Chapter 3
AWell, how was it?@ Sophie asked when Miles answered his door. It was well past dark, nine o=clock to be precise, after the first day with the first group of the winter season. Miles was alone in the room while Scott was with Kyra in her cabin.
AIt went well. Come in. I was just about to make tea.@ She smiled and held out her hand. He led her inside in their joking but intimately private way. AHow did your day go?@
ANot bad. We did all the activities in orientation that we do for the kids. Pretty simple stuff. But fun. They=re a bit hyper, but I guess that=s to be expected. Your day must have been more interesting than mine, though.@ While Sophie was talking Miles set water to boil on Scott=s hotplate then sat on his bed with her; Indian style as they had before. He leaned backwards to turn the massive overhead florescent light out, leaving only his table lamp, a glow more than accommodating to a twenty by twenty foot room and their mood.
AWe did animal tracking today. Five groups of a dozen, probably like you had. It was pretty fun, actually. I set out a bunch of fake tracks and we ran around the woods trying to identify them. Kids seemed to have fun. Orienteering is tomorrow. Should be a little more challenging.@
AThere are a bunch of new activities we haven=t tried out yet that we=re doing tomorrow. Though once you have three or four down the rest tend to follow suit.@
AYeah. They probably gave you the easy ones because you=re foreign and all.@ Miles smiled.
AI=ll give you foreign!@ Sophie fell over on him, pushing his chest down with her hands. She kissed him in a stark contrast of gentleness before telling him his water was boiling. He grinned and squirmed out from under her.
Miles walked behind Sophie with a mug and floated it in front of her. She took it and he moved his hands to her shoulders in a massage. She had to put the mug down before she buckled.
AIf you keep doing that, I=m going to fall asleep.@
ASo sleep here.@
AI can=t do that. What about Scott?@
AHe=s in the same situation with Kyra, Love.@- a word he=d picked up from her- AUnless we=re screaming in ecstasy, I don=t think he=d have a problem. I wouldn’t=t care if Kyra slept here.@
AIt just seems like an intrusion.@ He continued to rub and her posture continued to sag under his hands. Sophie could do nothing but give in. AOne night. And if Scott says anything, it will be the last here, do you understand?@ She turned to face him then. Miles nodded and smiled. AOk then. Let=s drink this tea. I=m a bit peaked.@ They drank, all the while stealing glimpses at one another like they had done the night in the hotel room. The glances were the guilty but gleeful looks of children sharing a wonderful and outlawed secret with one another.
A twin bed was not the most luxurious of nests but they made it work. Sophie clung to Miles; resigning herself to fatigue when finally in his arms. Miles held out just a moment longer listening to her breathing and feeling the slow and steady rising and falling of her chest against his before succumbing himself.
AOk, Everyone. Say hi to Fred!@ It was nine in the morning on day two of the Boy Scout group and Miles was beginning a day of compass work along with Christopher. They were an odd pair in that Christopher had no idea how to use a compass before Miles had taught him a few days before the program began. Christopher had picked up what he needed to know quickly but let Miles do most of the talking because of his weaker grasp of the English language. Miles plunged into an explanation of the working of a compass for the eight or nine rosy cheeked boys sitting in a half-circle in front of him soaking in the heat from a fire between them.
Miles had found that the days were extremely long, beginning at eight and ending just before nine. There was little time for anything recreational after a day like that. The night before he had been awake less than an hour after leaving >work= for the day. Scott hadn=t said anything about Sophie spending the night that morning but Miles still felt obliged to talk to him about it at some point during the day. There were usually four days off between each stretch of programs and Miles and Sophie had more or less decided that the majority of that time would revolve around them spending time with one another, hopefully exclusively. Miles felt disappointed in having to slink away from the rest of his new friends in such a way but the reality of their situation was that literally every second counted for them. The two were staring at a finite span of time as it stood for the moment.
Miles was thinking through those things as he explained how to take a bearing to a group of kids that wanted nothing more than to not be sitting. He obliged them as quickly as he could by herding them out into the snow as soon as possible. He sent them out in two groups with a pencil and a piece of paper to make a map for the other group to follow. It was then that he and Christopher could relax for ten minutes by the fire in the pavilion.
