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“So, you’re a genius.”
“No, just smart, and I’m a legacy because my father went there. I’m sure that helped in the admission process.”
I take a plain bagel out of the bag and rip a piece off with my fingers. Chase watches me, amused as I pop it into my mouth.
“You’re beautiful with no makeup. Why do you even need to wear any?”
“Because it makes me feel good.”
“Are you naked under that robe?”
“Yes.” I glance over at CJ, who is still playing but this time with blocks. “Don’t get any ideas.”
“I can wait. I don’t have to work until ten tomorrow morning.”
I hate that he doesn’t have the entire weekend off, but I understand that he’s only been at the hospital for a short time and can’t request certain hours.
“I want you to be home with me all weekend,” I whine.
“I know. Don’t you think I miss spending time with you and CJ? But in a few more months, I can request a more permanent shift.”
“Are we staying here tonight or at your place?”
“I’d like you to come to my apartment, so I can show you my family pictures.”
“Okay, let me pack up a few things, and I’ll get dressed.” I lean over and give him a lingering kiss before leaving him to play with CJ. When I’m done, they’re still there, and it’s an opportunity for another photo. Taking a few, I plan on using it in one of a few collages I have planned when I have enough.
“Ready?” Chase asks.
“Yes. We should also pack some of CJ’s favorite baby food because you have none.”
“Fine. You need to tell me what he likes so I can get some jars. You know it would make things easier if you stayed with me permanently.”
“Chase, I need some time. We can’t go from zero to sixty in a month. It’s funny because a few months ago, you that didn’t want the entanglement of a relationship.”
“Things change. I love you, and I want you and CJ to live with me. Is that such a bad thing?”
“No, it’s not, but everything is in the settling in stage. Can we wait a few months before we discuss moving in together?”
“I’ll give you some time, but it’s the natural progression of things.”
“I agree, but just let me have a few weeks to get used to the idea.”
He nods in agreement. “I’ll get CJ into his stroller.”
I wipe down the kitchen counter after putting the bagels in a plastic bag to take with us to Chase’s apartment. I’m all hyped up from my large hazelnut coffee and ready to go for a walk.
Because it’s the last weekend of August, the weather is balmy. Even at the early hour of eleven, you can feel the humidity in the air. We keep a quick pace because I don’t want CJ out in the heat for too long.
Inside Chase’s apartment, it’s clean, organized, and cool. The one difference between his refrigerator and mine is that he has food; he always does. CJ, who fell asleep on the walk over, is lifted by Chase from the stroller and put into his crib. He must have woken after I left the room because I hear a soft baritone singing lullabies for a few minutes.
As I’m putting things away, Chase’s voice speaks up behind me. “I’m going to get the pictures from my office closet. If you sit on the couch, I’ll bring them to you.”
I grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator and plop down on the plush living room couch. Chase emerges from his office carrying a large cardboard box. He places it down so I can peer into it. Stacked inside are several picture albums and smaller boxes with loose photos. He first hands me a picture of his parents.
His mother was beautiful with long auburn hair, gray eyes, high cheekbones, and full lips. Chase is the spitting image of his father. Black hair, sea-blue eyes, and a deep cleft are some of the same characteristics they share. Next, he shows me pictures of his family home, grandparents, and their home on Cape Cod, which is located on the edge of a yellow sand beach.
After flipping through those, he pulls out an album of pictures of himself and his brother. He hands me one of a young boy around twelve years old. I figure it’s Chase, but he informs me it’s Barrett. Another photo shows him at sixteen, and they look so alike they could be twins.
