A Little Sane

Chapter 83

Jerome gently tapped Mercedes. She had fallen asleep on the ride home. She slowly opened her eyes.

"We're here.."

It confused Mercedes when she saw their old apartment building. She looked at Jerome curiously.

"Did you really think we could go home tonight? What if someone went back and is there waiting on us? As far as anyone knows, this place is dead to us. We'll be safe here."

Jerome shut her door and headed towards the apartment building. Mercedes stood for a moment staring at him. He never turned around so she started to follow him. He unlocked the apartment and they stepped in. Mercedes felt a familiar sense of love. Jerome turned to her after he locked the door.

"This was your favorite place.. the balcony.. It's where we first lived together.."

They stared at each other for a few moments until Jerome headed down the hallway.

"I'll blow up our spare air mattress.."

Mercedes wondered around the apartment. She finally walked into their old room. Jerome was still blowing up the air mattress. She walked out on to the balcony. She looked around. So many memories that happened on that balcony flooded her mind. The first time they had sex started on that balcony. The one time they actually stayed on that balcony and had sex. The many conversations. She stared out at the city. A few minutes later she could feel a presence behind her. She stood still.

"The mattress.. it's ready.. I'm tired.. I'm sorry we don't have a blanket or anything.."

Mercedes turned around with a friendly glance.

"That's okay.. I'm tired too.."

Mercedes neatly folded her bra and set it next to the mattress. She laid down facing away from Jerome.  He laid down facing away from her. Mercedes couldn't even feel him behind her he was laying so far away. She let out a small breath. Her tears were threatening to escape again. Her emotions eased when she felt the back of her husband gently press against hers. She gently shook her head and closed her eyes. 

Mercedes woke up curled in a ball. She noticed her top half was covered as best as it could be with Jerome's shirt. She set up holding his shirt. A few moments later Jerome walked into the room shirtless.

"Oh good. You're awake. Here.  I stole breakfast. Apple Cinnamon."

Jerome handed her a muffin. She nodded as she took the muffin. Jerome set against the wall and started eating. Mercedes stared at him.

"Um.. Thanks.. You can have your.. shirt back.."

Mercedes gently tossed it to Jerome who set his muffin down to put it on. 

"Well, what kind of husband would I be if I let you freeze."

Mercedes chuckled slightly. She noticed Jerome didn't respond. She returned to her muffin. Jerome finished his muffin and stood up.

"I'm going to check the apartment. I'm sure you can manage to hang out here for about an hour. I think it's best if you stay here until I come back for you when I'm done."

Mercedes set in silence. Half of her muffin was gone. Jerome knelt in front of her and gently peck her forehead. 

"I'll be back.."

He stopped just at the door. He never turned around, but spoke. 

"I told the truth about how I feel. You're not really a coward. I just don't know how else to say it. It wasn't meant to hurt your feelings, but sometimes the truth hurts."