Song^ Good Thing by Jake Miller

Richard's laughter was irritating me and I was about five seconds away from punching him in the face. I don't know what his problem was, but he was laughing at the randomest times and it was annoying me to the point where I was getting tired of him.

I stopped walking and turned towards him, "What the hell are you laughing at?" I asked as he was trying to calm down from laughing.

He didn't say anything but stared at me for a moment then bursted out laughing again. I was seriously about to punch him in the no-no area and I will be the one laughing then.

I heard Stephanie sigh as she was standing with us. She took her purse and looked through it then brought a small mirror out and handed it to me. She looked at me, "Look at your neck,"

I was confused but grabbed the mirror and looked at my neck from it. I didn't see anything at first, but then I came across a huge ass hickey and my eyes widened as I heard Richard start laughing again. I handed the mirror back to Stephanie then punched Richard in the arm and heard him instantly stop laughing.

I smiled at him, "Stop being an idiot,"

He rubbed his arm then looked at me, "I'm sorry, but how can you be oblivious to the fact that there is a huge hickey on your neck? I mean, didn't you look in the mirror today?"

I rolled my eyes, "No, I didn't, and you should have told me something instead of laughing like a dumbass you are," I was seriously getting annoyed with him. I've been dealing with his bullshit for years, and I am tired of it.

Stephanie spoke, "Ok, let's forget this and continue shopping, ok?" we agreed and started walking through the mall.

Stephanie wanted us to come shopping with her since it was her day off. Richard hates shopping, and I'm fine with it because I had work later and I didn't want to be at the house being bored as always. It was nice to get out every once in a while.

We were walking and I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out and saw an unknown number text me. I opened the message:

Hey! I think I see you o.O

I felt my heart start racing and I quickly looked around. I don't know who was texting me, but I was starting to feel frightened about the situation and I didn't like it.

I texted them back.

Um, who is this?

I continued walking and hearing Richard talking to Stephanie about something, then my phone vibrated again. I looked at the message:

Oh, this is your new stalker. I like that red shirt :)

I looked down at my red shirt and immediately started feeling uneasy about this. I quickly texted them back.

Tell me who the hell this is right now!

I was getting scared and I hated this feeling. I didn't know who this was or even how they got my number.

I felt my phone vibrate and read the message:

Haha it's Genevieve! Look behind you

I stopped and turned around and saw Genevieve walking towards me, laughing. I felt my heart start going back to normal and I was about to start throwing my fists towards her for scaring me.

She stopped in front of me. "Oh my God! I didn't know I was going to scare you!" she laughed and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, well try having an unknown number text you saying they see you!" I crossed my arms and watched her laughter die down.

She tilted her head, "You didn't save my number?"

I sighed, "No, I forgot," I shrugged. I didn't have time to save her number.

She waved it away, "It's ok. It was worth it to have you scared," she smiled and I rolled my eyes again.

I heard Richard come up behind me, "Terry!" he stopped when he saw Genevieve. "Who's this?" he looked Genevieve over and I saw Genevieve smile at him.

"I'm Genevieve," she extended her hand out and they shook hands. "I'm Terry's work partner," she looked at me. "Or whatever you might call me,"

I chuckled and looked at Richard who was staring at me. I smiled, "She works at the rehab center with me," I looked back at Genevieve and smiled. "We met Tuesday,"

Richard nodded but didn't say anything. I watched as he kept looking at Genevieve then back at me. He then looked back and sighed, "Stephanie left us,"

I looked back and didn't see her anywhere. I looked at Genevieve, "We should get going before we lose his fiance in the mall," she chuckled then nodded and I smiled. "By the way, is Genesia here?"

She gave me a confused look. "Who?" I stared at her for a moment until her eyes widened and she made an 'o' shape for her mouth. "Oh," she chuckled. "No, she's at home," she smiled. "Next time you can meet,"

I nodded. "Can't wait,"

She smiled, "If you're free tomorrow, we can meet up somewhere," I nodded in agreement and she smiled then said her goodbye as she was walking away.

I turned around with Richard in search of Stephanie. I looked over at him, "You were acting weird around her,"

He shrugged, "I don't know," I tilted my head and gave him a confused look. He sighed. "It's just that, I saw the way she was looking at you and I didn't like it,"

I squinted my eyes. "How exactly was she looking at me?"

He shrugged, "Like she liked you or something,"

I chuckled, "Ok? and that's a bad thing for someone to like me?"

