will meet me at baggage claim. I’m not sure why that bothers me. Somehow, I had expected him to wait just past security. I tuck my phone into my purse and pull my coat out of my carryon suitcase. I’m still inside the airport but already freezing, wondering what the temperature is like outside. I see Jon right away as I enter the baggage claim area. He looks bored.
"Hi, Jon."
He makes no move to hug me. "How was Florida?"
"Good, thanks."
Silence.
Jon stands off to the side with my carryon while I wait for my suitcase to come around the carousel. Once I have it, I wheel it over to him, and he turns and begins making his way to the parking lot, pausing to put on a hat before walking outside. I cringe at the blast of cold air and grimace as I step into it and try to keep up with him. When we get to my car, Jon hands me the keys before going to sit in the passenger seat and leaving me to load my bags in the trunk. My fingers feel like icicles by the time I shut the trunk and climb into the car. I put the heat on high and blow on my hands as I rub them together.
Jon hands me the parking ticket and we leave, not having to pay since Jon had parked less than an hour. I wish he was driving but don’t say anything about it.
"How was your week?" I ask.
"Fine."
Silence.
I turn on the radio to fill the void. When we get back to our apartment, Jon helps me carry the larger case up the stairs. He stays in the front room while I go to our bedroom to call Kate.
"I just wanted to let you know I made it home safe."
"Oh, thank you, dear. Did you have a good flight?"
"It was fine. Thank you."
"I miss you already, dear."
"I miss you too, Kate."
"Well, I hope you'll come back and see me again soon."
"I'll try."
When we end our call, I unpack my bag, happy that I don’t have laundry to deal with. As I hang the sweater Kate knit, I decide I’ll wear it the next day. When I’m finished putting my things away, I go to the kitchen to make a snack. There isn’t much to eat. Jon is sitting in his chair watching me.
"I think I'll run to the store and pick some things up. Would you like to go with?"
"I'll stay here."
"Is there anything I can get for you?"
"I'm good."
I’m better dressed for the cold on this outing, hat and gloves on. I stop to get gas while I’m out so I won’t have to do it the next day before going on to the store. I walk the aisles in a daze, randomly filling my cart. I pick up ground beef and stuffing to make for dinner Sunday. It seems like everything I'm getting I had eaten at Kate's: a cantaloupe, muffins, eggs, and wine. Will eating the same foods make me feel like I’m still with them? I pick up more food than I had intended and have to make three trips from the car up the stairs to bring it all up. Even Jon seems surprised by the amount of food as he gets up to help me unload.
"Wine?"
"Why not? Want to open it and have a glass with me?"
Jon's brows come together above the bridge of his nose before he pulls a bottle opener out of one of the kitchen drawers. Our wine glasses are a bit dusty, from lack of use. Jon rinses and dries them before he pours us a glass.
I lift my glass and motion for Jon to lift his as well. "To home."
He hesitates before touching his glass to mine and taking a drink.
I'd pick up an easy skillet meal for two out of the frozen section of the store. It’s an Italian chicken dish. It’s a bit early for dinner but not by much, so I go ahead and make it since I’m hungry. While it’s cooking, I steam a bag of frozen broccoli in the microwave. I smile when Jon puts plates out on the table. When dinner is ready, we sit together and eat. Jon gets up during our meal to refill our glasses. Maybe this can work.
The wine goes to my head, and I go to bed earlier than normal. Part of me is disappointed when Jon makes no move to follow me. As I drift to