“Is that a technical term? LikeThe Bridge?”
“Hey now.”
“Sorry. There’s a bug up my ass.”
“You can have tomorrow. It’s no big deal,” George answered. “Glad you two are all right. Have fun swimming.”
“Thank you.”
“Good night, Gideon.”
“Night.” I hung up and walked back into the living room as Silas turned the television on. I plopped down and leaned over, putting my head on his chest and wrapping an arm around him. Ben put his chin on Silas’s leg and looked at me before eyeing the food just out of reach.
“One bad date isn’t the end of the world,” Silas said.
“I know.”
“Tomorrow is another day.”
He was right. Besides the wine stain and a really shitty night for the owner of the restaurant, everything was okay. I took a deep breath and chased away the negative thoughts. I was comfortable and a little sleepy, and eventually passed out to Silas silently flipping through sports channels and occasionally grumbling at scores.
THE NEXTmorning at Silas’s was much like the first, and to be honest, it was a routine I could see myself becoming very comfortable with. An early walk together with Ben, showers, sharing breakfast, and then heading out for the day. Except not to work on this Saturday.
“I vaguely remember driving through here,” I said, looking out the passenger window at the towering mountains on either side of the car. “Franconia Notch is what it’s called, right?”
“Just the Notch works.”
“You folks simplify everything.”
Silas shrugged. “Only one notch. No need to specify.”
“I bet this road is a bitch in the snow,” I said thoughtfully.
“Ever driven in snow?”
“No.”
Silas chuckled.
“What? You don’t think I can?”
“I think you can do anything.” Silas pointed at a mountain. “That’s where the Old Man used to be.”
“Whose old man?”
“It was a rock formation.”
“Is that why all the state signs here have a face on them?”
Silas nodded.
“Did it fall down?”
“Yeah. Shame.”
“Now all New Hampshire has is Fluffernutter sandwiches,” I teased.
“Those originated in Massachusetts.Technically.” He glanced at me and smiled before reaching out to pat my thigh.
