Passing

by Rosalind B

Chapter 10 - Einstein & Medusa

Last time: CJ finally let her guard down and grief out.

Where am I?

CJ's eyes half opened. It took a few moments to register that she was in bed, tucked under her comforter. She stretched, yawned then curled back around her pillow. After a while, she got up and freshened up in the bathroom. Then she heard someone in the kitchen.

That's right, Chet was coming over. Oh my god, he must've found me on the deck. Hope he's not freaking out.

She trotted into the kitchen to find her guy reheating the pasta Pete Roselli brought over. Chet set the table, and had just removed the warmed food from the oven. He looked up from the table. Neither spoke. CJ walked over to Chet and wrapped her arms around him. She could feel his heartbeat through his apron. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. She looked up into his face, then traced his cheek with her hand. He took it, kissing her palm. CJ lay her head back onto his chest. After a few more silent moments, her stomach growled, breaking it. They laughed.

CJ felt lighter emotionally, but physically exhausted. She and Chet ate in companionable silence. Chet decided to let things be.

She looks better. I'm not going to say anything yet. Probably doesn't remember me showing up.

CJ leaned back in her chair, burped her approval, and giggled with a blush.

"Hey, I must've looked a hot mess laying on the deck. Didn't mean to scare you. I was um, rehearsing what I wanted to say to you."

Chet took the plunge.

"I know doll."

CJ's eyes widened, but she didn't respond.

"I was standing behind you. You never hit the deck. I caught you."

CJ turned red. "How much did you hear?"

"I think about all of it. When I showed up you were saying I had a point about visiting you mother's family."

She nodded, "Yeah that was almost the beginning. I've never broken down like that before."

Chet gathered her dish. "It looked like it was a long time coming." He put the dishes in the sink and began to wash them. CJ stood up, hopped over to her guy and gently turned him away from the sink. She kissed him, lightly at first, then more insistent. He responded, sensing she missed him as much as he missed her.

They pulled themselves apart to catch their breaths.

"Bedroom," they said in unison. Laughing, the couple retreated to their sanctuary.

Bzzzzzzz...

Chet stretched over his sleeping girlfriend and shut off the alarm. He let his arm drape across her as he watched her face. She looked a lot younger, less stressed than when she usually slept.

Guess the grief affected her sleep too, he thought. She looks so much better.

He played with her hair, gently, attempting not to awaken her. Chet heard a mumble. He leaned over to try and catch what CJ was saying in her sleep.

"It's five-thirty." She opened one eye, then the other, then winked at Chet. She rolled over, kissed him then went from kiss to more very quickly and passionately.

6:30

CJ drifted back to sleep. Chet, now happily awake slipped out of bed to take care of business. He snuggled back into bed, sliding his arm over CJ. Even though he thought he was awake, Chet found himself drifting off again. Luckily he didn't have a shift.

7:30

It was CJ's turn to slip out of bed. She was fully awake and aware of what went on. She took a brief shower, put on a new flannel shirt and returned to the bedroom. She sat in front of the mirror to begin assessing her partially singed hair. Even wet, it looked unruly. As she brushed it, Chet's reflection caught her eye. CJ let out a giggle.

"Oh my lord," she laughed.

"Whasamatta Thia?" Chet muttered. "Come backtabed."

CJ shook her head, laughing. Chet, now more awake sat up. This made her laugh harder.

"Hee hee hee, oh gosh."

"Okay, what is it?" Chet was glad to hear her laughter.

"You-you look like Einstein. Your hair-hee hee hee." Chet finally caught his reflection. His hair was in almost "afro mode". He totally resembled the famous scientist.

Chet hopped out of bed and sat next to CJ on the dressing bench. He wiggled his mustache, then his eyebrows, making CJ laugh more. Finally he said,

"Well missy, you're in total 'Medusa' mode."

CJ shook her hair so it almost stood up. She did resemble the mythological character. The two studied their reflections and laughed some more.

"Oh my," CJ finally calmed down. She ran her hand through Chet's "bed head".

"Chester B. Kelly, what am I to do with you?"

"I have an idea, doll." He leaned over and whispered his idea in her ear.

"Hmmm...sounds like a plan. Could we have breakfast first? I'll make pancakes."