I got in my utensil drawer and pulled out a fork, mixing the ingredients, “Done.”

“Now put a skillet on the stove and melt some butter in it so that the toast wont stick to it.”

I did just at she said, “Now what?”

“Now get your bread and dunk each side in the milk, egg, vanilla, cinnamon combination.”

I laughed, “You’re really tired aren’t you?”

“Just a little. Now, dunk away. But be sure not to go too crazy because if the bread gets too soaked it’ll fall apart and wont be any good.”

I was careful, dunking each side of the bread in until it was just wet enough, “Now do I just put it in the skillet?”

“Yep. Wait for it to get nice and golden brown on one side and then flip it over.”

“That was really simple.” I marveled at how stupid I now felt.

“I always told you that it was but you never believed me.”

“I’ll take your word for it next time.” I dunked my next piece in the bowl and then put it in the skillet next to the first piece.

“Can I go back to bed now?”

“Um, I guess so. Unless there’s something you want to talk about.”

“Is there something that you want to talk about?”

“Uh…um…I dunno.”

“Spence, you’re such a dork.”

“I know, but you love me.” I stopped and realized how easily that phrase came out.

I could hear Ashley laughing on the other end, “Yeah, that’s true.”

“Ash, what are you doing for lunch?”

“Um, nothing that I know of. Rachel has class when I eat lunch so I’ll be here alone trying to work.”

“How is the writing coming along?” I flipped over my first piece of French toast.

“It was going good…but I realize now that I work better when I’m unhappy.”

“That’s kinda sad Ash.”

“I guess I’d better get a better career.”

“You could always go back to music, ya know?”

“I guess. I would still be writing, just not songs.”

“Very, very true.” I flipped over my second piece of toast.

“Damn, Rachel’s alarm is going off. I gotta go Spence. Um, call me right before lunch time. Maybe you can come here for lunch or I could bring you something at the hospital.”

“Alright, I will.” There was a long pause and then I finally decided to say it, “I love you, Ash.”

“Ditto.”

“Bye.”

“Bye, Spence.”

I let her hang up the phone first and I stared down at the phone with a smile on my face. I couldn’t believe how good that felt.