Page 25 of Without a Doubt

“What does this room tell you about me?”

My voice startles Eva. She spins around so fast she almost falls over onto my bed.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”

“It's okay.” She glances around the room and looks over her shoulder at the pictures one more time. “It tells me you were active.” She points to my trophies from where I played baseball as a kid and into high school. “You played video games then.” She points to the small couch and empty entertainment center. “And that girl meant a lot to you. Is that Kelly?” She turns back to the pictures, but I don't move from my spot by the door.

“Yeah, that's her. It was a Christmas gift one year.”

“It's hard to believe you don't talk to her anymore. Y'all looked inseparable.”

One thing is for sure. I don't want to be here with Eva talking about Kelly. “Things didn't exactly end well. C'mon. I'm supposed to be visiting with my parents, remember?”

“Right. Sorry.” She shakes her head and turns toward me.

“It's all right.”

Mom immediately starts a conversation that lasts until dinner is over. Eva is a hit with my parents. No surprise there. It feels good to be back here with them. So many of my visits since Kelly demanded the break have been more gloomy, more tainted with me being bothered that she was ignoring me. Not this time. There's a lot more happiness.

Mom brings us our clean clothes before we leave. Eva has to promise my mom to join me on my next trip home. It makes me smile that Mom likes her so much.

“Have you had fun?” I ask.

“Yeah. Thanks so much for today, Emerson.”

“Thanks for coming with me.”

About halfway to my apartment, she groans. “You live so close to campus, yet so far. I don't feel like driving yet. I like having you around to drive for me,” she teases.

“I offered to pick you up. You're the one who insisted on driving.”

“I know, I know.”

I laugh at her dejected tone. “You can stay if you want, and then go home in the morning.”

“You're too nice.”

“Well? That's not an answer.”

“I'll see once we get back.” She ends up accepting my offer. “Your bed is more comfortable than mine,” she explains.

I shake my head at her with a smile. “Do you want something of mine to wear?”

“Please,” she nods. I find her a pair of basketball shorts, tossing them to her. She decided to sleep in her tank top. “Thanks.” I'm about to leave her to change, when she adds, “You don't have to sleep on the couch, Emerson.”

“Are you sure?” She nods. “Okay. Let me know when you're done.” I leave her in my room to lock the door. My phone vibrates with a text and I check it. It's from my mom.

Mom: Loved having you home, son. Please visit more often. I think Eva is great for you.

Me: Thanks, Mom. Will do.

I replay the day over in my head. The once looming two-year deadline has never seemed so far away. More often than not lately, I've found myself doubting something actually happening between Kelly and me once it's here. Maybe nothing will happen. It's starting to bother me to have it feel as if it's hanging over my head every time I'm with Eva, and even when I'm not. I pull up my contacts, and scroll until I find Kelly.

I haven't spoken to her in over a year. She ignored me any time I tried. Maybe our break wasn't a break, but a break up. With an impulsive decision, I delete her contact. I obviously don't need it.

“Emerson, I'm done,” Eva calls.

“Coming.”

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