Page 74 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

We had a great time out today. See you again soon.

Jamie.

He turns to Mabel. “Ready to go out?” Gathering her leash.

They do a quick loop around the neighborhood. She struts in her new coat but barks and rushes at a pair walking across the street. “How come you weren’t like this with Jamie?” He cuts the walk short and gets her back home.

As he closes the door behind, his phone chimes a new message.

“Call me when you get a chance.” From Jamie.

He doesn’t waste time and hits the call button. Excited to talk to him.

“Hey.” Jamie answers.

“Hey.” Nathan greets. “Thank you for taking Mabel out today. She loves her new coat, though we just had an incident on the sidewalk. I don’t know how you got her to behave. You’ll have to teach me your ways, Jamie Carter.”

“Do we have enough time for that?” His voice is monotone.

“Huh?”

“We ran into Mark at the pet shop.”

“Oh?” Nathan senses he’s about to be hit with something.

“He said you’re only here for two months?”

“Oh.” He hadn’t even thought about it. “I didn’t tell you that. Did I?” He smacks the heel of his palm on his forehead.

“You didn't.”

There’s silence for too long. “I didn’t mean to keep anything from you. We were having such a good time. I honestly hadn't even thought about it.”

Jamie doesn’t speak. There’s just breathing on the other end.

“My work moves me around. That’s why I don’t usually connect with people.” This probably isn’t helping. “I like you.”

“It’s probably not going anywhere.”

“We don’t know that.” He sits on the foot of the bed. “What are you doing tonight? Let’s get together.”

“I’m working the dinner shift.” He pauses. “I won’t get out until midnight or so.”

“I have tomorrow off.” Nathan pleads. “I can meet you after work?” He waits. “Or we can grab breakfast tomorrow? I can pick you up and we can go somewhere?”

“I’ll text or call you tonight.” Still monotone.

“Okay.”

Mabel sits at his feet and leans her head against his knee.

“I’ll be up and waiting.”

The call ends.

“Shit. Sorry Mabes.” He strokes the top of her head and tosses the phone back onto pillows.

“What should we do for dinner?” He sighs.

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