Page 28 of Call Out
“I’ll call you, okay?” He covers the porch.
“How about I come with you?” I stare at his beautiful stern face. “I’ll jump on the back.”
“Viv, I swung by to kiss you goodbye. I have to go home for a while—alone. I might not get the chance to call. I’ll do my best.” My smile fades. “Don’t make this into something it’s not.”
“I’m not making it into anything. You’re the one acting all sketchy and evasive. I thought we were––.”
“Viv.” He sighs, interrupting my speech. That sound envelopes my heart and drags it down under a weight of dread. My palm floats to my stomach as it churns. Danny lowers his lashes, staring at my hand. “Look, you know I’m going to miss you, right?” he mumbles, then leans in and kisses my forehead. “Once I get settled at my parents’ place, I’ll try to call you. I didn't want to rush off without seeing you first. Give me some time. Okay?”
Time? Time for what? Time for his parents? Time out? Time to think if we have a future together?
I have nothing to say that won’t sound desperate or clingy. Barely stretching a tight smile, I choose to stay silent. Even when he turns to face the street and stalks down the path to his motorcycle, I trap my disquiet. Danny doesn’t need to hear about the sexy lingerie I had planned out for the evening or how I’ll simply miss his company. He clearly has important things to sort out––without me.
Then again, all this is so new to me. Dot told me men are a different species all together. Who would have thought they’d be on another planet entirely? I’m clearly missing a road map for orienteering an actual relationship.
The guy is allowed to visit his parents. That’s a normal thing for a son to do. I’m mentally unbalanced or morphing into a lovesick idiot.What the hell is happening to me?
The seven year age gap probably means he’s more mature, and I’m too green. Perhaps I’m pining over his unplanned departure because I’m disappointed. Tonight, I’ll be alone again after a whirlwind romance. That’s it in a nutshell. I was looking forward to our evening together, and now it’s chicken bites for one. Tomorrow I’ll run a few errands and tidy the house to keep occupied. No big deal.
His motorcycle growls to life, and he twists the throttle, so the engine purrs. With a discrete nod, Danny takes off on that damn two wheeled, unsafe, exposed supersonic bike. I wave on the off chance he’ll look in the side mirror.
Closing the door to the final canvas of daylight, I whirl around to face my empty home. Loneliness trips up joy. Things have moved so fast between us. Did I miss something? A crucial signal or unexpressed man-code that veteran daters know about? He came across a tad disengaged.
I’m confused, or maybe I’m hangry. Hungry and angry that my evening will be sex-less, Danny-less and dull.
I mosey into the kitchen and throw together oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and grate in a clump of garlic. The lettuce glistens beneath a glossy sheen of dressing, and I think about Danny, how I’m the bland and boring lettuce and he’s the simple ingredient that makes me wet.
With a fork in hand and the salad bowl wedged to my belly, I stomp to the couch and sink down. I bet Wini will know how to cheer me up. She’ll regale me with stories from her past about sexy sailors or courageous soldiers. She always has a story to cheer me up and a frank word of honesty. I’ve consumed way too many classic romance movies to know what's real and what’s fantasy. Picking up my phone, I stuff a leaf into my mouth, scroll down and tap her name.
It takes a while for her to answer. “Viv, honey, are you okay?”
“Never mind me, areyouokay? It’s only five past seven, and it sounds like I’ve woken you up.” Lettuce residue clings to my teeth. I rub it away with my finger and hear it squeak clean.
Wini hums sleepily. “I was having a catnap. Please tell me you aren’t calling while Danny is with you?”
“Nope. He left. He had to go home to talk with his mom about family things. Whatever that means.”
“Oh… did he not say what sort of family things?”
“No.” I sigh. “And he didn’t want me to go with him either. So I guess that’s that. I suppose it’s understandable, really. His sex is on fire and mine is basic.”
“Perhaps you’re reading too much into it. Did he ever complain about the sex?”
“Not out loud. But then again, I’m severely lacking in ‘man reading’ skills. I’m not one of the lucky ones who was given a man manual when I hit puberty.”
Wini coughs. “There isn’t a handy booklet, honey. If the man wants to devote a few days to his parents, then let him. It’s an admirable quality to care about family. You of all people should understand that. Be patient with him. What will be will be, Viv. You can’t force love.”
“Ugh. You’re right. As always. Why does it have to be so darn complicated?”
“When my Harold died, I thought the world had ended. Sometimes you have to hit the dirt to be thankful for the rain. I met Daryl eighteen months later, and he introduced me to a whole other world. Plus, he was a real tiger in the bedroom.” She chuckles lightly. “My heart had enough room for all three husbands. Love isn’t just a four-letter word, it's a complex emotion that isn’t bound or restricted.”
“I’m glad you can share all this worldly advice with me. I’m a total wreck. I like the guy. A lot.”
“I can tell, honey.” Her voice trails off.
“Are you going to snooze again?” There’s an uneasiness in my gut. “Do you want me to come over and read with you.”
“You will not, young lady. It’s not your job to babysit me. I’m perfectly content with this steamy romance novel. I’ll be done with it by tomorrow. You should read it after me. It will give you inspiration for when Danny knocks on your door again.”
