Page 52 of A Fine Line

“I am so glad I didn’t poison you years ago.”

Crew scoffed. “Is that right?”

My throat hummed in confirmation. “Thanks for bringing me here. I mean it.” I leaned in a little, pulling out the star shaped pillow who’s corner was stabbing into my ribs. The movement brough us closer than before, Crew leaning just a hair above me, our noses close enough to brush if either one of us decided to.

“Thanks for letting me come.”

I nodded, slow and languid, just staring at those two full lips. Heat rising through my skin, I feel my neck burning hot, but still I just take in the sight of Crew almost on his back for me. Hair tossed lazily, shirt tugged on the edge he laid on, showing off his thick neck leading down to broad shoulders. His bicep flexing as he supported the weight of his head in his palm. My gaze finally landed on his face and I notice those light brown with a sprinkling of hazel were staring right back at me, just above my chin. I bit down on my cheek.

Was he thinking about it too? That we were alone, in this room, in this house? And as many times as we had been forced in a tight kitchen space together with band aid fixings and accidental rubbing against each other, there was no forcing this. If he leaned in, or I, there was no excusing it on needing to reach for a glass on a top shelf or injuries to be kissed. No fear of flying to have a thumb war over. No fake dating for anyone to see. Just us, raw and real and here.

“Crew,” I whispered, so low that I almost wondered if he had ever left my mouth.

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to-”

“IS MY BABY HOME?”

“Oh, dear God.” My grandmother. My very old, very wise, but wow, very traditional mother of my mother was heading up those stairs right now. And although the house was big and the woman had already had double hip replacements, she could move.

I sat up and adjusted my shirt. “You can’t be in here.”

“You’re in your late twenties?”

“My nana thinks I’m a virgin, so scoot.”

“Where?” Crew laughed, but the remains of his previous blush was still fading from his neck and cheeks.

I lifted the skirt of my bed, checking the height and mentally thanked my young adult self for ordering bed risers that felt silly at the time but now were literally going to save my life.

“Under the bed, hurry.”

“Winnie, I am not hiding under the be-”

I lowered my voice to a growl. “Now, Crew.”

“Alright, alright.”

The skirt shifted back together as soon as my friend had crawled his way under my bed frame.

“Winnifred, honey!” Nana, without so much as a knock, flung the door wide open and gave me a big, wrinkly smile. “My baby is home.”

She waddled over, favoring her right leg this time, and squished me into her surprisingly strong arms. Despite my fear of this woman’s presence mere seconds ago, I let my hands wrap around her neck and pull her close to my chest. I was by no means tall, but I did tower over my grandmother.

“I missed you so much.” I give a gentle and yet firm squeeze right back.

“Have you been here long? Are you hungry?” She patted my belly. “Probably not. You always were such a good eater. I remember you never had issues eating all of your tomatoes,unlike those cousins of yours. Little birds, just pecking away. My girl always made a happy plate, huh?”

If this woman hadn’t sacrificed everything to raise me, I mean really, if it were anyone else…

A quick snort came from under the bed and I cleared my throat to cover it. “Sorry, Nana, got a tickle in my throat.”

“You know, if you’re getting sick, Knox has been growing some kind of special healing mushrooms in the far back of the property by the creek if you need some. He says they can heal cancer and dementia and all kinds of stuff. Your papa has been taking them daily in the morning.”

I thought he looked a little away from Earth when he picked us up, talking about the vibrant colors of street signs and exits ahead.

“Ah, I’m good. Thanks though.”

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