He stared at me. "You're married, Terry,"

I bursted out laughing and I had to stop walking. I looked at him, "Are you serious right now? You think I'm going to cheat? Dude, she has a girlfriend and she knows I have a wife. We met like two days ago and nothing, I mean, nothing is going on between us," I watched as he sighed then looked elsewhere. I stared at him for a moment until I smiled, "Wait a minute," he looked at me. "That had nothing to do with her liking me, did it?" I watched as he looked somewhere else and I smiled at him.

He looked back at me and sighed, "Whatever, Terry. Let's go find Steph," he started walking away but I grabbed his arm and made him turn back around.

I smiled, "Richard,"

He crossed his arms. "Therese,"

I chuckled, "Is someone jelly?" I chuckled when he rolled his eyes then shook his head. "Richard Semco, you know I love you and you're my best friend. I am not going to replace you, ok?" I chuckled.

He sighed, "Just shut up and let's go,"

I chuckled as I walked sideways and hooked my arms with his.

He was a mess.

***

After the mall crawl, we were riding back home and I was stuck in the back between bags and it was suffocating me. I didn't know Stephanie could buy so much shit, because honestly, I never went shopping with her and now I never ever will.

As I sat there suffocating, I thought about Carol. Last night was amazing because we didn't fight, and I was glad about that. I hated fighting with her, even though that was our very first fight.

Yes, our first fight.

Ever since we were married, we never once got into an argument. Well, not one that was a real argument, maybe one where we didn't agree on pizza toppings or what to watch on TV, but we never got into a real fight.

That was our first one and it felt weird. Heartbroken to say the least because it felt like I couldn't breathe when I walked out that door after she told me to leave. I've been with that woman for seven years, and married for six, and I am deeply in love with her, and having a fight with her felt like my heart was collapsing in my chest.

I hated it.

I leaned up and engaged in Richard's and Stephanie's conversation because I felt left out with my own thoughts. I didn't know what they were talking about, but I was just listening.

After a minute, an idea popped in my head and I quickly told Stephanie that I needed to stop at a store. She agreed and when we got there and parked, I rushed inside.

I grabbed the biggest bouquet of flowers they had and paid for them. I walked out and got back into the car and saw Richard look at me as Stephanie was pulling out.

"What are those for?" he asked as he looked at the flowers.

I smiled, "Just take me to the high school," he looked at me for a moment then a smile crept on his face and I knew that he knew what I had in mind.

As we parked in the high school parking lot. I thanked Stephanie and told her to wait for me and that it'll only take a few minutes. She didn't mind and smiled at me as I got out and walked to the front door.

It was around noon and I knew that it was almost lunch time, so if I hurry, I can meet her in the classroom and have a little alone time with her.

If you know what I mean.

I'm just kidding, of course.

Why the hell would I do that in a school?

I was walking down the hall and I looked down at the flowers and I had a smile on my face. I knew this would surprise her, which I'm hoping for. Like I said, I love surprising her.

As I'm admiring the flowers, I bumped into someone. "Oh, shit. I'm sorry," I look up at the man and I instantly recognize him. "Billy?"

He looked at me a little confused then I could see the realization on his face as his eyes widened, "Terry?" he smiled as I smiled and nodded. "Holy shit! I haven't seen you in forever!"

I chuckled, "Seven years to be exact,"

He smiled, "Damn," he looked me over and smiled. "You look good,"

I smiled back, "So do you," I took time to look him over and he didn't look that bad. He's had really blonde hair back in school, and he still had it.

"Thanks," he smiled then nodded towards the flowers. "So, what are you doing here?"

I looked down at the flowers then back at him. "Oh, I'm here visiting my wife," as soon as those words left my mouth, I forgot that he knew nothing about Carol and I, and this was definitely going to raise questions.

He raised his eyebrow, "Your wife, huh? That's cool," he smiled and I smiled back, thanking silently that he didn't ask who.

"So, what are you doing here?" I could see that he came from the front office.

"Oh, I'm here because my nephew got into a fight and I had to come and bust him out of prison," he shrugged and I chuckled.

"Where is he?" he wasn't with him or nowhere in sight.

"He's out in the car, waiting. He has a bloody nose and he's suspended for a week or whatever," he sighed. "He takes after me, I swear,"

I chuckled, "I didn't know you were a bad kid,"

He shrugged, "We never got the chance to hang out, so you knew nothing about me," he had a point.

I nodded, "Good point,"

He smiled, "Well, I'll let you go. It was good to see you," I nodded and watched him walk away before he turned and looked at me. "Tell Mrs. Aird, I said hey,"

I nodded and began walking down the hall. When I was close to her classroom, realization hit me from what Billy said.

