Page 55 of Long Story Short

Something about today has me feeling extra inspired…

TYSON

I wonder what it could be…

JOSIE

I think it’s the coffee!

Truly the best iced coffee of my life.

TYSON

Anything else happen to be the best of your life today?

JOSIE

Not that I recall ;)

TYSON

It’s getting close to dinnertime. Want me to drop off food or do you want to eat together?

JOSIE

I’d love to eat together unless you have other plans.

TYSON

My plans are whatever you want them to be.

JOSIE

Can we do dinner…maybe around 8:30? Is that too late?

I glance at the time on my phone, finding it to be a little after six o’clock, which gives me plenty of time to cook. And hopefully, this time, I won’t almost burn my house down in the process.

TYSON

That’s perfect. You okay to come over here to eat or would you prefer your place?

JOSIE

Yours is fine. Thank you again for feeding me. I’ll see you soon.

TYSON

Counting down the minutes.

I stare at the text, wondering if I should send it or not. Is it too much? Probably. But I click Send anyway. It’s not like I’ve done a good job keeping my cards close to my chest when it comes to her.

I wait a few moments to see if she responds, and when she doesn’t, I stuff my phone in my pocket and stand up from where I sit at the end of my bed.

I’m busy sorting through my kitchen and coming up with what I’ll need for tonight when my phone vibrating on the counter catches my attention.

I set the spices down and walk over to my phone, finding my father’s name on the screen.

I sigh.