“T?” She asked me tentatively. Her nickname for me restored. Rant over, now she’s concerned about me more than her own feelings. Feelings I just trampled over.

“Thank you.” Simple, but effective I hope. I know she’ll get my meaning though. But she just gives me a confused answer. Ok maybe the hug and thank you weren’t enough. She’ll learn. We have our whole lives to figure out each other’s meaning to things.

“Thank you, baby. I love you.”

“I’m sorry I lost my temper.”

“You’re amazing Bette. I’m such an *****. I don’t think that way about you. I’m just scared of the littlest things these days. When it comes to us.” Tread softly Kennard, do you want another screaming match. I know she caught that little slipup, her head slightly tilted waiting for me to explain. When nothing came, she just wiped my tears away and helded my cheek in her hand. I couldn’t help but take a peek at her, to see if she was still angry. But she just giggled softly. Ok?

“What?”

“This isn’t exactly the best way to end a morning after. Especially in our state of undress.”

“Well, what did you have in mind?” The playfulness restored in both of our voices.

“Long gazes, soft purposeful touches, slow love making. You know like on TV or in books.” Such a cute thought.

“Sorry babe, we’re a little more complicated than that. But this moment is nice, right?”

“Yes it is.” she whispered, before she disappeared into her thoughts. Whatever struck her, I liked it. She jumped off of the bed and walked to the closet naked as a jay bird.

“Why Ms. Porter, I do believe you are tormenting my virgin eyes with your nakedness.” I say.

“Oh please, after these, there is nothing virgin about you.” She remarks while adding an extra swagger as she reaches the closet. I just have to lick my lips and wait for her to come back to bed with me.

“You know I could apologize for those, but I wouldn’t mean a single word of it.”

“I hope not.” She shoots back. I’m almost compelled to join her over to the closet, so we can pick up where we left off earlier. But she reaches the bed before I could carry that out.