Page 26 of Resolution
Waiting for our call to connect is almost unbearable. I pace between my couch and bed as I wait. Three, four, five rings later. It goes to voice mail. Fucking voice mail. Her unbelievable sexy voice pulls at my heart, making it both speed up and drop through my stomach as she tells me to leave a message. When the beep finally comes, I want to beg, borrow, and plead for forgiveness. God, what have I done?
“Samantha, beautiful. I’m so sorry. I WILL make this up to you. I love you so much. Please forgive me. Please call me no matter how late you get this message. We need to talk. Give me that chance…” Her voice mail cuts me off. It asks if I want to re-record the message or leave it as is.
Feeling completely defeated, I end the call and sink onto my bed. I cradle my head in my hands as my elbows dig into my knees. I’m exhausted and need a shower. I need to call my family. But that can wait. I have no idea how to reach Samantha if she’s not answering her phone. I might as well hop in the shower while I figure out what the fuck I should do to make this right with her. I grab my phone and bring it to the bathroom in hopes I will hear from her soon.
Showers usually relieve my tension. This one, not so much. I need to hear Samantha’s voice. To know we’re okay and that we can work past this. I’ve never seen her pissed and have no fucking clue as to how to make this up to her. If it wasn’t Christmas, I think I’d send her flowers or something, but everything is closed at this hour. Being so far away has never sucked so much in my life.
By the time I get out of the shower and get dressed in my favorite pair of sweats, I’m still no better off. I glance at the clock again. It’s only been thirty minutes, but it feels like a lifetime. Not wanting to miss my family as they are sure to be eating Christmas dinner about now, I decide to call.
“Hello,” Pops’ deep voice answers.
“Hey, Pops. Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas to you, too, son! It’s good to hear from you. You’ve caught us at a great time. We’ve just finished dinner and are all dying to talk with you. I’ll pass you to your ma, as she’s already chomping at the bit. I’ll catch you later as you make your rounds.” Pops chuckles, knowing I’ll be on the phone for a while with everyone.
“Sounds great, Pops.” I settle back onto my bed, getting comfortable.
“Enzo, are you there?”
“It’s me, Ma. Merry Christmas.”
“I love you, Enzo. I’m so sorry you couldn’t be here. But next year, you and Samantha had better plan on being here to share it with us!”
I cringe at the thought of Samantha, and my heart sinks even further. I miss my family, but for some reason, I miss Samantha more. I need her like I’ve never needed anyone. Why the fuck isn’t she returning my call?
“Enzo? Are you there?”
Fuck, I need to get it together. Trying to recall what she said, I stay noncommittal. “We’ll see, Ma. It’s not up to me to decide.”
This makes Mom laugh. “Oh, spoken like a true husband. You always were quick on the uptake. Samantha’s going to be one lucky girl.”
I sigh heavily. “I don’t know, Ma. I’m the lucky one.” If she’ll ever speak to me again. Christ. She’s never gone so long without contacting me. Where the fuck is she?
“She’s absolutely beautiful inside and out, Enzo. You sure are lucky. And she makes one hell of a pie.”
Wait. Pie? “What do you mean?”
“Well, we’re all eating her delicious grasshopper pie and cheesecake she brought over for dessert. I can’t believe she made them from scratch. You’re going to have to keep working out if you eat this delicious food of hers.”
“She’s there?” I ask in disbelief.
“Well, of course! We weren’t going to let our future daughter-in-law stay home alone for Christmas. What kind of family would that make us?”
A mixture of relief and anxiety flow through me. I’m so fucking thankful to know where she is. She can’t be too mad if she’s at my parents’ for Christmas dinner, but how can I be sure?
“Hey, Ma, can I speak with her?” God, I hope she’ll take my call.
“From the look in her eyes, I think she’s dying to.”
No better words could be heard. My body instantly relaxes and I eagerly anticipate Samantha’s beautiful voice. A shuffle can be heard through the phone and I’m almost at a loss for words when her voice reaches my ears.
“Merry Christmas, Enzo,” comes out nearly breathless and those three simple words are all I need. The dread I’d been feeling drifts away. Even though she may be mad, I know I’ve worried for nothing.
“Merry Christmas, beautiful. This will be the only Christmas we’re apart,” I vow. There’s no fucking way I’ll be apart from her like this again.
Her beautiful laughter flows through the phone and warms my body from the inside out. “I’ll hold you to that.” Her saucy voice lingers and clutches my heart further.
“So… You’re not mad at me?” I hesitantly ask, not wanting to ruin the moment, but having to know at the same time.
