Page 13 of The ABCs of You & Me

Of course!

I somehow manage to complete those two words without adding in unwanted letters or thirty exclamation marks.

Figured this way you can reach out if you get snowed in and need someone to dig you out. Or bring you food or watch Game of Thrones with you.

As if I’d be able to watch the show if he was sitting there with me. I’d be sitting there like,oh my god, Foster Walsh is sitting beside me, in my house. Then he’d ask if I liked the episode and I’d be all like, “oh yeah, it was great,” even though if you asked me what happened, my only answer would be “well, Foster was there and I think maybe there was a dragon or something?” It would be likeLord of the Ringsall over again. Must have something to do with fantasy.

Good thinking! Just having someone to help shovel the driveway would be amazing!

I’d shovel your driveway any time, Soph.

That sounds like a euphemism for about seven other things, none of them involving snow removal.

I wouldn’t say no!

I add and then remove a winky emoji. This already feels like unsafe territory for reacquainted friends to be venturing into.

What are you up to today?

Went for a run, now I’m being lazy.

I think the run negates any claims of laziness. I am revoking any rights you think you have to laziness.

I look out the window at the miserable February weather. It’s too gray, too slushy, too unwelcome on every level. Who runs in this? I bet he’s cold. I bet I could help warm him up.Oh, stop it, you delusional cow.

SEVEN

FOSTER

I have a list on my fridge now of things I want to make for lunch. Recipes that will be good for dinner and then transition well for two lunches. Food that is interesting enough for me, but not too out there for Sophie. Who, to her credit, has eaten every single meal I’ve put in front of her and seems to have only struggled through the eggplant parm. I learned after that she thinks eggplant has the texture of an old crusty sponge, or what she thinks the texture would be like. I did confirm that she has not actually tried to eat one.

“What do you think Gary? Taco bowls for Monday? Maybe dumplings for Tuesday…” I trail off as I close the fridge finding Gary eyeing me from his perch on the counter stool. No doubt judging me for talking to a cat.

I get the beef started before beginning the prep on the veggies. Sophie was pretty insistent that I didn’t have to make her food, but I’d told her that this sort of thing brings me joy. The me of ten years ago would be shocked by this development, but then again he’d be shocked by just about everything. He’d be pretty thrilled by all the Sophie time, though.

My phone buzzes on the counter, giving Gary an excuse to overreact and jump down from where he’s been watching me for the last twenty minutes.

Dan’s name appears, followed by Heather’s.

Dan

I know you said you needed a break from the setups but our friend’s daughter just got home from Korea and I think you two would hit it off.

Heather

If we are allowed to throw our hats back into the ring I’ve got the PERFECT person.

Weird, I didn’t think Heather knew Sophie.

Sweet potato fries, where did that come from?

I’m sure your friend’s daughter is lovely and no one is perfect, H. I may have met someone but it’s early days.

Bouncing belugas, what am I doing? I’m actively complicating a situation that’s not even real.

Heather

WHO?

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