Fireworks

50

Hoffman smiles gently, luckily not commenting on the way I bolt upright in my chair and wipe my mouth to make sure I didn't drool.

"Hey, Hadlee," he says kindly.

I blink, making sure I'm not dreaming. "Hi, Hoffman. Um, what are you doing here?"

He lets out a long sigh, giving me a look I can't read. "Arlo is freaking out. You didn't show up at the auto shop for lunch yesterday, then you weren't answering your phone, then your car wasn't at your apartment. Let's just say he's had Gabe and me on a goose chase for the past two days."

I hadn't even thought of Arlo, as terrible as it sounds. Worry and regret instantly wash over me, and I grapple for my phone only to realize it's still in my bag in my car, which I hadn't visited since coming here two days ago.

"I'm so stupid," I rub my eyes. My head is throbbing, my body is aching from sleeping awkwardly in the chair, and I still feel like I haven't slept in weeks. "I'm sorry, Hoffman. Did you tell him you found me?"

He shakes his head, and upon seeing my questioning look, says, "I didn't know if you wanted to be found yet or not. I figured when you woke up I'd let you use my phone to call him if you felt like it."

Oh. That's very thoughtful of him. "Thank you," I say, hoping he can tell how much I mean it. "I'll call him, though. I didn't mean to go off the grid like that."

Hoffman nods and says, "Alright. Do you mind if we talk first, though?"

I'm hesitant to answer. This doesn't sound good.

I swallow. "Sure."

"It won't take long. I mostly just wanted to apologize, I guess," he says, looking at peace. For such a big, scary-looking guy, he's so mellow. "Since your piano recital, Arlo's been pretty much obsessed with you, and I've never seen him like that before. It made me nervous. I guess all I saw were the reasons your relationship wouldn't work out. All he saw here the reasons it would." he shrugs. "I see now that you're good for him. He's happier than I've seen him since before his mom died."

That's a high compliment. I'm a bit floored by Hoffman's words. I was definitely not expecting this to happen tonight.

Hoffman lets out a long, sad-sounding breath and looks out the window. "I was also even more hesitant to support your relationship because of how good of a person you both are. Arlo is the best man I've ever known, and you... I thought you had to be tricking him somehow, by the way he talked about you. He talks about you like you're Jesus, a puppy, and apricot strudel all wrapped up in the body of a pretty girl. It's kind of sick." he lets out a small laugh, and I feel myself laugh along, a blush spreading over my cheeks.

"It was hard for me to believe someone like that existed for him. I was so jealous of you," he admits, looking slightly nervous for the first time. "I've wanted to be that person for Arlo for a long time," he whispers.

Oh. I hadn't considered that before.

"It was unfair of me to take my jealousy out on you. Especially when you really are such a wonderful person," he says sincerely. "The birthday gift also may have buttered me up a little bit," he adds.

That earns another smile out of me.

"Thank you for all of that Hoffman, it means a lot to have your approval. I know that you know Arlo better than anyone else, and I just... I never wanted there to be any bad blood between us. I won't tell Arlo about... you know. Your secret is safe with me."

Hoffman smiles softly, but says, "You don't have to hide anything. I've been honest with Arlo about my feelings for him for a long time. Since high school."

Arlo knows? Interesting.

"Before I call him, can I ask your opinion about something?" I ask.

"Of course," he says, leaning forward in his chair.

I suddenly feel nervous again. I'd been thinking about this ever since the very first day we agreed to give this all a shot. After all the drama with my mom - which I'm still not even close to processing - and everything that's been going on with my dad, maybe my feelings about this are running high, too.

"Do you think Arlo and I should break up at the end of the summer?" I blurt.

Hoffman doesn't yell or scold me or walk away. He just shrugs.

"No. Not at the end of the summer, at least."

Maybe it's the lack of sleep, but I'm not comprehending what he means by that.

He must read my confusion, because he says, "I mean if you're thinking about breaking things off with him, which it sounds like you are, I don't think you should wait until the very end of the summer. You'll just get more attached and make things harder. A clean break as soon as possible would make things easier for you both. But that's only if you do decide to split. I think you could pull distance off, but I won't lie, it will be hell."

I gnaw on my lip. That's true. I hadn't thought that it would be best to let Arlo go sooner rather than later.

"Thanks, Hoffman," I whisper.

He nods and holds out his phone for me to use.

Before I take it, I hesitantly ask, "How did you find me? Here, at the hospital, I mean."

"I didn't, Gabe did. It was pure luck. He was visiting a friend and stumbled across you on his way out. He sat with you until I could get here."

Man, that's kind of embarrassing, and insane. Why was Gabe here at midnight on a Monday? I'm grateful that it happened, though. Talking with Hoffman was nice.

"Well, thank you. I'll tell Gabe thanks next time I see him, too." I say, finally taking the phone and walking to a secluded hallway.

I see that the time is 4:34. So I'd slept for about four hours.

I call Arlo, hoping that he's awake getting ready for work already.

He picks up quickly, and says, "Hello?" He sounds tired.

"Hey, Arlo. It's me." I say. "Hadlee, I mean." I add after I realize he may not know who 'me' is.

"Hadlee? Oh, thank God. Where the hell are you? Are you alright?" he asks, the relief in his voice palpable.

"I'm alright, I'm so sorry about the past couple of days. I kind of had an emergency and haven't had my phone. I'm okay, though."

I can hear shuffling on his end, and I wonder if he's getting dressed or driving or something. "What kind of emergency? It seems serious if you don't have your phone for two days."

I rub my face, not wanting to get into the details right now. "Yeah. Yeah, it was. Um, my mom is in the hospital. But I'm hoping she'll be released soon."

He's silent for a second before he says, "Can I please take off work to be with you today? I'd like to be there for you, if you want to see me."

My heart melts. "That's sweet," I murmur. "You don't have to take off work, though, I promise I'm alright. As soon as my mom's released I'll visit."

He sighs and says, "Please let me come to you. I haven't been sleeping well the past few days anyway, I need a day off. I just want to see you, I'm worried."

"You're in charge of your own work schedule, but I'm telling you not to take time off just for me. I'm sure she'll be let out soon."

"Well, it's a good thing I'm extra sore today and requested a day off last night."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, Arlo."

He laughs softly and says, "God, I missed your voice. I know it's only been two days, but damn. That makes me gross, huh?"

I laugh softly and say, "No, I missed you too." And I did. I hadn't really had time to think about him much, but now that I hear his voice I'm realizing that I do miss him, too.

How would we ever survive distance if this is how we react after only two days apart? I shove the thought to the back of my mind before I can take it any further. I don't have time to think about that right now. I have to take care of my mom.