Mia was staying over at Bill's house more often again. She was usually with him every weekend and a few nights during the week. Having her sleep beside him all night once more was something he would never take for granted. Bill also continued to see his therapist and felt like he was making good progress with her. It was difficult for him to go through the more traumatic times of his life, like his childhood or his marriage to Lenore. But he knew that was what he needed to do, and it was helping him analyze and ultimately better himself.
Bill had also been calling or meeting with the barbecue sauce investors. There was a plan for Bill and Gilbert to go to Dallas at the end of the month which was where the packaging company was located. After that business meeting, and maybe another meeting or two, everything would be completely set and ready to be distributed. It was incredibly exciting, and with Mia fully back in his life, Bill was nearly overwhelmed with happiness.
Mia had set up a new, bigger fish tank at Bill's house, which sat proudly on the cabinet he built for her. After waiting for the water to cycle, she was ready to move Pierre over to it. Bill came over to help her pack up Pierre and some of her other fish things.
"He's going to be so happy with all the extra space," Mia said, after finally getting the goldfish into a net. She plunked him into an aquarium carrier for the drive over to Bill's.
"Hopefully he will get along with whatever new fish you put in."
"Oh, he will. See how friendly and agreeable he is?" Mia beamed as she bent to look at him through the plastic container.
"I always thought he was a pretty easy going fish," Bill agreed.
"Well, he is your son, after all."
Bill balked a little. "Why do you always say that?" he laughed.
"You got him for me. With your athletic prowess, that is."
"It really was nothing. But as you seem so impressed by that, then yes. It took lots of cunning and skill."
Mia smiled playfully and kissed him on the cheek. "Let me put this stuff in the car. Are you able to lift that? I need the rest of the water dumped out."
Bill picked up the now nearly empty fish tank with ease.
"Of course you can," she laughed.
Bill dumped the old water in the yard out back while Mia put Pierre and extra aquarium supplies in the car parked out front. He wasn't sure where to put the empty tank now, so he went to put it back on the stand it was sitting on.
He noticed in the corner on the floor was a slightly crumpled piece of paper. He picked it up merely to clean up the floor, but he saw something penned across the bumps and folds which made him curious. He smoothed it out and saw a phone number with a man's name scrawled underneath.
Mia came back inside and he quickly tossed it next to the old fish tank before she noticed he had it.
"Thanks for your help!" she said, "I think I have everything. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah...let's go."
She talked happily in the car, and Bill tried his best to listen, but his mind kept thinking about the phone number. He wondered how long ago it was given to her. He wondered if she ever called whoever this Miguel guy was. He wondered if she still talked to him…
"Hello?" Her agitated tone cut into his train of thought.
"Sorry, what?"
"I keep talking to you but you're way zoned out!"
"Sorry."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
She gave him a pointed look.
Bill thought of something quickly. "I'm, um, just thinking about having to go to Dallas this weekend. I hope I won't miss your birthday."
Mia's suspicious expression softened. "It's okay if you do. We can do something another day, or next weekend or whatever."
"I might skip going and just have Gilbert do it."
"What? Why?"
"I don't want to leave you, and I don't want to miss your birthday."
"It's just a few days. You're getting your business going! You need to go to that. I'll see you when you get home. And to be honest, I'm not really looking forward to my birthday, anyway. I'd rather it didn't become a big deal."
"Why aren't you looking forward to it?"
Mia sighed. Reluctantly she responded. "Well, I turned thirty last year. Not in my twenties anymore, now I'm old and nothing real to show for it. The best thing to have happened to me all day was my boss saying I could go home early. When I got home I saw my boyfriend screwing my best friend. I guess I just don't associate it with anything good anymore."
Bill reached gently for her hand. "I didn't know that happened on your birthday. I'm so sorry."
Mia shrugged. "It's whatever. It's been almost a year since it happened; I don't feel anything over it anymore. I have you now, anyway." She smiled at him.
"You're not old, okay? Thirty is nothing. Thirty-one is nothing. Remember how old I am?"
"I know, I know. Since being with you, I feel better about myself than I used to. Things that used to upset me don't mean anything to me anymore."
He felt the same way; since being with Mia he was on better terms with himself. He didn't loathe himself anymore, and looking in the mirror was more bearable. She always brought out the best in him.
They arrived at Bill's house and Mia began replanting the tall sword plants and the leafy anubias that had been growing in the other tank. She gently dropped Pierre right into his new home, and watched him excitedly for a while as he swam around his new space.
"I think he likes the driftwood!" Mia said, more to herself than anything.
Bill watched Pierre too, but his gaze kept sliding over to Mia, over how beautiful she was, and over how much he loved her. He knew he was being stupid, thinking about that guy's number. He always knew there were possibilities of other men flirting with her and taking an interest in her. That didn't bother him, really, not like it might have in the past. But he couldn't help but wonder if maybe she met this person after he had broken up with her...
Mia and Bill were sitting together on the couch. Mia was talking away again, and Bill tried his best to respond normally. However, Mia could always tell when something was on his mind.
"Can you please tell me what's going on? There's something bothering you. I can tell there is. Just tell me."
He looked into her pleading eyes. He knew she must be worried he was thinking about Lenore or something stupid he upset her with in the past.
"It really is nothing. But, um...I saw a phone number on a piece of paper at your house, with the name Miguel underneath it. I guess I've just been thinking about that."
Mia's brows knitted together, puzzled, as she tried to figure out what he was talking about. "Miguel? I don't...oh! I remember now. When you and I were still broken up that guy gave me his number. I never called him though, I-"
"It's okay if you did call him," Bill rushed, "I guess I'm just reminded about how close I came to losing you, or how close I came to never having a chance to see you again."
Mia looked at him affectionately and took his hand. Bill figured she would be getting tired of his stupid insecurities by now, but she never seemed bothered at all. Nothing he ever did seemed to annoy or frustrate her.
"I never stopped thinking about you. Even when I was so sad or angry at you. You never would have lost me. I think we always would have found each other again eventually, even if Dale didn't come jumping through my window." She gave a small smile, amused at the memory.
Bill chuckled. "I'm still sorry he did that. But I'm glad he did."
"Next time maybe Hank will kick down my door."
"There won't be a next time. But I could see him doing that."
"I'm just glad your friends like me enough to want me to keep coming back."
"They always speak very highly of you," he assured, "But uh...does your family hate me now?"
Mia shook her head. "No, of course not. Well, the only ones who knew about uh, what happened, were Jackie and Raul. They didn't tell my parents or anybody. Jackie likes you because I do and she can see you're good for me. And you already know Raul likes you still because he's always with Gilbert whenever you get together with him."
"Good...I really like your family." He felt relief wash over him. "And what about Leah?"
"She knew you never meant to hurt me or anything. She's a good judge of character."
"She's always been very nice to me. When everyone was crucifying me for what I did, rightfully so, of course, Leah was decent to me, and kind of guided me in the right direction."
"Leah is a good friend. And so are all of your neighbors. This is a really nice street of people."
It was. And maybe soon Mia would live with him on that nice street of people, too.
