Weathered Love

SURPRISE

"Are you scared of being with me?" he finally asked after what felt like an eternal pause.

"Not at all," I quickly responded, wondering why he was asking such a ridiculous question.

"You really have no qualms whatsoever about being with someone who's... you know... sick?" he finally ventured to say.

"No," I lightly stated, giving him an understanding smile. "I don't see you as a sick person. I see you as a kind person. Who loves me with all his heart. And brings out the best in me. I see your patience, and your generosity. I see an extremely handsome man who, for only God knows why, is attracted to me too. I see a man who has taken the pieces of my heart, gently and painstakingly put them back together, and has been handling it with utmost care ever since."

I studied Andrew's expression as I spoke. "I'm going to hate it when you see the real me," he joked. He was uncomfortable. He could dish out the cheese but he couldn't take it.

"Maybe," I joked back. "I'll enjoy my delusion while I still have it then."

He reached over and held my hand. "Thanks," he stated, bring my hand closer to him and kissing the back of my hand, then resting his chin on top of it. "You know just what to say to make me feel better."

"I learned from the best," I whispered as I leaned in. Andrew leaned in too, giving me a quick peck on the lips. He was still getting used to the idea of being affectionate in public. Some days it was easier than others.

Afterwards, our conversation flowed a lot more easily. I guess we were both a little worried that night, and we just needed assurance from the other that all was well in the relationship. Andrew drove me home, walked me to my front door, greeted my family, and then left. I wondered if I was dreaming this fairy-tale prince. I had to be. There was no way he was real.

* * *

"You have been neglecting your true soulmates. We're going out tonight. That's final," Mackenzie stated in our group call. "No boyfriends allowed," she added.

"OK," I shrugged. Andrew was recovering from his latest round of tests anyway, and I didn't want to overwhelm him by sticking around and fussing over him when his family was undoubtedly doing that anyway. That, and he had asked me not to stop by that night anyway, because he was probably going to be asleep and he didn't want me to feel obligated to stay when he wouldn't even be conscious to spend time with me. Although I suspected he would have guilted himself into staying awake with me, so he preferred that I not be around so that he could sleep guilt-free.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"There's this bar I really want to try," Mackenzie started.

I smiled in disbelief. "I sincerely hope this is for Samantha's sake. Neither your nor I can really have more than a drink or two," I pointed out.

"No, but they have good food too and it's a concept bar! Every month is a new concept, and right now they're going through countries as concepts. I think this month is Ireland," Mackenzie stated.

"Just ask Greg out already," Samantha huffed. I paused for a moment. Had I been so neglecting of my friends that I failed to notice that Mackenzie had a thing for Greg?

"I told you, I only like his red hair. Everything else about him is platonic to me," Mackenzie haughtily responded.

"Well, I can put in a good word for you if you want," I teased.

"Focus ladies. So, are we down for Irish night at this concept bar?" she questioned.

"I'm good with it," I shrugged. "Will they have black pudding?" I inquired. I was always curious about it.