Romantic Nonsense
Chapter 3
Mike knew he had been thinking with something other than his brain when he invited Maddie to stay with him, but she really wasn't a bad houseguest. She didn't mind watching sports. She cleaned after herself and Mike. She didn't chew bubble gum or talk constantly. It was just weird to have her there; among pictures of Christine. He recognized that there were not any feelings with Maddie. It was sex. Great sex, but there was nothing there. He was terrified to love anyone or even care about them.
As rough as things had been with Christine, they were soulmates. He had never imagined his life without her in it. It had become more difficult to navigate post-retirement. Too many empty hours. Christine would want him to be happy. She would have been livid that he hadn't found happiness in the past several years once he had gotten confirmation of her death. But she would also be upset that the 'relationship' he was in was entirely about sex.
Maddie had found a job. It was not what she wanted, but it was at least at a real estate agency as a receptionist. It put her foot in the door. Mike had offered to let her stay until she'd saved enough money to move into an apartment that was a bit more comfortable than what she would have moved into originally. One evening, about a week and a half after she had 'moved' in, Mike was putting the pictures of Christine away when Maddie got home.
"Mike; you don't have to do that on my account." Maddie said when she realized what he was doing.
"Its time." Mike answered.
"Would it be if I wasn't here?" Maddie asked. It was a good question.
"I don't know. I doubt it. Just feels weird to have these out right now." Mike remarked.
"You really loved her a lot, didn't you?" Maddie asked.
"Not past tense." Mike said as he looked at a wedding picture.
"Its sweet. She was a lucky woman to be loved like that." Maddie remarked.
"Yeah. She just didn't know it at the time. I wasn't good at talking about love and all that." Mike said. He put the photo down in the box, shut the flaps and carried it to his closet. He shut the door and smiled at Maddie. "How was work?" Mike asked.
"Good. One of the real estate agents is going out for maternity leave. She's pregnant with triplets and the doctor has put her on bed rest, so I may get some of her listings." Maddie said.
"That's good. So, I was hungry for Chinese food. Want takeout?" Mike asked. He had figured out that Maddie had a ferocious appetite, but she also accompanied him to the gym every evening and they tended to burn a lot of calories in bed.
"That sounds good." Maddie agreed before giving him a long kiss. It almost made their relationship seem normal.
"What's on your mind?" Mike asked.
"How could you tell?" Maddie asked.
"I was a cop. I'm perceptive." Mike answered.
"My mom wants to visit." Maddie answered.
"And that's a bad thing?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. She is very intense. I have put her off until I get more settled, but it means that I will have to get a two-bedroom; instead of one." Maddie explained.
"She could stay here?" Mike offered. Maddie smiled at him as he handed her the menu from the Chinese restaurant.
"Not sure that is a good idea. She would not be a fan of our arrangement." Maddie said.
"Is that what this is?" Mike asked.
"It is the only word that works. This isn't a relationship, is it?" Maddie asked.
"I don't suppose it is. It is fun, though." Mike said before giving her a kiss. He lifted her up on the kitchen counter and tried to unbutton her blouse.
"Hey, I'm hungry!" Maddie said.
"Yeah, me too." Mike answered as he kissed her neck.
"For food. I need food. I didn't get my lunch break. Once we eat; we can do whatever you'd like." Maddie said and Mike laughed.
"Alright." Mike agreed. He helped Maddie off the counter and she wrote down her order. He called the order in, and then left to get it while Maddie showered and put comfortable clothes on. For Mike it was a perfect Friday night and he enjoyed their 'arrangement.'