Nothing Happened

Hands were shook and pleasantries exchanged as soon as we walked in the door. Mathias smiled awkwardly at me, his eyes flicking over to Andreas every few seconds. I smiled apologetically at him. Dero wasn't there at first, but he came strolling in while we all still stood just inside the door. Andrea cleared her throat loudly behind me before greeting him. We had a lovely dinner, which Valeria actually let me help her with. Then we all went into the living room to talk.

The subject of conversation seemed to be a living, effervescent being. It changed rapidly and often, I soon lost track of where it had begun. At one point, we were tossing around possible names for Andreas' and my kitten. The suggestions got more and more ridiculous, until finally we were shouting the most absurd things at each other.

"Crookshanks!"

"Sekhmet!"

"Chuckles!"

"Bush Baby!"

"Sieger!"

"Danger!"

"Boo!"

"Du!"

"Fluffer McKitty!"

"Disco Fever!"

The seven of us finally burst into uncontrollable giggles. Dero wiped tears from his eyes as Valeria slapped her leg exuberantly. Mathias was the first to get control of himself. Andrea and I were the last. We were sitting next to each other; Just when one of us would almost have it, the other would start fresh, just as loud as before and the first would break down again. Andreas and David exchanged looks as they watched us. I couldn't really see what they were telling each other wordlessly, my eyes were too full of happy tears. Sighing and taking deep breaths, we finally managed to get a hold of ourselves again. Avoiding her eye and ignoring any sounds she might make, I wiped my eyes and forced myself to act like a sane human being.

"Can't take 'em anywhere, can we, David?"

The sound of Andreas' amused voice almost did me in again. Choking on my own words, I stuttered.

"S-stop it. Whew."

Andreas sniggered.

"You good? You gonna live?" Dero asked.

"I think so. You good?"

Andrea took a deep breath before answering.

"Yes. I think so. Whewee. That hasn't happened to me in a long time."
"Not since the two of us were together the last time. In a crowded restaurant, with loads of people staring."
"Including that poor guy who was down on his knee, ready to propose when you said whatever you said and-" Andrea broke off, breathing deeply.

"Now, don't start that again," Andreas joked.

"Shh…We might."

"I don't doubt it."
Valeria glanced at the clock on the wall behind me. Her head tilted to the side as she contemplated its face.

"Is that really the time?"

Turing in my seat to check, then comparing the time to my watch, I confirmed that it was right.

"Yep. It really is almost three in the morning. And I, for one, am exhausted."

The Gottliebs guided us to the door. Andrea turned to say goodbye.
"It was nice to meet all three of you. And I must say, Dero, I'm very glad my sister moved in across the street from you."

"So are we." Dero's brown eyes twinkled with sincerity and pleasure.

The rain had petered down to a light drizzle as we crossed the street to my house. Andreas accompanied us all inside, then turned to leave for his apartment.

"Don't be silly. You shouldn't drive this late at night."

My sister and her husband had, thankfully, left the room.

"You want me to stay?"

His eyes betrayed just a hint of hope.

"Of course. I'd never get any sleep, with you driving on dark, wet streets with vision blurred from exhaustion."

"Well, when you put it like that…"

A shy smile danced around the corners of my lips.

Nothing happened as we lay in bed together that night, but it was probably the best night's sleep I had ever gotten in my life.