Page 18 of The Keeper
Me: Yeaaaaaaaaa, that’s not a real thing
Mack: You don’t know
Me: I think I do, actually
Mack: ANYWAY. I’ve been thinking about our next date
I leave my desk and wander down to the living room to flip on Sports Center.
Me: Oh?
Mack: Yeah. I’m thinking Chuck-E-Cheese
Me: Only if you promise not to lose your diaper in the ball pit
Mack: Bad experience?
Me: A kid I was babysitting when I was in high school. That was NOT a good day for me
Mack: Sounds pretty glamorous
Me: Story of my life.
About five minutes goes by before anything else comes through. My eyes glaze over the television, which currently sits on mute. Some asshole that plays college football in Texas is causing a stir. I love those stories.
Mack: I wanted to kiss you so bad today
My breath catches and I immediately begin to chew on my fingernails. I’m unsure how to respond. Do I make a joke? Is this one of those moments? I can tell him I wouldn’t have wanted his burger-y onion breath in my face.
Even though it’s a boldfaced lie.
I hit the sleep button on the top of my phone and watch the screen go black, staring at it for a moment and allowing everything in my mind the chance to jumble around until the pieces fall in a way that makes sense.
I like that he said that to me, both in the text and earlier today. But I don’t know what to say back. What’s a normal response to someone saying they want to kiss you?
When he said it earlier today when he dropped me off, I stood like a statue until he hugged me and I was able to show him with my return embrace that I was feeling the moment too. But, I don’t have the luxury of allowing him to read my body language. If I don’t respond to his text, maybe he’ll think I don’t want him to kiss me. But if I tell him how I really feel…
What? What will happen if I tell him how I really feel?
Nothing.
Well, that’s not true. I might die of embarrassment.
But apart from that, nothing.
Me: I wanted you to kiss me, too
I wait for a response, but my phone stays dark. I flip through the channels, not even sure what shows are on. I go into the kitchen and get a glass of water. I stand at the island, snacking on strawberries. Fifteen minutes go by and nothing.
When my phone rings suddenly, I’m so surprised I drop it on the ground. I’m immediately grateful for my phone case and screen protector.
“Hello?”
“Why are you all short of breath? Were you on a jog or something?”
My heart drops at Charlie’s voice.
“No, I was just glaring at my phone, willing Mack to call me with my voodoo powers.”