ASo what do you think so far?@ Miles asked Christopher. They were both displaying terrible posture against a picnic table facing the flames.
AIt=s good. Cold, cold. But good otherwise.@
AHow=s Jabari doing with the sports?@
AOh, he has a good time, I think. He=s tired at the end of the day from always moving, but it=s a good tired, I think.@ Miles nodded.
AWe=ll have to go to New York City one of these times. It=s the poster child for the States.@ Christopher looked at him quizzically. AUm, the... best example of America=s...best.@ He nodded.
AI think I would like to see that.@
AWell, we=ll have to talk to Jabari and Scott. They=re good at getting those things together.@ Christopher nodded. They soon heard the pitter-patter of little feet behind them and turned to greet the young cartographers. After a few minutes of letting the kids warm themselves Miles made the two groups trade their maps and sent them back outside to try to follow the other team=s route. It afforded the Miles and Christopher another ten minutes alone at the fire.
ADo you get much time with Sophie?@ Christopher asked, starting off their conversation. Miles had to remember that even though Christopher had a childlike handle on English it didn’t=t mean he was any less perceptive than anyone else.
ANot now, with groups here. But we=d like to spend a lot of time together when we=re not working.@ Christopher nodded.
AI think that it would be strange for me, your romance.@ Miles smiled at his choice of words and threw a pair of birch logs on their fire before answering.
AIt is, it is. Worth it, I think. But it is. It wasn=t planned, that=s for sure.@ Christopher shrugged.
AYou never know what is going to happen to you.@
AYou are right about that, my friend.@ The statement, simple as it was, put Miles in a reflective mood once again. Watching the flames dance memorizingly in front of him providing the only warmth they had only furthered the situation. Not much was said until the scouts came back for a wrap-up.
So it went, group after group, five times over. Toward the end of the day even Christopher was becoming comfortable with their repertoire. They both waited patiently for the golden hour; that space of time after work everyone got together for a few moments in the lounge to unwind before retiring to the cabins.
Sophie had a beer waiting for him, which he graciously accepted, knowing it would be the fatal blow to unconsciousness. In spite of the exhausted bodies there was an aura of satisfaction in the room from a full day of doing a job well for the benefit of their charges. The activities had changed, however. Everyone was being lulled by a cowboy movie on the television rather than cooking or playing darts and other games. Before he forgot, Miles mentioned the idea of a trip to New York to everyone.
ANot right away, but sometime. It=s a bit more travel, but I think it would be worth it.@ Everyone sleepily agreed and promptly put it to the back burner. Opposite of what should have happened, the beer Miles drank actually rejuvenated him a bit. He was sure it was mostly due to his body getting any kind of liquid after being subjected to the moisture-stealing winds of January since early morning. Sophie, however, curled warmly in his arms on the couch negated any ideas of activity. He was left with an extension on waking hours he felt fortunate to have and be sharing with not only Sophie but everyone in the room.
ADid you talk to Scott today?@ She whispered. Already her mind wandered to slumber.
ANo. But it=s really cold all alone in the dark.@
AYou...hhmm. You. Well, tomorrow, then. You=ve one more night of reprieve.@ She kissed the crook of his arm heavily. He noticed her breath betrayed that she hadn=t had as much water as she should have had that day. He tried to remember to make a point of it for both of them. So much of the body=s nuances relied on that precious balance of liquid! Such a small loss of it meant so much more slowed physical and mental reactions. The overly refreshing beer attested to the fact.
Miles shook his mind free of its wanderings and realized that he couldn’t=t concentrate on the movie, either. T.V. had never been his things. He was completely lost when it came to people=s fascination with video games. Nonetheless they sat and watched until the credits rolled. No one bothered to turn on the lights other than the one above the stove, which was always left on. The boys clapped one another on the back and wished each other luck for the morning before branching off like tributaries of a river to their cabins.
