Breathe Into Me

Noticing The Subtle Things

"So you do know how to drive." I say with a smirk.

"I only take the train because traffic in the city is absolute shit. Plus I get to see you. Now if you would please, get in so we can go." She asks, holding out a fresh brewed cup of coffee. "You like americanos right?"

"They're my favorite actually. How did you know?" I slide into the passenger seat.

"I pay closer attention than you think." Billie gives me a wink and turns the key in the ignition, the engine roars to life. I swear if I wasn't a car person, I certainly am now.

"So what else have you picked up on about me?" I ask out of curiosity.

Billie continues to drive, her eyes focused on the road ahead. "Well, you're kind of an outdoorsy person based on the hiking boots I saw back at your place. But, you're also kind of a hermit because you have a million books. You prefer coffee over tea, you like puzzles because I've seen you do the crossword in the paper from time to time, and you despise wet napkins. I overheard that one when you were talking to your friend."

"You mean Jess?" I give her a puzzled look.

"The girl that rides the train that you talk to a the time." She elaborates.

"I'd hardly call us friends... more of an obligatory acquaintance. She's my coworker. She's trying to get in on ortho but not doing so hot." I say, picking at the hangnail on my thumb.

"I get it." Her response brief.

Did I say something wrong? Was I too blunt? I sometimes come off as rough around the edges when I first meet people. I'm not exactly forthcoming with affection.

It's eerily quiet now, to the point of I kind of wish I had kept my mouth shut. I can't read her body language either. She's stoic and her posture exudes confidence, which isn't necessarily something I lack.

"To be fair, I don't have many friends anymore... so it is nice to have someone to talk to, even Jess. I spent most of my time in college studying. I wasn't super into parties so, I made a couple of friends but I realized that we only ever 'hung out' to study and I wasn't included on their other extra curricular activities." I explain.

"Jeez you really are a nerd." She chuckles out. "To be fair I didn't go to college or anything like that... I never found something worth investing in. Besides singing around the house, or at work isn't going to pay the bills."

"Do you like your work?" I ask her bluntly.

"I do, I get to show love to animals that have been rejected in some way or another, until they find their forever homes." She smiles, her cute little dimple making an appearance. She's adorable when she smiles, I'll have to make sure she smiles more often.

"That's super sweet. Also where are we going, seems like we've been driving awhile." I ask genuinely curious as to where we're going.

"So, we are going to a nursery." She says matter-of-factly.

I furrow my brow, confused. "Billie, I'm not exactly kid friendly."

"It's a plant nursery ya goof, they also have some really chill hiking trails. I figured a change in scenery might be nice. Being surrounded by big grey buildings all the time is a little daunting." She explains, giggling a bit at my misunderstanding.

"Oh." I can feel my cheeks heating up. I hate embarrassing myself, but that's what I'm good at. "Yeah, a change in scenery would be nice. Plus, the smell of the great outdoors is a million times better than smelling hospital antiseptic all day long."

We pull up to a long white building and Billie reaches in the backseat, grabbing a hoodie and handing it to me.

"Oh I'm ok, but thank you." I reassure her.