Morning After

And then I woke up incredibly concerned about squirrels...

I sat on the bed waiting for her to come back.

My neck hurt. I must have slept wrong.

I looked around the room. It was bare. White walls. No sign of anyone actually living here other than our clothes on the floor and a pack of cigarettes on a dresser.

Too empty. Too cold. A room like this would drive me insane.

I wrapped myself in a sheet and thought about walking to the kitchen for some coffee, but then I remembered she was a tea kind of girl.

Seems unnatural.

“Good morning.”

I looked up, she walked in towel drying her short blonde bob.

“Hi.”

She walked over to her closet and pulled out a pair of slacks and a blazer.

“The shower’s free, you can go ahead and use it.”

“That’s ok.” I just sat there watching her get ready.

“So, are going to get dressed then?”

“I guess.”

I didn’t move. She was moving around the room so quickly. She had just come out of the shower and she was practically ready and out the door. And I just sat there suddenly aware of my nakedness.

“You talk in your sleep you know.” She looked at me while putting on one of her earrings.

“Do I?” I knew I did. My old roommates used to tell me I’d mumble and sigh and moan in my sleep. It kind of freaked them out.

“Yeah. You told me to close the window because the squirrels would come in.” Oh God. I thought I had dreamt that. She saw the look on my face and laughed. She grabbed the cigarettes off the dresser and pulled out a lighter from inside one of the drawers. “Do you want one?”

She pulled out two cigarettes, put one in her mouth and offered me the other one.

I accepted. She lit hers and I reached for the lighter.

“A lady never lights her own cigarette.” She sat down on the bed next to me.

“What about you?”

“I’m not a lady.” She winked and I rolled my eyes. She lit my cigarette and I took my first puff. “Sweetie,” she started and then took a long drag. She blew a couple of smoke rings and turned back towards me. “You’re gonna need to get dressed and you’re gonna need to leave.”

I just held my cigarette. I didn’t really want to smoke it. I just needed something for my hand to do.

“I’m sorry. I’ll get out of your way.” I handed her my cigarette and went to get up. She held onto my sheet. “I can’t get up if you don’t let go.”

“Yes you can.”

“Please let go.”

“Oh you’re no fun.” She let go of the sheet and I got up and picked up my things. “Do you want me to leave the room?”

I did. But it seemed stupid on my part. She’d seen all of me. Her hands and lips had made their way over the entirety of my body. To be shy about dressing in front of her just seemed silly at this point.

“No. I’m sorry I’m just not good at this sort of thing.”

She stood up and walked over. “Of course not. You’re straight.” She laughed and pulled at my sheet again. I didn’t fight her this time and let it drop. “See,” she whispered in my ear, “not a big deal. Now put your dress on love, I’m gonna be late for work.”

I put it on and shoved my underwear in my purse.