“Firefighting is hard work.” Marta nodded. “It’s very impressive, what he does.”
“I know,” I replied. “I’m impressed by him every day.”
The rest of the day passed by pretty uneventfully. I finished my work a little early and headed home. Phil had sent me a text telling me that he and Brent were meeting somewhere in town for their boys’ night out, so I knew he wouldn’t be around the apartment when I got there. Knowing I didn’t need to rush home, I stopped by the supermarket and bought a few ingredients for a meal I had planned to prepare.
I got home, put away all the groceries, and then I sat in front of the television with my pamphlets in hand. The idea of attending classes again was exhilarating to me and I realized that I missed being in school. I also realized that being with Phil was motivating me to do better in my life, just like he had. It was so inspirational how he had turned his life around without any support or help from anyone.
He had basically made a choice, set himself a goal and worked towards it until he had achieved it. I thought about Phil’s brother Paul and the path that he had chosen to take, and I realized that it required a strong character to do what Phil had done.
I promised myself that I would go back to school one day. Until then, I would focus on the courses that my company was offering and make use of their discounted price.
I watched a little television, all the while thinking about Phil and missing him. After a while, I got bored and impatient, so I started to clean. It was more like a nervous habit at this point, but it helped me calm down a bit.
I paused in front of Brent’s door, wondering if his explanation about his porno stash had been real or just a funny excuse to stop me asking questions. I still felt it was really strange to have your closet door locked. I also happened to believe that Brent was not the kind of guy who’d care about his sister stumbling across his secret porn stash.
I decided not to think too hard about it. Once the apartment was clean, I decided to get to work on dinner. I figured it would give me something to do until the boys got home. I decided to make roast beef with potatoes, baby carrots, and a rich sauce to go with it. For the next hour and a half, I worked over the stove, reliving my happiest moments with Phil so far and glancing at the clock every few minutes. I was actually envious of my brother, getting to spend the night with Phil.
I wondered if this was what love felt like, was it the all-consuming need to be with the other person all the time? I finished cooking the dinner and when it became clear that the boys were not going to turn up anytime soon, I curled up on the couch, put on the television, and lost myself in Titanic. I was staring at Leonardo De Caprio, thinking that Phil looked a lot like him but with shorter hair and lighter eyes when I drifted off to sleep.
The sound of keys on the door was what woke me up. Then there was a light crash and I heard voices not far away.
“Fuck!” Brent cursed loudly.
“Be careful,” I heard Phil say. “And quiet! Megan’s asleep.”
“I stubbed my toe,” Brent complained. “It’s hurts like a bitch.”
“Man up and shut it,” Phil insisted.
I started cracking up there and Phil and Brent both looked towards me.
“See?” Brent said impatiently. “She’s already awake.”
Phil walked over to me and knelt down beside me. “Hi,” he said, fixing his hazel-eyed gaze on me.
“Hi.”
“Sorry we got so late…”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said.
“Geez…you are so whipped, man,” Brent said. “You don’t have to apologize to her for being late.”
“Why? Because men don’t apologize for anything?” I asked, looking towards my brother.
“Um, yeah, that’s about right.”
I shook my head at him and turned to Phil. “Did you have fun?”
“Sure,” Phil said out loud for Brent’s benefit, but he gave me a look that clearly stated he was glad boys’ night was over.
“Is there anything to eat?” Brent asked loudly. “I’m fucking starving.”
“I made roast beef,” I said. “But I put in the fridge because I didn’t know when you guys would get in. I can warm it up for you.”
“Do that,” Brent said. “I’ll be in the bathroom.”
“Charming,” I said, making a face as I stood up.