I’ve spent the day doing laundry and cleaning house. Housework never ends, even when you’re single and live alone. I can’t imagine how women do it that have kids and husbands and work full-time. The moms who stay home and clean up after kids all day and do mountains of laundry daily get all of my praise because I can’t imagine it. I missed a few days of doing laundry and cleaning and feel overwhelmed just cleaning up after myself. As I fold the last load of laundry I smile, thinking how amazing it would be to fold his shirts and wash our sheets after being wrapped up in them together. I’ve definitely lost my mind. I’m sitting here fantasizing over his dirty clothes and sheets. I’m certifiably nuts. As I stand up and grab the laundry basket a bout of dizziness hits me and I drop back down onto the sofa. Whoa. Blinking my eyes a few times I try to compose myself. Little white dots dissipate from my vision and I take a deep breath. I know I haven’t been eating well lately and I’ve been under some stress with everything that’s going on, but I wouldn’t think it would make me so off kilter.
After centering myself, I attempt to get back up slowly. No dizziness this time. Maybe I just got up too fast. I pass the hallway clock on the wall and see it’s later in the evening than I thought. I figured he would’ve called me by now. I hate how I’m acting like the teenage girl waiting by the phone for her latest crush to call. Rolling my eyes at myself, I sit the laundry basket on my bed and start putting my clothes away. Placing the last shirt away I check my phone again. Still nothing from Brisban. I don’t know why I’m feeling so much anxiety over him calling or not calling yet.
I decide to go eat something. Maybe I should just get out of the house. My reflection in my bedroom mirror tells me to stay in because I look like crap, but I need to get out of for a little bit. I pull out a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt, brush my hair up into a messy bun, and put on a little lip gloss. I decide to go to my favorite local café and have something light to eat and unwind some. My purse is hanging on a chair at the kitchen table and I drop my phone inside it before slinging it over my shoulder. Once I lock up and start my car, I already feel better being out of the house. I have the urge to check my phone again but I don’t. I want to call him but I won’t. He said he’d call and he will. I’m not going to start being this needy girl. That’s not who I am.
Making my way downtown to the square I soon see why I miss coming down here. It’s full of life and laughter. I roll down my window as I drive through the center street where it seems busiest. The cafes and little street side bistros are lit up with fun, colorful lights and you can hear the sound of live musicians floating through the air. James and I use to come down here often on the weekends. I miss doing couple stuff. The thought of Brisban and I possibly coming here together makes me smile. He would love this atmosphere.
I park and make my way over to Jake’s, my favorite of all the cafes here. The bell chimes when I open the door and, as always, Jake greets me. I wonder if he ever takes a moment off from work because he always seems to be here.
“Good evening Ms. Candace, please have a seat and I’ll have your regular right out to you.”
I smile and nod. “Sounds perfect, Jake. Thank you.”
I like sitting by a window so I can people watch, so I choose a small two-top by the big window. Jake brings me a Cherry Coke with three fat cherries on top.
“Just the way you like it.”
“Thank you, Jake. How’s Anne? I haven’t been in here in a while. How’s she doing?”
His shoulders slump and I instantly feel bad for asking. “She has her good days but they just aren’t as many anymore.”
“Awe, I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll be sure and have you guys in my thoughts.”
He pats me on the shoulder. “Thank you, dear. Your food will be out soon.”
I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager. Jake’s a part of my life that I can remember far back to when I was just a kid begging my mom for cherries in my Coke. I rest my chin in my hand and gaze out the window. Couples are walking hand in hand, smiling and flirting I can’t wait to have moments like that with Brisban. We’ve spent so much of our time together behind closed doors. It’ll be nice to do normal couple stuff together. Right before Jake brings out my Italian Grilled Cheese, I get a text. It’s him. The corners of my mouth turn up and I smile from ear to ear.
Brisban: Hey beautiful. How was the rest of your day?
Me: Uneventful. Yours?
Brisban: What are you doing now?
Me: Eating…well, I’m about to eat. I’m downtown.