I had opened up my Skype window and forgotten to close it after making sure it was operational and now the world just showed up. And her name was Cecilia.
I sat back with a sigh as Rabbit jumped up and ran down the stairs, obviously startled. I looked towards the computer, rolling my eyes.
“Always such good timing, Cecilia,” I remarked dryly as I walked over and sat down in front of the screen.
Her eyes narrowed. “Never mind that. You had better start talking, Joshua. Who on earth was that?”
I leaned forward, my voice quiet and began to talk.
“So you’re telling me she’s been there this whole time? And she has no memory of who she is?”
“Yes, Cecilia, that’s exactly what I’m saying,” I said again, trying to remain patient. I was pretty sure we had already gone through this enough. I’d given her a brief overview of what had transpired since the storm hit.
“I am so getting you a fucking satellite phone.”
I smiled grimly. We’d argued about this before. I gave in.
“Okay.”
“I think I’m speechless, Joshua.”
“Now that I never thought I’d see,” I chuckled. I heard Rabbit coming back up the stairs and turned to see her walk over and silently place a cup of coffee on the desk, turning immediately to leave. She had literally run away when I got up to address Cecilia’s rather blunt greeting earlier. Reaching out, I grabbed her hand and pulled her into my lap.
“Cecilia, this is Rabbit,” I said into the webcam, holding Rabbit close.
“Hey, Rabbit! This is a … surprise, but nice to meet you.” Cecilia’s voice was filled with unasked questions.
“Um, hello, Cecilia,” Rabbit said quietly. I could feel how tense she was, her body vibrating with nerves.
“It’s okay, Rabbit. I trust Cecilia completely,” I murmured into her ear. I kissed her cheek softly. “You’re perfectly safe, pretty girl.”
I heard Cecilia’s gasp of shock, seeing me interact with another person in such an intimate manner. Especially someone I had only known for a short time.
Cecilia cleared her throat. “I’ll be up day after tomorrow. Send me a list tonight of anything you want me to bring. Rabbit, I, um, assume there are some items you need?”
Rabbit shook her head. “No, really, I’m okay but thank you.” She squirmed away from me. “I’m making dinner. I’ll leave you to your … call.”
I watched her quickly walk back down the stairs. I turned back to the computer to see Cecilia eyeing me warily.
“We’ll talk when you get here, Cecilia,” I said wearily. It was far too complex to do via a webcam.
“What have you done, Joshua?”
I looked at her silently for a minute, and then shrugged. “I fell in love.”
She just stared at me.
“Send me that list,” she said quietly.
I nodded. ”Rabbit needs conditioner. Some good stuff; she gets tangles in her hair. You could find that, yes? At a salon or something? I don’t want just some cheap stuff off the shelves here.”
Her eyes went wide. “I’ll get that and anything else you want.” She paused. “Joshua?”
“Yeah?”
“You won’t be able to avoid my questions when I get there.”
Closing my eyes, I nodded. “I know.”
After I shut down the webcam and checked with the local merchants to find out what I could or could not expect in the next couple of days, I went downstairs.
Rabbit was in the kitchen, once again by the stove, stirring something that smelled delicious. She looked up, smiling timidly, as I approached. Once again, it struck me how right she looked here.
I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her, drawing her back against me. Leaning down, I nuzzled her neck. “Smells good.”
She laughed. “It’s stew, Joshua. Just stew. I was trying to use up the last of the veggies and some of the meat you insist on cooking in such vast quantities, so really … it’s just leftovers.” She held up the spoon and I leaned over and tasted it.
“How is it that your leftovers taste about a thousand times better than what I usually eat?”
Rabbit laughed, sounding pleased at my compliment.
“Did you finish your list?” I asked
“Yes, I finished your list, Joshua. It’s on the table.”
I planted one more soft kiss behind her ear, grinning when I felt her subtle shudder, and went over to the table. I was surprised to see a bottle of wine open and a glass partially full. An empty glass stood beside it.
“Drinking early, Rabbit?”
“I thought we could use it,” she said not turning around.
I sighed and filled my glass, topping hers up, and handing it to her. It had been a rather emotional day so far. I scanned the list, adding a few things. I made a separate one for Cecilia.
“What size are your feet?” I asked, not looking up.
“Why?”
“I want to get you a pair of boots and a new pair of sneakers. If it snows again, your feet will need to be warm and you have basically ruined the pair you have running around in the snow. You need a new pair.”
“They’re fine, Joshua. I don’t need them.”