Page 8 of Starts With a Bang

Me:I thought it was cute and quirky. You certainly figured it out easily enough.

Me:Or have you been searching for the hidden treasure this entire time?

Dom:Don’t get a big head about it. I’m at my parents’ place in Arizona. They’re at the senior community center for a card tournament, and I’m bored out of my mind. I’d forgotten you even gave me your number until tonight.

Me:Uh-huh. You forgot.

Dom:What’s my contact saved under?

Me:Y for yummy.

Dom:Be serious or I’m hanging up.

Me:Hanging up? Okay, Boomer.

When fifteen minutes passed without a response, I chided myself for blowing my opportunity with a snarky mouth. Withluck, I could’ve talked Dom into a joint jerk sesh to finish the holiday in style. But no, my big mouth got me in trouble. Disappointment left a bitter taste on my tongue and a heaviness in my chest. And I realized that Kerry, annoying as he was, might’ve been right about his assessment. Dom was sad, though not a loser, and he could do some serious damage to my heart if I weren’t careful.

Sat, Dec 24, 2022 at 3:00 pm

Me:Merry Christmas!

Sun, Dec 25, 2022 at 10:00 am

Dom:Merry Christmas

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 at 2:30 pm

Dom:Do I want the extra toasty Cheez-Its or the bacon and cheddar duo for a snack?

Me:Neither. Come to the Feisty Bull for our New Year’s Eve Party. Surely, you remember what a good time those are?

Dom:Kerry invited me, but I’m not sure.

Me:Because I’ll be there? I don’t have to be. I have other parties I could attend.

Dom:Not everything is about you.

Dom:But yeah. It’s about us.

Me:Ohhhh. There’s an us?

Dom:No! There’s no us. But there was for a few moments.

Me:Mmmm. I relive those moments every time I close my eyes or…

Dom:You’re not helping.

Me:Sorry

Dom:No, you’re not.

Me:Busted

Dom:I’m not sure I can look Kerry in the eye

Me:I don’t want you to be alone tonight

Dom:I don’t want to be alone either

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