fucking relief.
I actually felt rested most of the time now, and I was functioning like a normal human being most of the time.
So a date with the woman I was living with, an official one, seemed like a really good place to start.
I closed the door to the empty office and sat down across from her. “Would you like to go out tonight?”
Her focus went back to the book she was reviewing. “Sure.”
She’d obviously misunderstood. “No. I don't mean go out and explore the town. I meant I'd like to take you out if you're interested.”
Now I had her attention as she looked up.
“Take me out?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Like on a date?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Why now?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, I’ve been here for almost two months, and we’ve been sleeping together for the entire time. So I wondered, why now? Why not earlier?”
“Well, I don't consider you my employee anymore, so that makes it easier.”
“So if I were really your maid, then you wouldn't ask me out?
“Maybe I would,” I said. “If you were interested.”
“I'd definitely be interested.”
“Does that mean the answer's yes?” I wanted to be really clear about this. I didn’t want any confusion, either for myself or for her.
“Yes, it’s a yes. I'd love to.” A frown crossed over her pretty face. “But Tyler, even though I'd love to go out with you, and I really want to, but I do have some reservations.”
“What are they?” Surely we could work them out.
“You know I won't be here permanently right? You know I'm going back to Chicago as soon as I can figure out how?”
That part was not a surprise. I hadn’t suffered any delusions that she might want to stay here for the long term. I wasn’t asking her to marry me, just go on a date. “Yeah I kind of figured that. I can tell how committed you are to this story and to Chicago.”
“Yeah, I am committed to it. I'm tired of people slamming Chicago. It does have its flaws, but now that I know my own family’s involved in those flaws, I feel compelled to do my part. But that makes things a lot more temporary for us as far as dating goes. But maybe that's what you want?”
“No. I wouldn't use the word temporary if it were up to me. But I'm also not going to pass up a chance to date you, even if it's only for a week.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Okay then. I’m ready anytime.”
“Great.” I couldn't suppress a big smile. I would have to get busy planning a date for us.
She smiled right back at me. “Thanksgiving's coming up,” she said.
“Okay?” I had no idea why that was relevant.
“Thanksgiving is in two weeks.”
“God, time has really gotten away from me. I didn't realize it was that close.” I didn’t usually keep track. I just showed up when my mother told me to.
“I figured,” she said. “Tell me what kind of stuff do you do on Thanksgiving? I’ve been cooking so much, but I’ve never cooked that kind of food.”
“Abigail organizes a big lunch at my house. It's usually my mother, me, Abigail and Barrett, and whoever else is going to be alone this year.”
“That's really sweet of her to include people.”
“It was Abigail’s idea. She never wants anyone to be alone. She never wants anyone to suffer.”
She smiled wistfully. “That doesn't surprise me, just based on the way she helped me the day I got here. I'd always heard small town residents were suspicious of newcomers. But she immediately included me. It really gave me a lot of hope.”
I pulled her to her feet and wrapped my arms around her, inhaling the scent of apples. “You’re sweet too,” I said.
She kissed my cheek. “I need to go to the library,'' she said. It’s time for the book club.”
We left the sheriff’s office, and went straight to the library. After Ava said hello to my sister, she headed upstairs to start setting up for the monthly book club. I didn’t usually go in, if Ava was going to be at the library during the day, but today I wanted to talk to my sister.
When Abigail saw me, she put down the stack of books she was holding. “Hey stranger.”
I was no stranger, but it was true I needed to make a point to go see my sister more often. “I mentioned Thanksgiving lunch to Ava.”
My sister actually clapped her hands together. I didn't know anyone else who