“You’ve got a decent phone. It’s high res with 1.9 mega pixels, the pictures should be pretty good,” Mitch informed me after having inspecting the camera.
“I had no idea you were so well versed in camera phone specs,” I remarked as we headed out to the topiary garden towards the back of the house. The light was starting to go and I needed to take the pictures quickly. I stopped along the path and snapped a few shots in the dwindling light.
“I’m well versed in lots of things, G,” Mitch said with a smirk.
“Of course, how could I forget?” I hadn’t meant for my voice to go all rough and seductive like. Mitch gave me a heated look and I had to turn away, pretending to be engrossed in the sculpted box hedges.
“Hey, check it out! These bushes are molded in the shape of musical instruments,” I called out, pointing to a grouping of plants towards the back of the garden.
“Pretty cool,” Mitch agreed.
“Come on, Mitch, give me a pose,” I laughed.
Mitch went and stood behind the smaller bush shaped like a guitar and made a show of banging his head up and down, sticking out his tongue á la Gene Simmons.
I took a few pictures, not able to stop giggling as Mitch’s faces became more absurd as he played rock star. I looked down at the screen of my phone, flipping through the snaps. “These would make a great album cover,” I teased.
Mitch jumped over the bush and grabbed my phone. “I look awesome!”
I snatched my phone back and gave him a playful shove. “It’s good to know your ego is in check,” I snipped.
“I only call it like it is.” He rustled my hair and I swatted his hand away. “Oh, I forgot how much you hate having your hair messed with,” Mitch grinned.
“You’re hair may look good in the just rolled around on the ground way, but mine certainly doesn’t,” I said, giving him a good case of stink eye.
“Whatever, G, you always look beautiful.” Mitch, realizing what he said, closed his mouth and quickly walked towards a wisteria that threaded around a statue of naked man
“What’s up with this guy? He looks like he’s in pain. And more importantly, why is he in the buff?” Mitch commented, clearly trying to change the subject.
I cocked my head to the side. “I think he’s trying to push that boulder up a hill. Though why he’s doing it naked is anyone’s guess.” The light was almost gone and I could see the staff start to head out to their cars. “I think we should get going. I’ve gotten enough pictures.”
“Okay. Let’s head out.” He pulled his keys out of his pocket and started jangling them in his hand. I reached out and took the keys, my fingers lingering momentarily as I touched him.
“You know I hate it when you do that,” I said.
Mitch held out his hand. “I won’t do it again. I promise,” he teased with a smile.
I gave him back his keys and this time when our fingers made contact neither of us moved away. Mitch wrapped his hand around mine, the keys wedged between our palms.
“I had fun today, Gracie,” he said, looking down at me.
“Me too. I didn’t think we could ever be like this again,” I added in hushed tones.
“Be like what?” he asked.
“Like Mitch and Gracie.”
Mitch’s thumb slowly stroked the underside of my wrist where my pulse fluttered madly. “I always liked Mitch and Gracie.”
“Me too,” I agreed. “I miss them a lot.”
Mitch frowned, looking perturbed. “I’ve said some pretty harsh things to you recently. First at the Norfolk show. Then at Garrett’s. I shouldn’t have said all that stuff to you.”
I shook my head. “It’s okay, Mitch. I get it. I really do. You’ve been really angry with me. We do need to find a way to be around each other that all parties are comfortable with.” I sounded like I was trying to mediate in court.
Mitch ignored my dorkiness.
We were still holding hands, standing close together. I was scared to say anything else. I didn’t want to ruin this incredibly important moment.
“I’m comfortable like this,” he said softly. So softly. His thumb still stroking the tender, vulnerable skin of my wrist.
I licked my lips that were suddenly very dry. There were so many things I wanted to say, but I didn’t say any of them. Words were insufficient. Unnecessary. Mitch and I had always been able to read each other. He knew what lived inside my head better than I did.
We stared into each other’s eyes in the dying sunlight and I felt it. The connection we had always shared. It was still there, underneath the bullshit and drama. Strong as ever.
“We should get back,” I reminded him. I could see Mrs. Baker waiting by the gate for us so she could lock up.
Mitch dropped my hand and quickly turned away from me as though embarrassed. Wait. Did I do something wrong?
I put my hand on his arm. “Mitch, I didn’t mean—”
“It’s cool. We need to get back to Bakersville. I’m supposed to go to Sophie’s later anyway.” He was suddenly so cold. The warm, open Mitch I had just become reacquainted with disappeared totally.
“Yeah, well I don’t want you to be late,” I spat. I couldn’t help the nastiness that dripped off my tongue. I was annoyed with him for getting upset with me for no real reason. I was annoyed with myself for interrupting a great moment. I was annoyed with Mrs. Wagner who was impatiently tapping her foot as she waited for us to leave.
Mitch frowned and followed me down the path towards the parking lot.
“Thanks, Mrs. Wagner,” I said as we left.
“Of course! I can’t wait to see your article. You two come back soon!”
I definitely didn’t think that would happen.
Neither Mitch nor I talked as we got into the car. I turned on the CD I made for him back when we weren’t bogged down by misinterpretation and silence.
When we pulled up in front of my apartment building I wasn’t sure what to say. So I held up the notebook. “Mind if I hang onto this? All my notes from today are in it. I’ll give it back to you when I’m done.”
Mitch gave me a brusque nod. “That’s fine. Keep it.”
“Thanks again for driving me,” I said, opening the passenger door. I started to get out but then stopped. I turned back around to face Mitch who appeared confused by the fact that I wasn’t closing the door.
“Did you forget some—”
“This is ridiculous!” I nearly shouted, cutting him off.
Mitch’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you yelling at me? I’m the nice guy here, driving you to your interview and bringing you home. So what the hell do you have to be angry about?” he demanded.
“Why do you keep doing this to me? I can’t keep up with your damn mood swings!” I was getting worked up but I couldn’t help it. We had had a nice day. The best day I could remember having with him in a long time. And now he was treating me like a burden. Like a waste of time.
“What are you talking about? I’ve been very clear how I feel—” Mitch shouted back but I interrupted him again.
“Oh you’ve been clear ,all right. We’ll be like old friends who’ve drifted apart. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Then you call me in the middle of the night and tell me you miss me! What am I supposed to do with that, Mitch? Up and down. That’s how you always are! You say you want us to act like old friends. Well, buddy, we were never just friends. Isn’t that what you told me once?”
Mitch’s lips thinned and his jaw tightened. “Don’t throw my words back in my face. I said that shit under very different circumstances!”
“Right. You said it right before we had sex!” Mitch flinched but I didn’t stop. “We had sex, Mitch and I freaked out. I pushed you away. I acted like a selfish, immature asshole and I’m sorry! I wish like hell I could take it back but I can’t. I knew you loved me and I treated you like dirt. I get why you’re angry. Why you’ve put this wall up between us. But don’t you dare tell me that we have to behave like friends who’ve drifted apart but then look at me like you do and hold my hand and tell me you miss me!” Tears sprang to my eyes and I didn’t wipe them away as they started to slide down my cheeks.