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Long Week Without You

12/13/2024

Sarah’s pocket rumbled

Hey

She smiled.

Hey yourself

She stood by the department store door, waiting for her bus.

Been a long week without you

‘True, and it’s really nice to see you say it.’

You know how to fix that?

A familiar red sedan pulled up in front of the door.

How’s this for an idea?

She tucked her phone in her pocket and dashed outside. Leo got out and opened the door for her. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“Leo, you’re parked where the bus stops.”

“Guess I’d better whisk you away before disaster strikes. Buckle up.” He closed her door and hurried back to his own seat. “Hope you don’t mind being kidnapped.”

“As long as your intentions are honorable, sir.”

“The honorablest.” He drove away from the Maslov’s.

“Well, that’s a relief. What did you have in mind?”

“I figured you were due for some dinner.”

“You figured correctly, but I’m not really dressed for fine dining.”

“It’s Christmastime. If I can’t treat an elf to dinner, what’s the world coming to?”

“Seasonally appropriate, but I’d rather not slop on my costume.”

“Hmm, quite a conundrum. Shall we run to the boutique on Vistula and get you some eveningwear?”

“Certainly a possibility, but…” She looked out the window. ‘I so want to invite you back to my place, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.’

“Don’t worry about the cost. It’s my fault for being impetuous. We can get you something to wear–”

“I don’t need you to buy me a change of clothes. We could run back to my place, but I don’t want you to sit out here and freeze while I change.”

“We could double back to Maslov’s and I can buy you a bib.”

Sarah laughed. “Shut up.”

He shrugged. “I can just drive us in circles until I run out of gas and we can eat the beef jerky in my glove box while we wait for Triple-A to arrive.”

“Alright, wise guy. Take me back to my place and I’ll do a quick change.” She shook her head. ‘You’re quite a pest. No wonder Grace gave me your card.’ She sucked a breath.

“Are you okay?”

“Tell me right now.” She glared at him. “Why did Grace give me your card?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her in a while.”

“Were you going out? Am I your rebound girl?”

“What?”

“Are you rebounding from Grace?”

“No. Not at all. We were kind of flirting since she got back from school, but it wasn’t going to go anywhere. Our dads are at war. There was no chance of it.”

“So, why would she give me your card?”

“She was mad at me and jealous of you.”

“What kind of sense does that make? If she was mad at you and she was jealous of me, why would she want to set us up?”

“A byproduct of my idiocy that happens to have turned bad to good.”

“That makes no sense.”

“Like I said, we’d been sort of flirting since she got back from school. Part of it was the whole forbidden fruit thing. We both knew our families wouldn’t go for it. Part of it was that I had no idea how lonely I’ve actually been feeling. Part of it was the familiarity. We’ve lived across the street all our lives. She’s always just been there. My wires got crossed and we both nearly got really hurt.”

“Close call.” She snorted. “Very noble of you. What snapped you out of it?”

“I was standing in line for Santa pictures with my parents and Joan and the kids when the photographer almost ate Santa’s throne.”

“Leapt right into action. Did you?”

“I was concerned.”

“I was fine.”

“Sure are.”

“Knock it off. We’re working through something important here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She squinted at him. “Okay, you zoom in like Prince Charming and…”

“I helped you to your feet. The feeling of your hand in mine, Sarah. It was if I’d suddenly found the other half of me.”

“Come on, man.”

“No, really. A jolt of electricity shot up my arm and straight into the depths of my soul. I’ve never felt so…”

“Really? I didn’t.”

“You were traumatized from the fall and you were busy being a hundred places at once.”

“I suppose so.”

“If you didn’t feel anything, why’d you text me?”

“I thought about it all night.” She drummed her fingers on the center console. “I really wrestled with it. You know?”

“What sold you?”

“She said you were the guy who helped me up after my fall and that you were really interested in me. She said you were a genuinely nice guy, and it was up to me if I called you or threw the card away.”

“And?”

“Honestly, I’ve been feeling lonely, too.”

“So, we’re just desperate?”

“I don’t think so. That thing you said about when you helped me up. The jolt.”

“Straight to my soul.”

“I felt it at the mall after breakfast on Sunday, Leo. I felt it.”

He pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building. “Is that okay?”

“Yeah, it’s great.” She looked at him. “It’s fantastic.”

A breath caught in his throat. He looked at her. “Wow.”

“I’ll be right back. Okay?”

“I’ll put in an order, so it’s done when we get there.”

“Oh, good idea. Where?”

“Trust me?”

“I can’t stand the suspense.”

“Then you’d better hurry up and change.”

“You’re terrible.” She giggled as she jumped out of the car and ran inside. She would have dashed up the four flights of stairs, but she didn’t want to get her costume all sweaty. Waiting for the elevator to arrive was torture.

Where?

Where what?

She growled as the elevator doors closed and she poked the button.

Where are we eating?

Guess you’d better hurry up

‘I’m gonna punch him.’ She hurried off of the elevator and wrestled with her locks. ‘The suspense is killing me, Leo. Oh, I’m going to get you for this.’

She struggled out of her elf costume and hung it up. No worries about what to wear to dinner with Leo. He wasn’t hung up on style and status like his mom. Joan wasn’t quite the maven she appeared to be. She hadn’t figured out why Joan was trying to be Mary junior yet. Based on their conversation, it seemed like she’d have ample opportunity to find out.

That’s when her knees gave out.

Luckily, she plopped onto the bed instead of the floor. He was serious. She was serious.

This was serious. Her heart was pounding and her breath was shallow.

