The Hourglass

Twenty-Nine

I'm in my car, ready to drive home, but I check my phone first to find a text from Adam: I enjoyed meeting your Dad tonight. Thank you for allowing me to meet him. I smile and decide to call him. He picks up immediately. 

"Hey, beautiful," he answers. 

I smile as I put the car in reverse and back out of the driveway. "Hey, handsome," I reply, mimicking him. 

"Are you home now?" he asks. 

"No, actually, I'm just now leaving my dad's," I tell him. 

"At nine o'clock at night?" he asks in disbelief. "Isn't that past your bedtime?" he teases. 

I laugh. "Not quite. This is normally when I'm getting ready for bed so I can go to sleep by ten," I correct him. 

"Wow," he says, "what has gotten into you today? You're turning into a rebel." 

I laugh. "I'm on vacation, remember? I can do whatever I want. I have nothing to do in the morning." 

"Oh, whatever you want, huh?" Adam says hauntingly. "Does that include coming to my place for a nightcap?" I hesitate. "Or are you too tired?" he asks. "We did spend a lot of time together already, I understand if you want to be left alone." 

"No," I say quickly. "It's not that, really. It's just late, and I worry that I might be too tired to drive home," I admit. 

"You could always stay the night if you're too tired to drive," he suggests. "I stayed at your place. It's only fair," he says, teasing now. 

I know that I should say no and go home to my safe boundaries. I know that it's probably unhealthy for us to spend this much time together. But I don't care because I've always lived my life carefully. And I just want to be a little reckless now. Most of all, I just want to be held and comforted. Especially after the conversation with Dad, tonight. 

"I suppose you have a point," I say, teasing him back. "I guess I better pay what I owe." 

"Drive safe, Rosaline. I'll see you when you get here." I can practically hear the grin in his voice. He hangs up, and I drive carefully all the way to Adam's. When I pull into his driveway, I don't feel nervous. I feel at home. And that makes me feel nervous. 

I try to remember what Dad said to make myself feel better. He knew he wanted to marry my mom after spending one day with her. And knowing that information didn't make him act recklessly. He took his time with her and was in control. I don't even have thoughts of marrying Adam, I just know there's something about him. And I can take things slow. Adam respects that. So, as long as I stand by my boundaries, it will be fine.

After giving myself this pep talk, I get out of the car and walk up to the door. I don't even have to knock; he's already there, opening the door as I walk up.  He smiles down at me, "I can't believe you're here," he says, chuckling. "I think I'm becoming a bad influence on you," he admits. 

"I think you're the right influence," I say tauntingly. I stand on my toes and peck him on the cheek. 

"You're going to drive me to an early grave," he says as he pulls me inside. I laugh, but suspect he might mean it. He leads me over to the couch, where two wine glasses are waiting. 

"Are you planning on getting me drunk?" I ask cautiously. I'm questioning my decision to come. 

He laughs. "Off of one glass of wine?" he asks like it's the most ridiculous thing. You'll be fine. But if you don't want it, I'll get you something else," he assures me as I sit down. 

"It's fine," I hear myself say, and I think we're both surprised. Adam stares at me. 

"Did you fall and hit your head today?" I think he's asking in all seriousness.