Page 77 of A Moment In Time

“You cook?”

She put her hands on her hips. “Most grown up adults cook for themselves. Or at least know how to open up a can.”

“I know how to open a can. I just choose not to.”

“In any case, you’re taking a nap. And I’m going to the grocery store.” She put on her coat and slung the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “Any requests?”

“How’s the beer supply?”

“I’ll get some beer. Will you drink wine if I get a bottle to go with dinner?”

“Not really a wine guy. But I won’t judge you if you want to drink some wine.”

“We’ll stick to beer. Do you need anything before I go?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

Sydney left and Gage settled into the couch cushions.I’m her superman, huh? An over-confident, but not confident, man with unreasonable expectations.“Shit.”

Gage woke up some time later to the sound of someone in the kitchen. It took him a moment to remember it had to be Sydney. He started to sit up, but the pain in his ribcage stopped him. Sydney came out of the kitchen.

“Did I wake you?”

“The smell did. What are you cooking in there?”

“Lemon ricotta.”

He tried to get comfortable. “Will you get me the pill bottle from my coat pocket?”

She went to his coat and took out a small bottle, then looked at him. “You told me you weren’t on pain medication.”

“Can you just bring me two, please?”

She dropped two pills into her palm, then brought them to him. “Let me get you some water.”

“I’d prefer another beer.”

“Gage!”

He sighed. “It’s not going to kill me. If God wanted me dead, he would’ve taken me out yesterday.”

She squinted at him. “You believe in God?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“You’ve never mentioned going to church.”

“I don’t have to go to church to believe in God. All I have to do is go outside and look around.”

She smiled. “You’re right.”

“Can I have that beer now?”

Sydney went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water and a beer. He took the beer from her, popped the pills into his mouth, then washed them down with some beer.

“You can keep the water.” He set the beer on the floor next to the empty bottle. He took a moment, then sat up.

“Where are you going?”

---