Page 28 of Until the Ink Dries

“I guess I can assume the movie watched us last night?” She asked with her hand still over her mouth. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

I couldn’t help it this time. I laughed while standing up from the couch. I lifted my arms to stretch because this damn couch was not made for sleeping.

“You can say that. Trust me, I wouldn’t have fallen asleep on this damn couch on purpose. It is not made for sleeping and I’m sure my body is going to remind me all day.”

“You can say that again. These thirty-year-old bodies aren’t made for this,” she responded, then laughed.

I nodded and then walked out of the room to head to the guest bathroom. I looked underneath the sink for the extra toothbrushes my mother always told me to keep. I grabbed a toothbrush that hadn’t been opened and then grabbed Charlie’s barbie toothpaste. This shit was gone have to work. I walked back into the living room, and she was staring at her phone, trying to fix her hair. I shook my head.

“You don’t have to keep covering your mouth. I always keep a few brand new toothbrushes in the guest bathroom.” I told her.

She glanced up and stood from the couch with a relieved expression.

“Thank you so much.”

I smiled, “No problem, now go handle that before you burn my eyebrows off. You almost got me this morning.”

She nudged my shoulder and rolled her eyes with a giggle.

“Oh please, it’s not that bad.”

I held up my hands in mock surrender with a smirk.

“I hear you. Well, the bathroom is down the hall and on your left. I left the door open and oh, here is the toothpaste; this is all we had. I’m sure Charlie won’t mind.” I said, then handed both of the things to her.

She looked down at the toothpaste, then smiled.

“It’s been a while since I used pink toothpaste, but I’m sure the experience will be top of the line.”

“Cool, well I’m gone hop in the shower real quick since I need to pick my daughter up. I can drop you off before I do that, if that’s cool?”

“That works.” She responded.

We stood, staring for a moment before I turned to walk toward the hallway. If I didn’t, I wasn’t sure how long I would have continued to be enthralled by everything that was her. Once I made it to my room, I made a beeline for the bathroom so we could get out of this house. I was ready to see my baby and clear my mind after the last couple of days I’ve had.

Thirty minutes later, I was dressed and ready to head out. The moment I stepped into the living room, Willow was sitting on the couch, reading one of Charlie’s books. I couldn’t help but to smile.

“I tried to move as fast as I could, sorry if I took too long. At least you had one of Charlie’s books to keep you company.”

She closed the book with a smile and set it on the table before standing.

“I had to do something with my time and don’t worry about it. I appreciate the ride home. I’m ready to get out of these clothes, though.” She said, then pulled at her shirt for emphasis.

I nodded and then made my way to the front door. I held it open and waited for her to walk out ahead of me. Once we were outside, we made our way over to Jordan’s truck. I opened the door for her and then jogged around to my side. For the first time since we had run into each other, we had nothing to say and it was okay. The silence was comfortable, and I didn’t feel the need to force a conversation just for the sake of her being in the car.

I smiled to myself as I made my way to Willow’s parents’ house.

“What are you smiling about?” she asked.

I glanced at her, then back at the road.

“Honestly, just about how much I appreciate that the silence wasn’t awkward. You know how that can be.”

“Yeah, my ex was like that. It’s like he was allergic to silence. He just needed to use up as much space as possible with words that meant absolutely nothing.”

I nodded because for the first time, the sound of her ex irritated me, and I couldn’t understand why. She wasn’t mine to be concerned about with that situation. I just wanted better for her.

“I don’t know about the second half, but I can feel you in the sentiment with some folks.”

---