Late Night Munch

21

"Do you have gum?" Emma asked.

He took his earbud out when he felt her gentle tapping on his shoulder, "Gum?"

"Yeah, my ears feel blocked. I didn't know the change in altitude was going to affect me. It usually doesn't. " She said, shrugging her shoulders.

He sighed, "You're lucky I came prepared."

Tucker rummaged through his carry on and tossed her the silver stick. "Catch."

"Jerk." Emma muttered when she fumbled to catch it. He knew she wasn't the most eye- hand coordinated person.

"What was that?" He asked.

Emma mischievously smiled, "I said thanks." 

The minty fragrance surrounded them in an instant. Tucker put his ear bud back in so he wouldn't hear her loud chewing. However, Emma wasn't having it and tried to catch his attention once more.

"Emma" He said pointing to the side of his head, "Music." 

"Well I'm bored. Entertain me." She said.

"What am I? A clown?" He sarcastically said.

Emma slapped his shoulder, "In a conversation doofus."

Tucker rolled his eyes knowing this was going to be one long flight. 

"Tell me about Maine." Emma said.

"There's not much to tell. I already told you everything you need to know. Plus you've been to Maine. I don't know what more you would want to hear."

"But I've never lived in Maine. It's different going as a tourist than growing up there." Emma said.

"I already told you it sucked. I lived in a small town with closed minded people. Gossip could spread in the matter of hours." He said. 

"Were you ever the talk of the town?" She quietly asked. 

His silence answered her question. 

"I don't dwell much on the past. It's in the past for a reason." He said. 

"I'm sorry I asked." She said. 

He sighed, "It's not your fault. You didn't know."

"I should have known not to press you like that for an answer." Emma said. 

"I'm okay Em. Trust me it doesn't hurt me anymore. It hasn't for a while now." Tucker admitted. 

"I'll let you get back to your music." She said. 

"Now you go all quiet on me. Nuh-uh now you're stuck talking to me. Come on I know you have more questions." He teased her.  

"You once told me moving was the best thing you ever did. Did you honestly never see a future for yourself there?" Emma asked. 

" If I never left home I would have never met you. I can't honestly say I'd have a future anywhere if we hadn't met." He said. 

Emma's bottom lip wobbled, but she took a deep breath to compose herself. She would not be crying on a crowded air plane. 

"I'm excited to meet your mom." She said. 

Tucker chuckled, "So is she. She sent me a picture of all my photo albums on the living room coffee table. You don't know how long she's waited to harass a girl I'm bringing home with me." 

"Oooh, I feel incredibly special. I can already tell your mom and I will get along just fine." She said.

"Promise me you won't take any pictures of them." He said.