Soft Boy

A Whole Year

   "Baby!" Tye says. I squirm. We're in our bedroom. The past few days have been adult ones.
   "C'mom, today's a special day," she says. At first I don't know what she's talking about, then I remember. I stand up abruptly and hug her.
   "One year!!!" I say excitedly. She hugs back tight. I can't believe its been a year since Aaron's backyard barbecue.
   "I love you baby," and when she said it I knee she was talking to me. All of me, big and small.
   "I love you Tye," I say. And I use her name so she knows I love all of her, my mommy and my girlfriend.
   "So where you taking me tonight?" she asks me with a smile.
   "Oh I'm supposed to take you out!" I say back teasing. I already planned on it but I like to give her crap.
   "Yeah, I was thinking five star restaurant," she says knowing that's not in the budget.
   "Or... a movie and Olive Garden!" I say excitedly.
   "Anything with my boo is good to me," she says giving me a kiss.
   We decide to go see A Quiet Place.
   "Bet you'll get more scared then I do!" Tye says.
   "No way," I comeback.
   "You always do! When we saw Hush you jumped a few times," she says. I remember, but I'll never admit it.
   "Liar," I say. She chuckles at me.
   "Whatever, tough guy."
   When movie time rolls around we both get dressed up. I slip a little box into my pocket then go to meet Tye in the livingroom. She looks breathtaking.
   "You're so beautiful," I say in my uaual nerdy way.
   "Oh hush," she says dismissing me.
   "No seriously. You're stunning," I say less nerd like.
   "You don't look half bad either. In fact, its been a year and I've only seen you dress little and casual," she says. I look back at my time with her. She's right.
   "Well damn. I need to step up my game." I say laughing.
   When we get to the theater we get a medium pop and corn. I wanted to go for the large but Tye reminded me we still have dinner after this.
   We're both really into horror movies so the movie was fantastic. It scared us both. Tye laughed at me a few times, but I got to laugh at her too.
   After the movie we hit the Olive Garden. Its Tye's favorite restaurant so I knew it was the perfect place for our anniversary.
   "These bread sticks are to die for! she says taking a bite out of one. They're my favorite too. We order our food then banter. When the food comes we both pig out. I forgot how much love it here.
   Tye's talking about something at work while I'm lost in thought.
   "You're completely zoned out, aren't you?" she asks.
   "Oh, 100%," I say not even trying to lie.
   "Well what's on your mind?" She asks taking a sip of her drink.
   "Marry me," I say nonchalantly. She chokes on her drink.
   "Um... What?" she asks.
   "No seriously," I take a deep breathe and get down on one knee in front her and hold her hand. People are starting to look.
   "I'm so in love with you. Everyday is a gift. I thank God everyday and night for you. If I had nine lives I'd live them all with you, but I don't. This is all we got. So would you do me the honor of being my wife?" I take the box out of my pocket and show her the ring. She gasps and puts her hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes.
   "Oh my god! Yes yes yes!" she says diving into my arms. I hug her tightly. People around us clap. I forgot we were in public. Tye smiles at me. And I know things are gonna be okay.