From Now Until September by Ellison Lane

Author:Ellison Lane [Lane, Ellison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scout + Jem Books
Published: 2022-04-22T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Ryann

The next morning, I woke before my alarm and before Koel. I rose and discreetly slipped out, letting him sleep. Branch followed me to the door, and I let him outside while I scribbled a note on a piece of paper towel. I returned to Koel’s room and left the note on his bedside table, realizing he hadn’t moved an inch since I’d squeezed free from his cuddles.

Didn’t want to wake you up. I let Branch out.

I’m done at 9:30. Wait for me. –R

With his bedroom door left open a chocolate Lab’s width, I stepped out, noticing the graveyard of hungover men sleeping—or, more likely, passed out—in the living room.

I carefully extracted my Birkenstock sandals hidden amid the mountain of guy shoes, self-consciously aware I was still sporting yesterday’s outfit. The chilly morning air hit me hard as I opened the door to the rest of the world; a world I wished I could avoid just a bit longer and remain snuggled up, warm against Koel’s body. I patted Branch’s head and scratched his ears as I let him back in the house. “I love you Branchie. Take care of him now, okay?” It was then I realized me and Koel had made it, yet again, without the interruption of a seizure. Branch trotted down the hallway back to his bedroom, after a quick sniff and nuzzle of my leg, his collar’s tags jingling in his wake.

I drove the two blocks home, enjoying the watercolor sunrise artfully making its way through a smattering of clouds and beckoning the beginning of another beautiful spring day.

Determined the clock in the lecture hall had stopped, I cradled my phone on my lap throughout class, pressing my home screen to life every couple of minutes to check the time. My professor dismissed class early at 9:24 a.m., six little minutes that were a huge deal to me.

Arriving at Koel’s, everything was as it appeared when I had left three hours earlier. Bodies strewn throughout the living room, a colorful array of food boxes, and mis-matched dishes decorated the countertop. Branch had his head stuck out of the bedroom down the hallway before I could slip my sandals off again. As I made my way down toward his room, I heard the rustle of movement within.

“Hey Koel . . .” I whispered, announcing my arrival and casually asking permission to enter.

He looked toward the door, and it took a second for my brain to register who he was with the new haircut. I was so used to seeing the short sides and the longer top of swept-over hair, perfectly yet imperfectly held in place.

“You’re back.” His face couldn’t hide his delight and surprise. I matched his upbeat mood as I moved toward him to give him a hug. “Do you have a few minutes?” he whispered in my ear like a secret.

“I have as much time as you need. What’s up?”

“We gotta find some kindergarteners!”

I couldn’t stop the chuckle from escaping my lips. “What?”

“That’s the only age group left on your list.

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