Belated

Beep-beep. Beep-beep.

The SMS tone woke me from my reverie. I glance down at my phone, wondering who it might be, whether it was ok to check it at work or not. Bugger it, everyone else did.

“Can you make some time for me tonight? I will be home about 9.”

Shit. Guilty conscience twigged. Had she found out about something I didn’t realise? Was she angry with me? Was I about to be chucked out? I don’t know what I’d done wrong, or that I’d done anything wrong, but something about the words doesn’t sound right.

“Sure, hon. Should I be prepared for anything? =P” I reply, angling for a light-hearted tone. Who knew, maybe I was entirely on the wrong track.

The reply was swift.

“Not at all ^^”

Well, that didn’t help.

9 o’clock came around, and I went down to the kitchen for dinner. She wasn’t back yet, but I’d delayed dinner so it’d be easier – I’d have something to distract with. Who, I don’t know.

9:30, dinner done. She still wasn’t home.

10 o’clock. Past time. I’d tarried in the kitchen as long as I could, so I send off another message: “Hey, let me know when you get home and I’ll come down.”

A little fringe of worry creeps in, some sort of parental instinct kicking in, asking if she’s ok, out this late at night. I dismiss it and head up to my room.

10:30, and I’m in the middle of a… “nap” at the computer. The phone rings me awake, and it’s her on the line.

“Darling, where is everyone?”

“hmm?” I’m still sleepy.

“I’m home, but no-one’s here!”

“Oh, right, um, I’ll come down.”

I go down to the kitchen, rubbing sleep from my eyes and trying to muster my thoughts. What is it that she wanted? Why everyone? With trepidation, I turn into the kitchen…

“Happy belated birthday darling!”

“…!”

* * *

I love housemates =)