bzzz bzzz
Tired, Tom pulls his phone out to see a text.
Sarah: Hey Honey! Just checking in to make sure you landed. Flight okay?
Are you almost to Nina's?
Tom: Yeah, it was fine. Miss you guys already. I'm a few minutes away from her place.
Are you sure this is a good idea? I'm starting to feel weird about it. I should have just booked a hotel or something.
Sarah: It was her idea! I told her you had a trip there and she offered to have you stay, she's excited to host her first guest.
She told me she misses you so just relax, it'll be great. Like old times.
Tom: I'm excited to see her too. I just figure she'd rather spend time with people her own age. It feels a bit strange now that I'm here.
I don't know...
Sarah: It's 2 nights, how bad can it be? Just remember she's on her own for the first time. She could probably use some familiarity. Just be goofy. You know she loved that about you.
Tom: Yeah, yeah. Okay, I'm almost there. I'll call you in between meetings tomorrow.
Love you.
Sarah: Love you too.
Don't get her into trouble ; )
---
knock knock
"Eh, yo! Pizza delivery," a put-on low voice says from the hallway of an apartment building.
What the..? I didn't order anything, Nina thinks to herself as she walks to the door and looks through the peep hole.
"Oh my god. You are so corny, Tommy," she says trying not to smile too big as she opens the door. "You made it! Welcome, welcome. Come on in. Drop those bags, let me give you a hug."
Barefoot, she lifts off her heels to her tippy toes and manages to get one arm over Tom's shoulder. He almost doesn't recognize the person pulling him into her body. Her straight brown hair is longer and smells like a flower he can't put his finger on. It brushes on his cheek and his heart flutters. Her bangs are cut at her eyebrows and frame her brown eyes that sparkle with a newness he's never noticed before.
"I almost forgot, you're the only person on this planet that calls me Tommy" he laughs.
She giggles and asks, "How was the flight? You must be exhausted. Here, just put your stuff over there. Sorry, this place is a mess. You know, living on my own for the first time I'm still unpacking and all that. You can put your coat right here," she turns gracefully like a dancer and lifts her arm to point to the hook.
"Thank you for letting me stay here, tonight. I really appreciate it," Tom says as he takes off his coat and hangs it on the wall. Turning back he can't help but stand a little taller and hold his head higher.
Nina's jaw drops, "Are you kidding me? You can stay with me anytime now that I got my own place! How many times did you guys let me crash with you when I had nowhere to go? Right? The least I could do is put your old ass up for the night. I'm mean hotels are so expensive in the city. Plus, I'm glad we get to hang out, it's been too long."
Tom laughs. Every word, every sweet sound of her voice, every movement of her body overwhelms him in the most unexpected way. He tries to breathe deep as he follows her down the dark hallway. A moving silhouette in the shape of his dreams.
As they near the next room, the TV casts light on the walls and candles are lit, filling the air with more sweet aroma. She stops at a shelf on the wall.
"Here, this bowl is where I keep the keys in case you need to let your self out."
It's filled with cards, keychains, coins matches and condoms.
"So..." she almost sings as she tiptoes in the living room giddy, "this is my apartment. Do you like it?" Holding her arms out and spinning.
He tries to take it in but everything to Tom is a blur except Nina. Through her jean shorts and oversized t-shirt her tan skin radiates an energy that hits Tom hard. It's magnetic. It's perfect.
"It's perfect," he says.
"Oh my god! I know, right? It's so me. Okay, over there is the where I watch TV. The bathroom is down the hall. A little further is my room." She lays her hand on her chest "Ummm, here's the couch where I set up a little bed for you. And that's the kitchen! I got you some snacks and some stuff to drink. Would you like some wine or beer or..?"
"Excuse me?" He asks.
"What?," she laughs as she scrunches her nose in embarrassment. "You know I'm 21, right? So what'll it be?"
"I guess I'll take red wine if you have it?" He replies.
"Red, it is then. Have a seat on the couch. I want to hear all about what's been going on with you guys. What's new back home? Catch me up! Wait, why are you in town again? Is there a convention for senior citizens convention? You need new dentures? Touring burial plots?" She hangs for a reaction "Okay, I'm sorry. That was dark but I'm just messing with you! I know you're only nineteen yea..."
"Thirteen!" he fires off.
"Thirteen years older than me. Whatever, Tommy." She smiles bashfully and takes a sip of her wine.
"Well I t's boring but we have a client here and we're pitching tomorrow..."
"Oh YES! On business, very serious business!" She furrows her brow. "Well I hope you don't have to work too much. I want to show you around! Oh," she almost spills her drink in excitement, "there's this amazing Thai place you're going to love. It's even better than...what's the name of that one you used to take me to?"
"Jasmine?" Tom offers.
"Yes! That's the one. Put's it to shame. I'm telling you. Can I get you another glass?"
"Ummmm, sure. But I can get it." He offers.
"No, no, don't get up. I don't want you to fall and break a hip."