Page 37 of I Wanna Text You Up

I don’t respond. Instead I place my phone back on the table and sit up, curling his blanket aroundme.

I don’t fall backasleep.

I don’t move until the sun comesup.

I sit there, thinking about Caleb…about the phone call, his hand, his anger toward his past…about everything involvinghim.

He was right to masquerade as TheRiddler.

Caleb’s an enigma through andthrough.

Seven

Me:Okay, it has officially been three days since I’ve seen you. You came back from your Sunday outing, made me an omelet for breakfast, and then disappeared again. I’m starting to think I made youup.

Caleb:I told you my schedule was insane. This week is going to be hell for me. Shift after shift, study group after study group, and class after fucking class. Don’t forget all the other little shit I have to do inbetween.

Caleb:Friday the 12this my next dayoff.

Me:THAT IS NEXT FRIDAY! WHAT THEHELL!

Caleb:Tell me about it. I need a damnnap.

Me:You really don’t have a day off untilthen?

Caleb:Fully off? No. I’ll have some time to sleep and maybe a few hours in the mornings every now andthen.

Caleb:How’s Mittens doing, by the way? I saw your door was cracked last night and when I couldn’t find him I assumed he was with you. Sorry kitten duty has fallen toyou.

Me:Don’t you ever apologize for allowing me to snuggle that adorable fluffball all nightlong.

Me:He’s good. He was a little skittish at first, but we’ve worked it out. Now he won’t leave me be. I had to repaint a spot that was drying lastnight.

Caleb:Shit. Sorry aboutthat.

Caleb:My hours are officially cut starting next Thursday. I’ll still be gone on Sundays, but I’ll only be working one double instead of four days a week after classes. I’ll be out some money, but the sleep and study time will be nice, especially with finals slowlyapproaching.

Caleb:Why’d you ask when I’d be home next? You missing me already,Zoe?

Me:I miss your cooking. You? Not somuch.

Me:Thanks for making enough dinner for leftovers when I was at work last night. My stomach and my co-workers loveyou.

Caleb:I’m not too bad of a cook, huh? Learned that shit growing up in the trailer parktoo.

Me:I’mimpressed.

* * *

Me:I’m sorry, but it is INSANE how our schedules don’t line up, right? I’ll be at work and you’ll be at work. I’ll be home and you’ll be at work. You’ll be home and I’ll be in class. What kind of shit isthat?

Me:Though I did hear you in the shower this morning. You sounded a bit…preoccupied. ;-)

Me:(THAT WAS A MASTURBATIONJOKE.)

Me:Caleb, you there? I’m bored. There’s a project I could be working on, but nothing is inspiring me. Nothing is speaking to me. I hate that part about being an artist sometimes—you have to wait for that spark when you just want to hit the ground running. Hard balance tomaintain.

Me:I guess you’re busy and I’m just rambling anyway. Goodnight.

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