The drops beat a tattoo on the window pane. I rolled over on the bed and felt the distinct lack of a person where they should usually be one. I sat up and looked around the cool room. The white walls had taken on the grey of the clouds that squatted over the city and sprinkled those of us below.
Where the fuck did she go?
I got out of bed and my feet recoiled at the icy touch of the floor. My whole body seemed to embody the chill and I instantly longed for the warmth of the sheets. I walked into the kitchenette where the fluorescent bulb provided a pure white light. A green sticky note was hanging on the shelf above the sink. Her strong line writing marked out the letters, each written as if by brushstroke.
“We’re out of coffee and forgot to buy breakfast. I ran to the market or maybe I’ll just go to the coffee shop and pick something up, not sure. Be back soon either way. “
I could read the indecision in the phrasing. I wonder which she decided. I’d have to be extra nice upon her return. No way I’d want to go out in this rain. In fact, this is the sort of errand I always had to run. She’d roll over and ask me to make coffee. I’d go to the fridge and discover its shelves bare. Then I guess I’d volunteer to go get more- or I’d know it needed to be done and I’d do it. This sort of errand was not usual.
I cocked my head as I looked again at the note. Come to think of it, I think it’s the first time she’s done something like this.
I wonder what’s gotten into her. Not that I’m complaining, it’s fucking fantastic I don’t have to fight this weather. But I wonder why she went, especially today. If it was nice out maybe, but not on a day like today.
The spiral of my thoughts trailed off and I looked around the dark, empty apartment. I shrugged and walked back into the main room. I looked at the mess of sheets on the bed. I yearned to return to its womb, but I guess if she came home to find me there, soaking and cold while I was warm, she’d be righteously pissed. I know I’d kind of be.
Good thing I woke up. I thought snorting.
I walked over to the closet and got some sweats and a shirt. I found my glasses too.
After a few minutes thumbing through news stories on my phone I heard her footfalls on the stairs. Strange, in a whole apartment building full of people I knew her steps from the lobby on up.
I could hear her working her key in the lock then she burst into the room with ruddy cheeks. She wore leggings and her rain boots. Her running jacket was zipped up tight and she immediately hung up her umbrella.
“Thanks for running to the store. “
She just smiled. “No problem, I felt I need to be more responsible.”
“Why’s that?”
“Oh nothing,” she smiled again. “I have something to show you.”
“Yeah?” My ears perked up, causing my waking mind to snap to awareness.
“Yeah go in the bathroom, it’s on the counter.”
I tilted my head. “What?”
“Just do it,” she said with a smile.
I walked in, and saw something, on the shelf- a pregnancy test.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I picked it up and looked at it. Negative.
What?
In confusion I turned around. She was standing with a huge smile. “Got you good mother fucker.” She laughed straight from her belly.
“Funny” I said, my heart in my ears.
She came over and gave me a kiss on my cheek. “Good morning sweety.”
Yeah, it is morning for sure.