Miles and Sophie noticed that Scott and Kyra were still walking arm in arm as they were four paces behind them. Once they went past her cabin it was apparent that Scott had taken Mile=s gambit as statute, which was perfectly fine with him. They stepped into the cabin with just enough time to turn the lights on before Scott and Kyra entered.
ALooks like Emma and Jenny will have it pretty good,@ Miles ventured, breaking the ice.
>I suppose. We just have to watch out.@ Scott addressed them all then. AWe worked at a YMCA a few summers ago and they definitely frowned on this. Grounds for dismissal. May not be as serious being as there=s not a steady stream of kids, but still...@ Sophie and Miles nodded. ABut hey. Don=t ask, don=t tell. I don=t think anyone else cares.@ They had to admit that. Everyone they worked with was of like mind, an intriguing rarity since they came from all ends of the earth together in one place.
Sophie was already lying in bed by the time Miles got done with his inward rambles. Her position made it obvious where he was supposed to join her. She was on the inside of the bed against the wall facing the middle of the room slightly curled to gain warmth he wasn=t yet providing. Miles filled the space she left in short order. He felt her conform to his back like a living comforter and reached for her hands. She closed her fingers around his and let Miles bring them to his chest. Scott or Kyra turned the light out and there was nothing until morning.
The air of excitement in everyone at breakfast the next day was due to the prospect of four entire days of freedom waiting for them at the end of the day. It was Sunday, meaning their scouts left around two in the afternoon. There would be a debriefing and minor housekeeping of the Boy Scout cabins which was expected to drag on but not as long as the first two days full of programs had. The excitement also came from the fact that the first weekend that had brought the formerly un-intact group together had been successful in their eyes. There was a difference in the promise of a break because it felt earned and well deserved. The faces betrayed signs of weariness but the eyes and mouths glowed with accomplishment.
Miles was looking forward to an easy day. The groups would be four times their normal size that morning but he and Christopher had planned for it. They would build shelters in the field they had been based out of for the weekend with groups of a dozen. >What kid didn’t=t like to build forts in the winter?= They reasoned. He smiled with the thought as he poured a bowl of Wheaties and plucked a banana from the fruit table. He was also happy with the fact that he and Sophie could sleep with one another whenever they wanted. It wasn=t much in any normal situation, but the fact that otherwise they would only see one another for about an hour a day brought to light the fact that every moment counted.
A small sigh escaped Miles when he sat at a table of kids as he was taught to do. He could see Sophie across the room laughing with her table. He couldn’t=t hear the sounds and that in itself made him think over her. >I hope you know what you=re doing, my darling.= He watched her head rock back and forward with laughter and repeated his first thought. He wondered what would happen if it reached the point where he would do anything for her. Even more frightening was the idea that he would never do anything without her. It had never happened to him but he knew it was a possibility. Inevitably it happened to everyone to some degree or another. At twenty-two Miles wondered if maybe he had ducked it for as long as he could.
He shook the thought from his head. Too early for that kind of nonsense. Besides, there was work to be done.
They got to it immediately after eating. Miles found Christopher and they headed out into the morning tromping towards the pavilion to start a fire. The kids could be heard clamoring down the path a half-hour later just as Miles was getting a useful fire going. There was little talking needed to explain building forts, so after a few token outdoor-skill related gems the scouts were divided and sent out. Instead of appreciating their fire Christopher and Miles wandered from group to group helping with the projects. Most made teepee or lean-to structures, that being the fastest way to see progress. The sessions all went fast thanks to the activity and soon everyone was back in the cafeteria for lunch.
AAre we getting together tonight?@ Sophie asked, sneaking beside Miles in the line at the salad bar. She knew the answer, of course. It was all becoming a game played simply because they could.
AI wouldn’t=t have it any other way,@ he replied. She slipped her pinky across his coyly.
AI can=t wait.@ Simple, honest. Exactly right for her.
The rest of the day was a long time leaving. A lone session after lunch and help carting the kids to buses gave way to an hour of debriefing full of sandwich criticism, which was a couple of good comments about something sandwiching what the full timers really meant to bring up. The effort was well intended but transparent to anyone with experience. After a bit of cleaning cabins all was said and done and the crew was on their way before four o=clock.
