Waiting for Tomorrow

As the comedy show draws to an end, the girls begin to yawn. I tell them to go upstairs, brush their teeth, and get ready for bed.

They’re not moving fast enough, so I help them to their feet. I can’t take the risk of letting them fall asleep on the couch.

When Walter was still here, he would let the girls sleep on the couches and then carry them upstairs just before we went to bed. Well, I’m not Walter, and I’m not built like him, so nobody’s sleeping on the couches tonight.

And speaking of Walter… what will he think if he finds out about Sam and me? I shrug and remind myself that I no longer owe him an explanation about how I live my life. After all, the one who ruined our marriage has already moved on with his life even before the ink dried on our divorce papers.

I check all the doors and windows to make sure that they’re all locked. Then I turn off the lights before heading upstairs.

I make a quick stop to the girls’ bedroom, and as I expected, they’re already fast asleep in their beds. I envy them because I know that I may not get any sleep tonight.

With a bounce in my strides, I go to my bedroom and head straight to the wardrobe. The new dress I bought today from Jessica’s boutique is already hanging there, waiting for me to wear it.

“This is crazy,” I whisper to myself and giggle. “What the heck am I doing?”

My phone buzzes again, and my heart skips a beat. Is it Sam? Is he texting to cancel the date?

I quickly retrieve my phone from my pajama pocket with a hammering heart. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw that the text was from Jessica.

“Has he called you yet? Where is the rendezvous happening? Talk to me!”

I laugh. Nosey Jessica wants to get in on the action. Well, I’m keeping the details of my date to myself. I don’t want anyone or anything to jinx it.

Not that I think that Jessica will do anything to ruin my date, but a delicate situation like this requires a measure of secrecy. Just in case things sort of, you know, go sideways.

I text Jessica back.

“Go to bed, Jessica Rabbit. I’ll give you all the deets tomorrow when I get back. Bye!”

I hope she doesn’t text back or call me. I need to get my beauty sleep and be mentally prepared for tomorrow.

As if reading my mind, my phone rings. I roll my eyes and answer it without even checking the caller ID.

“Seriously, girl. Go to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow,” I say with an indulgent laugh.

“Girl? Nobody has ever called me a girl before.”

I gasp when I recognize that familiar syrupy baritone. “Sam!”

“Yep, that’s me. What’s up?”

I dissolve into a fit of nervous giggles. “Oh, my gosh! I thought it was my friend calling. I didn’t even check before answering the call.”

“I take it your friend knows we’re having lunch together tomorrow.”

“Er, yes.”

“Will she join us?”

“Of course not. I’m sure she has stuff to do tomorrow.”

“I was joking, Eunice,” Sam chuckles. “Are you always so… serious?”

“Am I?”

“It’s not a bad thing, but it’s ok to lighten up sometimes.”

 “Uh… ok.”

“Did you get my last text?”

“You know I did, Sam. Why are you calling?”

He laughs. “Why do you sound suspicious? Can’t a man check on his lady?”

“His lady? Sam, we’re only having lunch, plus I barely know you.”

“We’ll fix that tomorrow.”

An involuntary shiver runs down my spine. What does Sam mean by what he just said? Is that a promise of –?

No. I’m not even going to entertain that kind of thought.

“Hello, are you still there?” He asks when I remain quiet after his last statement.

“Look, Sam. The reason why I said we should meet at your house was that I don’t want to be subjected to paparazzi attention. I don’t want people to have the wrong impression about an innocent lunch date.”

“Who cares what anyone thinks?” He chuckles. “But don’t worry, I’m a gentleman. If what you want is an innocent lunch date, that’s what you’ll get.”

I can hear the humor in his voice, but I can tell if he’s making fun of me or being serious. What’s so amusing about me setting things straight with him?

“I’m sure you’re used to being followed by strangers taking photos of you every day, but I’m not. I’m not a celebrity, and I don’t like unnecessary attention from people who don’t respect other people’s privacy.”

“Wow, that’s a whole dissertation there,” Sam laughs. “But I understand you perfectly. I can be discreet when the occasion calls for it.”

“OK then. Since that’s settled, I better be off to bed,” I tell him.

“At this time?” He sounds surprised. “It’s not even 9 p.m. yet.”

“Well, I like to go to bed early so I can get enough sleep before morning,” I reply defensively.

“It’s the weekend,” he argues. “It’s not like you’re going to work tomorrow at the crack of dawn.”

 “Still… I’m a creature of habit. This is bedtime for me.”

 “I see… it almost seems like you want to get me off the phone.”

“That’s not true. I just want to go to bed.”

“Alright. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

He sounds so genuine; it’s almost as if he’s falling for me. But he isn’t. His type doesn’t fall for anyone. They simply seduce, conquer their target, and move on to the next one.

Yikes!

I’m starting to have another round of second thoughts. Why do I overthink everything?

My phone vibrates against my cheek. Without checking it, I know it must be Jessica sending me another nosey text.

“Goodnight, Sam,” I say finally.

“Goodnight, Eunice. Dream of me.”

The call ends, and I stare at my phone blankly. This man’s confidence is something else.

I read Jessica’s text: “I’ll let you off the hook this time, but I won’t be so understanding tomorrow. Goodnight, sweetie! Xoxo.”

“Drama queen,” I say with a chuckle.

I go to my dressing table to begin my nighttime skincare routine. While I’m at it, I replay my conversation with Sam in my head.

Despite my small apprehension, I’m very excited about seeing him tomorrow. I almost feel as if I’m about to go on my first date ever.

“When was the last time I felt this kind of nervous excitement?” I ask myself.

With my skincare regimen done for the night, I turn off the lights and get in bed. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.