying to leave.”
“Oh, no... you're fine. Be right back.”
“Okay.”
As Steve went down the hall, I transferred myself from the couch back into my chair. As I adjusted myself, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a long black box on the table. I looked up to see if he was coming, then leaned forward, picking the box up from the table, and opened it. Inside was what looked to be a very expensive two-tone watch. It was silver with gold trim between each link and had a white face with gold numbers and hands. Next to the three was a small box for the date, but I noticed that the date was wrong.
As I continued to look at it, I suddenly heard, “Nice isn't it?”
At the question, I froze with the box still open in my hand, not knowing what to say or do. I looked up and saw Steve holding my jacket.
“Yes, it is,” I answered, after a minute or so, closing the box and putting it back on the table. He handed me my coat. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. It was a birthday gift from my dad,” he said, as I put on my jacket.
“Really?” I smiled.
“Yeah, but it stopped working about a month ago and I don't know why.”
“Really?” I asked, curiously.
“Yeah. But I do know it's not the battery because I’ve only had the watch for a few months. I’ve been meaning to take it in, but I haven't had time with finals and everything.”
“That's completely understandable.”
&nbs
p; “Got everything?” he asked, as we started toward the door.
“I think so,” I replied, sticking my right hand in my pocket to grab my keys. I moved my hand around in the pocket searching for them, but they weren’t there, so I checked my left pocket and they weren’t there either.
“Actually… I take it back,” I finally said. “I can't find my keys. I had them in my pocket and they're not in either one. I checked.”
“Are you sure they were in your pocket?”
“Yeah... pretty sure.”
“Okay... maybe they fell out. I'll go look in the closet and you can look around here.”
“Okay.”
As he went down the hall, I hurried up and took the watch and small receipt out of the box, then closed it and put it back on the table. I quickly opened my purse and put the watch and receipt in it before taking out my keys.
“Found ‘em,” I hollered, slightly, after closing my purse.
A few seconds later, Steve walked back into the living room.
“I found ‘em.” I smiled.
“Where were they?”
“In my purse. I remembered I put them there so I wouldn't lose them or forget where they were. Go figure.”
He chuckled at my eyeroll as we headed toward the door.
“I'll walk out with you,” he said, putting on his coat. “Let me just grab my keys so I can get back in.”
“Okay.”
He went into the kitchen, grabbed his keys off the counter, opened the door, and we both went out before he shut it behind us.
“Shouldn't you have locked your door?” I asked, while we waited for the elevator.
“I did on our way out.”
“Oh, okay.”
Just then the elevator opened, we got on and Steve pushed the button.
“Would you like to go to my parents’ party next Sunday?” he asked, as we rode down.
I would’ve loved nothing more than to say “yes”, but instead I looked at him regretfully and replied, “I’d love to, but I can't... I'm sorry.”
“Oh, okay.”
I smiled to myself at his response. Despite him being casual about it, I noticed his disappointment.
“I'm getting my wisdom teeth taken out on Friday. Believe me, I'd much rather be at your parents’ party.”
“Oh,” he said, as though he was surprised by what I said.
We got off the elevator and went out the front door. When we reached my truck, he said, “Hey.”
I turned to face him. He leaned down, tilted my chin up a little with his finger, and leaning in, he kissed me. At that moment, I felt my entire body start to tingle, but go limp, at the same time and I didn’t want it to end.
As our lips parted, I gravitated toward him.
“Sorry about in the elevator,” he whispered.
As he backed away, I felt my head slowly drop and my eyes open. I still felt numb as he opened my door and brought down the lift so I could get on it.
“I'll call you this week, okay?” he said, when I was safely in the truck.
I just nodded, still unable to speak.
He smiled and shut the door.
I lethargically turned on the truck and headed back to Jo’s and went straight to bed.
Chapter 5
The next morning, I stirred at the sound of my phone alarm going off. I blindly opened my phone and shut it off, then just laid there. I didn’t want to get up.
After a moment, I rolled to my back and finally opened my eyes. Squinting, I tried to focus to see the time. “7:00 a.m.” I sighed internally. I needed to get up if I was going to have time to eat breakfast at home before church.
With a sigh, I tossed my phone on the bedside table, then threw the covers back. Once I transferred into my chair, I put my hair up in a messy bun. I wiped my glasses off enough to see. With them on, I headed down the hall for some much needed coffee.
Making it to the kitchen, I saw Jo drinking a glass of orange juice.
“Mornin’,” she said, with a grin. She got up from the table to get me a cup of coffee.
I gave her a tired smile and scooted up to the table next to her chair.
“What do you want in it?” she asked, pouring the coffee.
