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Wanting to get my car washed, I decided to grab a bite to eat while wrapping up a few other things on my list. As I grabbed the keys and went out front to jump in the car, I realized I hadn’t received a single call or text today. In shock, I checked my phone to make sure it wasn’t dead, silent, or worse, broken.
Fear caused my forehead to crease and the lines between my eyes to deepen as I caught a glance of myself in the rearview mirror. Laughing out loud,Wow, aren’t you special!You think you’re so important these days that you belong on Darvo Dr. with the rich and not-so-famous.It was an inside joke El and I had carried with us since we were in summer camp together in our third-grade year.
I figured I’d pick up a Publix sub while shopping and eat it after returning home, which would serve me for lunch and dinner. It was a beautiful, breezy afternoon. I rolled the window down and turned the music up as I coasted down the road to Publix.
Once inside, I strolled around the store after ordering the sub and collected items on my list. Knowing I’d need to make a special trip to buy the live Maine lobsters later in the week, I hummed as I filled the cart. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I realized how many items, I randomly picked up that were not on the list, then wondered how much food one person could eat. Shrugging, I went back to pick up the sub and then to the checkout line.
There was quite a line as I waited my turn. While waiting, I spotted Mitch and Louise a few lines over. I waved to them, and they left their cart and walked over. They hugged me. “We haven’t seen you in forever,” Louise said, And I smiled warmly at the elderly couple.
“I know; I’ve been on the road for work a lot. I’m home now, though, and I plan on staying put for a while. As soon as I’m settled, I promise to have you both over for dinner.”
The elderly couple smiled. “That would be so nice, dear. How are you holding up without your mom?”
A tear threatened to spill over my eyes as it still hurt to talk about Mom; I missed her every day. Blinking the tear away, I said “I’m doing fine. It’s still hard, but it gets a little easier each day,” I lied. “Thanks for asking.”
Mitch touched my shoulder in kindness and patted it. “Well, we better get back to our cart before someone moves it out of the way. Nice to see you again, dear.”
“Come on, Mitch,” Louise said, and I couldn’t help but laugh at them. They were longtime friends of Mom’s. For years, the elderly couple hung out with me and Mom on the weekends. We’d swim, cook, take the boat out, and play cards. I had someof the fondest memories of them. I made a mental note to have them over as soon as the renovations were completed.
My turn had finally come up. I started to unload the cart as the lady at the register began ringing me up, and the young gentleman bagged the groceries.
“How are you today, dear?”
“I’m fine. How are you?” I asked.
“Good, good. Did you find everything you needed?”
“And then some.” I laughed.
After paying, I retraced my steps to the car and loaded it with the groceries. Happy I’d found everything on the list, I drove home.
I noticed as I pulled up that Parker’s truck was gone. It dawned on me that a short time ago I wouldn’t have noticed anything around here, much less the whereabouts of my neighbors. It was strange and soothing at the same time, how quickly life could change without your consent. It was as if the changes occurring were as automatic as breathing; I was holding on for the ride but was not in charge of the journey. Sometimes, I felt everyone needed to live each day in the present and have faith that whatever was meant to be, would be.Well, that was deep,I thought as I got out of the car and started hauling the groceries inside.
The sub was everythingIremembered. I sat and enjoyed every flavor that blended as I ate. It must have been years since I’d allowed myself the guilty pleasure of eating one, though at least the food was real, not crammed with processed ingredientsor fillers. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was, and with a little laugh I thought,Guess that’s what good sex will do for me.
Thoughts of the previous night played out in my head: his touch, his mouth, sleeping in his arms; I felt a tug at my heart, which scared me and decided to change my train of thought. I got up, put the trash in the bin, changed clothes, and went out to wash the car.
I was elbow-deep in soap suds with a sponge in my hand, rocking to some music as I washed the car when Parker pulled into his driveway.
Parker
If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up. J.M. Power
After leaving Olivia’s, I took Simba for a run. We ran four miles, and I thought Simba might not make it back. I laughed at the dog; Simba wasn’t even that old yet. It was a nice breezy day with little humidity, otherwise I wouldn’t have pushed the dog to run that far.
Feeling refreshed but sweaty after the run, I unleashed Simba and went off to shower. I couldn’t get the night before out of my mind. I dried off and jumped in the truck to run errands.
My first stop was to pop into Kayla’s shop. As promised, I was getting a much-needed haircut first thing. I was happy she’d just finished with a client and could take me right back. We chatted freely about nothing important while she hooked me up.
“So, we’ve decided to have a seafood feast after the boat outing on Saturday. Do you want to bring dessert?”
“Sure, I’ll take care of the dessert. A seafood feast sounds impressive. How are things going between you two? Anything I should know about? I mean, it does seem to be moving rather quickly, don’t you think?”
Laughing, I looked at my friend in the mirror. “Great way to ease into my business. If you must know, I’m not a show-and-tell type, as you already know. But I did spend the night at her place last night.”
She shook my shoulder as her smile crossed her face. “You dog! Good for you. Just be careful, okay? I mean, it really is moving fast. I’ve never known you to jump into anything.”
I laughed and changed the subject to this weekend. I told her about a golf tournament coming up and asked her if she’d been dating anymore. I knew she’d taken a break after her last breakup. She filled me in on a few dates and asked if she could bring Tim, her newest man, with her on Saturday. I assured her that would be perfect: the more the merrier. I knew the subject change did not escape her, but she let it go.
