Starting a New Season
The door closes behind me as the bag I threw lands on the couch in front of me. I shamble into the kitchen and right up to the fridge. The white box opens lethargically as I take in the minimal assortment inside. I settle on grabbing two silver cans and closing it back up before shuffling to a door not too far off the one I entered through.
"Ugh..." I groan stepping back out into the heat. At least here its shaded.
"Hm?" The girl sitting on a reclining chair inquires, looking up from the book she's reading. "Oh, hey. Welcome back, Jenna."
"Yup, yup. I'm home." I say sitting myself in the other free chair and setting the cans on the small table between them.
"Thanks."
"You get up to anything today, Ash? Or just sit around and junk?" I ask, opening my can.
"I graded some papers." she folds a corner of the page she's on. "And I swept up a bit."
"I told you I'd get to it, if you'd let me." I tease. "It's not fair how much time you teachers get off anyway. It's finally nice again, and I'm stuck all cooped up in an office going to meetings all day."
I take a sip from my can.
"I can't deny that all the free time is nice, but I do have to bring work home with me." Ash open's her can and takes a sip as well.
"I know," I grumble. "I just wish work would give us off for some of the same holidays that you get."
"Yeah..." Ash sighs, as she looks over the little cityscape before of us. "Anything interesting happen at work today?"
"Not really. Just a bunch of the same. Project is still behind, which is keeping us in late, but no one will step up and take responsibility." I explain. I pull out my phone and begin swiping through things.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I just wish we could figure this out, or get something new."
"I know you will. You're a smart girl, Jenna," Ash says. She thumbs to her saved spot and goes back to reading as I continue to swipe through my phone.
We sit in silence. Each focusing on our respective things. The distant sounds of traffic slow transition to the chatter of insects as the air begins to slowly cool around us. It isn't yet quite the season for full heat, but the days are warm and make way for cooler nights.
We continue to sit idly by. Occasionally one of us sets our things down to replace our old cans with another set. Every so often I lean across the table to show Ash something funny or interesting I fund, and in turn she will catch me up on what is happening in her book.
Time slowly continues. Shadows slowly stretch and lights begin illuminating.
I sigh as I heave myself out of the chair. I stuff my phone in my pocket and grab the empty cans left of the table.
"I should probably start on dinner," I say passing around Ash as she continues reading.
I open the door but hesitate before going back inside. I brush Ash's bangs aside and gently kiss her forehead before setting back off toward the kitchen.
Before I can get fully inside though, a hand wraps itself around my wrist. I turn back to see Ash pouting.
I giggle and return to her. She tilts her head up to me. I lean back down and give her a kiss. It's delicate and light but I can still feel her smiling beneath it. We part and she follows with a quick peck before I can fully get away.
"Let me know when it's ready," Ash coos after me.
"You know I will," I say, blushing as I am finally able to get back inside.
