Page 15 of Blind Trust
“That’s good,” he said. “I hadn’t thought of radio shows.”
“Oh, and books on tape. I like those, too. Though of course, I can read with my braille reader. It’s nice to be able to relax and just listen.”
She was chattier than he’d thought she’d be tonight. He was glad she wasn’t nervous to be in the same room with him, but maybe her chattiness right now was a sign of her nerves. “Okay, I’m going to hop in the shower. You want me to leave Jackie on, or do you want the remote to find something else?”
“This is fine,” she said. “I might be asleep when you come out. I took one of the pills Leah recommended to help me sleep, and it only takes twenty minutes to kick in.”
“All right. I’ll be quiet so I don’t wake you. My alarm is set for seven thirty. I’d like us to be on the road by eight. We can get breakfast further down the road. There’s a pancake house and a local coffee shop just a few miles away.”
“Sounds good,” she said. “Well, good night Brian.”
“Good night, Cecelia.”
Cecelia nestled into her pillows,sheets and blankets, feeling the melatonin start to work. Once she laid still, it wouldn’t be long until she slept. She didn’t know why she had been so tired on the trip today.
Am I really that behind on sleep? Must be more than I realized. And Brian is so much nicer than I realized. He’s really going out of his way to make sure I’m comfortable, safe and enjoying the trip.
Why was I so hesitant to go out with him?
Not every guy is like Elijah, which I know in my head, logically, and Leah and I have gone over that enough, but the fear of dating has been a stubborn sticking thing.
Leah said give Brian a chance and just get to know him as a friend, first. Then whether I decide to go out or not, I’ll have made a new friend and that’s always a good thing.
All this time on the road getting to know Brian has been so nice. And he is so nice. I guess there really are nice guys out there. You just have to find one.
If he asks me out again, I think I’ll say yes. It feels right to say yes. I really like him a lot.
It was her last thought before falling asleep, and she slept soundly for the first time in months, and without one bad dream.
When she woke the next morning, and realized this, it felt somewhat like a miracle.
She was in the bathroom before his alarm went off and came out just as it began to ring.
“Good morning,” she said after he turned off the alarm.
She started digging in her suitcase for fresh clothes to wear today on the second day of their trip.
“Morning,” he said, watching her rummage in her suitcase for something. “I didn’t hear you last night. How did you sleep?”
“I slept all night long, like a baby,” she said. “I feel so much better this morning. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do.”
“Good. Yes, it is,” he said. “Are you done in the bathroom?”
“Yes. Go ahead.” She lifted her jeans and sniffed them, and then held them out for him to see. “Any spots on these? If not, I’m wearing them again today.”
“Nope, no spots.” He walked past her into the bathroom and closed the door.
She’d have privacy to get dressed, and then they’d check out and get on the road. He needed coffee to catch up with her cheerfulness, but he was happy she’d slept well.
* * *
The second dayof driving went well. The weather remained good, except for one brief, drizzling rain that didn’t last more than thirty minutes, just long enough to wash the dust off the truck.
They ate lunch at a truck stop, which she’d never done before, and they shared one slice of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
“I know what your plan is,” she said when they were back in the truck.
“What’s my plan,” he said, one side of his mouth curving.
