I'll Be Seeing You

Construction Dust

It was 2 a.m. the next evening by the time she arrived at his apartment. She had been on her feet since 7 a.m. Client after client, event after event. She wasn't sure if she could even get her heels off. The doorman didn't even bother to enter her into security. He knew where she was going. Handing her the extra key, he watched as Lydia moved slowly towards the elevators. Her hair hung across her face in pieces, makeup long forgotten. She had successfully launched her part of their new project and now she needed a rest.

Turning the key in the lock, she was surprised by how quiet it was. Jamie was always so full of energy but she could hear him softly snoring in a peaceful sleep. She got naked in the doorway, peeling off the day's clothes, leaving them in a heap. She would deal with them tomorrow. Right now, she needed a shower and a warm bed.

Lydia stepped into the bathroom and took a good look at herself. She was covered head to toe in construction dust. Her latest project launch had been held in one of those new "raw" spaces aka "we haven't even cleared out the garbage" spaces. She had spent the majority of her morning cleaning and moving in the event furniture. She spent her afternoon and evening hobnobbing with the big wigs of the marketing world while still faintly smelling of paint and plywood.

Smelling herself now, she was revolted. She reeked of sawdust and sweat. She turned on the shower and stepped in before it even got hot. She didn't care. She just needed to be clean. Taking a second to breathe in she rested her head against the cold tiles of the shower walls. She had done it. She had launched one of the larger campaigns of her career to date and now she would finally get to sleep. Wrapping a giant towel around her, she stepped out of the shower. Now she just looked like a wet rat. It didn't matter. Jamie was already asleep. He wouldn't care about the mascara still under her eyes. He would only care that he had a warm body in his bed.

Switching off the light, she cursed under her breath as she navigated the now pitch-black apartment. Feeling her way along the wall she crashed into his desk knocking over the pictures on his desk but still he didn't stir. He had star-fished across the mattress leaving little room for Lydia to sleep comfortably. She tugged at the corner of the comforter, pulling just enough to cover her halfway.

Her favorite way to sleep was tucked up against him, cradled in his arms. Forcefully wedging herself into his side she felt him stir and automatically pull her closer to him.

"Mm," he murmured into her hair.

"Hey," she whispered back.

"How did it go?"

"Really well." She perked up at the thought of being able to talk about her day.

"That's good." Planting a kiss on her forehead, he turned his head and began drifting off to sleep. He sniffed her hair. "Did you shower?"

Lydia paused. "Yeah, I was covered in construction dust."

"Ohh, okay."

She waited for more questions, but none came. In a matter of moments, he was back asleep.

It seemed like the blink of an eye when she heard his alarm go off three hours later. She didn't bother asking him where he was going, she just begged him to stay.

"It's 5 a.m. Stay here."

"I can't."

"Jamie, it's so early."

"Gym."

"Uhh," and she dozed back off. She was so exhausted.

An hour later she hadn't moved.

"Time to get up, babe."

Lydia mustered a muffled "No" from under the covers.

"Yes, it's almost 6:30. Time to get up. I'm hopping in the shower. You're welcome to join me."

"I'm already clean."

She heard the water running and Jamie humming to himself. It wasn't until he turned the water off that she managed to get herself out of bed. Disregarding his soaking wet upper torso, she leaned her sleepy head into his chest.

"Wakey, Wakey," he spoke to her reflection in the mirror.

"How are you so chipper this morning?"

She didn't wait for any answer. "Where are my clothes?"

"You left them in a pile at the front door. I moved them to my chair."

"Mm." Apparently grunting was all she could muster. Exiting the bathroom, she tried to decipher what pieces went where on her body. She was so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open. Waddling back into the bathroom she needed assistance.

"Help."

"You look nice."

"Mm, thank you, if last night's clothes covered in dust sounds nice."

"This looks nice." Tapping her lightly on her butt, he bent down to kiss her neck.

"What are the chances you have a hair brush?" She was fussing with trying to tame her hair.

"Lyd, you know I don't even keep a comb here."

"Damn it. How am I supposed to look presentable?" Looking at her out of control locks, she fretted. She didn't have time to go change or get makeup or brush her hair. She would go to work and make sure everything had survived the night before then run home before any of her coworkers got in around 10 a.m. Someone had to be responsible and unfortunately that person was Lydia.

"I don't want to go to work."

Zipping up her skirt for her, Jamie spoke into her neck, "So, don't go. Take the day off." Spinning her around he added, "Or be late with me."

Lydia saw he had that look in his eye. "Jamie, we can't. We're already running late."

"Yes, we can." He moved her hair aside revealing her collarbone.

"Jamie." His name escaped her lips. "I'm going to be late."

She received no response as he backed her against the bathroom vanity.

"We can't do this in the bathroom. Everything is wet." Lydia had images of her on the subway in a blotchy see-through skirt.

"That's what she said." He laughed to himself as he moved his lips up her neck.

"Jesus. Your jokes are terrible."

"You love it. Bed?' he asked eagerly.

"Bed."

Racing each other to the bed Jamie picked her up and tossed her towards the headboard. Lydia was suddenly energetic as he jumped on top of her. They found their rhythm in a matter of minutes and much to their surprise they came together. Collapsing on top of him, Lydia helped Jamie push her hair out of her face.

"Awake now?" he asked.

She breathlessly replied, "Definitely. Definitely awake."