Normal People - Strange Encounters Book Two

Chapter 43

This time around, Spencer's leave from work wasn't as pleasant. Amelia had work, and Spencer found himself bored during the day. He'd read (and re-read) several books a day, and even watched an entire season of the X-Files within the first few days.

"That's called binging, Spence," Amelia had laughed when he told her. 

Wednesday rolled around and he decided to go for a walk. The crisp spring air was a welcome change to the apartment, and he was even a little too warm in his long sleeve thermal. As he strolled through DC his phone rang and he glanced at they caller ID.

"Hey, mom."

"My boy, are you feeling better? How're you doing?"

"I'm okay, mom. This leave is just a formality, the wound is barely anything more than a superficial scratch."

"Are you just telling me that so I won't worry?"

"Will you worry any less if I say no?"

"Not in the least."

"Then no, I'm not." He chuckled.

"Hey, I was thinking, with this time off, why don't you and that girlfriend of yours come to see your mother? I'd love to meet Amelia, and it's been months since I've seen you."

Spencer winced, a pang of guilt hitting him when he realized he hadn't seen her in closer to a year then the few months she eluded to.

"Actually mom, that would be great. Let me talk to Lee and I'll see what we can do."

"Really? Oh that would be great, Spencer!"

He rested on a bench, catching her up on work and Amelia's new job and in turn she told him a few stories about people in the center. When they hung up, Spencer thought about bringing Amelia out to Vegas. It wasn't quite the normal 'home town' visit one has when meeting their significant other's parents. He thought of where they could stay, when they could visit his mom. He grew nervous, wondering if Amelia would be uncomfortable before stopping himself and remember she knew what to expect. 

He wondered around for a bit longer before making his way back toward the house, stopping at a street vendor and buying a bouquet of sunflowers first. Once back at the apartment, his dropped them in a vase before making an effort to tidy up. He did a load of laundry and was attempting to fold a fitted sheet when Amelia walked through the door.

"All those degrees and a you can't fold a fitted sheet?" She laughed. Spencer balled up the material before throwing it at her, laughing as it fell over her head and she fished herself out from underneath. She stuck her tongue out at him before pinching the corners and tucking them into the other ends, tugging to flatten it out.

"You're a magician!" He exclaimed, walking over and wrapping his arms around her. He planted a kiss on the top of her head and looked down to meet her smiling face.

"How was your day baby?"

"Not bad, starting to get antsy for work. Took a walk today though, and talked to my mom."

"Good! How's she doing?" Amelia asked. She spoken to Diana a few times over the phone, twice when Spencer had been hurt to keep her in the loop, and just in the background of a few other calls.

"She's doing well. Actually.. she suggested we come visit her this weekend. I know it's last minute, but-"

"We totally should! Weirdly enough, we have Friday off, so we could get a flight Thursday night and then come home Sunday evening. It'd be a bit of a drag with the time change but we have more than enough time to.."