Page 60 of The Downside of Love
Knowing Ryan, there is no fighting her, so I do what she says and watch Rory work her way around the kitchen. But what I see makes me swallow hard. Her shoulders look deflated, and her head is bent forward.
Shit, did I upset her?
Wanting to make sure she doesn’t think it’s about her food, I say, “Tuna noodle casserole sounds good. Never had it, but it smells amazing.”
Ryan pulls plates from the cupboard and stacks them next to Rory, who starts heaping servings onto them, along with the salad from the fridge. “Gah, Stryder, it’s amazing. She crunches Doritos on top, giving it the perfect crust. You’re going to become addicted.” Moving to the fridge, she asks, “Would you like a soda?”
“Sure,” I answer, surprised at how fluently Ryan moves around the kitchen. I’m usually the one serving us.
Rory brings me over a plate and sets it in front of me, when she glances up at me, I say, “Thank you, looks amazing.”
She politely nods and moves back to the other plates where she puts them together.She’s too . . . silent. At home, we’d be chatting about our days . . .At home.
Once we’re seated, Ryan holds her fork up and says, “Dig in.” Not even wasting a second, she scoops up a huge bite and plops it in her mouth, moaning as she chews. “So good. You’ve really outdone yourself, Rory. Thank you.”
“Oh sure, not a problem. Glad you like it.”
I take a bite as well, unsure of the whole tuna, noodle, peas, and Doritos combination, but with the first bite I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s really good.
“Yeah, this is delicious, Rory.”
Glancing in my direction, she shyly says, “Thank you.”
This is not good. This isn’t the normal, easygoing Rory I’ve come to know. She seems stiff, unsure, and . . . quiet.
What the hell did I do?
* * *
“Why!” Ryan moans, holding her card to the air. “Why do I always get paid shit with this game?” She tosses her salary card onto the game board and scoffs at it. “I’m not asking for much here, but more than twenty thousand a year would be awesome. Fucking game.” She takes a pull from her beer bottle and sulks.
It was Ryan’s decision to play Life after dinner, excited that there was more than one other person to play with, but I’m guessing her excitement is short-lived after the card she just pulled.
“Let me guess, I’m going to have twins and then get a divorce? Happens to me every time. I should really stop playing this godforsaken game.”
Just then, her phone rings and when she sees the caller ID, a big smile spreads across her face. “It’s Brad, so I’m going to take this in my room. You guys can keep playing, or not, do what you want, but I’m taking this phone call.”
Hopping up from her chair, she answers her phone and skips toward her bedroom, leaving me alone with Rory.
Twisting her lips to the side, she eyes the game board and then takes a look at the time. “I should probably get going.” Because she doesn’t want to be alone with me, I know that’s how this works. I made things awkward so she’s bailing.
“Do you really have to go?” I ask, hating that she’s going to leave.
“Yeah, I have some laundry to fold and little things to do around the apartment. I uh, washed your sheets for you. I’ll make your bed. That is, unless you plan on not coming back.”
“What? Of course I’m coming back.”
“Okay, I mean, you don’t have to, but if you decide you want to, I can make your bed for you.” She stands from the table and goes to the kitchen where she starts gathering her things.
Standing as well, I follow closely behind her. “Rory, are you upset with me?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I guess I was just surprised that you left, that’s all. I didn’t know if it was something I did or said.”
“Rory.” I tilt her chin up so she’s forced to look me in the eyes. “I was giving you space. I didn’t want you to get sick of me.”
“I wasn’t.” Her answer is direct. There is no bouncing around the problem; she gets straight to the point. I like that about her.
“Okay, well . . . that’s good to know.”
