The Cabin

Mr. Williams: Pizza

Mr. Williams

Things with Layla are not going the way I had intended. I wish that by now, Layla would have spent enough time with me to feel something. I wish Layla could trust me enough to communicate her needs with me. We have a line of communication between us, and yet I am usually the one who starts the conversation. Why can't Layla tell me basic things? Why do I have to rely on my system notifications to check in on Layla? Does Layla know I get a notification at night with her yelling or crying in her sleep? Does Layla know I get notifications every time she opens the cabinet? Layla hasn't been eating or sleeping well in days and yet she pretends she is fine. I am doing my best to make sure Layla is okay, but she doesn't trust me enough to tell me about her issues herself. Feeling so close to her and knowing she is miles away from me is killing me inside. I need more time with Layla. I need to make her trust me. No, I need to earn Layla's trust.

I put together a plan to cover all my bases tonight. I called in for two large pepperoni pizzas. I picked them both up, paid in cash, and then drove home. Driving up the lane, I began to feel guilty. Sebastian was without a doubt inside and he was still probably working on finding Layla. Sebastian has created a website for her where people can see photos of her, send in tips, and send money to help cover costs for Layla's family.

I set a timer on my phone and walked into the house with a large pizza. Sebastian was in his room on his computer so I knocked on his door. I received no answer so I knocked again. Still, no response. I let myself in and found Sebastian at his computer desk and he had headphones on. Sebastian's phone was propped up against his computer tower. I tapped Sebastian on the shoulder and he nearly jumped out of his skin when I did.

"Whoa, What are you doing here?" Sebastian asked as he slowly recognized me. "I brought us dinner, I thought you may be hungry and I wanted a treat for us," I said holding up the box. I had ordered from Sebatsain's favorite place. "I'm sorry. I am just really busy. Could I eat in here, and catch up with you later?" Sebastian asked as he glanced between me, the pizza box, and his computer screen. Just as I finished saying, "I would love to do dinner with you Sebastian. I hardly get to see you anymore." My phone's timer went off with the ringtone I had designated for calls from the hospital. I looked at my phone and unlocked it. I adjusted the timer and waited for Sebastain's reaction. "Does the Hospital need you?" Sebastian asked, his tone indicating that he wanted this to become his perfect solution to avoid dinner with me. "I'll let it go to voicemail. They can call someone else. If they need me, they can try again later." I answered as I put my phone back in my pocket.

"Please come join me," I said as I started my way out to the kitchen. Sebastian looked annoyed, but he locked up his computer. As soon as Sebastian stood up, he put his phone in his pocket. We walked together to the kitchen and I set the pizza box on the island. I grabbed two plates and we each picked out our pieces. I picked two for myself and I watched as Sebastian selected three. We were both about to start eating when my phone went off again. Sebastian looked at me with excitement, the same "ringtone" alerted me. Sebastian gave me a sly smile. "Sebastian, I am so sorry, let me take this quick and we can get back to dinner" I explained as convincingly as possible. Sebastian went to the fridge and grabbed two bottles of water and a Gatorade. Walking away with his dinner Sebastian looked relieved. I pretended to answer my non-existent phone call. I replaced the pieces in the box and placed my plate in the sink. As I began to head for the door, I called out "I'm sorry Sebastian." I had my foot out the door when I heard Sebastian call out "We'll try to do it again sometime" halfheartedly. I wanted to call out again, but I knew he would already have his headphones on again. I left and started my car. The pizza that was still in my car was still hot. I turned on the heater for the seat and made my way to the cabin.

Driving up to the cabin again reminded me of how I left things with Layla. I have come to realize that I walk out in a rush more often than I want to. I don't know why, but even the little things that Layla does can get under my skin for reasons I can't explain. Maybe because I care so deeply for her, knowing that she doesn't feel the same hurts more. I can't allow myself to storm off every time I get upset. Relationships need communication and I don't communicate my feelings enough. We need to make things work.