He didn’t glance up as we spoke. It had become common enough, talking to him while he stared at a phone, but it didn’t get easier. Each time, I felt a little more rejected and wondered if I truly was boring.
I didn’t get out much anymore since he always wanted me to stay home to be safe. I didn’t have any hobbies besides painting and looking at art. I didn’t have a job, and as much as I wanted one from my dad, I wasn’t getting one, apparently. And there really was only so much I could do from the confines of this house. I stayed around to help with anything he needed, but he seemed to need less and less from me.
Maybe I had become dull.
“Alright.” I jumped up, giving him a quick hug before heading to the door. “I guess I’ll see you then.”
I needed to get out and stop the spiral of doom I seemed to be headed down.
This meant another weekend basically alone in this giant house, since he would stick to his side. Nothing seemed wrong with our house, except its enormous size, and when you spend days alone inside, you start to get a little paranoid.
So on the list of getting to know me, I could add dullandparanoid. I rolled my eyes as I headed down the sidewalk. I really sounded like a great time.
It’s my life, though, and I could have worse problems.
At least for now, I would get out of the house, and hopefully not be alone all night.
I always loved going to a new art exhibit.
What I quickly realized I didn’t love, though, was going with Elliot.
I turned to the next painting, looking over the dark black splashed against the blue paint. It took me three steps back before I realized the artist had meant it to be an eye. The bright blue of it took my breath away.
“How much longer are we looking at this one?” Elliot asked.
“I just stepped in front of it,” I said, attempting a small laugh.
He nearly stomped his feet, so I moved on to the next. Swirls of black, red, and yellow made up one bright night sky on fire. At least when my life didn’t give me much to feel about it, art did.
“Come on,” he said, nuzzling into my neck. “We can go find so many other things to be doing. Very fun, very entertaining things.”
As soon as he said it, I knew it wouldn’t stop. Anything I said would be met with some sort of sex-related joke until I gave in. It’s not like I didn’t like Elliot at all. He was fine, but something about the way he went about initiating sex always turned me off.
We moved around the next aisle of paintings, and he pulled at my arm. “Regan,” he said, nodding towards the door.
“You know what? I do have to get home,” I said, smiling. “We should go.”
Of course, I didn’t have to get home. Nothing waited there for me, but there wasn’t a chance of me wanting to stay here any longer with him.
Elliot eagerly nodded and headed for our coats. I pulled out my phone to text Harper. My best friend knew me well enoughto know I would be texting her during my date at some point. I might as well start early.
Regan
Busy later?
Harper
Unfortunately. A by-product of divorce is being fought over. Which honestly should be flattering, but it’s getting old.
Aren’t you with Elliot tonight?
Regan
I am, and I’m ready to head home. I want a movie, my bed, and a chocolate chip cookie.
Harper
You do understand you could get those things and sit in bed with Elliot?
