Page 44 of Ice Ice Maybe
Me:Rude.
Nolan:Because I can’t take my eyes off you.
Me:You’re forgiven, but don’t think I have forgotten you stole my french fries last night. Maybe I’ll wear my new red silky nightgown to bed tonight, to get back at you.
Nolan:Don’t you dare!
We shared another laugh as he tapped another message.
Nolan:I can’t stop thinking about you.
Me:Likewise.
Nolan:And I want to kiss you.
Me:Not as much as I want to kiss you.
He looked over and glanced down at my lips.
I suddenly got nervous that he might do it right there in front of Dad and quickly typed another text to stop it before it happened.
Me:Not now! Get that out of your mind!
Captain Jack’s voice crackled over the intercom, his tone casual but professional. “Folks, we’ve just been informed by Air Traffic Control that because of thunderstorms in Nashville, we’re being diverted to land in Memphis. As of right now, I have no information on how long we’ll be on the ground there, but I’ll keep you updated. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
Dad muttered something as he gripped the armrest and stared out the window.
Nolan:Does your dad have something urgent scheduled in Nashville besides the game?
Me:No, he’s just nervous about anything unplanned or unexpected, whether or not it’s flight-related. Always has.
Dad downed the rest of his drink in one gulp.
Nolan:He needs a distraction. I have an idea.
Me:No! Don’t do it!
Unfortunately, Nolan didn’t see my last text.
He popped out of his seat. “How about we play a game to pass the time?”
“No,” Dad said immediately, which was not a surprise.
Mom, however, shut him down in an instant. “We’re playing. What kind of game?”
“It’s called Blank Slate Day,” Nolan said. “Imagine you wake up tomorrow on a normal workday, but there is suddenly nothing on your calendar. What would you do with the free day that dropped in your lap? Say the first thing that pops into your head.”
Dad scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. There’s always something on the calendar.”
Nolan pressed on, undeterred. “That’s the point, sir. It’s a chance to imagine and to think about what you’d do if all of your obligations disappeared. It’s a game.”
“A game I don’t want to play,” he said. “Can I get back to work?”
“Everett—don’t be such a bore,” Mom said. “Give us an answer.”
He glanced at her, looking a mix of surprised and offended. “I’ll show you how pointless this exercise can be. If I woke up tomorrow with no obligations, I would go right back to bed and sleep all day. Happy?”
We all stared at him in disbelief.
