Page 53 of Hers to Tame
“Can’t go wrong with Philip K. Dick. Did you seeBladerunner?”
“I did. That’s why I picked it up when I saw it at the bookstore. I haven’t read it since high school. I also grabbed a new copy ofFahrenheit 451.”
“Very nice, counselor.” I hear her yawn
“Baby, go to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Colin?”
“Yeah.”
“I love you.” I feel my heart seize in my chest. Thank God, soon I’ll be home.
“I love you too. Get some sleep, beautiful.” We hang up. Lying back on the bed, I think of the conversation I had with Ernie and Andy. What am I waiting for? They’re right. I want to be the man I am when I’m with Maggie. I want to wake up every day with her in my arms knowing she’s proud of me. I want to be the one to fight all of her fights and celebrate all of her accomplishments. I just want to be hers and she mine.
When I wake up in the morning, I automatically reach for Maggie. I’ve done that for months now out of habit. Shaking myself awake, I quickly get dressed before checking out. After a free breakfast of old cereal and some pastry I really can’t identify, I point the car south again. My GPS tells me I should get to town right before lunch. I need to swing by my parents’ house to drop off the boxes in my back seat. The idea of letting someone else move my first editions just sets my nerves on fire.
Maggie doesn’t get off of work until four so there’s no reason to go sit all afternoon in her empty house. She gave me a key to her place not long after I started my weekly trips down so I didn’t have to wait for her to leave work. My one drawer in her dresser quickly grew to me inhabiting half of the dresser and part of the closet. I also have stuff in the bathroom now.
She told me once that she could never see leaving the house her mother worked so hard to buy. I would never ask her to leave either, but I can see how a larger master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom would be a nice addition. Adding a large library wouldn’t hurt either.
Before I realize it, I’m sitting outside her school. I don’t remember getting here. I sit staring at the doors listening to Spotify when Trombone Shorty comes on. I laugh when my thoughts go to Maggie dancing around the bathroom when I played “Hurricane Season” for her.
Suddenly, I know exactly what I’m doing here. Climbing out of the car, I walk into the front office. Putting on my best smile, I ask if I can go speak to Maggie for a minute. I’m told no.
“It’s really important that I talk to her. Almost emergency important,” I say, trying my best to play the role of an important attorney. When that doesn’t work, I try turning on the charm, sitting on the receptionist’s desk while dazzling her with my smile.
“Mr. Rhett, that might have worked for you back in high school, but it’s not going to work in my office.” Holy crap! That can’t possibly be my old vice-principal speaking from somewhere behind me. She was ancient when I was here!
Standing in the doorway of the principal's office, she smirks at me with her hands on her hips. I remember being able to charm her into doing whatever I wanted which usually included ducking out of school early on game days.
“Mrs. Holmes, are you in charge of this ship now? I can’t think of a better person for the job.” I stand, turning my smile on her. I’m also trying not to throw up in my mouth. Damn, the things we do for a woman!
“She’s in the middle of a class period, Mr. Rhett. Can I help you with something?” Wow, I’m getting no help.
“I’m afraid not. You see, I’ve waited seven years to ask Miss Emerson something. I’m really afraid it can’t wait any longer. Please, ma’am, I’m begging you.” After a few minutes, she nods to the receptionist to call her to the office.
I can see down the hallway through the glass in the office doors, so when I see Maggie step into the hall, I push through them. The principal follows me trying to get me to stop as Maggie looks up. I slide to a stop when her eyes hit mine. For once, my brain seems to have become scrambled.
“Colin?” she whispers. “What are you doing here? Did something happen?” It seems to knock me out of whatever stupor I’ve entered. I study her beautiful face, her brows creased in concern.
“Yes, something’s happened. Everything’s fine though,” I’m quick to add when I see her gasp. I notice most of the doors down the hall are open but I blaze on. “I don’t want to wait anymore.”
“Colin, what are you talking about?” She takes a small step toward me, but stops when I hold up my hand.
“You, us. I don’t want to wait anymore. I waited seven years to be with you. You either run away or run forward. I’m tired of running away. I want everything. I want the cute little house with the closet full of comic books.” I notice we are starting to draw a crowd of kids and staff, but I keep going.
“I want you to keep assigning books, no matter how many times I’ve read them. I want you to slap the shit out of me every time I have to be bailed out of jail by my college roommate because someone dared to hurt you.” This comment draws a couple of catcalls.
“I want to fight all of your battles, whether you want me to or not. I want you to burn my dinners because we’re too busy dancing to pay attention. I want you to jackrabbit my sports car through the city, learning how to drive a manual and get dry humped by me on the couch after every poker night.” This elicits a large round of cheering from the guys.
“I want you to jump into my arms, wrap your legs around my waist and kiss me like there’s no tomorrow every weekday at five on our front porch. I want to fall asleep next to you every night, wake up with you in my arms every morning and make lots of babies in the middle.”
“Colin, you’re not making any sense.” I can see her eyes start to shine from tears she’s holding back.
“Maggie Emerson?” I say, getting down on both knees as she raises her hands to her mouth. “I want you to marry me. Not in six months, but now. Today. Right now.” There is a collective gasp and a couple of awws from an entire hallway of girls. “Well, maybe next weekend so Mom doesn’t kill me.” I stay on my knees waiting while you can hear a pin drop.
“I get to drive your Maserati?” My face breaks into a grin.
