“Jason,” I said and took his hand. “Please, don’t leave.”
“Christy—“
“I know. I really do—but—” I couldn’t stop tears from welling up. “I can’t be alone, not tonight.”
Jason caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers. “Christy, I love you. I can’t just—“
I understood what he was saying. We had been traveling together for months, but we had rarely been alone. In the night glow of my hotel room, it was so different. It was quiet enough I could hear his breathing and still enough to catch the faint fragrance of his aftershave. If I listened with my heart, I could hear the thump-thump of his pulse as well. I said nothing else. Jason turned to go to his own room, paused but said nothing. I watched as he went over to the light switch and turned it off. The room was dark except for the light that filtered in through the drapes. He didn’t leave. In the darkened room I saw him remove his jacket and tie and lay them across a chair. I could still hear his breathing and the thud of each shoe as it hit the floor. The sheets swished as he raised them and got into bed still partially dressed. We were nested spoons in the silver chest as he wrapped his arms around me and held me close with warm and gentle hands. “Good night, Sweetheart,” he whispered.
I felt safe and loved. Where a moment ago I was unable to shake off the trauma, anxiety and panic of Grand-père’s abduction, with Jason close, I was able to close my eyes and quickly fall asleep.
“Christy—“
“I know. I really do—but—” I couldn’t stop tears from welling up. “I can’t be alone, not tonight.”
Jason caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers. “Christy, I love you. I can’t just—“
I understood what he was saying. We had been traveling together for months, but we had rarely been alone. In the night glow of my hotel room, it was so different. It was quiet enough I could hear his breathing and still enough to catch the faint fragrance of his aftershave. If I listened with my heart, I could hear the thump-thump of his pulse as well. I said nothing else. Jason turned to go to his own room, paused but said nothing. I watched as he went over to the light switch and turned it off. The room was dark except for the light that filtered in through the drapes. He didn’t leave. In the darkened room I saw him remove his jacket and tie and lay them across a chair. I could still hear his breathing and the thud of each shoe as it hit the floor. The sheets swished as he raised them and got into bed still partially dressed. We were nested spoons in the silver chest as he wrapped his arms around me and held me close with warm and gentle hands. “Good night, Sweetheart,” he whispered.
I felt safe and loved. Where a moment ago I was unable to shake off the trauma, anxiety and panic of Grand-père’s abduction, with Jason close, I was able to close my eyes and quickly fall asleep.
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