Jewel Ann - Idle Bloom

“More like a prevention.” My mom hugs me.

“Yeah, Oliver called yesterday and asked if we could all plan on being here for you after he left today.” Alex grabs my hand and gives me the familiar sad smile that’s been going around today. “I guess he didn’t want you hiding in the closet, curled up on the floor wearing his T-shirt with your nose nestled into an old sweatshirt that smells like him.”

Everyone laughs at Alex’s comment.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that.” I laugh.

They should definitely worry about that. It’s number three on my Oliver-left-me-a basket-case list—right after washing my hair with his shampoo and dry humping the sheets on his side of the bed.

“Good to know, but we’re still taking you out on the town for the day,” Maggie says.

“Out on the town?”

“Yes. Oliver won’t be in Portland for almost eight hours so while you’re waiting for his call we’re heading out to see the best of Boston like a bunch of tourists.”

“The Tea Party museum and Freedom Trail,” my dad says.

“Mike’s cannoli and duck boats,” Sean chimes in too.

“Maybe we’ll head to Newbury Street for some school shopping, compliments of my parents.” Alex gives me a wicked grin and holds up a black American Express card.

“I don’t know … I start school tomorrow and I don’t really feel like—”

“We’re under strict orders from Oliver … Staying here is not an option, even if we have to drag you along.” Sean winks, giving me a wicked grin. We fight like siblings most of the time. I’m sure he’d love nothing more than to drag me around Boston by my hair.

“Fine.”

Exhausted. That’s the only word for my mental and physical state. As promised, we did the whole tourist thing and took in as much of Boston as we could in one day. Had I not been thinking about Oliver the whole time it would have been a great day. Although I’ve lived here for over two years, I’ve never taken in all of Boston and its rich history. We finished off our day at Oliver’s parents’ house for dinner. Being with them made me feel closer to him. It was bitter sweet too. I’d imagined we’d be together when our parents met for the first time. They seemed to get along well and our moms even exchanged e-mail addresses and phone numbers to keep in touch, more like keep tabs on their kids.

The house is lonely and quiet without Oli. I’m grateful Rosenberg is here to keep me company. I’m not on the closet floor, but I am wearing Oli’s T-shirt, snuggling with Rosenberg on Oli’s side of the bed waiting for him to call. Tomorrow will be my first day of college. I hope it’s the distraction I need from Oliver and not the other way around.

My phone vibrates and I answer it with a pathetic teenage girl eagerness.

“Oli?”

“Hey, sexy.”

My whole body melts into the sheets as I sigh from the sound of his voice.

“Just got off the plane and I’m waiting for my luggage. How was your day? Anything exciting happen?”

“Nope. After I dropped you off, I came home and curled up in a ball on the closet floor, wrapped in your clothes, and sobbed until I fell asleep. In fact, I just woke up.”

“What? You mean nobody—”

“Yes, babe. I’m officially an expert on all things Boston. I have ten bags of clothes from the most expensive stores on Newbury Street, guaranteeing that I’ll be the best-dressed freshman on campus tomorrow; that is if I can fit into them after the meal your mom made for everyone tonight.”

“I just didn’t want you—”

“Oli?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. It was the most considerate thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too. If it’s even possible, I think I love you more now than I did this morning.”

“I miss you. It’s taking everything I have to not march over to the ticket counter and buy a ticket back home to you and just say to hell with the rest of this.”

“You’re going to make me cry again so just stop.”

“Sorry.”

“So, I never asked. Where are you staying while you’re there?”

He sighs. “Since I have no idea how long I’ll be here, I’m staying with Caroline’s parents for now.”

“Oh … is that … I mean, a good idea? Can you handle being around them all the time?”

“They both work, so it will only be in the evenings and weekends.”

A twinge of something hits me. Jealously would be ridiculous; it’s not exactly that. It feels a little like insecurity. Maybe it’s just uncertainty. I’m uncertain of how I feel about Oliver immersing himself in his past. And at this moment, just for tonight, I don’t want to talk about it.

“Rosenberg’s claimed your side of the bed already.”

“Is that so? Well, that fur ball hadn’t better get too comfortable. I’m not sharing you with anyone when I get home.”

“That is … if you can tear me away from my love affair with higher education.”

Oliver chuckles. “You’re such a geek. A sexy geek, but geek nonetheless.”

“You’re just jealous that I’ve always loved school, unlike some kids who get so nervous they wet their pants on the school bus.” I bite my lip to keep from laughing.

“Low blow. I see my mom has been running her mouth. For the record, I was six, over-hydrated, and the bus driver hit a huge pothole.”

I let out my giggles. “What about your first day of Karate? Your mom said the kid next to you slipped on the puddle you made and knocked out his front tooth when his face met the stack of boards behind you.”

“That’s it! You’re banned from seeing my mom ever again.”

“Too late. She’s already put me on the Saturday night dinner VIP list.”

“That’s … just … great.” His voice is muffled and I can envision him rubbing his hand over his face in frustration. “My luggage is here, and it’s later there so you’d better get some rest before your big day.”

“You’re right, babe. We can finish discussing your urinary incontinence issues later.”

“No. That subject is closed. Locked. Never to be discussed again.”

I laugh some more. “I like hearing about young Oliver. It takes the sting out of missing you so desperately.”

“If you miss me, call me. We can even video chat, but for God’s sake … don’t talk to my mom about me.”

“Oli?”

“Yes?”

“I love you and thank you for today.”

“You’re welcome. I love you too. Play nice tomorrow.”

I grin. “I will.”

I can’t sleep. Rosenberg’s snoring, I miss Oli, and I’m worried my alarm won’t work which would make me late for my first day of classes. After a long shower, drying my unruly hair, and putting on my new, holy-crap-these-are-expensive True Religion jeans and a sleeveless Guess T-shirt, I dab on a little makeup and whip up some brain food. Oli would be proud. I have two eggs on whole grain toast and fresh squeezed orange juice.

I love my new bag filled with all my favorite things: razor-sharp pencils, spiral notebooks, crisp folders, and a new iPad mini from Jackie and Hugh. A kiss to Rosenberg, a deep breath, and I open the door to my new adventure.

“Say cheese, Flower!” Alex, still in her bathrobe, is at the bottom of the front steps taking picture after picture.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting pictures of my girl on her first day of college.”

“Why aren’t you dressed?”

“Puh-lease. Only freshman nerd girls schedule eight o’clock classes.”

I stick out my tongue. “Whatever.”

“Do you have apples for your professors?”

I keep walking and flip her the bird.