'Til Death - Chris Motionless Love Story

Chapter Twelve - Redamancy

CHRIS' POV
I shifted awkwardly at the elongated table as I sat eating dinner with Salem and her parents. After the graveside service we rekindled, and I apologized profusely for the words I had said. She accepted, and I was relieved. Then came the question: what did I want us to be? Fuck buddies? Friends with benefits? A fling? All of these were things that Salem had thrown out there, but I wanted none of those. Her soul was so entangled in mine after only a short time, almost like she was meant for me.

"I'm sorry, but is anyone going to address the fact that you dyed your hair black last night? I mean, when did you even get the dye?" Her dad finally asked. I was dying to hear the story myself. I hadn't said anything to her about her hair because we were so caught up with everything else.

"I had bought it months ago before I moved and found it in a box of my stuff. I just decided it was time for a change." Salem explained. No one said anything after that. No comments were made, no concerns expressed.

"I think you look stunning with dark hair. It really brings out your green eyes. I mean, I was breathless when I saw you today." I finally expressed. I watched a rush of heat go across her face. It was truly the first time I had complimented her like that, but I thought it was time I stepped up my game. She had to know I wanted her. Not that Griffin guy that was hanging on her side at that bar. This was a war, and I was going to win.

"How's Griffin doing? I noticed you were talking to him last night when I picked you up and you were on the phone this morning." Was her dad trying to make me back off?

"He's good, dad. Busy with work and such."

"I always liked that Griffin kid. He was one of the few guys I approved of." He made direct eye contact with me, and I looked down at my plate. "Chris, what did you do before funeral industry? Weren't you in a band?" I choked slightly on my water. It was still a touchy subject since I hadn't disclosed a whole lot of it with Salem.

"Yes, I was. I inherited the funeral home and then decided I'd drop the band for a while, focus on the industry. It's very important to me."

"I see... and do you sleep with all of your employees?" I now see where Salem gets her attitude and cockiness from. I bit my tongue, holding back a snarky remark.

"No, sir. Um, Salem is the only employee I've ever done anything with. In fact she's the first woman I've been with since my wife passed a few years ago." Her dad fell silent, and she held her head in her heads out of embarrassment.

"Okay! Let's not talk about my sex life! Next topic!" Salem exclaimed. Everyone remained silent, not knowing what else to say or talk about.
After dinner Salem disappeared off to the porch with a hard cider, and I stayed in with her dad. He turned on some car show, and we sat in silence. That is until he asked the question that I still had yet gotten the answer to: what are Salem and I?

"If I'm being completely transparent and honest, I want nothing more than to wake up every morning to her, come home to her every day, she's the first woman in years that has just completely captured me. I mean, trust me, I've been on plenty of dates, but none of them are quite like Salem. I can't put my finger on it, she's just... different."

"She's never been like the other girls. She's always been quiet, reserved, she's not partier. We tried, we really did! I encouraged her to go out and be a teenager! I encouraged her to go out on her 21st birthday, and she came home at 9:30pm not even drunk. She matured quickly. Her mom really screwed up her childhood." She had never mentioned anything about her childhood. This was the first I had heard.

"Do you mind elaborating?"

"Her mom ripped her from me when she was about 9 years old, abandoned her with her grandmother, then put her through the court battle with a threat of foster care. Her mother tried to claim I didn't want her and that I was a drug user and alcoholic. Funny thing is, she was the one that was both of those. Courts ruled that she couldn't stay with her grandparents, and I went through a lot to get custody. I think she was always scared of being like her mom."

"Do they still talk?"

"Every now and then, but Salem keeps her distance. Her mom always says that if she had stayed with her she wouldn't have all that weight, that she would be happier, that she would find the perfect guy." It was heartbreaking to hear that a parent could do so much damage, but she'd still stay in contact. That's just who Salem is, though. She loves even when you've hurt her. Then, that got me thinking. I excused myself and went out to the back porch where she was sitting curled in a blanket, reading a book. I stood in front of her.

"Salem, I'm about to just spill everything, and I want you to just listen," I started, "I'm insanely head over heels for you. I mean, I have never met a woman who has captured my soul quite like you. It was almost like you were catching fireflies in a jar, and you caught me. The weird thing is, I already know I'd want to be your firefly for the rest of my days. Salem, I can't do this without you. I can't go back to Scranton unless you come with me. I will stay here in Texas forever if that's what it takes, and I hate Texas." Her silence was deafening, she was probably trying to process my word vomit that made no sense. I mean, I just compared myself to a firefly caught in a jar, but that's what I felt like I was. Salem stood up from her seat, wrapped her arms around my neck, and pulled me down to her level. I returned by wrapping my arms around her waist and pulled her in close for a soft and passionate kiss. Yes, yes, this is it. This was right.

"What a curiously good looking firefly I caught." Salem joked as she smiled. Her forehead was resting on mine, and I was grinning ear to ear.

"Does that door lead to your bedroom?" I asked, pointing my head to the French doors. She nodded, and I swept her up bridal style as she laughed. I stumbled into the room laughing with her and shooshing her at the same time. I fell onto the bed with her, holding myself up with my arms as I admired her smile and got lost in her eyes. I was falling in love all over again, and it felt like the most incredible thrill ride of my life.