The Other Hummel

Grown Woman

Brody couldn't feel his left arm but it was worth it. He wasn't completely awake and yet he smiled seeing the sleeping girl in his arm. Although he would love nothing more than to stay exactly where he was, still his arm was beginning to hurt. He tried to move without waking Louisa but she stirred anyway. She nuzzled against his chest still sleepy:

"You are so cozy. Why are you trying to go away?"

"I need to move my arm."

She adjusted herself in bed to help him free:

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm getting used to you sleeping here every night."

He smiled and stole a peck from her lips. She smiled back to him and he felt his heart melting.

"You can get used to my embrace; it's just these little mundane things..."

"The little mundane things, Brody, are what keep us together. You've seen my dark side and embraced it. I've seen your worst and I'm still here. We're both humans and building something healthy together."

He begun to smell the top of her head:

"And suddenly things got so heavy so early in the morning."

She laughed her musical laugh:

"You're right. Let's go back to where you're cozy and I'm comfortable."

She snuggled closer in his embrace and started to play with his fingers. They stood silent for a while until she caught his attention:

"Do you have a busy day today as well?"

He sighed:

"Very busy. Again."

"Are you coming to sleep in tonight?"

"Can I? I'd love to."

She smiled:

"Of course you can. Seems like the only time of the day I can see you. Not that I'm complaining, I know how hard it is on you not even knowing if you'll graduate or not."

He kissed her head:

"It will all be worth it. You're healthy and that's all that matters."

"I'm feeling good. Like I hadn't felt in a long time. I feel happy. It's as if my troubles have disappeared for a while."

"That's so good to hear, Lou!"

And he rewarded their happiness with a passionate kiss that he'd still remember a couple of minutes later as he left her apartment. He was still smiling on the subway as he put his phones on and listened to the first few chords of Maroon 5's She Will Be Loved.

Beauty queen of only eighteen she
Had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her, she
Always belonged to someone else

I drove for miles and miles and wound up
At your door
I've had you so many times but somehow I want more

I don't mind spendin' everyday
Out on your corner in the pourin' rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved, and she will be loved