Ginger Angel

Part 2

After Shiloh falls into a tipsy slumber, I put my shirt back on and button my jeans. Stuart is going to be wondering where we went. I'm not leaving Shiloh alone. She snuggles into my shoulder and she's still sniffling. I frown and softly let my fingers run through her locks. I'll be in Europe for a month and a half before heading back to the United States. Shit. I'm going to miss her birthday. It's April 4th. I won't be able to forgive myself if I miss her birthday. I think I'll be in Paris. I sigh and stare out the window. This relationship is so fucking hard, but so fucking worth it.

Stuart and Ms. Camp come out to the car probably twenty minutes later, when I'm almost asleep as well.

"We were wondering if someone kidnapped you guys." Ms. Camp says, getting into the front seat. I keep my eyes closed, not wanting to move.

"Look at them Stu. That's young love." Ms. Camp says. I hear Stuart look back.

"I told him I think she's the one." He says quietly, slurring a bit.

"I think she is too." She replies.

It's a quiet drive home and I eventually hear Stuart snoring. I bite my lip to stop myself from smiling or laughing. Shiloh shifts and hugs my arm. I peek with one eye open just as we're parking in front of the house.

"Stu, wake up." She says, patting his leg. He yawns.

"Who volunteers to carry them inside the house?" Ms. Camp asks.

"Not me." Stuart says replies, opening the door and stumbling out.

I sit up and rub my eyes.

"Hey there, sleepy head." Ms. Camp says. Shiloh sits up tiredly.

"You guys can stay the night if you want to." Ms. Camp suggests.

"That's alright, we can make it home." I reply.

"Are you sure?" She asks. I nod.

"We can make the train if we hurry." I say, glancing at my watch.

"I can drive you there." Ms. Camp says. I nod. We start driving to the train station.

We open a window to let the cold air wake us up.

"How long have I been sleeping?" Shiloh asks, rubbing her eyes.

"About half an hour." I reply.

"Oh." She says.

"Did you have fun?" Ms. Camp asks me. Shiloh and I glance at each other and smile.

"Yeah." I respond.

"Good. It was nice to see you two again. I'm happy things are working out." She says, peering at me in the rear-view mirror.

I zone out for the rest of the drive. We pull into the parking lot.

"Well, I'll see you again sometime?" Ms. Camp says, turning around in her seat. Shiloh nods and they hug.

"It's always nice to see you, Ms. Camp." Shiloh says.

"Call me Lib, please." She replies. I smile. Only a handful of people are allowed to call her Lib, that's usually a sign that she feels completely comfortable with you.

"Okay, Lib. Goodnight." She says.

"Goodnight Shiloh. Be safe." Ms. Camp replies.

We get out of the car and step out into the cold air. Shiloh crosses her arms and shivers. I hug her from behind as we walk to the train station. I buy us a couple of tickets for the midnight train. Shiloh snuggles herself into my chest as we wait for the train. I see people that sleep here, homeless. It reminds me of my old self. There's a drunken man stumbling around, holding a paper bag with a bottle of alcohol inside. I hear the squeak of the train rolling in. I don't let go of Shiloh's hand as we hop on. She's being so quiet. I know she's still sad, and tired. I let her trace my tattoos, her head on my shoulder. I kiss her forehead. She sniffs.