The sky was already darkening by the time I pulled into the driveway. When I climbed out of the car, I could feel it. The ache in my back and my legs greeted me the way it always did every single day when I got home. Rubbing my neck, I trudged toward the front door. I still looked up at my house in amazement. If there was one thing going right, it was having my priorities in order like I'd always planned. I never thought I'd move into something this nice.
I pushed open my front door and made my way inside. I could hear music from down the hallway deeper in the house. Alicia wasn't on the couch at her usual spot. She must be getting ready, I noted to myself. I set my keys on the small coffee table in front of the couch. Immediate relief washed over me when I fell into the cushions. I wasn't tired, but a whole day of moving boxes and packages had really taken its toll on me. I closed my eyes. Even if the pay was good, I had to find something better. I was in my twenties. It scared me to think of how broken down I might be in another ten years.
"I need you to take the trash out," I heard an abrupt voice say.
My eyes opened. "Hi, baby. How are you?"
I turned to see my wife darting into the kitchen and to dig through her purse. She merely glanced at me.
"I'm late." Alicia swept her brown curls over her shoulder. "And I don't know where my phone is."
I rocked forward to stand. Something told me I should, rather than remain seated. The tone of her voice maybe. It was like my body habitually knew I'd be scolded if I did anything relaxing.
"You checked the car?" I asked her.
Alicia shook her head. "No, I haven't been anywhere since I got home from work. Why would you ask that?"
It was an oddly defensive question. But I knew how Alicia was when she was in a hurry.
"Just asking," I told her.
I walked into the kitchen. I couldn't help but look her up and down. Alicia was wearing a tight dress that exposed more of her legs than I'd seen since the summertime. I briefly thought of easing up behind her and putting my body against hers. I knew I'd be able to feel her through that thin fabric. The thought of it excited me. It was the way I used to greet her when I got home.
Alicia turned suddenly and the two of us nearly collided. My wife stopped in her tracks, and for the briefest of seconds I could see her face. She'd done her make-up. A little surge shot through me. I hardly recognized her. Her eyes met mine briefly, but before I could react she'd already redirected herself right around me. Alicia hurried down the hall.
I remembered that it was Friday. Of course, I'd not truly forgotten, but her indifference to me needed the reminder. I listened as the music cut out down the hall. I could hear her stomping from room to room, no doubt frantically searching for her lost phone.
When Alicia finally stormed back down the hallway, she breezed right by the kitchen. Her eyes remained fixed on the phone in her hands. Her thumbs worked furiously across the screen.
"I should have been at Kelly's fifteen minutes ago," Alicia grumbled.
I knew she spoke more to herself than to me. Watching her slip into her heels, I ignored the twinge of hurt I felt knowing she wouldn't have waited for me to get home before leaving, and that I probably wouldn't see her until morning when we woke up. I considered the bright side. I'd have the house to myself for the night. Even that seemed a small consolation.
"You guys hitting the strip tonight?" I asked, trying out my friendly voice.
Alicia glanced up, her eyes appearing to settle back into the here and now. She still busily fastened the straps of her shoes around her ankles.
"Uh... yeah later on, I think," Alicia replied. "I know Kelly wants to go to this new place to eat somewhere downtown first."
I nodded to no one. Alicia passed by me to fetch her purse from the counter in the kitchen. Her heels clicked on the tile floor. It was a sound I wasn't used to. She turned, gathering her curls to place them over her bare shoulders. The action drew my gaze to her skin. I wished it were a different night of the week, a different week altogether. I could smell her perfume, even from across the kitchen. I wanted to taste it on her skin.
Alicia made her way to me finally in haste. Her eyes at last met mine. The shades of colors behind her eyes were deep and dark. Her lashes were curled and black. Plush lips glistened, all but beckoning me to devour them. I looked her over quickly, knowing the moment would be fleeting. It wasn't often I got to see her this way. Alicia was gorgeous. I'd grown so used to her hair being wrapped up in a ball, and her body being shrouded by heavy sweaters. It hurt to know this style of hers was usually reserved for girls night. I ached for her to stay.
"Remember the trash," Alicia said. "The other night it smelled when you forgot."
I nodded. "I'll get it."
"And if I call, please answer," She instructed. "If you're going to stay up all night at least have your phone nearby."
She knew me well, but her words were sharp enough that I knew their true meaning.
"I will," I said. "Just call if you need me, and let me know if something goes wrong."
Alicia forced a smile. It was the kind I usually received from cashiers.
"We'll be fine."
Alicia wrapped a single arm around me and leaned close. I wanted to taste her lips. Instead I felt them plant a moist peck on my cheek.