I went. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and I hugged him like I’d never see him again. His mouth was at my ear as he squeezed me to him, like he was trying to conjoin us.

“I’d take you with me I could, Ru, but have fun with your dad,” he said, nuzzling me as his hand made a trail up and down my spine. “We’ll make this work. I promise.”

I didn’t cry on the plane ride, and I didn’t cry when my mom drove up to the arrivals section of the airport and then talked my ear off the entire ride back home, telling me all about Jasmine going to train with her coach again finally.

I didn’t cry when I got into my room that night either.

But when I lay down in bed, this feeling of missing Aaron like crazy hit me right in the solar plexus.

And then, I did cry. Just a little. Two little tears. But they were enough.

Ruby: I feel like I have the flu. Tell me something funny.

I texted Aaron, using some of the same words he’d used on me before.

Thirty seconds later, a response from him came in.

Aaron: Why didn’t the toilet paper cross the road?

I didn’t get a chance to reply before another message from him came in.

Aaron: Bc it got stuck in a crack

Ten seconds after, my phone chimed again.

Aaron: Have I told you today how happy I am you got stuck with me?

And how could I be sad after that?

Epilogue

May 17, 2012

10:03 a.m.

Aaron: Morning Ruby: Morning Aaron: Feeling any better?

Ruby: No. I just took my temperature and it’s back up to 101 again.

Aaron: Take some aspirin Ruby: Already did. I found the bottle on the nightstand next to the thermometer.

Ruby: Thank you for that.

Aaron: :]

Aaron: I touched your face before I left and thought you were feeling warm. Go to the doctor.

Ruby: I know. I should. I don’t want you getting sick too.

Ruby: I told Jasmine I was sick and she immediately asked if I was pregnant. Why is that her first assumption every time?

Aaron: Because she’s Jasmine.

Ruby: Lol. You’re so right.

Ruby: Speaking of her, we got into a fight at the end about her wanting to switch to pairs skating.

Aaron: How’d that go?

Ruby: Fine. I think I still catch her off guard when I talk back to her, so it makes me feel like I win when she doesn’t have a comeback immediately. We’ll see what she decides. You know how she is.

Ruby: Going to shower and see if that makes me feel any better. I’ll call the doctor after and see if I can go.

Aaron: OK.

Aaron: Call if you need anything.

1:15 p.m.

Ruby: Guess what?

Aaron: What?

Ruby: It’s not the flu, just an upper respiratory infection.

Aaron: They gave you meds?

Ruby: Yes.

Aaron: Sorry, honey Aaron: Want me to pick up your script on the way home?

Ruby: It’s okay. I’m already at the pharmacy waiting.

Ruby: The doctor made sure to tell me three times that my birth control won’t be as effective while I’m on antibiotics.

Aaron: Did you tell him we’d planned on you not taking them anymore after your next period?

Ruby: Yes. It was so awkward. It was like he was pretending he didn’t hear me.

Aaron: Lol. It’s that cute, innocent face.

Ruby: :) Ruby: How’s your day going anyway?

Aaron: Fine.

Aaron: My CO is in a shit mood

Ruby: Sorry. One more year and then you can rethink what you want to do again.

Aaron: :] only a year

Ruby: It’ll go by fast.

Aaron: :]

2:55 p.m.

Ruby: [picture attachment]

Aaron: [picture attachment]

Ruby: What is that???

Aaron: Tacos from a new food truck in town

Ruby: Bring me some, those make my sandwich look like crap.

Aaron: Snooze you lose

Aaron: Come have lunch with me tomorrow Aaron: If you’re feeling better Ruby: “if you’re feeling better”

Ruby: ……

Aaron: :] love you

Ruby: Yeah, sure.

Ruby: Love you too, but I’d love you more if you brought me tacos

4:50 p.m.

Aaron: What are we having for dinner?

Ruby: Whatever you decide to bring home.

Aaron: That’s what I thought Aaron: Vietnamese?

Ruby: Yes please.

Aaron: OK

Aaron: Are you lying down?

Ruby: Yes. I tried cutting some bandanas for that big order to Canada I got but I cut myself because I wasn’t paying attention, then I started worrying about contaminating the cloth and getting other people sick so I stopped.

Aaron: Jesus, RC

Aaron: Chill Aaron: You’ll catch up on everything. Worry about feeling better. That’s all that matters Ruby: You’re the best, have I told you that today?

Aaron: I know

Aaron: Not today.

Ruby: Cocky Aaron: You’ve never complained.

Ruby: I knew you were going to go there.

Aaron: :]

Ruby: Why don’t skeletons watch scary movies?

Aaron: Because they don’t have the guts