What I want is for Lucy to crawl back into bed with me. But considering that she emerged from the bathroom fully clothed and she’s zipping up her suitcase as I lie here in bed, I’m guessing morning sex isn’t on the table.
“Yeah, give me ten to shower and dress.” I stride over to the bathroom, not bothering to hide my naked form. She spent half the night sprawled on top of me, so she shouldn’t be shocked by the sight of my bare ass. Still, it’s gratifying when her gaze lingers a little too long. I put on a little show, shake what my mama gave me, and start belting out “Single Ladies” before I turn on the water.
For a second, I think she might join me, but by the time I’ve rinsed off and I’m still standing alone under the spray, I realize it’s a lost cause.
It takes me no time to throw on fresh jeans and yet another Bainbridge hoodie, so soon enough we find ourselves standing in the coffee shop, awaiting our orders—a peppermint mocha for me and an herbal tea for Lucy.
There’s prime people watching in this place, and I’m busy trying to figure out if the couple at the table by the window is on a first date. They have that dopey, new love look about them.
“Caleb, did you hear that?” Lucy asks.
“No, I was too busy eavesdropping on the couple by the window. What’s up?”
Lucy’s typing frantically on her phone, and when she stops to look up at me, she seems genuinely worried. “See the Sudoku guys over there?”
“Yeah?”
“The bald one just told the guy in the glasses that the storm’s moving in faster than they thought. He said they’ll get at least a foot by mid-afternoon, Caleb!”
“Ok, but since we’re not staying here, will that really affect us? I mean, I know we’re gonna hit some snow, but—” Just as I’m trying to rationalize away a weather event, Lucy shoves her phone in my face, and Doppler radar is on the screen.
“Shit.” I’m no weather expert, but judging by the image on the screen, the Midwest is about to get hammered. And our route is directly in the path of the storm.
Our orders are called, and I scoop them up. “Come on, Lucy. Let’s get going.”
We make it out to the car but then she stops me. “Do you think it’s safe to drive?”
“Yeah, it looks like things will be clear for a little while, at least. Let’s get as far as we can, ok?”
Lucy nods, and we settle into my car. I’m adjusting the seat from its neutral position and fucking with the radio dials when I get the sense that everything is not ok.
“You alright over there, Lucy?” She’s scrolling through her phone, and if I’m not mistaken, she’s about two seconds away from crying.
I reach out and rest my hand on her arm. “Hey, it’s gonna be ok. Look, it’s not ideal, but we’ll make the best of it. We’ll get as far as we can today, hopefully at least halfway through Indiana, ok? We’ll stop if we have to, ok? I know you wanted to be there tonight, but with the weather looking like it is, hell, they might even cancel or postpone that little meet and greet.”
She makes a non-committal sound and sniffs again. “Maybe,” she shrugs. “But look,” she hands me the phone, and I see that someone with the handle StillTheMan0916 has posted something.
“Who the hell is this?”
“My nemesis, Derek Stillman. And read what he posted.”
Sure enough, there’s a picture of a douchey looking guy holding a coffee cup and sitting at what looks to be a cubicle or tiny office. Underneath, the caption readsSettling into my new digs at The LifeReach Foundation. So grateful for this opportunity to serve as this spring’s intern with such a worthwhile organization.
“He’s in the building, Caleb. On a Sunday. What the hell? And he’s acting like he’s the only intern!”
“This guy looks like a giant twatwaffle. Are you sure you want to work with him, Lucy? There’s got to be another internship, right?”
She looks horrified at my suggestion. “There’s not. At least, not one that’s as coveted. And last year’s intern was accepted to the best grad program in the country.”
“Ok, but I still think he looks like a giant dickhole.”
“Well, you’re not wrong, but I still have to work with him. That is, if I still have a position by the time we get there.”
Lucy looks miserable and defeated, and even though I think this internship is about fifty steps below her, it breaks my heart to see her this way. “We’ll get there, I promise,” I tell her, turning on my car and heading toward the highway. “Why don’t you check in? Do you have, like, a supervisor or whatever?”
“Yeah, Steve’s my contact. That’s a good idea, actually. I’ll let him know I might be delayed by the storm a bit.”
Lucy busies herself on her phone while I make tracks on the road. There’s little traffic, though I'm not sure if that has to do with the early hour, the time of year, or the impending storm. Either way, I’ll take it.
