Page 23 of Always Love You More

“Good,” I tell her, not mentioning the fight today. I already got a lecture from Johnny, so I don’t need another one from her.

“And things at home?”

“You know,” I respond vaguely.

“Anything I need to know about?”

“No, everything’s fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “How about you?”

“The same,” she says, though her voice sounds off.

“Things with Adam okay?” Her boyfriend’s a bit of a prick, and they’re always having issues.

“Yeah,” she murmurs. “He’s actually about to get home, so I should probably go.”

“Me, too,” I add. “I was about to eat dinner.”

“All right,” she says. “Don’t be a stranger, yeah?”

I hum my agreement.

“Love you,” she breathes.

“Love you, too.”

I hang up and move for the kitchen table, but just as I sit, Johnny walks in, his hair wet from a shower.

“I made you a plate,” I tell him, starting to stand again.

“Thanks, Bug.” He smiles. “But I’ve gotta go.”

“Where?” I ask.

He shakes his head.

And so it starts.

“I’ll wrap a sandwich for you. You can bring it with you.”

“Sit,” he says. “I’ve got it.”

I lower back in my chair while he moves around the kitchen. He catches me watching him and tips up his chin. “Eat.”

I sink my teeth into the sandwich, and he turns away, satisfied, then tosses one into a brown paper bag, adding some fried potatoes in with it. Once he’s done, he comes over to the table and throws down a few bills. “For groceries.”

I eye the money, knowing where it likely came from, but we’re really not in a position to be picky, so I grab it and tuck it into my bag. “Thanks.”

He kisses the top of my head. “See you later.”

I want to ask him where he’s going, what he’s doing, but I keep the questions tucked away.

He walks to the back door.

“Johnny,” I call out as he opens it.