Page 149 of Falling Backwards
Nodding, I get ready to turn the stereo volume up.“That what we’re listening to?”
She answers by playing it.
I’m pleased even though it’s not the best song to listen to while sleepy.
Indeed, although I soak up the words and the melody and the way the guy sings, enjoying every bit and vaguely noting the ways in which this song makes me think about Maggie, I can’t seem to find my second wind.Can’t seem to summon excitement for our evening continuing at Paxton’s place, or to want to listen to something more upbeat after this.Even when “Rome” drifts to an end on bittersweet piano keys and I’ve turned the volume down again, I can’t so much as think of any conversations to start.
Maggie seems to be in the same boat.All she does is choose another song—“Take on the World,” which also reminds me of her—and listen to it on low with me.
We’re back to yawning by the time we’re sluggishly climbing the stairs to my apartment.
While I’m unlocking the door, she mumbles something I can’t make out.
“Huh?”I mumble back.
“No idea where the game is?”
“Ugh, no.Maybe I can find it quickly.”
Gotta say, I’m not too tired to notice how much better my home feels the instant she walks into it.Not too tired to appreciate it as much as I did last time.
I gesture at the living room.“Feel free to sit.My kitchen’s not dirty right now, so you don’t have to worry about tidying it up.”
She chuckles drowsily, then offers, “I can help look for the game.”
Well, duh.There’s an idea.
“Oh.Yeah, okay.”I try to describe the box we’re looking for.Then I leave her in this part of the apartment while I take my bedroom.
Muttering nothings to myself, I drag around and try to make my brain focus on my surroundings.I check my closet, my nightstand, and beneath my bed.Check my dresser and then my closet again.
After a few minutes, I walk back towards Maggie.
“Don’t see it,” I say.“Do you?”
Silence greets me.I trudge to a stop and look around…
…and see she’s slumped in a corner of my oversized chair, her head resting on one fallen arm.She’s asleep.
I almost roll my eyes at how she offered to help and then sat down and conked out.
But I actually don’t mind it.
We’re both very tired.It was hard for me to focus on the search too.Plus, despite that her outfit and melty positioning don’t seem terribly comfortable, she looks rather peaceful.She needed sleep and now she’s getting some.
I shuffle over to her and say gently, “Maggie?”
She doesn’t respond at all, just keeps breathing steadily and serenely.
And that is the extent of how hard I’m willing to try to wake her.
I walk back to my room, pulling my coat off as I go.I lay it on my bed along with my keys and wallet, then toe off my shoes while I call Paxton.
Hearing his jolly greeting makes me blink slowly—man, he’sreallyready for more fun.
But I have to tell him, “Hey, sorry, we came to my place to look for the game and Maggie passed out in my living room.I’m gonna let her sleep and probably lie down myself.”
“Aw, what!”he complains.“But memes!”
