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“That’s all I ask.”
She hands the phone over to my brother, Charlie. He and I exchange holiday pleasantries then he gives the phone to my other brother Phil and we do the same.
When I hang up the phone I am alone in my penthouse.
Although I hate to admit it, Mom is a tiny bit right. I do feel lonely, and it doesn’t help that every time I am idle my mind is flooded with images of Paige.
I haven’t met anyone as intriguing as her, and it’s so refreshing. At this stage of life, I thought puppy love was a thing of the past. Apparently not. The only thing left is for cartoon hearts to dance around my head.
It doesn’t help that Paige is away for the holidays. She isn’t that far away. She’s only in Staten Island city for the next week or so. However, I miss her. I miss knowing that she is close by. That she is within reach.
I’ve never really been a Christmas/New Years kind of person. I would even say I’ve been indifferent to this festive period, but right now I downright hate it. I can’t wait until January 2nd when I know Paige will be back in town. I’m not sure when she’ll be back at work, but I think I’ll feel better knowing that she’s close.
I don’t exactly relish the idea of moping about my apartment all day. So I decide to go out.
Clark is justas pathetic as I am. It’s why we’ve been able to maintain a friendship all this while. Even though he’s tried really hard over the years, like me, he doesn’t have a family. He is still in town so I know he’s available.
I ask him to the golf club to play a couple rounds and he agrees.
We are on the 11th hole and I am distracted by a blade of grass which I have decided to attack with my shoes when Clark says, “What’s up with you lately?”
I look up. “Huh? Me?”
“No, Liza Minnelli. Of course you.” He laughs at his own joke.
I shake my head. “Nothing. Nothing’s up with me.”
“That’s a lie. Every time we’ve hung out recently it seems like you’re somewhere else. Like your mind is occupied with something more important.”
“Stop being dramatic.”
“I’m not being dramatic. There’s something going on with you. I noticed it a while ago. I didn’t say anything because I thought if you wanted to tell me, you would, but whatever it is seems to be lingering. So what’s going on?”
“I said nothing is going on,” I snap.
He sighs and secures a lock of his red hair behind his ear. “You might as well tell me because you know I’m going to hound you until you do.”
I look into his beaming face with irritation. How have we been friends for so long? The man is the personification of a golden retriever. He’s always happy and smiling, and always in my business.
However, he is right. He will pester me until I tell him.
I clear my throat. “Well, there’s someone I’m interested in.”
“You’re in love?” He claps hands.
“Can you please not squeal like a 10-year-old school girl? And no, I’m not in love. I just met someone recently and I can’t seem to stop thinkingabout her.”
“That’s a good thing. So why do you look like someone peed in your cereal this morning?”
“It’s complicated.”
“How so?”
“I don’t wanna get into it.”
“Travis…”
I sigh, close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “It’s Paige…”
