communication routine. He never went to bed without calling to say goodnig

t properly this time,

w hard I was smiling

you how much I want

ork, if I was stressed out, what I liked to cook when it was just me. I liked that he wanted to know the ba

house was shabby even though it reminded me of my father and a time when my family was whole. I couldn't imagine him standing in my doorway,

ght now, it's b

just said, "then I'll

another

But the truth was I didn't want him to see me like this, in this apartment. For weeks, Crest and I solidified our relationship through freque

test of time, because those men were douchbags. Crest made it feel right and easy. He hadn't

n napkins, the kind of place where the waiters spoke softly and the wine list had no prices. I almost d

n I arrived. Standing to greet me, he smiled and I drank him in, he was fine. Grey tuxedo, sleek shiny hair, he

used, his eyes soft

breath just as the

n that moment felt natural. The night had gone perfectly and I was more than content. Dinner had been soft laughter, half finished

of his car for me, smiling.

o it's fine, I drove.

isted. "You had two glasses

dn't

if that's what you're worried about." He said it li

pped. " I said I drove, it's fine I didn't drin

"Why are you being like

y. "It's not

d closer,

to follow you inside

"It's not about that, I just don'

oss his face. He schooled hi

t least walk y

ok my

y n

esn't work half the time, because you'd see the second hand furnitures, the chipped tiles. The life I was barely keeping togethe

e I sa

w tightening. "Alr

night ruined. I stood there, watching his taillights disappear down the street, two small red glows fading into the dark. By the time