‘I’m going to have to call 911. They’re going to take me out of here in my underwear. They’re going to find me here in my underwear. I’m going to the ER in my underwear.’

She closed her eyes and counted down as she searched for her center.

It looked an awful lot like Leo. ‘Holy smokes, he’s really the one.’

Her phone rattled against the headboard.

Everything okay up there?

‘No, not really. I’m having an earthshaking case of the feels here.’ She counted down again and sought her center.

Sorry. Had to clean up a mess quick.

‘That’s not a lie. It’s just repackaged.’ She propped herself up on her elbows and focused on restoring her breathing to normal. ‘Lying here in your underwear, panting. I’ll bet he’d love to be a fly on the wall for this.’

Take your time
The order is in
They’ll keep it warm for us

‘He’s so sweet.’ She took several slow, deliberate breaths. ‘Okay, pull yourself together. It’s time for dinner.’

She jumped into his car. “Sorry for the wait. Let’s go.”

“First things first.”

‘Oh, God. Now what?’

“I just wanted to make sure we had really cleared the air about Grace.”

“Sorry, I was being silly. Whatever was going on with you guys is none of my business.”

“No, it is your business. I’m sorry if I left room for any doubt about how I feel or where you stand or–”

“Shh. That’s…” She waved her hand. “It’s…” She poked a thumb over her shoulder.

“I don’t want to freak you out, but…”

‘Nothing is more guaranteed to freak me out than you saying that you don’t intend to freak me out.’ She inhaled deeply and held it.

“You’re my missing piece, Sarah. I’m really glad we finally met.”

She dabbed tears with her scarf.

“And…”

‘Oh, my God! There’s more?’

“You bake a mean cookie, Miss MacInnes.”

‘I’d bake anything you wanted as Mrs. Murray.’ She sniffled. “Thanks.”

“But no cookies before supper. They’re holding our table.”

“Who’s they?” She wiped tears away with her scarf.

“That would be telling.” He smiled as they backed out of the parking spot.

“Seriously?”

“Three guesses.”

“H&H?”

“Give the little lady a cigar.”

She clapped her hands. “I’ll pass on the cigar, but I’ll do almost anything to find out what you ordered.”

“Oh, she’s playing dirty.” He drove the darkened streets. “A bold strategy. Let’s see how it plays out.”

“Hmm, I’d tickle it out of you, but we’d crash.”

“Beauty and common sense. Great combo.”

“Trying to distract me with compliments? You’ll have to try harder than that. What did you order, you brat?”

“Hmm, implied seduction, threats of tickling, name-calling. The ginger is finally starting to show her fangs and claws.”

“You want to see claws? Tell me what you ordered!”

“Oh, my. She’s escalating to DEFCON 2. Should I spoil the surprise?”

“Unless you want a Wet Willy, you should.”

“At least wait until I get to a red light.”

She licked her finger. “Confess!”

“Uh-oh. Green light. Hold that thought.”

“I’ll get you, my pretty.”

“I don’t have a little dog, though.”

She laughed. “Come on! What is it?”

He pulled into the parking lot of the Hearth and Hollow. “I ordered us the Holiday Special.”

“That’s not telling me what it is, Leo.” She slurped on the end of her finger and waved it threateningly.

“It’s a Polish holiday meal, featuring Beegosh. It’s an old family recipe of theirs.”

She moved her finger dangerously close to his ear. “I don’t know what a Beegosh is, Leo. We’re up to DEFCON 1 here.”

“They call it Hunter’s Stew. You’ll like it. I promise.” He held up his hands in surrender and laughed as he ducked away from her finger.

“I like you.” She leaned over to hug him.

He smiled and leaned into the hug. “Ew!” He jerked away and wiped at his ear.

“That’s what you get for making me wait.” She grinned wickedly.

“That was worth the wait.” She smiled as she buckled her seatbelt. “Bigos is on the list.”

“Beegosh.”

“It said Bigos on the menu.”

“Well, Polish isn’t pronounced how it’s spelled.”

“Good thing I’m Scottish, then.”

“What list?”

“Huh?”

“You said it was on the list. What list?”

“Holiday traditions to remember. Next year, we need to have a Bigos feast.”

“Let’s just agree on Hunter’s Stew.”

“Hunter’s Stew it is.” She closed her eyes and snuggled into the seat. “I’m so full. I could fall asleep until next week.”

“Did you say what I think I heard you say?”

“DEFCON 1? I can give you another Wet Willy if that thrills you.”

“No, Miss Wise-apple. What you said about the list.”

“Having Hunter’s Stew next year? It’s on the calendar.”

“And the year after that?”

“And the decade after that, until I’m as seasoned and commanding as Mary Murray.”

“I’d like that.” He pulled out and merged with traffic. “Not the commanding part. Mom is scary enough without her being a dangerous little redhead with a wet finger.”

“Behave yourself and it won’t have to escalate.”

“Boy, you’re something.” He laughed.

‘I’m in love with you, you nerd.’ She reached across the center console to rest her hand on his leg. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“How do I become Catholic?”

“I’m sure there’s some kind of program at the church, like Sunday School for grownups.”

“That sounds doable.”

“And there’s probably a ceremony where you get accepted, kind of like Confirmation.”

“For grownups.”

“Yeah, and then we fly over to the Vatican and get the Pope to stamp your prayer card.”

She snuggled into the seat and closed her eyes. “You’re such a hopeless nerd.” She smiled.

“I was hopeless until I found you. Here’s to Hunter’s Stew next Christmas.”

“Hunter’s Stew forever…” She drifted off to sleep.