How did he know that Mrs. Aird was my wife?

I looked back at the empty hallway then shook my thoughts as I looked in the window of her classroom door. There wasn't anybody in there, but I saw Carol sitting at her desk.

She must have a free period.

I opened the door and quickly hid the flowers behind my back as the door shut and Carol looked over at me. I smiled as I walked to her and I saw confusion on her face.

As I stood in front of her desk, she looked at me, "What are you doing here?"

I smiled then shrugged, "Came to see my wife," I kept smiling at her as she was staring at me, clearly confused. I pulled the bouquet from behind my back and I saw her eyes widened and a small gasp come from her lips. "and I wanted to surprise her," I smiled as she took the flowers from my hands and looked them over.

"Oh my God, baby, these are beautiful!" she looked at me then stood up and came in front of her desk. She pulled me into a hug. "I love them, thank you!"

I smiled as I hugged her back. She pulled back and continued to admire the flowers. I smiled at her and I couldn't have been more in love with her if I tried.

She sat the flowers on her desk and looked at me, "What are you doing today?"

I shrugged and watched as she leaned her butt against the desk. "I just got done shopping with Stephanie and Richard," she nodded as I stared at her. "I'm never doing that again,"

She chuckled, "That bad, huh?" I nodded and she smiled. "At least it gave you a chance to leave the house," she continued to look at me and I nodded.

"That's true," she knew that we both were always stuck at the house with nowhere to go and getting to leave every chance we got was good for us.

She sighed. "Well, I better get back to work, it's almost lunch time and I still haven't got anything ready for the next class," I watched as she looked down at her desk.

"Ok, well, have a great rest of the day," I smiled when she looked at me and smiled back at me.

"You too babe," she grabbed my arm and kissed my cheek. I chuckled when she pulled back and she stared at me for a moment. Her hand roamed up my arm to my neck and I stared at her as she was looking at me. "Did I do that?" she touched my neck and I knew she was talking about the hickey.

I smiled, "Well, yeah. Who else?" I chuckled as she looked at me and smiled.

She shrugged, "At least everyone knows you're off limits,"

I chuckled and moved her hand away from my neck. "You're crazy," I smiled at her. "I better go," I pecked her lips real quick and heard her chuckle as I was walking to the door.

I looked back at her as she was sitting down at the desk. I smiled at her and walked out.

***

It was time for work as soon as I got home and I was more than ready to go. I loved my job and I was always looking forward to it when it came around. I just wish I had more than two days of working.

I walked into the building and walked to the office. I sat down and looked through some paperwork when I heard someone knock on the door.

"Come in," I said without looking up.

"There she is," Genevieve.

I looked up and met her eyes as she was smiling at me and I smiled back. "What's up?" She shrugged and shut the door, then sat down in the chair in front of the desk.

She looked at me, "So, what are you doing tomorrow?" I shrugged and she smiled. "I want you to meet my girlfriend, so let's pick a place to meet up at," she stared at me. "Maybe I could meet your wife,"

I smiled, "She's working tomorrow," she made a pout face and I chuckled, "Maybe you can meet her this weekend?" I suggested as she stared at me.

She nodded, "Yeah but we're meeting up tomorrow," I chuckled and nodded. "So, how about we meet up at Starbucks or something?"

I nodded, "Yeah, sound good," I smiled at her as she smiled back.

"Great!" She stood up. "Can't wait," she waved goodbye as she was walking out and I chuckled as I looked back down at the paperwork.

After a few minutes, it was time to go to my class for today. On Thursdays, I have the same people but we do things differently than on Tuesday. Today they're going to write about their addictions, and this helps them a lot.

As I walked into the class, I noticed Genevieve was sitting in the front and I smiled at her as she looked over at me. I walked to the front and started the lecture.

Throughout the class, I kept glancing at Genevieve. It seemed as though she was really enjoying this class and it made me happy because I knew that I was doing something right. She kept smiling at me and she never once seemed like she was bored.

After class, Genevieve stayed back with me as I was putting all my paperwork in my folder. "That was a good class," she smiled at me as I looked at her.

I smiled, "Thanks," I held the folder underneath my arm and looked at her. "So, when do you get your own class?"

She shrugged, "I think next week. They just had to make sure that I knew everything and what I was supposed to be doing," I nodded as we both walked out.

We ended up in the visiting room and we sat at a table and talked for a while. Even though I didn't really know Genevieve all that well, and she didn't know me either, it seemed as though we clicked instantly when we met two days ago.

