Swimming With Sophie

WHY ME???

Sophie

I'm following blindly behind Lacey, having no idea where she's leading me. I woke up after the massage feeling...weird. Not worse, not better, not even upset anymore. Just kind of...weird. There's no other way to describe it.

"Where are you taking me?" I finally ask. What I really want to do is go back to my room and dig my favorite sweatshirt out of my suitcase. It was a bizarre thing to pack, considering we are in a tropical paradise that doesn't get above 70 degrees in the evening.

Maybe my subconscious knew I'd need it.

"We're headed to the café for lunch overlooking the water. You need sustenance after the day drinking, although you slept most of it off. I think food will soak up the rest." Lacey is pulling me by one hand like I'm a little kid.

"Not hungry. I just want to head back upstairs for a bit, kay?" I try and fail to slip my hand out of hers. Her grip is like a vice! Woman has some strength.

"Nice try, sweetie. But there's no way I'm letting you go pull out your ice cream sweatshirt and drown your sorrows in a pint of Ben and Jerry's. There's no flavor that will take away these feels."

Lacey's words sound like she's teasing or chastising. But her tone is one of understanding so I stay on the path with her.

We make it to the café and find a seat next to the picture window. I look out over the deep turquoise water and sigh. I should be relaxed and refreshed from these surroundings. Instead I'm feeling...meh. Weird is still the only word I can find.

"We're getting you some comfort food. And bread. Lots of bread," Lacey says while perusing the menu.

"Too many carbs. Then I'll be sleepy." I rest my cheek on one hand and sigh again.

I feel Lacey look at me. Her stare is one of those physical things. A presence you can't shake, like a ghost or some type of spirit. But I refuse to look at her. She'd read me too well, and right now I'm happy with my blissful ignorance. I don't need a name for this emotion. I've already got one; weird.

"Hey, Listen. Don't start thinking the worst. This is just a little..." Lacey pauses for a second in thought, "-break in the timeline." She adds a little flourish with her hands. "Once things settle, you two can talk and work through everything."

Lacey sits back like she's found the solution to the biggest problem on the planet. But now I think I understand the weird vibe I've got going on.

"And then what?" I ask, watching as confusion fills Lacey's face.

"What do you mean? And then everything works out and you get married." She shakes her head.

"But what about next time. When Luc tries to buy a used iPhone from some guy in an alley because it's a good deal. I flip out and call him a bunch of names, you know because I want a new one not covered in dirty alley. Back to square one." I look away from Lacey and back out to the water.

She just sits quietly, waiting for me to go on. There isn't much more to say, however. Except, goodbye.

"I don't know why little things get me crazy, like how far the soap is from the faucet. And how many towels are folded on the towel bar. But they do. And I don't know why Luc can't seem to make a purchase without knowing he saved a buck. But he can't."

I take a deep breath, not really wanting to say the next words but knowing I have to. It's time to face the ugly truth. "I don't think we should get married."

"Because of soap and coupons? Come on, Sophie. That's all stuff that can be worked out with communication. You have to talk about these things when you aren't all jacked up on Mai Tai's and anger." She's reached across the table and grabbed my hand. Lacey means well, but she just doesn't get it.

"We talk. All the time. This isn't about talking. This is about seeing what's coming, the future failure of a marriage, and avoiding it before it happens. This is me being real."

Lacey doesn't say another word. Neither one of us do until after we've eaten.

"Promise me you will talk to Luc, and not just plan for the worst case scenario. I know that's what you're doing now." Lacey gives me a pointed look but I avoid her gaze.

"I'll try." That's the best I can give her.

Because some promises are just too hard to keep.

^^^^^

Uh oh...this side of Sophie is not what we expected. LUC TO THE RESCUE!!! I mean, I hope so...

Click on!