Sophie, Miles and Scott ended up back at their cabin straight after the debriefing. Sophie ducked into the bathroom immediately, giving Miles and Scott a chance to catch up.
ASo what have you got planned for the rest of this week?@ Miles asked after putting on a U2 disc and shedding his jacket.
AWe=re going south a bit. Head to the coast. Get somewhere warmer. Four days off; I=m not going to sit here. What are you doing?@
ASitting here,@ he smiled.@I can=t handle too much running around. Last week will last me for a while. Paul mentioned something about finding a micro brewery that=s around here and a few other places. We might go check those out. See what this area=s got to offer.@ Scott nodded.
AWell, I think I=m going to go down to the lounge, see what=s shaking. I=ve got to get something to eat, so...@
AYeah. We=ll probably be down there shortly. I=m feeling the same way.@ Sophie came out of the bathroom just in time to say goodbye to Scott as he headed out. She smiled slyly as she shuffled to Miles= bed to sit beside him.
AHow are you, beautiful?@ He kissed her hair when her head fell on his shoulder.
AI=m good. What do you want to do tonight?@
ADo you want to go on a date? Find a nice place for dinner?@ She nodded as best she could with her head on his arm.
AYou=re wonderful.@
AYou=re tired.@
AGive me a couple minutes.@ Sophie pushed him onto the bed and curled up. Needless to say a couple of minutes had turned into a couple of hours the next time Miles opened his eyes. He could see night outside the window. The alarm clock glowed with a reading of twenty minutes to seven.
ASophie?@
AYeah?@
You=re awake.@
AI=ve been up for a little while. I was letting you sleep.@ They got up slowly, hunger being the only driving factor for leaving the warmth of the cabin.
APaul said there are a couple places in town that look promising.@ They were arm in arm walking down the cabin road towards the parking lot and Mile=s car. AWe shouldn=t be sleeping on our time away, though.@ It was a lighthearted jest.
AI liked listening to you sleep. Sappy, huh?@ The air was waking them both up by then. Miles nodded, realizing he agreed. AWell, you=re a guy. But girls like that sort of thing.@
AI=m glad I could give you that, then. He clicked a button on his key chain when they were close enough that brought the jeep to life. They shivered all the way into town, about three miles down the road leading to the camp. The first restaurant they came to looked fine to both of them so they pulled in. It was a big log building boasting a special of beef tips in gravy on a cheap illuminated letter board. They hustled inside and sat at a table.
AHmm.@ Miles noted after opening his menu. ACare for a bottle of wine?@ Sophie nodded. AWhy not. We have four days of nothing.@
ANothing except each other.@
AYou=re such a girl.@ He joked. His reaching hand found hers, still cold from the ride. AWe=ll sleep in and I=ll make you breakfast. How does that sound for a start?@
AThat sounds perfect, Miles.@
AScott and Kyra are leaving tomorrow morning for the coast, so we have the place to ourselves. No hurry this weekend.@ She nodded. The waitress made her way over and Miles ordered their Merlot. Soon they were warming back up with the help of the drinks and finding their voices.
ASo, What=s going to happen when you get your master=s degree?@
AWell, all the high paying managerial positions will just start falling into my lap, right?@ He laughed. ASeriously, though, I don=t know. It=s two years away, right? Anything could happen. I mean, look at us. Proof that anything could happen. I just want to be the best I can be for whatever comes along.@
AThat=s a real good attitude. But even still, you know what you=re doing almost three years ahead. I have no idea what I=m doing after this. What=s a degree in Communications going to do?@
AAnything you want it to. If you think you have no options, that means anything is an option, right? Or am I just full of it?@
AI think you=re full of it. But I like you.@ That put the conversation into a comfortable silence until the waitress came to take their order.
