“How you doin’, Sophia?”
“I’m still here,” the old woman replies. “What about you, Eddie? I thought you’d be gone by now.”
Eddie shrugs, tosses the bag of chips on the counter along with his money. “I had some things I needed to do first.”
“Come to empty my store?”
“No.” Eddie laughs, before nodding–almost to himself. “No, something a little more serious.”
The old woman fixes him with a look. “Good luck, Eddie.”
x
He tosses the pebbles at your window, hoping your face will pop through–even if he knows you’ll be annoyed.
His efforts are rewarded soon enough.
“Eddie?” You hiss. “What are you doing here?”
“I can’t lose you again.”
He can feel your breath on his face when you sigh.
“You can’t lose something you don’t have.”
“I had you once,” Eddie counters. “You know I did.”
You glare.
“Listen, I know you’re mad at me,” Eddie starts. “I know I should have asked you to go when I left the first time. I know that.” He shakes his head. “I was young, and stupid, and I thought I needed to be alone–to, to, to find myself or something.” He catches your eye. “But I was wrong. I was stupid and wrong and I’m sorry, baby.” He steps forward, takes your hands in his. “Please come with me now. Please, spending this weekend back home has only made me realize how much I’ve missed you.”
“Eddie.” You sigh. “You know I’ve missed you too.”
“C’mon then, baby. Please.”
“Okay,” you murmur.
“Yeah?”
You nod, lean out your window and kiss him. “Just give me a few minutes.”
Eddie murmurs okay against your lips, unwilling to move away.
You chuckle. “You want to come inside?”
Eddie nods, untangles himself just long enough to go to your front door.
x
It’s a week later when Sophia realizes how long it’s been since she’s seen Eddie–or you. She smiles to herself.
“Good job, you two,” she hums. “Good job.”