Sorry for this minor interruption into Mouse stories. I had this bouncing around in my head and wanted to get it out before it bounced around so much that I got a headache. Thanks for your indulgence. 🙂 ps this is probably a 3 or 4 parter.

And I almost went with Luther Vandross (whose voice I have always loved) and Beyonce, but Roberta Flack’s voice……………. #originalisbetter

The Closer I Get to You

His alarm goes off at 5:30 am. His arm leaves me for a moment as he swipes at the snooze. The snooze will go off only once and then he’ll rise. I snuggle closer, press my lips against his chest. His fingers comb through my hair, finding tangles sleep brought. He brings his face to mine, sensing him near I open my eyes, his blink groggy and blue at me.

We kiss, soft, tasting kisses and then nibbling, until he moves on top of me, between my legs where I am ready for him. Each movement brings ecstasy, love. I love him with every cell, every vein, every ounce of me. When we’re complete, when the radio’s dj plays a Beastie Boys anthem, I look up at him and smile. He smiles back and pushes wayward curls from my face.

He leaves me, suddenly chilled, to shower. I burrow beneath the comforter as the air conditioner switches on and the ceiling fan murmurs above. I dream of him until over an hour later my alarm sounds.

At lunch, Suze watches me over her rum and diet coke. She knows that she shouldn’t have liquid lunches, but lately work has been anxiety- and pressure-filled. If I wasn’t trying to have a little one, I might be joining her in this liquid lunch.

“So?” she begins and I know what’s coming next. “Isn’t it time for you and Mr. Sexy Tattoos to tie the knot. Go all traditional and have a wedding?”

“He wants to wait and I don’t mind. I’d rather have him than a wedding.”

“You say that now, but what if you really get preggers? Don’t you want that kid to have legitimacy?”

I snort. “Listen to you. Is my kid not going to have legitimacy because Ed and I aren’t married?”

She shrugs and takes a long sip of her drink. “I don’t care, but some of these old ladies are out for blood. They might be nice to your face, but they’re talking behind your back. Living in sin.”

“Oh, please. I don’t care. My work is good. They can gossip all they want.”

Suze nods. “You’re right. If it were me, there would be bloodshed.”

My phone vibrates with a text. I smile apologetically at Suze and she nods and shrugs, but smiles.

The text is from Ed: thinking about you.

I know I am grinning stupidly and when Suze looks at me, she tries on a world-weary sigh. “You and that guy. It’s so sweet it’s sick. I’m sick. But I want something like it. I am a bad person because I am jealous of my best friend.”

And me? I can’t believe how happy I am.

7/25/2017

Sascha Darlington