Romantic Getaway

35. Romantic Getaway

🤍🖤🤍 Natalie 🤍🖤🤍

“So, did you tell your friend? In case your mom asks her?” He says, glancing at me. I am sitting in the front. Coco is laying like a queen in the back seat.

“Noo… I will text her now.” Mom won’t call her, but I should still inform her.

“Looks like you never lied at home before... Always cover the tracks, Natalie… Always.” He says, grinning.

“Looks like you have tons of experience.”

“Don’t ask!” He chuckles and shakes his head.

I quickly send a message to Ira and she replies immediately.

Me: Iraaaa… My girl… How are you doing? I thought I should tell you that I am at your home right now. You were taking a bath when my mom called 15 minutes ago. If somebody asks, tell them we had lots and lots of fun then I left for home at 7 in the evening.

Ira: Oh Wow! Okkk… Now one question: WHAT THE FUCK NATALIE????

WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? SINCE WHEN YOU START DOING FAKE VISITS?

Me: Chill… Going out of town with my neighbor.

Ira: Please tell me it’s not some 30-40-year-old dude grooming you.

Me: Seriously? I am not a child, and I am fucking offended. Have some faith. He is barely 17… or 18, I guess. I don’t know. But he is in class with me.

Ira: Good. I always knew you were smart. Now another question. WHAT THE FUCK NATALIE????? WHO IS THIS BOY? IS HE HOT? Are you dating him and didn’t tell me? Is it some romantic getaway... Oh GOD!!! My lady parts are tingling thinking about you finally getting some action. I am still angry you didn’t tell me.

Me: Ewww… Stop making inappropriate comments or I will block you. And Nooo, I am not dating and Noooo it’s not a romantic getaway. Rather, a sad occasion. Happy-Sad kinda mix. I will explain when we meet. So please hold your horses… and for love of God… don’t ever tell me again, what happens to your lady parts! Gotta go bye. I can’t read more improper messages from you and I won’t answer you anymore. BYEEEEE.

Ira: Alrighty. If he is hot and single... Just fuck him and If you indeed fuck him we gotta meeet next weekend. I cannot wait weeks going crazy about details.

Ira: At least tell me if he is single?

Ira: Oh come on… Please?

Ira: Bitch

My cheeks burn reading her messages. She doesn’t realize Jacob isn’t like that. I do fancy him a little, but he doesn’t seem interested in me that way.

‘My lady parts are tingling thinking about you finally getting some action.’

It was a bad idea to chat with her. The last thing I needed right now was a reminder that it’s been long.

Sigh! I can’t even take a bath right now.

“What happened? All good?”

“Hmm, yea... Just… Just sleepy.”

“Oh.. But it’s early…” He frowns but adds quickly, ”We will reach there in an hour. You can go to the back seat to sleep. I mean you gotta manage somehow with Coco.”

He glances at me. “Should I pull over or you can go between the seats?”

“Pull over.”

I don’t wanna accidentally touch him or even brush past him right now.

36. Ella

🤍🖤💜 Jacob 💜🖤🤍

Natalie cannot sleep, because Coco keeps licking her ears. It’s hilarious. She books a bus ticket for the afternoon. I tell her about my plan for a short hike and camp tonight.

“Alone?”

“Yeah.. Why?”

“Is it safe?”

“If you are experienced and have informed someone… It’s safe enough and it’s a famous site. So it’s relatively safer.”

She makes a face. I happened to notice it in the rearview mirror.

I chuckle," What?"

“Do you know there are 4000 serial killers on the loose in USA? What if-“

“Please tell me you made that up?”

“Nooo... Research data suggests.” She scowls.

“And I suggest you stop overthinking.”

She pouts. “but the threat is still there”

I shake my head ruefully. “I love your overthinking, pessimistic attitude, Natalie!”

She pouts again and I laugh harder.

“We are only five minutes away,” I tell her after a while and she stretches her arms, then starts fixing her hair.

God! She is cute.

I shake my head… I need to stop looking at her now and then while driving. It’s a miracle I didn’t hit some tree yet.

I follow the map to reach Coco’s home. As I park my car in front of their house, my dread rises again.

Please be good people. I don’t know if I would be able to walk away if she isn’t happy.

While I am busy with my own thoughts, little did I notice that Coco was going crazy in the back seat. Jumping and getting excited. She knows this place. Probably happy memories. That makes me feel better.

