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How About Chinese?

“Meredith, are you alright?” Ivy glanced her way as she merged into traffic. “You’ve got ants in your pants.”

“My pants, my shirt, my socks.” She shifted in her seat. “This itch, it’s driving me nuts.”

“Do you need me to take you to Urgent Care?”

“Huh?” She itched herself vigorously. “No, let’s stick to the schedule.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“This should settle down in a minute, honestly.”

“Did he call?”

“Yeah, but I was in the shower. I texted him back.”

“Ugh, phone tag. That’s the worst.”

Meredith kept scratching her arms and legs. “Waiting is the worst. Do you think he’s mad at me?”

“No, he’s just working.”

“But why wouldn’t he text me back?”

“I’m sure he will, Meri. What are you hungry for?”

“I don’t know about hungry, but I’d love to dive into a vat of aloe.” She itched her neck.

“Does this happen a lot? Maybe it’s your detergent.”

“No.” She itched her arms furiously. “I haven’t been like this since…”

“Meri?”

“Darn that Bobby!”

“You got like this after your prom?”

“Yeah, I was home for a week.” She twisted and rubbed her back against the seat. “Just as well. I wasn’t ready to deal with the rumor mill.”

“I’m sorry he did that to you. What did you do about the itching?”

“I scratched myself raw. Mom got me a doctor’s note to excuse me from phys ed until it cleared up.”

“Well, that’s not going to work this time around. I’m taking you to see a doctor.”

“I’m probably going to need a shrink.”

“Meri, I’m not a psychologist, but I’ve got ears.” She shot a worried look at her wildly itching friend. “Tell me what’s going on here. Maybe you just need to get something off your chest.”

“Ivy, I’m going to lose my mind.”

“Try not to think about it. Maybe the itching will settle down if you think about something else.”

“Like what?”

“Well, what happened with you and Toby?”

“I told you. I tried to tell him how much I like him, and my brain exploded. He must think I’m out of my mind.”

“Even if he does, it’s a part of you and he’s going to have to deal with it.”

Tears welled up. “No, he doesn’t. He doesn’t have to.”

“Okay, that’s true. He doesn’t have to unless he wants to be with you. I’m sure he does.”

“Then why hasn’t he texted me back? Why would he ask for my number if he’s not going to use it?” She wept.

“But you said he already did.”

Meredith pulled a tissue from the packet in her purse. “I told him I was in the shower, and now he’s gone.”

“Meri, he’s not gone. He’s busy working. He’ll get back to you when he can.”

She blew her nose and wiped her tears with her coat sleeve. “Why in the world would he? I’m a basket case.”

“I saw how you guys were at the buffet and at Frank’s house. He’s crazy about you and your low opinion of yourself isn’t going to scare him away. Now, pull yourself together and tell me if I need to take you to the doctor about that itch.”

She looked down at her arms. “I’m not itchy anymore.”

“Good, now check your phone.”

Meredith pulled her phone from her purse. “There’s a new message.”

“From him?”

“Yes.” She sniffled.

“Well? What does it say?”

“How about Chinese?”

“Uh-huh? How about it?”

Meredith clapped the phone to her heart and cried piteously. She slid down in her seat, shaking and sobbing.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you like Chinese food?”

“I love Chinese food.” She moaned. “So does Megaman…”

“So, maybe tell him yes?”

Meredith sucked a deep breath and resumed crying.

“Is that a no?”

“I love Chinese food and I love being where he is.” She looked at his message on her phone.

“So, it’s yes?”

“I love his angel face and I love how gentle he is.” She pulled another tissue from her purse.

“So, definitely yes. Right?”

“I love his stupid bandage and I love his mom’s shawarma meatloaf.” Meredith blew her nose.

“Ew.”

“It’s really good.” She sniffled. “You should try it.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“I love everything about him and I’m driving him away.”

“You’re overthinking it, Meri. You like him and he likes you. Go have some Chinese food and tell him how you feel.”

“I can’t deal with how I feel.”

“Just because you’re not used to feeling your feelings, that doesn’t make them a bad thing. Maybe this is what you’ve been saving them up for.”

“The whole thing is so weird.”

“New stuff always is. Is Toby worth the risk?”

“He told me I was brave. I almost believed him.”

“Sure you are, Meri. You’ve got a lot to be proud of. You’re a strong, smart, independent woman with a fantastic career.”

“He said he admired me.”

“That’s good, right?”

“What have I ever done to earn his admiration? I’m just… me.”

“Sounds like a good topic for dinner conversation. You should tell him, yes.”

“But what if I have another meltdown?”

“In a Chinese restaurant?”

“No, he’s going to have to come pick me up and take me back. I’m going to turn into a blubbering mess in his car again.”

“Not if you get it out of your system right here and now.” Ivy said as she pulled onto the highway. “We’ll just keep driving until you’ve worked through it. Okay?”

“I’ll pay for your gas.”

“Darned right, you will.”

Meredith snickered and dabbed her nose with a tissue. “I never had a friend like you.”

“I’m sorry. That had to have been dreadfully lonely.”

“I didn’t realize. I just buried myself in my work.”

“A lot of people do that. I used to.”

Meredith studied her. “Really? You seem so…”

“Happy? I am now.”

“Because of Ian.”

“I didn’t even like him when we first met.”

“What? That’s crazy. You guys are like…”

“Yeah, it took a while to get there. You and Toby are already like that.”

“I think he’s my puzzle piece.”

“Then you should probably tell him Chinese is a go.”