Can't Sit Out There

“Thank you, Amy. That was delicious.”

I’m grinning ear to ear as Thomas and I carry our plates into the kitchen. I’m so relieved, I could dance a jig! He liked my Coconut Shrimp Curry!

Thank you, Mrs. Patel!

He turns on the faucet.

“Thomas, no! Thank you, but I’ll take care of the dishes later.”

“Absolutely not. It’ll take us less than ten minutes!”

“But…”

He kisses me and starts rinsing the plates even as I lean in for more.

“Ten minutes,” he repeats. “Once we’re done, what do you see we take our wine outside? It’s a beautiful night.”

Don’t panic, Amy!

“I…”

“The cool nights have been great, don’t you think?” He’s not looking at me as he lightly scrubs the plates.

I take a breath. “I do, but…”

“And it’s clear tonight, too. We can stargaze.”

“It’s just that…”

I feel so embarrassed.

“Amy?” He glances at me. Shutting off the water, he turns towards me. “Is something wrong?”

“Not really. It’s just that…”

“Don’t look so worried.”

“I'm not. I just don’t have any…”

I feel ridiculous. 

“Any what?”

“I don’t have anything to sit on out there. Actually, there’s hardly more than a concrete square and a rectangle of grass.”

Thomas stares at me for a moment. Drying his hands on a dish towel, he pulls me close with a smile.

“Good thing you have some really comfortable living room furniture.” 

Normally, that comment would thrill me.

He kisses me, then kisses me again.

And all I can think of is the blank slate that’s my backyard.