“What can I do for you Levi?” she asked after a brief silence. “I wanted to ask you something.”
“I was wondering if you would like to get out of the house for the afternoon and maybe get a bite to eat. Just us.”
I had no idea if she was going to say “yes” or not. With the track record we all had going, it wouldn’t shock me one bit if she hung up the phone and called it a damn day. I walked around the construction site I was at, keeping an eye on things and making sure things didn’t get out of control.
“Sure, that actually sounds nice. I’ve got a little bit of writer’s block going on and I could use the break. Who knows, maybe you’ll inspire me,” she laughed softly.
My heart leapt in my chest with the possibilities.
“Ok, do you want me to come pick you up?” I offered.
“Sure,” she answered.
“Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be there.”
I hung up the phone and raced across the construction site. I was ready to spend my lunch break with her. I’d missed our conversations and the easy times we used to be able to have together. It was fun to be around Sam. Always had been. And now, I had a chance to at establishing a bond with her that none of the other guys had.
I pulled up to her place, and she was standing on the porch. I was still shocked she’d agreed to go, and I watched her all the way to my car. She dipped into it with her cute little summer dress and her lace-up sandals. She turned to give me that dazzling smile, but I could tell she wasn’t feeling well again.
“If you want to order in, that’s ok.”
“Drive the damn car, Levi,” she said with a grin.
I turned up the music and slowly wove us through town. We talked about nothing in particular and it was wonderful. All of our conversations lately had been so heavy and exhausting. It was nice to just shoot the shit again an
d enjoy the day and one another’s company. It was refreshing and relaxing.
I pulled up in front of the restaurant and Sam smiled.
“Oh, I love this place,” Sam said. “I haven’t been here in forever.”
“Soup’s always good on a sick stomach,” I said. “And we can eat outside, so the smells from the kitchen won’t bother you.”
“That’s so considerate Levi, thank you,” she said.
“Hey, I’m not an asshole all of the time. I do have my redeeming moments you know,” I said.
I laughed as I got out of the car, and I offered her my arm. I escorted her inside before we quickly walked through to the back patio, and we put in our food orders. We settled in with our drinks and looked around before settling our eyes back on one another.
“I miss things like this,” Sam said.
“Then I’m glad I could get you out for a little while,” I said.
“I miss the times when things weren’t so damn complicated.”
My eyes watched as she gazed out over the bustling street.
“I miss being friends,” she said. “I miss not having to deal with complicated feelings.”
“It’s bullshit,” I said.
“It really is. Like, who the fuck said we had to have all of our ducks in a row all the time? And who said we had to deal with emotions? Can’t we stuff those down and deal with them when all the shit passes?”
“That’s how I do it. Is that not how everyone else does it?”
“No,” she said with a giggle. “No, it’s not.”
“Then I promise you this. No emotional shit. Not today.”