"The police weren't much help. They searched my car for drugs, can you believe that? Like I asked for it or something."
"You tell them about Mike?"
I nodded yes. "I had to. That boy...is trouble."
Hugo handed me a small brownie with my cafe au lait but before I could stop him he raised his hand towards me. "Chocolate is the greatest healer. Trust me."
"Really? I thought his name was Kurt."
Hugo only half-smiled and moved his hands towards the sink of dishes below him. I realized something was wrong.
He looked up at me. Neither one of us needed to say anything because we both knew he'd explain. I waited as he washed more dishes and I realized how chores and their routine-- either by vacuuming the living room rug, washing the car or doing the dishes-- can help clear your head.
I kept waiting, patiently, until...
"After Charley, I sweared off of men. It's just too much."
"What...you want to try women now, Hugo?"
He stared me down until we both started laughing.
"What are you doing Saturday night?" he asked, our laughter continuing.
"Actually, I'm thinking of asking someone out on a date. But...it's someone I work with."
"Careful there. Difficult territory. She must be pretty cute."
"She is. Thea."
I wanted to change the subject. Why did I bring that up?
"If you sweared off of men, then what are you doing with Kurt?" I asked.
"Hey, hey. Not so easy. Thea?"
I smiled, staring at my cafe au lait, realizing he had bitten my leg and wasn't about to let go.
"I don't know if I'm in like, lust, or just plain desperate."
"If you're not eating chocolate-- means you're not desperate." He took another bite of my brownie.
"Which means you are?" I asked.
He nodded yes. "I'm nervous because those pesky results are coming. To me, it sounds as if you're in 'like'."
Yes, I was in like. That's a good word for it. But I was also taking mytime-- not wanting to push it any further.
Could like lead to love lead to marriage lead to the rest of my life?
I reached forward and plopped the rest of brownie into my mouth.
It tasted sweet.
Not "desperate" at all.