AWould you do anything, though? As narrow as you=ve made your focus?@
AIt would depend. I know what I want to do, but that doesn’t=t mean that there isn=t something out there that I haven=t thought of yet. You see, my parents are kind of single-tracked. They see someone with a degree that they don=t use as being a waste. If I didn’t=t go on to grad school, it would be a waste of ability.@
AThat sounds oppressive.@
ANot really. They always let me and my brother do whatever we wanted, but we always knew what they thought of anything we did. I guess being the oldest more of their ideas rubbed off on me. I=m focused because of their values. They think the only way someone could be happy is if they=ve done everything they=re supposed to and everything they had the ability to do. If I were to drop everything right now and start working here, let=s say, full time with a decent salary they would still see it as a waste because I wasn=t using my degree or going on to bigger better things. Even if I was happy here. I think they=re just worried about me, more than anything. They have an idea of happiness and success and want to see me reach it. Like any parent.@
ABut is that the reason you went to college? The reason you=re going back?@
AI can=t say that they had nothing to do with it, but I like what I=m doing, and like the idea of what I could do. I guess that comes from them, but I picked my own field. My parents know nothing about park management. My mom=s a secretary and my dad=s a contractor.@
AMy parents aren’t=t like that at all. They want to me to find a good job and all that, but they could care less how I go about it. I=m on my own, so they don=t really say too much.@
AThey probably still worry, though. All parents too. Look at you now. Twenty three years old and overseas sleeping with some bloody American.@ He smiled.
AI suppose I should tell them about you sometime, right?@
Miles shrugged. AWhatever you think is best, love.@ She smiled. Food was brought out for them and there was a break in conversation as the two realized how hungry they really were. The wine lasted just long enough to help finish the meal and mixed beautifully inside them to keep the cold at bay as they drove home.
All the lights in the cabin were still out when they returned so they decided to be social and see what was happening in the lounge. Almost everyone was in the place and exuding an energy that hadn=t been seen in the last three days. Drinks were flowing and heated games of foosball and darts were in the works. Miles found their six pack of Harp=s in the fridge and gave on to Sophie
AHey, we went to that first place on the highway tonight for dinner,@ Miles told Paul, who was contending against Jenny at the foosball table. AIt was pretty good.@
AYeah, it looked real cozy. What you got going this weekend?@
AAbsolutely nothing.@
AOn purpose, hey? Sounds good. Some of us were talking about going to that little bar that=s up there tomorrow night, if you=d be interested. I think a lot of us are just chilling. Boston took a lot out of me, anyways. Then three fourteen hour days? Maybe in a day or two I=ll be more ambitious, but until then even the corner bar is a maybe.@ The last word was squeezed out as he blocked a rocket shot from Jenny.
AYeah, anything=s possible. I doubt we=ll want to sit around here for four days.@ It struck Miles as funny then how he had started saying >we= more than >I=. Such a quick transition. In thinking of his new significant other he decided to join her on the couch.
AI don=t think I needed this beer,@ she proclaimed, talking to the bottle in front of her.
AThen don=t think. Maybe I just want to get you drunk.@
AYou don=t need to get me drunk, Love.@ Sophie realized she had spoken a little too loudly when Emma and Sergio looked add them oddly. AYou see?@ She giggled and got over it. ADon=t look at me, you. Just drink your beer.@
There was a video playing on the tv but no one was watching it. In fact, the volume wasn=t even on so Miles leaned out to the table in front of the couch, found the remote, and turned everything off. Scott had his boom box playing in the corner on top of the stove and that was good enough.
AI think that nap did more harm than good,@ Miles commented aloud. AI=m wide awake, even after that dinner.@
AI know, I feel the same way. I=m sure we can find something to do.@
AI=m sure we can.@ He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him. AThat=s better.@ She nodded.
AMiles! Sophie! Get off your damn bums and play foosball!@ Emma=s voice shook them aware. She was standing on one side of the table with Christopher glaring at them. AYou can=t just sit there starry eyed all night, you know. Bloody Shakespearian, you two.@ Miles and Sophie stood and faced their challengers.
AI don=t even know how to play this bloody game!@ Sophie cried, spinning her defense around.
AIt=s simple really. Keep this ball...@ Emma ceremoniously dropped what was basically a ping-pong ball on steroids, onto the middle of the table, AFrom going in your goal. It=s only football.@
ANo dear, it=s soccer. Football is completely different.@ Miles argued.
