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“Have a seat while I hook this thing up,” he said, pointing to the couch when they were out in the living room again.
It didn’t take long before the TV was functioning. They cuddled on the couch under a blanket his grandmother had crocheted.
“I have one of these, too,” Geri said, laughing. “Everyone has an ugly green zigzag-patterned afghan on their couch.”
He held it up, his face screwed up. “You think it’s ugly?”
“I hurt your feelings,” she said, trying to stifle laughter.
“I’ll get rid of it.”
She pulled it away from him, cuddling under it. “You will not. It’s warm and I’m freezing.”
“The game’s starting,” he said, pulling her on his lap. “We timed that perfectly.”
Then they discovered they were rooting for opposing teams. The next hour and a half was spent shouting at the television and alternately getting up for beer or a snack.
Jake’s team won in the end, and Geri was just glad it was over. Running the channels, she foundBack to the Future, so they watched that lying on opposite ends of the couch, playing footsies and falling asleep. It was dark out when Jake’s phone beeped, waking them up, another movie halfway through.
Getting up to use the bathroom, Geri heard Jake making excuses to Roberta.
“We’ve been working on the apartment,” he lied. “Sorry I forgot to call.”
When she came out, he was lying back down.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, she just wanted to know if they should wait dinner for us. You heard what I said. I’m ready to stay in for the evening unless you want to do something.”
“No, I’m doing what I want to do,” she said, getting back on the couch. “I feel like a dud.”
“You’re a fine dud. Sundays are for rest.” He surrounded her feet with his again. “Your feet are cold. Do you want socks?”
“Yes, please,” she said. “I’ll get them.”
“Stay put. I’ll have to dig through a trash bag to find a pair.”
She didn’t tell him not to on her account. While he was rummaging for socks, she wondered how she’d find the energy to leave. The couch was so comfortable; she was so comfortable on it with Jake. Maybe she’d better get motivated.
“Jake, stop looking. I’d better get home.”
“Why?” he asked, walking out into the living room, holding up mismatched socks. “I found my favorite pair for you.”
“I’m so comfortable that it’s going to be really hard to get up off this couch and leave tonight. So I’d better do it now while I have the energy.”
“Just stay here,” he said.
“No. I don’t have my toothbrush and clean clothes to sleep in. I have to go home.”
“Can I come to your place, then? I’m not ready to call it a night.”
“You want to spend the evening with me again?” she said.
“I want to sleep on your couch,” he said. “Is that okay?”
Having to let that sink in, it appeared they didn’t want to be apart, that it would take effort to continue to live separate lives. What was the best thing to do?
“Yes, it’s okay. Tomorrow night we’ll have to stay in our own places so we can get to work the next morning, and then we’ll be together for three days.”
