Unremitting Love

Chapter 7

"And drink a ton of water, and wear a lot of sunscreen, okay?"

Daniel laughs, nodding.

"Yes, yes, I'm going to be fine, baby."

"Finnigan, Joshua, do not tease my husband." I warn the boys, my hands on my hips.

"No promises." Finn smirks.

They're going out for a week to go camping on the Application trail.

They're going to get lost.

"Call me whenever you get cell reception, alright?" I say.

"Okay." Daniel says.

They're taking Josh's car. I don't understand why, but they insisted on not putting miles on my truck or on Finn's.

Daniel told me I'm not allowed to get my truck.

I'm still kinda upset about it, but I'll honestly get over it. I have a truck. If anybody is getting a new truck, it's Daniel. He deserves it.

"Alright." I sigh. "I love you, Daniel. So, so much." I kiss him.

"I love you too."

They leave.

"If Finn does something stupid and winds up in the hospital, I'm going to kick his ass." Sadie mutters.

"You're telling me." I mutter.

We wander into Sky and Josh's house.

<><>

We all spent time at each other's houses. It' been two days and none of us have heard a word from the boys.

We were pissed, but we went back to Sky and Josh's and I spotted all three of their cellphones charging on the counter.

They were so excited to go camping that they fucking forgot their phones.

I miss Daniel so much though. I miss his voice and his laugh and waking up with him.

I could never survive without him.

I'm sitting at home in the quiet.

The power is back on in the city.

I'm thinking about my life.

Daniel wants to move, and as I look in the backyard, I feel weary.

If we had a baby, they could get hurt.

A toddle could get under the deck.

We live off of a golf course, and there's a stream right behind the house. If they fall in, they'll drown.

At any moment, a golf ball could come through a window.

We didn't really think about our lives when we bought the place. We liked the interior and the exterior.

Daniel wants to move for privacy.

I look around at all this empty space.

I want a baby.

I want a family.

This house is not suitable for that.

<><>

I spent the time with Daniel away cleaning.

I did all the laundry and cleaned out the fridge and washed couch cushions and changed the bed sheets.

I put all my books in the bookshelf in ABC order, bleached floors.

The entire house is spotless.