Tamora heard his door shut and instantly regretted what she'd done. She was pushing away the man she was quickly falling in love with, as though that would stop what she was feeling.
With a heavy sigh she got to her feet and headed back to bed. Burying herself under the covers she tried her best to get back to sleep even though she knew it was useless.
Felix was sitting at the kitchen table with Q-bert in his lap, staring into space, emotions swirling too much for him to sleep. Suddenly his phone rang, jostling him out of his stupor. It was Calhoun.
"Hello?" he answered timidly.
"J-just talk or something." Came the stern reply.
In those angry words he could hear the apology and the need for comfort. Unsure of what to talk about, his eyes fell on the book resting on the table. He turned to her bookmark and began reading. His voice was soothing and gentle; it felt like easing into a warm bath. On and on he read, his voice painting a landscape filled with adventure, magic, and love.
"Miss Calhoun, are you still there?" he whispered into the silence, thinking she had fallen asleep.
"Tamora." She replied, her voice sounded stronger now.
"Pardon?"
"My name is Tamora." She said quietly, almost shyly.
"Tamora." Her name tasted so sweet on his tongue and in that moment he knew he loved her more than words.
"Keep going." She coaxed, drawing him out of his realization.
He read to her long into the night until he was sure she had slipped into a peaceful sleep.
"Goodnight Tamora." He whispered before hanging up, he was so full of love that it felt like he was floating.
Calhoun woke in the morning, her cell still on her pillow. Though she felt a little ashamed at the vulnerability she'd shown him last night, she was also happy she'd called him. Getting her coffee ready, a little smile spread across her face. That was true wasn't it? She was happy, for the first time in a long while.
A note just inside her door caught her attention and she bent to pick it up, her heart fluttered a little upon reading it.
Tammy,
If you ever need anything at all, I'm here, day or night. Have a wonderful day and take care,
Felix
No one had ever dared to call her Tammy in all her life. A few months ago she would have hated it but she found that coming from him, she actually liked it. Things had changed faster than she realized and her heart was racing to catch up.
