It’s 8:33 in the evening, and someone tries to buzz into my apartment building.
“Oh, what the heck,” I think, as I let this mystery person into the building. Minutes later, my doorbell rings. “Beep-BEEP. Beep-BEEP.”
It’s you. My legs remain on the floor, but my soul jumps. My lips glide across my teeth in a smile. I feel my cheeks bunch up under my eyes.
“You’re here. It’s you,” I think. I feel so grateful for your presence.
You lend me your lap as we chat. I wrap my arms around your shoulders and bury my face into your neck. I take a few slow inhales and exhales. My body relaxes, and now I swear it’s trying to melt into yours. The vibrations of your reassuring voice tickle my ear. Chest to chest and ear to ear, we take turns tickling each other with our voices. I start to stifle my laughs into your shirt, but then I remember your appreciation for sound. I lift my head up with my mouth past your shoulder and let out my biggest laugh of the year so far.
Thank you for your listening ears, your hugging arms, your dependable shoulders, and your kind heart.