I gingerly transferred myself to my bed. I turned on the song again and fell asleep to it.
Moving my broken body was so exhausting!
Again, it was the ping of my text app that woke me. I looked first at the time. Almost nine.
I’d slept the day away.
The boys had probably been home for hours. Let them be. Their bedroom was upstairs and I wouldn’t hear them anyway.
I needed to think.
I opened the text. Leighton! My heart jumped!
Another song. Another YouTube thumbnail. Michael Bolton,How Am I Supposed To Live Without You?
Ooooh, my baby! Me, too! But, oh my baby, my life’s a wreck now. Wait for me??? Please?
I hit Play just as his next message came in.“We were nearly naked by the time this song played for us. Remember how that felt? I miss you so!”
Of course, I recalled that sensual moment! Our strip-tease slow dances were such a sultry, relaxing time for us both. And such a turn-on! He was so hard for me, and I was so tingly with lust for him. But he held me and we danced to two more songs after this one.
I remember, baby …
And because I did, I got choked up.
But I can’t see you yet, baby. I’m … in no shape to see you!
So I played both songs over and over for the rest of the evening. Remembering.
I fell asleep on a replay of Michael singing plaintively.
I stayed in my room, and in bed, for most of the next three days. Every time I thought I’d get up, I didn’t. Except to do my physical therapy which was designed to be done in bed, anyway.
Trying to think about my current dilemma, I kept drawing a blank.
My funk was that deep. I missed Leighton but didn’t feel up to talking to him.
Heck, I hadn’t said a word to my brother or Jerry, either.
Twice a day, my lover sent me music and a love note. It got so I looked forward to them.
I cried during Phil Collins,Against All Odds.Leighton wrote,“We met against all odds. It was meant to be. I miss you, my darling.”
Stevie WonderJust Called To Say I Love You. My baby texted underneath the link,“I’d call. But you need rest and recuperation. Blowing you a kiss! Did you catch it, my beautiful darling?”
One evening, he wrote,“It should be an Official Date Night with dancing. I’m here when you’re ready.”And he sent me the Beach Boys,Do You Wanna Dance?
I lost it when one morning I got Barry White’sThe First, The Last, My Everything.Leighton’s note said,“You’re the first thought on my mind in the morning. You’re the last thing I think about every night. Sending enough kisses to cover you from head to toe. Caught them?”
That evening I received his text withGod Only Knowsby the Beach Boys and his simple message,“You’ve made me a better man for knowing you. God only knows what I’d be if you had never come along. Missing you …”
What am I doing? This wonderful man! What am I doing to us?!
The next mid-morning was my first follow-up with the doctor. I’d been told they could take ex-rays and a follow-up MRI in the same building. The doctor’s office gave me full instructions.
I wasn’t looking forward to two hours of medical stuff, but I also wanted to know my status.
It was the first time I’d be using the car service Leighton had arranged for me.
