Escaping Parker - F.T. Zele Page 0,23
need to know these things to make me feel more at ease.”
“I’ll let you know next time. I just went into town to grab some groceries and these clothes. I wouldn’t have left you here alone if you weren’t going to be safe, you know that.”
“Where are we, anyway? I still don’t know where here is?”
“Kansas. Concordia, Kansas. Nowhere land, off the grid.”
“Ok, well I’m pretty tired. I think I’m just going to bed. See you in the morning.” I take the clothes and put them on the top of the dresser.
“Alright, goodnight. Oh, I meant to tell you . . . the living room looks nice.”
“Thanks,” I say, and watch him walk out of the room closing the door softly behind him.
My nerves feel settled since the shower. I keep telling myself that I needed that hot relaxing shower, even though I know the real reason I’m better is because Rig is back.
Tonight I fall right asleep.
I spend my time here helping Alice get things done, and the house is really starting to look nice inside. Rig works really hard outside, which limits the time we spend around each other. I guess that’s not a bad thing.
After dinner, I offer to wash the dishes and give Alice a break. I’ve offered before, but she always says I’m a guest and not to worry, but tonight I insist. I scrub a plate while Rig helps clear the table, piling the dirty dishes on the counter next to me.
“That’s all of them. Want me to wash, and you can dry them?” he asks, leaning back against the counter.
“It’s probably best that you dry them. I don’t really know where all this stuff goes, and you are more familiar with this kitchen than I am.”
“Okay. Sounds like a plan.” He takes a white towel hanging from the oven handle and starts to dry a bowl.
It’s pretty quiet between us as we both focus on getting the kitchen done. I decide to lighten it up, because the silence is unnerving. I grab a handful of suds from the sink and toss it at Rig’s face. I chuckle and watch them slide down his cheek to his chin, and a tiny part of me wishes I were those bubbles.
He glares at me with a hint of smile showing, and I know I have just asked for it. He scoops up bubbles and tosses them back at me, but his hand is full of water. I’m soaked, and I can’t do anything other than laugh and be shocked. I retaliate, throwing water and bubbles on him, and the kitchen is filled with laughter. I It feels great.
He goes to throw a towel at me, and I block it, knocking a glass to the floor, shattering it. Instantly, the light-hearted feeling is replaced by anxiety. I’m reminded of the many glasses and dishes that Steven has broken in a rage.
Rig’s eyes fill with pity. “It’s not a big deal, don’t worry. It’s just a glass,” Rig says, but I’m already so deep in my head, it goes in one ear and out the other.
Rig gently touches my arm, trying to get my attention. “It’s ok. You are fine, please don’t worry about it. That might have been your reaction before, but it’s not anymore,” he calmly states while I look at him.
“You’re right. It’s just a glass. Shit, let me get that picked up.”
I bend down to pick it up, and at the same time Rig goes to get it as well. We almost bump heads, and our faces are close together I can feel him breathing. My heart speeds up.
“I got it.” I pick up pieces of the glass, trying not to look at his lips. God those lips.
He shakes his head and walks away, while I try to calm myself down. He comes back with a small dust pan and hand broom, sweeping up the tiny shards of glass on the floor.
“Don’t move, you don’t have shoes on and I want to make sure I get it all.” Out of nowhere, he picks me up and walks me into the living room, setting me down by the couch. This closeness is not good for me; it’s doing things to my already foggy head.
We stand there looking at one another, not moving, and butterflies take flight in my stomach. Everything feels so wrong, yet so right in this moment. I know this isn’t good for me, but that makes me want it even more.
Alice walks