Whispers that Scream

Chapter Twenty-One

Adam

The week passed by quickly. There had been a strange energy around him and Jane lately. Some kind of awkwardness had permeated their friendship. He couldn't tell if it was because she was disappointed that he didn't make a move or if she was disappointed that she noticed him wanting to. They still texted and had short conversations after he finished work, but something had changed. Neither of them had mentioned what happened the other night which caused him to question if it was just him imagining things. It seemed their honesty policy had failed them at a critical moment.

Adam had pulled out his phone dozens of times over the last few days to text Jane and cancel dinner, but each time he did so, he'd picture her laughing with her friends, and he'd reluctantly put his phone down. He wanted to be part of the happy times in her life and hopefully, would contribute to those times, and make them even better.

He didn't know how the week passed so quickly, but there he was on the night of the dinner, standing in front of the mirror, and inspecting his appearance. He had used a little gel in his hair to fashion his hair in a more professional-looking cut. He hadn't shaved in a few days causing a dark shadow to cover half his face. His eyes shifted to the outfit he had chosen. No surprises there with his choice. His patented golf shirt and some dress pants accompanied him like an old friend. Both were fairly lightweight so he wouldn't get too hot when his anxiety rose tonight. And he would have anxiety. That was a guarantee. The difference between a good night and a bad night was whether that anxiety rose to a full-blown panic attack or whether it would stay fairly low, and he could somewhat enjoy himself.

The stakes were high. He desperately didn't want to ruin Jane and Sarah's fun night out. The amount of pressure he had already placed on himself to not ruin the night with a panic attack, or make it awkward by missing social cues, or god forbid say something insulting to Sarah and her husband without meaning to was already threatening to crush him. Jane had invited him though and wanted him to come. That was enough to guarantee that he would give it everything he had tonight to make her happy.

They needed to leave by 6:00 pm if they wanted to get to the restaurant by 7:00. At 5:45, he grabbed his keys and walked onto his porch to wait for Jane. After waiting a few minutes, he walked down to the driveway and turned on his truck to cool it off before she came. He stood outside his truck, waiting to open the door for her, and depending on her outfit, help her inside the truck. At 5:59 he started to tap his hip and rock on his heels. He constantly checked his phone to make sure he hadn't missed a text saying the dinner had been canceled. We will be late and have to rush to try to make it to the restaurant on time. He started to spiral. Just before the clock turned to 6:00, his phone buzzed. A text from Jane.

Hi Adam, I'm running a few minutes late. Be down in a sec.

Adam smiled and read and reread the text. She remembered!

She remembered how much it bothered him to have the schedule change with no word. He was practically giddy and tried to control his outward display of happiness. He couldn't help the large smile that spread across his face.

At 6:05 Jane rushed down the stairs. "Sorry. I'm sorry I'm late. Let's get on the road," she yelled to him over her shoulder as she hopped into the truck in her dress.

Adam took a few moments to regain his composure. She didn't realize how much that text had meant to him. The fact that she had sent it, even though she was only a few minutes late, meant the world to him. It saved him five minutes of spiraling and having high anxiety before they even left the house.

He climbed into the truck after a few moments and backed out, starting the drive towards the restaurant. All the while, he couldn't stop himself from smiling, no matter how much he tried. He glanced over at her, taking in her outfit and could practically see the buzz of excitement inside her. He liked this look on her. Full of energy and no worries clouding her mood.