Weird—I’m just sitting naked on my porch, jellied in a post-orgasmic haze, having a conversation with my…Thai. My Thai. Whatever this is, whatever we are. I’m not ready to label or box it yet.
“I’m going to put an envelope in your mailbox. It will have my address and a key for my condo. Before you leave, get it. And when you come home Sunday night, just let yourself in.”
“A key?”
“Yeah.” He pauses. “Never given anyone a key, and never had one, either. But let’s not make too big a deal.”
“It is, though. For me and you. And just in general. But it’s big, because it’s the same for me, never given anyone a key, never had one.”
“I trust you.” Thai laughs. “And I’m saying right now, this is your open invitation to come over whenever you want. I have nothing to hide. I’m not scared of this. Whatever it is.” A pause. “And, when you come in, Sunday night. Just get in bed with me. You’ll be tired, so…it doesn’t have to be anything physical. That can be in the morning. We’ll take the morning off, go in late. Or not at all.”
“I…” I swallow hard. “I actually really like the way that sounds.”
“Good, me too.” He chuckles. “Now, I have semen going crusty on me, so I’m gonna go clean up.”
I laugh. “Ew. Okay.”
“Delia?”
“Hmmm?”
“I’m really glad you called.”
“Me too,” is my answer. “Me too.”
“Bye,” he murmurs. “Have a safe flight.”
“Thanks.” I pause, and I hope he hears the smile on my face; it’s a big one. “See you Sunday.”
“Cannot fucking wait.”
This time, goodbye is followed by the call ending.
I gather my discarded clothing, toss them in the hamper.
Put on pajamas—which in this case is just a T-shirt.
And then a thought strikes me.
Before I can reconsider, I act on it.
Chapter Nineteen
Matthais
I rinseoff in the shower, because when I told Delia I made a mess, I hadn’t been kidding. Big mess.
Clean, I put on some shorts and a T-shirt, grab my spare key from the junk drawer in my kitchen, and stuff it in an envelope with a hastily scrawled note:
Delia,
I can’t wait for you to crawl into my bed Sunday. Be safe. I already miss you. Yeah, I said it—I’ll miss you.
See you…well, not soon enough.
—Thai.
I seal it, and write her name on the front.
