Page 260 of Devil’s Disciples

“Fall asleep out here. I bet I’d feel refreshed in the morning.”

“We can tonight, if you want.”

I closed my eyes and listened to the waves washing ashore. “Let’s do it.”

I found myself doing things with Abby I never would have dreamed of before we met. I wondered how much of the differences I saw in myself were a result of being with her, and how much was driven by knowing my future was uncertain. That my time on earth was very likely limited to a much shorter timespan than most men my age.

It seemed I was willing to be far more accepting of life since I met her. I’d never describe myself as an angry man, but my life had become a pool of serenity since meeting Abby. Pinpointing what caused the change in me was impossible, so I simply accepted the changes as simply being part of what one received from a relationship.

“You know what?” I opened my eyes and turned to face her. “I like this.”

“What?” She asked. “Sitting out here waiting for the sun to set?”

“No, being in a relationship.”

She looked at me and lifted her glasses, revealing her majestic blue eyes. “Me, too.”

After a lingering glance, she smiled. I liked it when she smiled. It let me know she was pleased with life or with me. I liked thinking it was a little of both. Eventually, she turned to face the horizon. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as she brushed her hair behind her ear and did the nose scratching thing.

“What do you like about it the most?” she asked.

“About what?”

“Our relationship, silly.”

“Just one thing?” I asked. “or do you want me to give you a list?”

“Let’s stick with one. The best one.”

“Waking up next to you,” I said. “Same question to you.”

With her eyes fixed straight ahead, she responded. “Being appreciated. And waking up in your arms.”

I glared at her. “You said one answer. That’s not fair.”

She glanced at me and lifted her glasses. “Women can’t give one answer to a question like that. It’s impossible.”

“Fine. I’ll give another, then.”

With her glasses held against her forehead, she fixed her eyes on mine. “Okay.”

I thought about it for a moment. Explaining what I felt in Abby’s presence was impossible. When I was with her an inner sense of balance enveloped me, leaving me feeling as if I was acting in harmony with her. It was as if we were one being.

Explaining that and not seeming like a complete idiot would be impossible. I opted to keep it simple. “I like how you make me feel.”

“How do I make you feel?” she asked. “Explain it to me.”

I should have seen it coming. Beating around the bush with Abby didn’t work well. After another moment’s thought, I sighed. “I can’t.”

“Well, that’s dumb.”

I didn’t like that I couldn’t explain to her how she made me feel. I shifted my eyes to the setting sun, and then back to her. “Stand up.”

“Huh?”

I stood. “Stand up.”

She did as I asked. I draped my arms over her shoulders, looked her in the eyes, and then kissed her.