“Fine, get out of here so that I can be on my way, and stop running around the house like that,” he demanded, playfully. “And keep your cellphone on you,” he added. I winked at him and left him alone.
I didn’t go out of the house that day. I really didn’t need to. I hung out with Marta most of the day. I liked Marta. She wasn’t much older than me. We sat by the pool until the heat was ridiculous and then made chocolate chip cookies. I knew that where ever Drew was he was connected to what was going on in the house. Every time Marta and I would be talking about him, my accident, or trying to remember anything, he would call, interrupting our serious conversation.
We did leave around seven that evening, picked up a pizza and two chic flicks. I had fun with Marta, and we both put on comfortable, sloppy clothes and ate pizza and watched a movie in front of the television.
Drew called around eleven, and I told Marta that I was going to bed.
“How was your day?” he asked. I knew that he already knew how my day was, but I played along anyway.
“It was good. How was your day? Did you get your big deal?”
“Not quite, but I’m pretty sure that it’s in the bag.”
“Good, does that mean that you will be home tomorrow?”
“Probably not until the next day,” he replied.
Drew and I stayed on the phone talking about unimportant things for almost an hour until I yawned.
“You get some rest, and I will talk to you tomorrow,” he said, and we said goodnight.
I woke around three in the morning, drenched in my own sweat. I felt like I was suffocating, and I didn’t have Drew there to show up and rescue me. It was so vivid, and I wondered if it had actually happened or was it just a nightmare. It wasn’t about the no faced Dawson or Drew. It was Derik. We were in the backseat of a limo, and he was doing horrible things to me. I knew there was a reason I hated him, and now wondered had he hurt me before. I wished to God I could remember pre-accident.
I got up. I couldn’t go back to sleep after that. I was afraid to go back to sleep. I ran a tub of lukewarm water. I wished Drew would call. I knew that if he was awake he would know that I was up, but then again that would blow his cover and I would know that he was watching my every move. I lay awake for a long time after that, not really thinking about anything, just afraid to close my eyes. I finally dozed back off sometime in the early morning. I slept until Marta woke me after nine. She was afraid something was wrong because I had slept in later than I normally did.
I spent the next couple of days getting to know not only Marta better, but also myself. I was happy and felt content for the first time since my accident. I couldn’t believe how much I missed Drew and couldn’t wait for him to be home.
Marta and I did go out the next day. We went to the park and walked around, ate at my new favorite little café, and then came home. It was too hot to stay outdoors for very long. I did go out alone after dark, once it had cooled down some. I walked around barefoot along the property line. The grass there wasn’t dried up and crispy the way it was in the park. There was a timed water sprinkler system that kept it healthy. If felt funny between my toes as I walked.
I answered my cellphone, already knowing who it was. “Hello,” I answered, smiling.
“Where are you?” Drew asked. He had a tone, but I didn’t let it phase me. I was learning how to handle his hard attitude.
“Lying in bed naked, where are you?” I asked. I knew that he knew that I wasn’t in bed or inside the house.
He chuckled. “You’re such a liar.”
“I was just walking around outside a little. It’s actually a nice night.”
“I would rather you be inside this time of night,”
he countered.
“I’m going. I’m going,” I replied. I could see his smile through the phone.
I stayed on the phone with him as I walked to my suite, and started bath water. He asked what I had done that day, and I told him what Marta and I had done.
“Why don’t you go down and sleep in my bed tonight?” Drew asked before we said goodnight. I knew it was because of the nightmare the night before, and he wasn’t here for me.
“Why?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
“Because I want you to,” was the only answer he gave me. I wondered if there were cameras in his room. I doubted it, but then again, I didn’t think he would be asking if he couldn’t see me.
“Well, okay, beings you have a good reason and all,” I teased.
I did sleep better in Drew’s bed. I could smell his scent on his pillow. I felt safer there. I never woke up once, and when I did, I felt rested, relaxed, and excited for Drew to be home.
I took special care to look nice. I curled my hair, added makeup, and a spritz of perfume. I tried, I really did. I tried to put on one of the expensive outfits from my closet. I just couldn’t do it. I settled on jean shorts, and a nice tight white shirt that was low cut and showed the skin around my waist.