AOnly in this bloody country. What do you expect from the only twits who don=t use the metric system? I can=t ever tell what damn temperature it is here! They say thirty degrees and I=m ready to put on a tee! Damn backwards fools!@ She drove her point home with a quick goal on Sophie.
AHey! I=m on your side!@ Sophie yelled.
ANo you=re not! You=re on my team!@ Miles cried back.
AOh, you both know what I mean! Just don=t do that again, Emma!@ They played through and Emma and Christopher won without too much effort.
AWell, We=ve found another thing we=re not good at.@ Sophie harrumped. Miles got two more bottles out of the fridge and let her nurse her frustrations with one.
About half the people that had started out in the lounge that evening were gone. It was almost midnight by then and the latest any of them had made it in days. Paul and Jabari were still throwing darts and thinning a bottle of Jack while Emma, Christopher, and Jenny battled at the foosball table.
AI=m not really tired, but what do you think about getting out of here?@ Sophie asked. They were on the couch bantering with one another.
AScott and Kyra are probably at our place. I don=t think we should go back there right away. But where else?@
AWe could go to my place. Emma won=t be back for a while, I wager. And anyways, you can just sleep there if you want. We did all spend two nights in a hotel room together. I doubt one night of the three of us would do any harm. Besides. Maybe we=ll be asleep by the time she gets back.@ Miles shrugged and pulled her jacket out from under him.
ASo tell me,@ Sophie began, as they walked through the swirling night toward a bed. AWhat did you first think when you saw me?@
AWhy do girls always ask stuff like that?@ He cringed.
AJust answer the question.@
AWell, the first time I remember thinking on you was when I turned towards the coffee table in the dining hall. I wanted some tea, and I said >Ooh, the cute English girl is over there=.@
AThat=s it then?@
AYeah, that=s it. I didn’t=t compose a poem about you on the spot or pledge to make you mine or anything.@
AYou=re such a romantic. You thought I was the cute one!@ Sophie=s face squinted up with a smile in that girly way.
AI still do.@ Miles kissed her at the foot of the steps leading to her door.
AAre you coming in, Lover?@ He nodded and followed when she took his hand. ATea?@
Miles woke with the same feeling of elated ness he had felt every other morning he knew Sophie was beside him. He let his eyes wander over her body as she lay sleeping; curled towards him in the sheets. He swept her hair over her ear and woke her up. They were in her cabin, which Miles had taken a second to remember upon waking. Sophie smiled and closed her eyes again.
AWhat do you want?@ She sighed.
ANothing.@ He squirmed closer and Sophie let herself be enveloped.
AI thought you were going to make me breakfast.@ She chided.
AAll in good time, my love. It is very cold out there, you know.@ She shuddered and buried her head in the crook oh his arm. AAnd you know, Scott and Kyra are leaving today. They=ve probably left already. We could be complete hermits this weekend.@
AWhat are we doing here, then?@ She muttered. ALet=s get up. We can go back to sleep at your house. Should know better than staying up to all hours of the night like that. Circadian rhythm, you know.@ Miles shook his head and swung his feet to the floor. She followed suit and soon they were racing as fast as their sleep-addled limbs would carry them to Miles= cabin. True to their hope Scott and Kyra were nowhere to be seen.
AI could use a shower now. Need to warm up. Care to join me?@ Sophie let her camisole fall to the floor gracefully. Miles still couldn’t=t resist her accent.
AI=d hate to waste all that perfectly good hot water.@ He shed his pajamas as well and stepped inside the stall with her.
They were the only two in the lounge that morning. Sophie sat on the counter beside Miles, who was standing at the stove cooking bacon and eggs. It was almost eleven but they had the feeling no one else would be stirring until they slept off their fun from the past night or it warmed up a bit.
AI feel guilty ducking out on everyone this weekend.@ Sophie said. She was wearing Miles= slippers and they thumped rhythmically on the cupboard below her every time she swung her feet.
