CRAZY

On the walk back to his place… our place… I make sure to make eye contact with every person that passes me. None of them look like they know me, or are up to anything suspicious, but that doesn’t loosen the grip I have on Ha

No one will take her from me.

Walking back into the apartment, I grab my phone and text Benton that we’re back inside safely and locked in. I texted him a few times from the park, but he never answered. I hope he’s just busy, and not hurt and needing me somewhere.

See?! That’s where my mind fucking goes. Always negative. It pisses me off.

I was right that Ha

After checking the door and window locks one more time, I sit on the couch and call A

“Hey, bitch,” she answers.

“Love you too,” I joke. “What’re you up to?”

“Nothing,” she huffs. “Adam told me to go shopping today and get things for the honeymoon, but I don’t plan on wearing anything the entire two weeks… soooooo there’s not much to buy.” She laughs, helping mend my worries about the two of them.

“Just a week away, babe… You ready for this?”

“Ugh, yes,” she answers exasperatedly. “I’m ready to move on with our lives together, as man and wife… and not have to keep everything so secretive and quiet. I have a fucking team of people ready to wait on me hand and foot next weekend, but all I want is to be in Adam’s arms and on that private Island for two weeks. Too bad we have to wait a month for that; I just want it now. I couldn’t care less about the ceremony, the people… I mean my dress is beautiful, so that’d be a shame… but all I want is him.”

Somewhere in her speech I found myself daydreaming about what it would be like if I ever were to get married. Of course, it wouldn’t be anything near as extravagant as A

“What’s up, Gab? You never call me in the middle of the day,” she says.

“Oh… um…” I pause, then start talking and don’t stop until I’ve told her everything.  Every little detail. It’s amazing that, a year ago, I’d never told anyone about my life before college, and now I find that talking to my boyfriend and best friend is one of the most therapeutic things to do. By the time I’m done, she’s silent.

A

“A

“I hate that name,” she whispers, and then laughs, forcing a chuckle out of me. “Jesus, Gabby. What are you going to do?”

“Hide?”

“Well, that’s not an option. You’re the maid of honor at my fucking wedding. No you… no wedding.”

“A

“Gabby, you don’t even know if she’s actually coming for you! You can’t pull out of your best friend’s wedding just because you’re scared!”

“Shit.” I sigh. “I know… but, if you don’t want me there, I understand. You don’t know her… she’s fucking evil.”

“Fuck you, Gabby. Stop being so ‘woe is me’ and be happy that I’m getting married! You’re the fucking maid of honor, and I’m the bride that gets what she wants,” she says, then bursts out laughing. “Sorry… I tried to cha

“So, you’re cool with me still being there?”

“Of course! I told you, I’m not getting married without you there. You’re family… the little family I have left.”

“Love you, woman,” I say, then hear Ha

“Later, sweets.”

By the time I get Ha

Home.

Smiling, I wander around his place while Ha

Home.

I call my place my place… I called the apartment I shared with A

Vaulted ceilings… I guess being on the top floor of a remodeled condo building can have its perks. Dark wood floors are a manly touch to the otherwise bare décor. I wonder if he lived here with his wife, or if he moved after she passed. If I were him, I would have moved.

Making my way back to the living room, Ha

Finger paints.

By the time Benton makes it home, Ha

“Wow,” Benton says chuckling. He drops his bags next to the door and laughs again, hands on his hips. “So how was your day, little miss?” he asks Ha

“Hey, you,” he says smiling at me. “How was it today?” His hands cup my face gently and I melt into him. It feels so good, so natural, him coming home to Ha

“Wonderful,” I answer.  “I love her.” Our eyes co

“I’m going to have to do a little work from here tonight,” he says, walking to the kitchen.

Work from home? He’s never had to do that.

“Oh. Okay,” I say, picking Ha

“Yes. Everything is fine,” he says, sighing. He looks worried about something. I hope he’s not keeping something from me.

“You sure?” I push for more, but he doesn’t budge.

“Positive, Gabby. Sorry… just stressed. There’s a few business acquisitions we may be getting that have me on edge. I can’t really talk about anything else until it’s all final.”

“Ok. I get it, trust me.” He nods silently, watching me clean off Ha

“Let’s order in. I need to go to the store,” he says, sighing as he looks in his bare fridge.

“I can go tomorrow. You’re busy. Ha

“Oh… ok. Yeah. That works,” he says. I notice him clenching his jaw and watching me. I wish he’d tell me what’s going on tonight. He seems off about something.

“You heard anything about your mom?”

“Oh, um. No. I haven’t had the news on today, though.” I shrug it off, trying not to let the comment get to me. Obviously, the thought crossed his mind that it’s not safe for me to take his daughter out in public. It crossed mine too, the minute I said I’d take her, but I can’t let him see my self-doubt or else he’s not going to let me be with her again… and I can’t have that.