Ready or Not

by Cara Bastone

“Because I went shopping and thought of you.” I nearly swallow my proverbial gum. “Oh. Wow. Thanks.” I look around. “Where are all your groceries?” He pokes his head out of the fridge. “I couldn’t carry it all so I just got yours. I’ll go back for myself later.”

“Because you being comfortable in my house is pretty much the only criteria I’m currently using for picking a place.”

“That’s what it means to be other-centered? To see the web? To treat everyone like they’re somebody’s favorite person on earth?”

“I took off work today and I really, really wanna see you. Like right now.” “Yes. Done. I’m there.” Is there any compliment higher than someone dropping everything for you? “You have the time?” I ask. “I don’t care. I’ll quit. Where are you?”