We decided to meet tomorrow at Starbucks and I was excited about it. Not only am I getting to meet her girlfriend, but I'm getting out of the house more often each day and it's starting to lift a weight off my shoulders.

We said our goodbyes as we were both walking through the parking lot. As I got into my car, I couldn't wait to go home and be with my wife. I missed her today, even though I saw her earlier today, but that doesn't mean I can't miss her.

I left the parking lot and drove home. Of course this was the same rehab center that Phyllis was in, and it was an hour away from home, but it didn't matter because the drive there is what I look forward to the most after leaving work.

There's something about driving around for a while, listening to music with nobody else in the car. You could listen to the same song on repeat and never get judged, and you don't have to engage in conversation, so you can daydream while driving and nobody can tell you anything.

I pulled up at the house and got out of the car. I walked to the front door and walked inside. I found Carol in the kitchen cooking so I went up to the bedroom to change out of my clothes. After that, I went into the living room and turned the TV on.

After a while of almost falling asleep, I turned to Carol and walked into the living room and sat down next to me. I looked over at her as she was staring at me. "What?"

She smiled. "I missed you,"

I smiled back and felt my face heat up. "I missed you too,"

She smiled and grabbed my hand and started rubbing my knuckles. "I was thinking," I stared at her as she looked down at our hands. "Maybe we should take a vacation," she looked back up at me and met my eyes.

"A vacation?" she nodded. "Where?"

She shrugged. "Anywhere. Let's get away from a while and focus on us and not everything else," she stared at me and I felt my heart swell in my chest.

I smiled. "That sounds nice,"

She smiled back. "So you want to?" I nodded and she kept smiling. "Great. We can plan it a few weeks from now, and we can both take a week or so off from work and get away," she brought my hand up to her mouth and kissed it. "I really need some alone time with you,"

If my face could get any more red than it already was, I'd be a tomato. I smiled at her as she smiled back. I felt my phone vibrate and as I took it out, I noticed it was Genevieve texting me.

I texted her back then looked over at Carol who was watching me. "What?"

"Who was that?" she asked as she was staring at me.

"This girl I met at work. We're meeting up tomorrow," I stared at her as she was staring back.

"Why are you meeting up?" by now she let my hand go and I stared at her.

"She wants to hang out, and wants me to meet her girlfriend," I watched as she nodded then got up and left the living room.

I got up and followed her into the kitchen. She stood in front of the stove and I leaned against the counter, watching her. "Carol,"

"Hmm," she didn't turn around.

"It's not what you think," I said and she turned around to look at me.

"What do you mean?"

I sighed. "If you think that it's something more between her and I, then-"

"No, Terry. I don't. I don't care if you go and hang out with a friend," she shrugged and turned back around to the stove.

I took this opportunity to stand behind her and wrap my arms around her stomach and lean my chin on her shoulder. I stood there for a minute or so, watching her cook, enjoying her company.

She is a terrible liar, and she's been one for years. I know when she gets jealous or uneasy about something, and she can't hide the fact that I see right through her.

I rubbed her stomach and smiled at myself. I couldn't wait for five more months, because I was ready for our lives to be complete.

It was complete already, but when our baby gets here, it'll be even more complete.

"Have you thought about any names for the baby yet?" I knew that we had another week before we found out what it was, and I was already thinking of names but never told Carol.

She shrugged. "Not yet. I feel as though we should at least find out the gender then pick out some names,"

I nodded. That was the best idea, I guess. At least we would know if it's a boy or girl and that way we won't have to be going through both gender names.

As soon as the food was done, we both ate at the table and talked a little but not much. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, but it wasn't comfortable either.

After dinner, we both went to bed. Carol was in the bathroom and I was laying on the bed. I started getting a headache and I don't know why. It started today, but it wasn't terrible so I didn't pay any attention to it.

I can't help but think that something bad is going to happen, but I don't know what. It's an uneasy feeling inside of my stomach and I hate it. I didn't like the feeling, and I've always had it my whole life and it wasn't the best feeling in the world.

It seems as though I'm forgetting something.

Carol walked out of the bathroom and made her way to the bed. The bed dipped as she laid down and I watched her. She turned toward me and looked at me with tired eyes.

I smiled and caressed her cheek and she smiled back. She grabbed my hand and held it. We stayed like that without saying anything, and it was the best moment.

This moment right here is what I breathe for; what I live for. This woman was everything to me, and even though this feeling in my gut is trying to tell me something, I'm just enjoying this moment with her right now.