Julia--Waking Up

I hear Braxton’s alarm go off and a flood of memories from the night before come back to me. It’s odd to think about waking up here, in the bedroom of his apartment, when I should be at home, in my old apartment, with Jeff.

I glance at the clock and note that Braxton gets up earlier than Jeff, even though his apartment is much closer to work. I think about how I would still be sleeping for a few more minutes if I were lying next to my husband instead of this man who loves me. I think about how he would swat at his alarm and then roll on top of me. Braxton will not do that, but if he did, it would be welcome because it wouldn’t just be him laying on top of me until he got his fill.

I do not expect for Braxton to make love to me before he goes to work, though. I expect him to get up and get ready for his day, kiss me goodbye, and tell me he’ll be home at 6:00, or something like that. Instead, when I roll over to look at him, his head is propped on one arm and he is staring down at me.

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