“What? How is that even possible?”
“When I was a teenager, it was an easy way to escape. My parents would never go to the beach, so I knew if I went they wouldn’t come track me down there. But the idea of all the unknown places underwater is the most frightening thing in the world to me. Most people talk about this calm that comes over them when they are in the water. For me, it’s an adrenaline rush. Like, will today be the day I surf into the mouth of a shark? Or will it be the day a rip current pulls me under? Maybe it’s a little morbid, but I’ve always been drawn to the darker things in life.”
“Wow. I think that’s kind of awesome. It’s like overcoming your fears every time you go out there.”
“I guess. Your turn. What’s something no one knows about you?”
“You’re going to laugh... I once broke up with a guy because he couldn’t make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right.”
“I didn’t know there was a wrong way to make it.”
“There is. There are a million wrong ways and only one right way.”
“You are one tough chica... no coaching, nothing? You just saw him fail at it and said, see you later?”
“Pretty much. I mean, everyone knows there is supposed to be more peanut butter than jelly. He basically made a jelly sandwich, gross.”
“What kind of jelly?”
“Grape! Can you believe it? Strawberry is the superior jelly. No relationship can last if your partner can’t make a good midnight PBJ.”
Ozzie’s laugh warmed their heart as they sat in comfortable silence for a minute.
“I feel bad for keeping you up. Do you want to go?”
“Not really. Is that weird?”
“No weirder than me calling you this late.”
“Why tonight? I mean, we’ve been texting all week. Why did you decide tonight you wanted to talk?”
“I don’t know. I guess it was just a shit day and you make me smile. Once I finally got away from the crowds and had a minute to myself, I wanted to call, but I got interrupted. It wasn’t until now that I had a chance.”
“You haven’t really told me anything about this trip. Where are you? Is it work or fun?”
“I’m in California. Definitely not fun, not work either. It’s...”
“Complicated.”
“Yeah it is.”
“It’s okay. I mean, we barely know each other, so I don’t expect you to dump all your secrets on me already.”
“I like you Sofia. You’re good people.”
“I think you’re good people, too.”
The next morning, Sofia woke up with her phone next to her ear and no recollection of when they hung up. Since it was dead, she plugged it in and headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up. After her shower, she found coffee and saw she had a few missed text messages from Ozzie.
Ozzie: I think I lost you to sleep. Thanks for staying up with me. I enjoyed learning your jelly preferences.
Sofia laughed when she read it. He had learned a lot more than just her preferred jelly. They talked about everything from favorite movies to embarrassing college memories. If she wasn’t careful, she’d find herself falling for the man who was only supposed to be an escort to her brother’s wedding. A wedding she still hadn’t formally asked him to attend with her. Feeling brave, she went to reply.
Sofia: I’m sorry. Too much fun makes me a sleepy girl. I had a good time talking to you, but I will fight you to the end that the Godfather is a better movie than Scarface.
Ozzie: Not a chance. “Say hello to my little friend” is the best line in every movie ever made, which makes Scarface the best movie ever.
Sofia: We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one. Lol.
Ozzie: We will.
Sofia: Hey so crazy question... remember my brother’s wedding I mentioned? Would it be weird if I asked you to come?
Sofia watched as the three little dots showed he was typing slowly disappear and reappear. After about a minute, they disappeared all together and her heart dropped. Had she already fucked this up?