Page 44 of Waste Some Time
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day were hands down her favorite holidays.
“We’ve got some eating to do first,” their mom said, with a pat on the back of their dad’s chair. “We can get cutthroat after that.”
“Oh, good,” Stephen said. “I’m starving.”
Sydney stood and made a little moaning noise. “I swear it’s like I’ve been waiting three years for this meal.”
“That’s because ithasbeen three years since you had it,” Stephen said.
Everyone stood to head into the kitchen to heap rice and blackeyes slow-cooked with salt pork onto large plates with a side of smothered cabbage. Katie sat at the table beside Sydney as the family filled in around them. Stephen and Simon had taken the folding chairs they’d added to make room for both Sydney and Katie this year, besides both parents being home.
After lunch, the boys immediately began arguing about which game to play first.
“Let’s sit outside while they settle this,” Sydney said. “Since they’re making us wait while they battle, they can set it up, too.”
Katie grabbed her leather jacket from the guest room bed and followed Sydney onto the patio. The air was not quite cold enough to see her breath, but she could already feel her nose reddening.
Still, she was glad to spend a quiet break with Sydney. Almost as glad as she’d been to sit on those cold concrete bleachers last night while they held hands and watched the fireworks together.
“How are you holding up?” Sydney asked.
“What, here? Fine,” Katie said. “It’s always great spending time with your family.”
“Yeah, but this is different. And I know you were worried about it.”
“I was worried about what would happen to all of this if we didn’t work out,” Katie said. “I’m still a little worried about that if I’m being honest. But I’m trying not to think about it anymore and just see where this all goes.”
Sydney’s lips curled into a wide smile. “Good.”
“So what are your plans for the rest of the week?”
“Oh, you know. Plan a move. Find a job. Find a place to live. Easy stuff.”
Katie laughed. She’d been looking for all the ways they were different, but they had a lot in common, too. Especially with making plans and lists. They just approached it from different angles. Sydney liked knowing the path ahead, and Katie planned to keep herself on track when her brain was apt to spin in multiple directions.
“That’s a lot for one week. Maybe pace yourself?”
“The move is first. I’ll have to go back for at least a couple weeks to give my notice and get out of my apartment lease and start packing.”
“I’ll help with whatever I can.”
“Thanks.” Sydney pulled her coat tighter to brace against an icy breeze that swept across the patio. “Simon and Stephen have already signed up to help with the physical move whenever that happens.”
“Good,” Katie said. “The rest of that to-do list of yours can wait.”
“Speaking of to-do lists. I guess you’ll be spending tomorrow with making those.”
“Well, I was actually thinking about soaking up as much time as possible with my new girlfriend before she goes back to California.”
“Temporarily,” Sydney said. “And I like the sound of girlfriend.”
Katie grinned. “Me, too.”
“But seriously. I don’t want to waste your time or keep you from your planning stuff.”
“All I want is to waste time with you. I want to sit on the couch and binge reality TV and eat pizza while we snuggle and sometimes make room for Benjamin.”
Sydney reached across from under the table to squeeze Katie’s hand. “That sounds perfect to me.”