“Splenda and some creamer, if you've got it.”
“French vanilla okay?” she asked me, after she opened the refrigerator.
“Yeah,” I replied, rubbing my eyes.
After pouring some creamer in my coffee, Jo put it back in the refrigerator. She grabbed a few Splenda packets and a straw before making her way over to the table. Sitting down next to me, she set my coffee and the packets on the table. Holding up the packets, she wordlessly asked me how many I wanted in my coffee.
“Two please.”
After adding the Splenda, she put the straw in the cup, then set my coffee in front of me.
“Thanks.” I blew into the cup before taking a sip.
Her lips turned up as she replied, “You’re welcome.”
“Is Jayce still in bed?” I asked, as I casually stirred my coffee with the straw.
“No. He went to the store because we ran out of milk and eggs.”
“Ah.”
We sat in companionable silence as I continued to sip my coffee.
“So, how’d it go last night?” Jo asked after a few minutes.
My lips started to curve up around the straw at her question. Taking another sip, I looked at her with a grin. “Pretty well.”
“What happened?”
I told her all about the Christmas decorations and how awesome everything looked all decked out for the season.
Jo nodded as she finished off her orange juice. “Hold that thought.” She got up and set her glass on the counter. “I've gotta go to the bathroom. Be right back.”
“Okay.” I chuckled.
A few minutes later, she returned. “Just let me get some more orange juice,” she said, opening the refrigerator.
At her words, I blinked a few times, having zoned out. “Okay.” I started stirring the straw in my coffee again.
“Okay, continue,” she encouraged me as she sat back down, taking a drink.
“Where was I again?”
“Christmas decorations.”
“Oh yeah.” I gathered my thoughts and continued, “So there I was looking at all the decorations when Steve greeted me. When I looked at him, it's like the earth stopped. He is so cute. After a second, I realized there was something different about him and I couldn't figure it out.”
“Why?”
“Because he shaved off his facial hair and it was so subtle it took me a few minutes to figure it out.”
“What? Why did he shave it off?”
“Because apparently he ‘needed a change’.”
Jo laughed and almost choked on her juice. “You and I both know the real reason why he ‘needed a change’,” she replied, after clearing her throat.
“I know, but it actually worked. He's cuter without it.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“I didn't know that was possible.” Her lips quirked up.
Hearing that, I choked a little on my coffee.
“What?” she asked, somewhat innocently.
I put my coffee cup down and laughed under my breath.
“What?” she asked again, seriously.
“Nothin’,” I answered, picking up my cup again and taking another drink, trying not to laugh.
“Just because I'm married and going to have a baby, doesn't mean I can't look.”
“It's not that,” I said, putting my cup on the table.
“What is it then?”
“I just didn't think you went for guys who don't look like Paul Bunyan and dress like him, most of the time.” I laughed.
Jo put her glass down and picked up the towel on the table and playfully threw it at me, and I laughed even harder.
“Finish your
story.” She laughed, picking up her glass off the table.
“Okay, okay.”
I told her how much of a gentleman he was, taking my jacket and offering me a drink. I went into detail about his apartment, because it had impressed me. “It was one of the nicest ones I’ve ever seen.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Anyway, go on.”
I nodded. I explained about dinner and our conversation about the holidays. “He’s a really good cook.”
“Sounds like it.”
“Believe me, it was so good.”
“So, did anything happen after dinner?” Jo asked, still sipping her juice.
“Well, we didn't ‘make out’, if that's what you're asking.”
“No, that's not what I meant.”
“I know, I know. I'm just messing with you,” I teased. “After dinner, we went back into the living room and talked.”
“About what?”
“Family, school, you know, everyday life.”
“For how long?”
“About four hours,” I replied, grinning.
“What?” Jo asked, a little shocked. “I knew you came in late, but four hours!”
“Yep. The only reason we finally realized how late it had gotten was because the clock in the hall went off. If it wouldn't have, we would’ve still talked for another two hours, at least.”
“So what happened when you realized what time it was?”
“I told him I had to go because of church, and he walked me to my truck.”
“So, all in all it was a pretty good date?” she concluded.
“And the fact that he kissed me didn't make it too bad either,” I added, picking up my cup, and taking a drink.
Jo choked on her juice again. “What!”
“Yep.” I smirked.
“When?”
“When we were going out to my truck.”
“What happened?”
“Well, we were almost to my truck and he said ‘hey’, so I turned around, and before I could say anything, he leaned down and kissed me.”
“Wow.”
“I know.”
“What was it like?”
“It was like nothing I’ve ever felt before. My whole body tingled and went numb all at the same time. I have chills just thinking about it.” I looked down at my arm, my grin growing wider.
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