AWell, do you want to hang out with everybody or just one another this weekend?@ Miles was splitting his attention between Sophie and the pan in front of him.
AWe=ve never been really alone yet, and I think that=s important.@ She concluded. AAnd how often are we going to have a cabin to ourselves in this place? We=d have to pay for a room somewhere.@
AAnd we don=t even have to do anything. We could watch a few movies on my laptop, maybe play some cribbage or anything, really. Could go out tonight with the crew if you felt like it.@
AMaybe we should do that. Especially if we=re making ourselves scarce this weekend.@
ASure. Breakfast is served, love.@ He dished her a plate and held it out. She leaned forward to accept it but Miles pulled back at the last second and kissed her unsuspecting mouth. AMy fee,@ He snickered.
ACunning little boy, aren’t=t you?@ She took the plate and sat with him on the couch in front of a blank screen. They ate silently because that was just as comfortable as filling empty space with empty words as far as they were concerned. Miles quickly washed the dishes and they scampered back to his cabin.
Sophie clung to him with a shiver momentarily after the excursion. ABloody freezing!@ She yelped. Miles leaned behind himself and kicked the thermostat up a few degrees. AThank you.@ They stood together for a while longer letting the room warm them. Soon they were propped up on pillows watching >The Bourne Identity= on Miles= laptop through two mid-grade computer speakers. The whole contraption fit beautifully on the dresser at the end of the bed they were occupying.
AWhat do the English think of Hugh Grant?@ Miles asked suddenly, halfway through the movie. Sophie burst into laughter which she smothered in his ribs.
AWhere in the hell did that come from?@
AI don=t know. I was thinking of actors. Then I remembered Hugh Grant was English. So I thought I=d ask.@
AWell, a lot of women love him, but I find him a twit, to be truthful. Doesn’t=t come off as very intelligent if you ask me. But again...@ and she started laughing at this AI=m not the ambassador for England, you must remember.@
AFine, funny girl. I just thought I=d try to connect with your culture but I can see that=s all just a joke. I won=t bring it up again.@
AJust shut up. You=re cute, though, when you try to get a little attitude.@ She pressed onto him exorbitantly until he gave in.
AJust watch the movie.@ Sophie sighed and swooned over him obviously. Miles decided to let her. The movie finished without too much wavering on either of their parts as the thickening plot wrapped around them.
AI=m worried, Miles.@ Sophie finally said, after th credits were long past.
AWhat are you worried about?@
AI=m scared that six months from now I=ll look at you for the last time in my life.@ The words hung for a moment.
ASophie. Six months is a long time from now. I can=t tell you what will happen then any better than you could. But I can promise you that whatever happens, I love you.@
AThat=s... That=s the first time you=ve ever said that to me.@ Miles sighed with the realization that her question had plunged them deeper into the pool that was their circumstance. AI love you too, you know. I suppose I have for a while now.@
AI felt the beginnings of it the first time we really talked that night right here,@ he admitted. Sophie nodded. The person that wrapped her arms around his neck then was not a woman but a child. A child scared as any other looking to his strength to save her from the unknown. Miles comforted her as best he could even though he felt the same way. They watched the orange light peeking around the drawn shades casting a stifled light around the room. They stayed prone for quite some time, each in their own thoughts which were tied to one another.
AWell, whatever happens, happens. Right?@ She didn’t=t sound too sure of herself even as she uttered it.
ARight. We=ll just have to go with that.@ Miles hugged her briefly and broke away to the floor more to change the mood that their position. He opened the shades and let the probing orange light have free reign of the room. ASophie. Come here.@ She got up and strode to Miles, who stood in front of one of the windows looking out across the snowy trail to the opposite row of cabins. She stood in front of him and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
AI=m here, love.@ He kissed her temple and squeezed his arms together.
ASophie, we have to live every moment we have together aware of the fact that we only have so many moments. We couldn’t=t have any regrets at the end if we did it that way.@
ADon=t talk about the end, Miles. We=re only at the beginning. We=ve a lifetime ahead of us.@
1 comment:
Hey Ben, Finally read chapter 3 - sounding good
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