Anything For You

Late Night Texts

     I was startled out of sleep that night by my cell phone ringing insistently on my bedside table. I sat up, groggily, and fumbled around until I found the switch and flipped on my lamp. I blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted to the bright light. My phone beeped loudly once more, signaling me that I had a text message awaiting me. I yawned loudly, reached over and picked it up. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, flipped open my phone and began to read.

     You okay? Didn't hear from you tonight... Just checking.  Josh.

     I smiled to myself. Josh always seemed to know just what I needed and when I needed it the most. He was giving me a much needed pick me up, without even knowing that I was in need of one. I had indeed neglected to talk to Josh before going to bed. It was something that we did every night. It was kind of a routine of sorts. Most of the time we talked on the phone, but every now and again we would talk online or by text messages. Most people seem to prefer text, but I loved listening to his voice. Of course I never told him such things as I didn't want him to think I was weird.

     But I had still been far too upset from the evenings events to talk to him. The bath had done the trick for me while I was in it, but as soon as it was over, all of the frustrations rushed right back again. I had not been able to properly vent what needed to be vented and it was just slowly building up inside. I had been afraid that Josh might have been able to pick up on something in my voice and try to come over. It wasn't that I didn't want him here. Every fiber of my being was screaming out for him to come over, but I thought it was better if he stayed away... At least for now. He didn't need to get all wrapped up in this mess. Although, I should have known that not talking to him would have been more of a tip off, than talking to him and having him read too much into my voice. It seemed that no matter what I did in this situation that Josh would become suspicious at some point.

     I looked at the time at which the text was sent. 1:27am. I looked over at my alarm clock. It was now 1:38am. I sighed and felt a slight twinge in my stomach. Josh had been waiting up all night to hear from me, and I had just gone to bed and not given it another thought. Some best friend I was. I hit the reply button and sent him a message in return.

     No worries Josh. Sorry, fell asleep early. Talk to you tomorrow, okay?  Mae.

     I hoped that my return message would be enough to pacify him for tonight. I would see him tomorrow and we could talk then.

     My phone went off again, signaling a new message. I jumped, and nearly dropped the phone onto my bed. I quickly flipped it open once more and read.

     Okay. Sweet dreams Princess. Night.  Josh.

     I smiled once again and closed my phone. I cradled it against my chest for a moment before returning it to its' place on my night table and turning off the lamp. I lay there in the darkness for awhile just thinking. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to let Josh in on what was going on. It would be nice to have someone to talk to about it. Besides, I hoped that Conner would have enough sense not to do anything in front of Josh, so he would be safe in that aspect. So far, Conner seemed to keep all of his bad behavior saved for us alone. Except for those rare occasions when he would yell at my mom out in public. His behavior was not nice or called for. Most days he was pretty quiet around others. I don't know if he was trying to fool the world into believing that he was actual a decent guy or not. If he was, his attempts were well wasted in my opinion. I knew that he could dish out far worse than a public temper tantrum.

     So many ideas and options rolled around in my mind as I drifted off into a restless sleep. Whatever I was to decide would have to wait until morning, when I was face to face with Josh, and able to think clearly.