It was a Thursday, at half past three in the afternoon. Juliana and Rafael had both been able to get off of work early to enjoy the rest of their day. Rafael Barba sighed. "My mother called. She wants to meet you. Are you up for it?" "Of course, why not?" Juliana shrugged. "Are you sure?" Rafael asked. Juliana Vasquez nodded. "It's not a big deal. I'll be fine." "Alright. I'll set it up, just let me know if you want to cancel," he replied. "Rafi," Juliana smiled. "I really feel just fine. I just want to enjoy this feeling while I can. Therapy's been okay for me, and I know that I'll have to shift through different stages." "Yeah," Rafael smiled softly. "I get that. Do you need to talk?" Juliana shook her head. "It's fine. I just want to relax," she sighed, plopping down onto a stool. "Well, uh, she should be down in a couple hours," Rafael shrugged. "Wanna pick out a movie?" he grinned.
Just like old times, Juliana knew. She smiled happily. They sat down on the living room couch, as Rafael turned on the TV. "Oh, God," Juliana remembered. "Look, Rafi, Bad Santa!" Juliana laughed. Rafael stared. "That movie was gross." "But funny," Juliana argued. "Just gross," Rafael Barba shook his head with a laugh. "Okay. You pick, then," Juliana shot back. "What about.... Shaft?" Rafael suggested. "Yeah, sure," Juliana chuckled. "Why not?"
She and Rafael immediately laid down close beside each other on the couch, as the movie just began. It was a simple and comfortable moment, one that didn't involve contemplation or decision-making, or pain. It was just nice and calm. Like a calm before the storm. Juliana and Rafael were both tired, especially Juliana. She began to feel her eyes closing, and slowly drifted to sleep.
****
"Hey," a voice whispered.
Juliana laughed involuntarily, feeling a soft sort of tickling sensation on her leg. Her eyes soon flickered opening. "Rafi?" she called. He nodded with a pleasant smile. "Hey. You were a sleep almost the whole movie. You wanna go and change?" he asked. Juliana nodded. "Let's go," she laughed, looking down at her disheveled work clothes, then at Rafi's half unbuttoned and coffee-stained work shirt.
They headed into their bedroom, both looking through their closet for new clothes. "Classy place, right? Dress or skirt classy?" Juliana asked. Rafael shrugged. "Something like that. I'm a guy, I got no clue."
This made Juliana smile as she got dressed. "I guess I'll improvise," she shrugged.
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They both changed lazily, then looking at each other's clothes. "You look fantastic, mi amor," Rafael sighed contently. "You don't look too bad yourself," Juliana smirked. "Oh, don't give me that look." "Come on, stop it, your mother will be here any minute now," Juliana teased. "Wow. Playing that card?" Rafael shook his head. "Bad of you. I don't wanna have to punish you." Juliana smiled smugly. "Oh, I think you do. Now come on, Rafi, let's wait." "Whatever you want, mami." Juliana rolled her eyes. "Don't be gross, your mama's coming. Sit down." Rafael chuckled uncontrollably, plopping down on the couch beside Juliana. "I like when you take control." She sighed. "If you keep talking like that, I'm telling your mama." Rafi rolled his eyes playfully. "F**k you." "At the rate you're going, you definitely won't later." "Okay, okay, I'll be a good boy," Rafael sighed. "We'll see," Juliana nodded as she looked on her phone.
