Sometimes I Do

Prologue

The cold, dry air seemed to cut right through my jacket as I walked down the street. I hated not having a car, but I just couldn't afford one. Between working at the day care, and tutoring high school kids, I had just enough to live off of. I used to live with my parents, but being twenty-one years old and still relying on "mommy" is humiliating enough. 

I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk, but caught myself just before I fell. I took a deep breath and regained my composure. I walked quickly up the stairs to my apartment, avoiding the ice on the cement steps. I fumbled with my keys, my frozen hands unwilling to cooperate. Just as I was putting the key into the lock, the knob turned, and the door flung open. My boyfriend, James, was standing in the entryway, an amused smirk on his face.

"You need some help out there?" He asked, smug.

"I'm fine, thanks." I laughed. I walked inside, and set my purse on the table. James kissed me on the cheek, and sat on the couch. "What do you want for dinner?", I asked.

"Maybe we could just order a pizza? I always feel bad when you have to cook every night."

"Well we don't need you cooking, you'll kill us." 

"Ha ha, making fun of the cripple, I see how it is." He pouted, and I pinched his cheek.

"Oh don't be a baby, you know I love you." I gave him a chaste kiss, and went to order a pizza. James hurt his back while deployed in Iraq a year ago. He leaves for days at a time to travel across the country for extensive spine procedures. I met him three months after he returned to the United States on permanent medical leave. He couldn't work, because he has no education after high school. He takes online classes while I'm at work. 

After watching a few TV shows, eating pizza, and having a few drinks- well, after I had a few drinks, James can't drink with his medicine- we decided to hit the sack. 

"What time do you have to be up in the morning?" James asked, washing his face.

"Fix." I gurgled, the toothpaste gathering in the corners of my lips. 

James laughed. "What?"

I spit the toothpaste out of my mouth, and repeated myself. "Six. I have to be at work by seven."

"As soon as I get my degree, you won't have to work a day of your life. I promise." He placed a lingering kiss on my forehead, and we went to sleep.

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A/N

Not much, but it's a start! The main plot of the story will begin next chapter. 

-Jay