Page 97 of Falling Backwards
I don’t need to spend any more time with half-naked Luke than is necessary.
—
Aside from Luke liking that one pair of sweatpants, the rest of our time in the sporting goods store turned out to be fruitless.I wondered if I should get some good athletic shoes of my own, but neither of us found any that we couldn’t live without.We’ll have to pick back up on shopping for outfits later this weekend.
We never found out if the guy I saw was Kyle, which is both a relief and lingeringly uncomfortable.Some decidedly good news is that the coast appeared to be clear when we went to the grocery store to get the laundry detergent and body wash Luke needed.And it was neither here nor there that I got a whiff of the latter, but there was something pleasant about knowing he washes himself with something scented like that—male without being overbearing, fragrant without making my nose itch.
We ate some fast-food tacos, swung back by my apartment so I could get ready for work, and now we’re about to walk into his so he can do the same.
Since learning we’d be stopping by, I’ve been interested in seeing how he lives.Is he the sloppy and lazy sort of single guy, or is he on the tidier side?Does his whole place look like the fitting room bench?
His complex seems nice, but it isn’t built like mine; it has the kinds of doors and porches that face out into the open air rather than line indoor hallways.The upstairs unit he’s in has the feeling of being tucked into a corner, but in a good way—his is the last second-level unit on this end of the string of buildings.While he unlocks the door, I look down between his building and the one sitting at a close catty-corner, where a sidewalk winds out of sight, perhaps towards the swimming pool or a small playground, definitely through other buildings.
I think he has a nice little spot here.I’m sure this area is truly pleasant in other seasons, when the grass is green and the trees are blooming.
And I bet Christmas lights are so fun on these porch and staircase railings.I always like driving by apartments and seeing the different holiday decorations people come up with.
“Here we go,” Luke prompts lightly.
I turn and see he’s standing aside, waiting for me to pass through the doorway, so I head for the dim indoors.
Once I’m in, I accidentally kick a shoe lying haphazardly just there.He rushes to apologize right as I do, even though I also mentally roll my eyes.Why are his shoes so close to the door?
Then he hits the light switch and shuts us in.Blinking, I look around.
And a sense of comfort envelopes me.
Small yet comforting—that’s what this space is.
A soft-looking gray furniture set is in his living room to my right, one piece of which is an oversized chair that could easily seat two people and that I want to sink into this very minute.He has two simple end tables, and they have nothing on them but coasters.His TV is in front of the window that faces where we just came from, but I’m sure lighting isn’t a problem for daytime watching because his dark blue curtains are the thick blackout kind.Except for a hoodie and a coat, I don’t see loose clothing lying anywhere.
Across the way is his dining room, which flows into the kitchen, which is only separated from the living area by a bar counter sort of thing.A small Bluetooth speaker and a box of tissues are sitting on it.
A wall runs close to my left side, and flush against it is a skinny, long, dark brown accent table that Luke is putting his keys on, as well as his two plastic shopping bags.I see mail scattered there, too, plus…a child-made Thanksgiving turkey craft?
That one is cute and puzzling.I point at it, turning my head to follow his slow walk around me.“What’s this?”
He looks at what I’m talking about and chortles warmly.
“An older woman and her granddaughter live, like, two doors down from me.They had car trouble the other morning when it was super cold outside, so I gave their battery a jump.The little girl brought that turkey to me later and said she and her grandma are thankful for me.”
This wrenches at my heartstrings almost as much as it surprises me.
“Gosh,” I say softly.“That’s really special.It was so kind of you to help them.”
He shrugs one shoulder, then gives me a look that matches the thought entering my mind:Why should it surprise me that Luke did something kind?He’s been kind tomelately.He isn’t a monster.
The still-fragile part of my heart wants to disagree with that last bit, but it’s muttering more than loud.
And obviously, it’s a bit melodramatic.Younger Luke was hurtful in his way, but the label‘monster’can’t be thrown around willy-nilly.
So it’s easy to overlook that part of myself.
Present-day Luke starts walking away.“I’ll be ready to leave again soon.Sit down or whatever if you want.”He gestures at the open kitchen across the way, then adds, “Sorry about all the mess in there.My aunt called right as I was about to clean up after breakfast, so….”
So he got distracted,I remember with a sympathetic frown.
I’d still like to know what she did to upset him.
