Dad asked what I would do if my music career failed, and he did help me to understand the flaws in my plan. I did need some kind of backup. So, my minor in business would be just that. It seemed to appease him, at least.
The talk about Thomas was mostly quite nice. Mom was taken by him – which did surprise me. I mean, he was incredibly handsome and super intelligent, and Mom and Dad both thought that he was a good balance for me. I could be rash and impulsive – I knew that. But Thomas steadied me. I felt it too.
It was the topic of when to start a family and get married that put us at odds. I wanted to marry him much sooner than what my parents thought prudent. I should finish college first, was their thought. I was pretty sure it was Thomas’ too. But I didn’t think I could wait that long. I wanted him to share my life and name now. If he wanted to. I mean, he could stay Thomas Elder if he wanted, or we could hyphenate. But I thought Thomas Petersen sounded pretty damn wonderful.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I stroked Thomas’ hair as he laid his head on my lap. “You’ve been quiet all night.”
“Well, it’s hard to talk when you’re inside me.” He smirked wryly.
“You seemed to have no problem moaning and cussing.” I twirled a piece of his hair on my finger.
“When’s that pizza supposed to arrive? You know I’ve never had Sal’s. I was told the pizza was kind of shitty.”
“No way! Sal’s has the best pies in town, trust me. They’ve helped me get through three years of finals and late-night practices. Don’t be so bougie.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
“Keep that up, and it’s not pizza I’m going to be eating.” He reached up and stroked my face. “You know… Sometimes, I think that we’re doing the wrong thing. Then I look at you and wonder how I could ever live without you. It’s only been a couple months, and already I know that a life without you in it isn’t worth living.”
“I feel the same. It’s like it would kill me if we were ever ripped apart. I wouldn’t survive.”
“But what happens when we… I like my job, Darren. I’m really good at it, and without it, I…”
“You never have to quit working if you don’t want to.”
“I know, but… What if I wanted to stay here? What would you do?”
“I’d travel for work if I’m lucky while producing an album or a song or…” My shoulders fell. “I don’t know. Do we have to know now?”
“No, I guess not. But it’s something we have to be aware of, isn’t it?” His wide eyes stared at me quizzically. “Kind of like my heat, which should be coming any day now.”
“Well, at least we dodged a bullet with your last heat. Can you imagine if we had to figure all of it out right now? I really do want to be a father. I want to put a baby in you so bad, but we have a lot to figure out. You’re right, babe. But we do have time. We have years to put all the pieces in play.” I let my hand wander to his chest, where I rubbed little circles with my fingertips against his hot skin. “Then I want to make a life with you and live a life with you forever.”
“Yeah… I…” He swallowed hard and put his hand on top of my own. “All the time in the world.” He glanced away from me and sighed. “I do love you. It’s weird, isn’t it? I thought I knew what love was until I met you. What we have is so…”
“It’s an inferno – all encompassing – and fills you from head to toe.” I chuckled. “Mom and Dad really do like you, I think. They even… It was nice to actually talk to them. They're treating me differently now that we’re together. It’s a very strange feeling for me.”
“I’m glad that they like me and aren’t angry about us. I just wonder how they’ll feel when…”
A knock at the door caused us both to stiffen, and Thomas actually shrieked.
“It’s the pizza.” I laughed loudly and scooted out from underneath him. “Back in a minute.”
I walked to the door and grabbed my wallet.
“Yo, big dude!” Stan the Man grinned at me as he held the pizza in one hand and a brown paper bag in the other. “I got your stuff, bro. I think it’s my best batch ever.”
I handed him over a twenty-dollar bill that covered the extract and the generous tip for the pizza. “Thanks, Stan. How’re things going?”
“You know, man…” He licked his lips. “Sometimes you fly by night, and other times you run into a wall. I’m like the bug on a windshield right now. Everyone’s been needing some Stan, and I’m about as thin as taffy, bro.”
I grinned at him and suppressed my laugh. Stan could talk some shit, and rarely did it ever make sense. It was one of the many reasons that he was a Lakeview staple to all the students. He was a fixture that everyone knew and relied on.
“Thanks, Stan. I’ll save you a batch of cookies.”
“Nah, man. Big Dude, you always burn them, and I try every year to swallow it down, but… You know how it is. I may be a little stoney baloney every now and then, but I’m not that stoned.” He handed me the bag and the pizza. “That’s a weird pie combo you have going there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pie with that flavor combo, bro.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. “My boyfriend ordered it. Who knows?”
“Alright, Big Dude. You keep hanging five by five, and I’ll see you when I see you.” Stan turned and waved over his shoulder. “Try to get your boyfriend to teach you to bake. He can’t be any worse than you – but you keep trying. Proud of you, Big Dude!”
