To the Moon and Back

Always

Hunter had to work a little bit on my second to last day of our visit. His condo looked a little messier than usual, so I decided to kill some time and clean up for him. I washed and dried dishes, made the bed and put the pile of clean laundry away. As I was cleaning I stumbled upon a black envelope. It had been opened, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a peek. 

I slid it open and it revealed a nod for a Grammy award and invitation to attend the show in two weeks times. Not sure what to make of it, I slid the package back together and left it on the kitchen table. I dug through my suitcase for my word search and sat next to Cole. I must have drifted off because I woke up to a key turning in the door and Hunter calling my name.

"Hey," I said sleepily, "How are you?"

"I'm good." he kissed my forehead and dropped his keys and travel mug on the counter. "Thank you for cleaning up sweetie."

"Any time." 

"Oh shoot," Hunter became quiet. "I forgot about this."

"The envelope?" He brought over to the couch. 

"Yeah, I meant to ask you, but I forgot and I lost this," he shook the envelope. "I don't know if I feel like going."

"You sir - were nominated. You're going. You don't need me there. If you win, I want you up there making a kick butt acceptance speech." His expression flipped and a smile started to break across his mouth. "I also do not know if I am ready for an award show." He reached over and squeezed my hand.  

The rest of the evening was spent cooking together, getting entangled in each other, soaking up every minute of the time we had left until our next encounter. 

Hunter kissed me as we prepared to part ways again. "This is getting a little easier - since I know there's a next time, but I still don't like it." Hunter hugged me, whispering in my ear.

"I know. When I get the details about my schedule I will let you know." I nodded. One last kiss and I headed into the airport. Security, waiting, boarding, flying, landing, waiting, home.

I took a cab back home and found a letter from the US Department of Citizenship and Immigration, as well as a small package in the mail box. My heart fluttered opening the letter first. I had been granted a work visa for the US. I wave of relief came over me - now the challenge was to find work. I made a note to bring it up with him later today. I turned my attention to the package. With no return address, I opened it and couldn't help but laugh. Hunter had mailed me a copy of the track we recorded. I went inside and dusted off my cd player, listening to my voice on playback. As the song finished up, a new track began to play, This Girl, I thought to myself. I sat, criss-cross on the floor facing my cd player, smiling and crying all at and once.

I heard my mom come through the front door, "Jenna? You home?"

"Yep, down here!" I called, ushering my mom to the lower level of the house. I wiped my eyes before she made her way down, I paused the cd player and played back the song. "Listen to what came in the mail today."

My mom pulled up a chair and listened to both songs, "Is that you?" I nodded, telling her that Hunter had me record a song and wrote me the other one.

"He said that's the going to be the one of the songs off his new project which he is currently working on." Impressed,  my mom patted my back, excusing herself back upstairs. I put the cd back in the case and texted Hunter.

J: I have been home for an hour and have been exclusively listening to the cd. I love it. Thank you.

H: Anything for you. XO