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While we went out to the kitchen, I stretched my neck from side to side. I pulled out a chair for my wife, then released the top two buttons of my shirt.
“You sit, and I’ll get plates. You probably don’t know where everything is just yet.”
Because you’ve been in bed all day.
My God, what a waste of so many hours that she’d never get back. How does one lie in bed all day and do nothing? I could never understand the concept and was never afforded the opportunity to try while growing up. My parents insisted my sister and I had our chores done before any extracurriculars could happen. On the weekends, especially, the list was long and detailed.
“These are for you,” I said sheepishly and handed her the bouquet.
“Carmen…how lovely. And so thoughtful. You really shouldn’t have.” She buried her nose into the crowns of a few of the larger blooms, but I could still see the corners of her mouth tilted up in a delicate smile. She was arresting like that, and I wanted to freeze time and live in this momentary bubble of tranquility.
Score one for the husband!
“Do I smell garlic bread? I swear, if I do, someone’s getting lucky tonight!” She cackled after she saw my expression rise with hopeful excitement. Looked like I discovered a fast and sure way to my girl’s good nature. Italian food!
We chatted and ate until we groaned from being so full. The food was from one of my all-time favorite restaurants. They had the best chicken parm on the planet, and apparently Agatha was their newest fan.
“Okay, the least I can do is clean up. Thank you again for getting this.” She motioned to the empty containers strewn across the counter.
“I’ll help, and we’ll be done twice as fast. How’s that?” I offered.
Her mood was one of the best I’d ever experienced. I was so into spending time with her, even washing dishes sounded delightful. Because I didn’t want to wreck her good mood, I steered clear of the job-hunting topic.
“What did you major in? In college—obviously,” I asked, hoping it was a safe topic.
“Biology. If you can believe that,” she answered wryly.
“Of course I can believe that. I believe you can do anything you put your mind to,” I answered, quickly wondering if I was pouring it on too thick.
Her eye roll confirmed my fear, but still she answered, “You sound like my parents.”
“They obviously love you. Aren’t parents supposed to be their kids’ cheering section?” I slung the dish towel over my shoulder and turned to face her. “How did you get a job in journalism with a biology degree?”
“Why all the questions?” she asked, and just like that, her words held an edge. I wasn’t trying to make her feel defensive and realized I had to step carefully with my follow-up or I’d ruin our whole night. That was the last thing I wanted to do.
With a careless shrug, I said, “I’m just trying to get to know you better.”
“Okay.” She sighed.
I couldn’t really pick up the vibe of her reply, but she continued talking.
“Here’s the cold, hard truth. I barely made it through my last year of school. I had completely lost interest in…well, everything, I guess. I hated the co-ed life, and I just wanted it to be over. I probably should have switched majors sooner, but by the time I got my act together and looked into what it would take to do that, I was only a few credits away from graduating. My heart has always been in writing. It was my parents’ dream to have a scientist in the family. Or an accountant. But I stopped wanting that bullshit before I was out of high school.” She sighed with the last part, and her spirit wilted. “But here I am. The scientist.”
“Have you ever considered going back to school? Maybe if you were pursuing the right major, you would get more out of the process.”
Agatha thought about what I’d said for a few moments while she dried the last dish. “No. I guess I’ve never considered going back. For one thing, my parents would be so disappointed. For another thing, I don’t have the money to live and go to school. And I already know that working and studying at the same time is too much for me mentally. I know that for sure. Once I get overwhelmed with a commitment, I just shut down completely. Then nothing gets done.”
“Is that what happened here today?” I asked, knowing I was really pushing my luck with the question. But I also knew I didn’t want to set a precedent that I would tiptoe around her volatile moods.
As predicted, she squinted her eyes and revved up to jump down my throat.
But I shut her down before she launched into whatever she had in mind. I closed the space between us until her lower back was against the countertop’s edge. One large hand on either side of her body caged her in place. The woman stared up at me with the biggest, most curious ocean-blue eyes I’d ever seen.
And so alluring. Intoxicating and enthralling.
“Don’t get pissy with me because I asked a question you didn’t like. You can politely explain why you stayed in bed all day when you had unpacking and job hunting to do. You’re not a bratty teenager anymore, so spare me the attitude. We both have to pull our weight around here. Okay?”
“What makes you think I have to answer to you? Account for my time?”
