Page 103 of Rugger: The Huntress

“Trying to get to know you even better,” he sighed.

“You will,” I replied, “We will.”

We were both getting to know a side of me that I had never explored or cared to reveal. I had little knowledge of its existence before Sonnie.

Ding dong.

The doorbell sounded in the distance. I sprang to my feet. Within a split second, I was armed and prepared for engagement.

“The food,” Sonnie reminded me, gripping his Glock.

He slid on a pair of pants that matched the black silk pants in my set.

Corny, I thought. The thrill of it all had my heart racing. I loved his thoughtfulness.

I watched as he made his way out of the bedroom. As quickly as he had, I slipped into my pajamas and followed, headed toward the window. The full view of the driveway and front door brought me comfort.

The delivery driver handed over the purchased food and headed back to the car waiting with the lights dimmed. He tossed his warmer in the passenger seat before backing out of the spiraling driveway. When his lights disappeared in the darkness, I sighed with relief.

“Smells good,” I confessed upon entering the kitchen.

Sonnie was deep in the bag, unfastening each box. One by one, he slid them under a stainless steel contraption that displayed the contents of each dish.

“Those are ready for consumption,” he explained, nodding toward the three boxes closest to me.

Bewilderment kept me grounded. I wasn’t sure where we were consuming our meal. Exhaustion wouldn’t allow me to sit upright in a dining chair but I wanted to respect Sonnie’s home.

“Where to?”

“There’s clean linen and cushions on the rug in front of the sofa. I didn’t have a chance to make the pallet. Because thetelevision is down here, I figured we’d stay the night in the living room.”

“Television?” I asked with a scrunched nose and upturned top lip.

I hadn’t enjoyed television since I was a child. Most times, it felt like wasted opportunity to improve my latest design, sharpen my skills, or study my next assignment.

“That massive thing on the wall in there.”

“I’m aware of it. I– it’s been so long since I’ve sat down for the purpose of television entertainment.”

“Me too. That’s why there is only one in the entire home. It felt pointless until tonight.”

The idea of a sleepover with Psalms was convincing. I left him with the more daunting task and fled into the living room. There were two queen-sized mattress toppers still vacuum sealed in the plastic they had come in. I looked toward the kitchen, amused with his definition of cushions.

“What?” He shrugged.

“Nothing,” I laughed, cutting into the plastic with the scissors that were next to them on the floor.

I flattened the toppers and then stacked them before unfolding the linen. I hooked the fitted sheets at the very ends and layered the rest. The large pillows Sonnie had sat aside were perfect against the sofa, adding back support for us both until we were ready to lay down.

“Alright,” Psalms announced his presence, “One for you– one for me.”

He handed me a cold bottle of water.

“Thanks.”

He placed the large round eating tray in the center of the pallet and pointed the television remote directly at the screen. I busied myself with the boxes and bags stuffed with food as he settled on a film.

Rice.

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