I get out of the car. Natalie opens the back door, Coco goes for a run and two little girls come out of the house.

A crash is about to happen.

“ELLLAAAA”

And Yup, it happens. Coco aka Ella crashes into two girls and lets out high-pitched whining noises.

It’s heartwarming and emotional to watch. I am glad I bought her here.

An old man comes out of the house, then finally a lady in her mid-thirties. She is probably Ava Conner. The one who contacted me on the Facebook post I made a month ago in ‘Lost and found pets’ Group.

They invite us inside and Mrs. Conner thanked me several times. She is fairly emotional. “You have no idea how sad this house became when she was gone. We had lost hope..” she tells me.

I take Coco’s stuff out of the car and she looks at me with a question in her eyes.

“It’s her stuff, with her gone… I am not sure what I am gonna do with all this…” My throat is tight as I say this. Reality hits me again. Coco won’t be at home next time I go home. She wouldn’t be there to wake me up in the morning. She wouldn’t be around to annoy me. Or to go for a walk or jog with me. I wouldn’t have to worry about her running behind the squirrels.

She nods and Natalie says, “We will bring her stuff inside. Could you give us a minute, please?”

Mrs. Conner takes her kids and Coco inside the house. Natalie comes next to me to help with stuff, but gives me a hug instead.

I am stunned at first but soon lean into her.

“I probably have no idea what you’re feeling… but I am proud of you for doing the right thing,” she whispers. Her words and her warmth altogether make me feel better.

I want to thank her, but words don’t come out of my lips. I could get used to her affection if she ever allows it.

When She pulls away, I cannot help but imagine how good it would feel to be around her often. To be able to hug her. To savor her soft touch. To feel her skin under my lips. I will probably forget Coco in no time. Only if…

We grab all the stuff and take it inside. Mrs. Conner offers us some tea. She insists we should stay for a few hours and leave after having lunch.

“Mrs. Conner, I am just curious. What exactly happened? How did she end up so far from here?” Natalie asks her. I am curious too, but after seeing Coco happy here, I am sure it wasn’t intentional. Probably some misfortune.

She sighs, “It’s my ex-husband... When she first went missing, we had no idea what exactly happened. But last week somebody mentioned seeing Ella with him a month ago. I asked my friends to check on him but they said he didn’t have any dog... So I guessed he either dumped her somewhere or sold her. I had no choice but to keep hope and keep looking… I started browsing online dog groups for towns he usually visits and finally found her in your town.”

How could someone do this? Sometimes people are simply evil and disgusting.

“You guys must be tired. Why don’t you freshen up and take some rest in the guest room? Lunch will be ready in an hour.”

It’s been a while since I saw such southern hospitality.

As soon as we enter the guest room, Natalie jumps into the bed and lets out a low groan, “Ouch!”

“Don’t jump… It’s a hard bed.” She whispers. “aaouch ouch ouch.” She wiggles her way up in pain.

I chuckle at her suffering and go to the bathroom to freshen myself up. After coming back to the room, I see her laying with her eyes closed. Being the driver of this trip, it was my first right to get the bed. I am freaking tired.

Would it be ok If I lay in bed with her?

I am in limbo as she is covering most of the bed. Why does she have to spiral across on it like a starfish?

“Natalie…”

She opens her eyes, yawns, and goes straight to the bathroom without a word.

Ok… I guess the bed is mine now?

I lay in bed with my eyes closed. After a few minutes, I feel Natalie climbing into bed. I open my eyes to see her coming closer. She brings her face closer to mine and asks in a low voice, “Would it be rude if I take a bath?”

As if she is afraid to get caught.

I raise my eyebrow. “Didn’t you take a bath this morning?” I should answer her, but I am damn curious. She doesn’t look like the unhygienic type.

She scowls, “I did!!! Your sweetheart Coco licked my face, palms, and whatnot. I love her, but to be honest, I am feeling a little gross.”

I chuckle, and she smacks my arm.

“Don’t laugh… What do you think?” Still whispering as we are discussing whether or not we should commit a crime together.

“Well, towels are in there…”

“Soap and lotions too...” she adds.

“Well, If they didn’t want us to take bath, they wouldn’t have provided these things… Right?”

I don’t know how these things work.

Suddenly, her expression changes and it grows serious.

Did I say something wrong?

She nods and swallows, then goes back to the bathroom.