Imagining Us

Ch.80- In this Moment

It never ceased to amaze Esi how quickly a two hour evening lecture could pass.
Granted, International Human Rights Law was her only lecture this final semester. She'd held off on the elective course so that it could be paired with her last thesis course, and it was the best choice. Yes, she would have group projects and papers, but most of the work was theoretical and straightforward.

What had her even more excited was what came after the class–her thoughtful, sweet boyfriend. Porte insisted on waiting for her outside of her evening class, sometimes with a latte in hand. She told him that he didn't have to. She could see how tired he was after a day of work, and he drove all the way to campus just to walk her to her car to then drive back into the city.

His stubbornness of course prevailed, and as much as that trait of his could irritate her, she loved him for it. She noticed the curious looks that they would get on campus, especially when he would slip his hand into hers or when he would thread his arm around her waist. Porte, on the other hand, was either oblivious to it all or just didn't care. She was leaning more towards the latter.

That night after class, however, she didn't expect to see him because she knew that he was out of town for work.

Esi had been housesitting or more appropriately, apartment sitting for Porte since the weekend. It was unnecessary in her opinion, and she'd argued it with him. It's not like he had a pet or anything that she needed to take care of. The next day, he suddenly had a goldfish for her to feed. She could've just taken the bowl to her apartment, but apparently the fish, which he cared so much about but couldn't even be bothered to name, needed to be kept in a stable environment.

She gathered her things and made her way out of the classroom. Naturally, her eyes went to the spot where he would usually stand. Even though she knew that he wouldn't be there.

"Good evening, madam," a booming voice said from her left.

Esi whirled around.

"JJ?" she asked, confused but peering up to him and his six foot plus presence. "What–what are you doing here?"

Smiling, He held out a cup to her. "I'm told that you have to get your chai fix."

Esi groaned, but took the cup from him, muttering a 'thanks'. It was perfect for the chilly weather, but still...

"What am I going to do with him, JJ?" she whined teasingly. "I told him that I was fine."

JJ laughed, showing off rows of pearly whites. "What can you do but love him as he is."

Esi took a sip of her drink. "Well that's the easiest part."

JJ's smile faltered only for a second. "I hope he knows that," he sighed. "Sometimes he–he gets in his head about things."

She knew that. She knew the struggles that they both faced. Hope was what was propelling this relationship forward.

She looked up at Porte's friend. "I suppose you're meant to be my bodyguard as well."

He laughed again. "I value my life, so yes," he said. "Come on, I'll walk you out and tell you some embarrassing stories since he's not here to micromanage the conversation.

* * *

She blinked her eyes as they adjusted to the dim room.

Esi felt the warmth missing from behind her, and she reached back her hand to feel for the body that was supposed to be behind her. Her hand hit the satin sheet on her mattress. There was no one else in the bed with her. She frowned and turned—Porte wasn't there. She reached for her phone on the bedside table to look at the time—5:00 am.