Page 53 of Some Things Never Change

“Andy?” I called out from the foyer as I got in.

I could hear the soft sound of hushed, terrified voices as eerie music slowly started to rise in the background. Andy was actually watching one of his many horror movies this time. I was unzipping my boots when I heard him.

“Julie?” he sounded surprised as the sound of the movie came to a sudden halt.

I heard his footsteps padding from the living room to the hallway where I was as I left my boots by the shoe cabinet near the front door. He looked confused, as if he wasn’t expecting me to come home at all.

“You came home early.” His words sounded matter of fact and I’m surprised he was taken back.

I shrugged as I took off my jacket and hung it on my arm. As I walked past him, I could smell the light scent of beer on him. “You went out?” I was surprised, again. I thought he was just going to go to the gym.

I walked into the living room to find building blocks spread out all over the coffee table. “For a few drinks with Kevin and Luis after the gym, yeah,” he replied.

Kevin and Luis were two of Andy’s college friends that he often hung out with, either for a guy’s night out or lifting weights together at the gym. Before living here with Andy, I hadn't seen them in years until they stopped by last week for a morning run with him. I never knew much about them, but it seemed like Andy must talk a lot about me to them because they were well aware of my furniture flipping hobby.

I was glad to get to know them a bit and learned that they both lived close by. While one of them is engaged and the other is married with kids, they were joking that I should help Andy out because they were worried about him becoming an old maid. I awkwardly chuckled along with them as Andy rolled his eyes at his friends’ lame joke.

I glanced at Andy’s Lego blocks spread out on the coffee table and the paused movie scene of two scared people covered in soot on the TV screen. I let out a long breath, glad I ended my date early and came home to something better.

I tossed my jacket onto the sofa, not caring much for the article now that I was inside a warm and cozy home. I plopped myself in my usual spot in front of the coffee table whenever I helped him out with his building blocks projects.

“The date was alright,” I declared, glancing up at him.

Andy blinked. His brows furrowed at me for a moment. “But you liked this guy so much.”

I gave him a confused look. “I did? Since when?”

Andy shrugged. “You talk like you like him a lot.”

I hardly talked much about Eric though, even to Cindy and Shoua. Sure, it was exciting to talk to someone new and I wouldn’t doubt I had mentioned a few things here and there. Although I was giddy about Eric, I couldn’t say for sure I actually liked him as much as Andy assumed.

I pulled my knees to my chest as he walked over. He grabbed the throw from the couch and placed it over my naked legs as he came down to my side.

“Thanks.” I smiled at him. “I guess it could be mistaken for that. He’s nice, but I think he’d be a better friend than a romantic partner for me.”

Andy winced. “Now I just feel bad for the guy.”

I gave his arm a light slap. “Stop! I already feel bad that I don't like him as much as he likes me.”

Andy chuckled. He gave me a gentle look before he grabbed the remote control and turned off the TV. “I’m sorry about earlier—about making a fuss about your dress. I know I was being an asshole. I hope that didn’t ruin your mood for your date.”

I looked him in the eyes, seeing the regret in them. Although I wanted to tell him the truth about how I thought about him throughout my date, I couldn’t bring myself to. “It’s fine. Eric wasn’t what I thought I was looking for.”

“Okay, fine. If this guy wasn’t what you wanted, then who would be your ideal partner?”

“Someone like our dads combined. My dad never told me much about how much he loved me, but I always knew in the little ways. Like how he learned how to braid hair from my mom. He’d wake up early each morning to fix my hair for me after a long night of work and it would just be me and him and our brief moments together. When I miss him, those are some memories I think about the most.”

I paused for a moment, thinking about one of those mornings when my dad’s fingers gently combed through my hair.

“Although Uncle Gary loves us all the same, I know he has an extra soft spot for me. He is as gentle, kind, and patient as my dad. I don’t think he or my dad had ever yelled at me, even when I did something wrong. Both Uncle Gary and my dad had been the two men in my life who loved me the most and that’s exactly what I want in my ideal life partner. Because without a doubt, I know I’d love the same.”

Andy let my words settle before he spoke up again. “Sounds like the right guy for you has huge shoes to fill.”

I shrugged. “He does, but what can I say? I’ve had the privilege of being loved by great men.”

A thoughtful smile touched Andy’s lips. “Well said.”

I laughed. “It’s the truth! But, I’m not going to lie though. Regarding looks, Eric completely looks the part. He’s cute with an incredible body and he’s also a decent height. If I was shallow, then he would have been perfect.”

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