Page 113 of Running
He folds me into his arms, and we’re quiet for a few moments until I notice a shift in the sounds around us.
“Is that the generator?”
“Yes, you were a little preoccupied, but it flipped on in the last hour. The power and wifi are out, I think.”
The wind is still howling outside the building, wild enough to be heard through the closet door. I pick up my phone and have messages in the Better Together chat that actually came through.
“I’m okay, just riding it out,” I text my brothers. It takes longer than usual, but the message finally sends.
“Oh yeah, my phone service is still iffy, but I just got a message to go through, I think.”
He checks his own phone and sends a couple of texts, watching to make sure they get out. Turning to me afterwards, he gives a soft smile.
“Why don’t we try to get some rest? Your body needs to recover.”
Iama little sore now. His anticipation of my needs is on point. My body definitely could use a break.
I lie back down, and he drapes us in the thin cotton blanket that had been on my side. Snuggling against his chest, I shut my eyes and try to relax into sleep despite the foreign surroundings.
His steady breathing sets a cadence that has me zoning out, and soon I driftoff.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
I flip my eyes open, on alert with all the sounds.
Johnson’s hand comes down on my arm. “Don’t worry. The power came back on, and some of the electronics are flipping out.”
“Time to leave the pillow fort?”
“Yeah, sadly. I thought we were going to have a two-day lie-in.”
Slowly, I make myself wake up. After a good stretch of my arms, I walk out of the haven of the closet and head to the bathroom to get cleaned up. The achiness is fainter now.
When I come back into the bedroom, Johnson is sitting on my bed. My real bed.
“Let me get you a spare toothbrush,” I offer, and he looks grateful. After I set him up, I leave him to it and get us two bottled waters from the fridge.
“Well, this could’ve been worse,” Johnson says as he walks out to the living room.
“I know. Power’s already back, and they’re saying the wifi will be restored today.”
“That too, but I meant our night in the pillow fort and my new toothbrush at my girlfriend’s condo.” He grins.
“Oh yes, that.” I smile. “We can make it yours—officially.”
More kisses come after my statement, predictably. Soft ones all over my face.
“Listen,” Johnson says as he pauses the pecks. “Since you have no classes today, can we relocate to my place? I want to make sure everything is okay post-storm.”
I agree, and an hour later, I have a bag packed and we’re in his car, driving to Johnson’s place.
Mysecret boyfriend’splace.
After walking around Johnson’s grounds, we spot some downed roof shingles and branches, but nothing too terrible. Once the yard clean-up is complete, we go inside to veg out, eating our fill, and once wifi isrestored, watch TV.
“Hey, it’s Tuesday, so I guess we’re doing what we’d normally do anyway,” he observes.
He joins me for a drive to Landon’s two hours later and we check to make sure all is fine there. Duty done.
