Page 20 of Snowed In Sucker
I can’t take it anymore. I put both my hands on Landon’s face, pulling him into a kiss. I kiss him like this will be the last time I ever do so, making sure he understands the magnitude of my feelings towards him. While I am gone, I want him to rememberthis kiss and reassure himself that this is all real. I want to look back and remember as well.
“I’ll see you soon,” Landon says, taking a step away from me.
“See you soon,” I say, waving. Then I turn around, get onto my snowmobile, and drive away. It’s the most difficult drive I’ve done.
My day passes quickly. I start by seeing all of the animals, checking on how they fared in the snow. They all call out to me, excited that I’m here. I have a feeling they’re mostly excited because they know I’m coming with food. Then I work on the momentous task of shoveling. There’s a lot of snow, but thankfully, the Greys have a plow that I can use for the majority of it. I work up a sweat when it’s time for me to get out and use a shovel. It’s a good sweat. Finally, I check in with the Greys, making sure they’re okay and properly stocked. Eventually, as the sun is starting to set, I make my way back home.
As I walk inside, my chest bursts with emotion. The string of lights flip on as I hit the switch, but instead of enjoying them with Landon beside me, I’m all alone.
I’ve always been content to be alone. In fact, I’ve always preferred it to having company. Landon has changed that. He’s come into my world, fallen into my lap, and rearranged my entire being.
I text Landon, letting him know that I’m home and jumping into the shower. He texts me back a moment later, telling me to take a picture. I find myself chuckling, excitement filling my stomach.
With my shirt off, I take a picture in the mirror. The text I get back is mostly just a keysmash. I was worried this despair of being so far from Landon would be the only thing I feel. I’m glad to know that’s not true. I can still feel excitement and joy just from talking to him over the phone and text.
We spend the night talking back and forth. Before I go to sleep, I ask him if I can come over after work tomorrow and he answers with an immediate and excited yes. I go to sleep with a smile on my face.
The next day, I get a message from Landon telling me I can’t come over after all. Apparently, he’s coming down with something and isn’t feeling well. He thinks maybe he’s eaten something bad? I told him I would come take care of him but he declined, saying he didn’t want to get me sick.
The pit of my stomach sours. Hopefully, whatever bug this is, will pass quickly.
Except, it doesn’t pass quickly. One day turns into two which turns into the entire week. He even thinks about calling his dads and telling them not to come. I talk him out of that. Who better to care for you when you’re sick than your parents?
I miss him but I respect his desire to not have someone in his space while he’s feeling sick. Thinking on it, I haven’t been feeling like myself the last few days either. There’s a feeling in my stomach that just won’t go away, something thick and heavy. I can’t seem to focus no matter how much I try. I feel irritated at every little thing, like a caged animal looking for its way out.
Not really knowing what to do with myself, I pick up my phone and call my sister.
“Jett? Hey, what’s up?”
“Hey, do you have a minute to talk?”
“For you? Always.”
“I’ve been feeling kinda weird lately. Can I just kind of talk things through with you?”
“Weird how?”
I bite my bottom lip before getting into it, describing exactly how I’ve been feeling lately to my sister. She listens the entire time before finally sighing when I’m all done.
“You know I love you, right?”
“Yes?” I say slowly, wondering where she’s going with this.
“I know it’s been a long time since we’ve had the sex talk but surely you haven’t forgotten everything I taught you, Jett.”
“I’m sorry,what? What does sex have to do with any of this?”
“Okay, let’s start over,” she says. “When an octopus finds someone they are compatible with, what happens?”
My brain comes to a screeching halt, like a record scratching to a stop. How could I have been so stupid? No wonder Landon and I are feeling like shit right now!
“They push pheromones into the air,” I say with a wince. “Which prepares their mate for deposit.”
“Bingo! You got it in one. You’re separated right now which means you’re both going to be sick with pining sickness. You need to be with each other for that to go away. You also need to sit down and have a talk with him about everything else. His body is changing, Jett. That can be scary if you’re not talked through it!”
When an octopus finds someone they’re compatible with, a few things happen. Just like in the wild, they secrete pheromones into their air which their partner breathes in. Those pheromones essentially change their partner, making their body produce the equipment needed to hold an egg.
At the same time, the octopus’ body changes as well. It begins the process of producing a mating tentacle along with any eggsmade with both partners’ DNA. Because I bottomed, I started the entire process off. That heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach isn’t just from missing Landon, it’s my body forming the eggs that will become our children if they’re properly placed within Landon’s body.
