Page 19 of As the Years Pass
After I hit send, I put my phone down and pull off my clothes and head to the bathroom to take a quick, hot shower. There’s a text waiting for me when I’m done.
Emmet
Awwww are you worried?
Emmet
At my car and driving home.
Creeps hang out this time of night.
The dots pop up and I wait for him to answer.
Emmet
I’ll have to brush up on my karate.
I bark out a laugh, then realize something.
Stop texting and driving!!
Emmet
At a red light.
Don’t care.
The dots don’t appear and text doesn’t come through. So I check the lock on my door and crawl into bed, the sheets cool against my skin. I plug my phone in and lie on my back to stare up at the ceiling. My phone dings and I glance at it—there’s a text.
Emmet
Made it home. Good night, Adam.
I smile to myself and close my eyes.
Chapter Seven
Emmet
My days are going by more smoothly ever since I gave Adam my number. It’s easier to have a conversation with him like this, when I don’t have to look him in the eye. No expectations, just comfortable banter between old friends. We text throughout the day, and have done that since we exchanged numbers. Though, I did notice his texts come more frequently now that he’s back in California and not with his kids. I am not at all complaining about that. I love how dedicated he is to being a father. It’s something he always wanted to do, and I’m happy that he was able to do it.
Adam
Officially on my last month of working here.
Do you have a job lined up in Seattle?
Adam
I have a few interviews next week.
That’s great. Good luck.
There’s a heavy bang on the back door, so I get up from my seat to open it. I should put a camera out there, so I can make sure I’m not opening the door to someone trying to break in. Though I’m told this is a safe neighborhood, you just never know.
“Hi, are you Emmet?” the guy asks once I pull open the door. He’s wearing a grey T-shirt with a faded logo that I can’t quite make out, but I am able to see the HVAC beneath it.
“That’s me,” I say, offering my hand.
