Page 14 of Saving Texas

I knew it was a mean thing to do, kicking him out like that. Then I chastised myself that there was nothing wrong with setting limits. Limits were good. As I lay in bed that night, Allen’s scent still on my sheets, I almost wished I hadn’t set that limit, no matter how essential it was to my survival.

Little did I know that sleeping with Allen would set off some kind of charm offensive.

The day after we had sex and I kicked him out, a package arrived at my office, a small box with a single cupcake. Red velvet, my favorite. How he remembered that I had no idea. A small card was tucked in with the cupcake.

Clara, I had a great time last night. Hope to see you again soon. Allen

The next day when I came home from work there was a large envelope on my porch, the current edition of People magazine inside, along with a snack size bag of salt and vinegar kettle chips.

Clara, I hope you still like your celebrity gossip and chips. Give me a call. Allen

I took the envelope inside the house, thumbing through it as I heated up some soup for dinner. I hadn’t looked at a People magazine in years. It used to be my guilty pleasure, and I couldn’t get enough of it. But then life got in the way and eventually I lost my interest in the magazine. I’d lost my interest in a lot of things that used to give me pleasure. Skimming the headlines and munching on chips, I realized that I was so out of touch with today’s pop culture that I didn’t even know who most of the people in the magazine were.

On the third day I arrived at work to find a teddy bear sitting on my chair. The bear was wearing at Cowboys jersey and a jaunty little cowboy hat that made me smile. Clutched in his little bear hand, another note.

Clara, I recall that you’re a Cowboys fan. I won’t hold that against you, but there are other things I would like to hold against you. Go Texans. Allen

Funny how I’d forgotten our silly debates about football. We’d argued about team preferences during downtime at the makeshift hospital where we’d both been assigned, the rivalry between Dallas and Houston one of our favorite arguments. Allen’s thoughtful gestures and uncanny ability to remember things about me that I’d long forgotten were softening me towards him, as was no doubt his intent.

On the fourth day I received a text.

Unknown Number: Hi

Unknown Number: This is Allen btw, in case you didn’t save my number all those times I gave it to you.

Clara: How did you get my personal number?

Allen: Mutual friend.

Clara: Which mutual friend?

Allen: I’d prefer not to say. Did you get my gifts?

Clara: Yes, thanks. But you shouldn’t send me stuff.

Allen: Why not?

Clara: We slept together one time. It’s weird.

Allen: Plus the half a dozen times after Hurricane Rita.

Clara: It was only five times.

Allen: So you do remember. When can I see you again?

Clara: Feeling horny already? [smiley emoji] I guess we could do that again. I’d been thinking about proposing a friends with benefits thing.

Allen: I don’t want to sleep with you.

Clara: You don’t? Could’ve fooled me.

Allen: Well, I do, but not right away.

Clara: I’m confused.

Allen: I finally realized what’s different about you. You used to be light, carefree. Now you seem...heavier.

Clara: Are you calling me fat? LOL