Weathered Love

GOODBYE

We flew back to California on Saturday so that we could get settled on Sunday and be ready for the end-of-semester insanity that would continue on Monday.

"Need anything from the grocery store?" Ivan inquired as he poked his head into my room. But he didn't look too happy.

"Are you alright?" I inquired.

"Yeah, just peachy," he sighed.

"Maria?" I asked. He nodded. I grabbed his hand and marched him to Maria's room. "OK, lovebirds. What's the issue this time? And if it's stupid again, I'm smacking both of you," I commented.

Maria turned beet-red, and Ivan was suddenly very interested in the white of the walls. "What are you getting her involved for?" Maria finally muttered under her breath at Ivan.

"He didn't get me involved. He asked me if I wanted anything from the store. I knew there was an issue and involved myself. So, now that that's settled, what's the real issue?" I inquired.

"I wanted him to get me something from the store while I finish unpacking," Maria commented.

"So what's the issue?" I pressed.

"I don't think it's necessary," Ivan responded.

"I do, and if you hadn't forgotten it, you wouldn't have to go out and buy it," Maria hotly replied. "Besides, I'm giving you the money for it, so why does it matter whether or not you agree that it's necessary?" she pressed.

"What did he forget?" I asked, feeling completely clueless.

"Condoms," Maria blurted out. I froze, trying not to laugh.

"Wait, isn't that very necessary?" I finally realized, turning to Ivan. "I mean, unless you guys are trying for a baby, which I think is a bit early at this stage of your relationship."

"Maria's on the pill, and we're both clean, I don't see why she's insisting on condoms. I don't like them, they ruin the experience," Ivan presented his case.

"That does make sense," I agreed, albeit a little uncomfortably.

"I like the extra protection. What if I forget my pill one day? It could be an issue," Maria insisted. "What, are you going to drive to the pharmacy when we're just about ready to go because we suddenly realized I forgot my pill that day?"

"She makes a good point," I aligned.

"Whose side are you on?" Ivan asked, deflecting some of the attention away from the disagreement.

I gave him a knowing smile. "Look, why don't you just get them, and that way you at least have them if they're needed instead of having to run out in the middle of a heated moment," I suggested.

"I guess," Ivan grumbled.

I began to walk out when I turned back in, remembering something. "Oh, and by the way," I started, walking first towards Maria who was furthest from the door. I smacked her upside the head. "Stupid," I commented. Then I walked over to Ivan and, quickly ascending on my tiptoes, smacked him too, putting a little more gusto into his. "Stupid," I repeated.

I started to walk out the door, when I heard Maria say, "Oh no you don't." She grabbed my arm, pulled me back into the room, and held my arms back, while Ivan messed up my hair. I managed to wrestle one of my arms free from Maria and pushed Ivan off. "This is the thanks I get for saving your relationship. Jerks!" I jokingly stated.

I was about to walk out again when they pulled me back so that they could sandwich me between them in a hug. "Let me out!" I ordered, flailing my arms and trying to get out from between them, but they simply squeezed harder. I genuinely did try to get out, but they somehow managed to keep me from escaping.