Good Night

It was a normal night just like any other. It was late when I pulled up to the drive of his house, the lights were all out but I did not think anything of it. I knocked first, almost certain that he would be there waiting for me. He knew I was coming over, no one answered though. I stepped off the porch and walked around the house to his window, pulling out my cell as I tapped on the glass and got no answer. I tried calling but his cell was dead, I stood for a moment in thought; wondering if maybe he was asleep and I should just go home.

I shook my head and started off for the front door again, he knew I was coming over, he had been the one to ask me to come. I was a little uneasy, it had been awhile since we had seen each other, even though we had broken up a couple months ago we were still friends. I started to think maybe he had went out, since I had not told him that I was coming over for sure. Maybe he was not home and I was stuck there in his drive, there was no way to be sure though, his phone was dead and I could not get a hold of him.

I decided to suck it up and just go inside, the least I could do was go inside and see if he was home, he could have been sleeping. I knocked again, just in case, but the dogs started barking at me and I was scared they were going to wake everyone up. So I went inside to calm them down, just my luck his mom came out from her bed room, looking around to see who was there.

It turned out she was the only one home, her husband was out as well as both the kids, but she assured me Allen would be home soon, he had just went out to get smokes. I sat there in the recliner, his mother chatting on about her day and what not. I relaxed into my surroundings, I had always loved it here, it was my secret salvation.

Whenever something was going wrong I knew I was always welcome here, and my friends and family were aware that I was untouchable when I did come here. They knew where I was and how to get a hold of me, but none of them ever did; when I was here it was like nothing else existed, that’s why I liked it here so much, other than Allen’s company.

I should have been uncomfortable in the sundress I was wearing, I never did like wearing dresses, and I felt exposed. But there was no way to be self conscious in the house I was in, I felt at home and at peace, even if I was wearing a dress. Not that I had much choice on what I wore, all my clothes were dirty and at home in the wash, dress wearing is what happened when I got lazy and forgot to do laundry.

It was starting to get late, though I had not been there long I found myself holding back a yawn. I glanced down the hall and thought about maybe stealing off to his bed, I would most likely be asleep before he got home. Not that he cared; I have tried many times before to sleep on the couch when I came to visit, especially since we broke up. But he would have none of it, he wanted me to feel welcome, and even if he would not admit it he liked sleeping next to me at night.

I was still decided on waiting up for him or just crashing in bed when the dogs perked up again, running to the door and wagging their tails. I figured it was Allen finally getting back, a smile was already on my face before the door opened.

I had to keep myself from staring as he came through the door, something was different with him. It was like I was seeing him for the first time all over again, with that magnificent sparkle in his eyes and his head held high. He was an amazing sight, my heart was pounding in my chest and I had to look away when he smiled back at me, my cheeks growing red.

I took a deep breath and shook my head, I must have been tired, that was the only reason I could think of to explain why he was affecting me this way. I had gotten over him not long after we broke up, sure I still loved him, but he was my friend and I wanted to keep it that way. I would take just having him as a friend than losing him completely any day.

His mom went to bed shortly after he got home, tired and glad to have someone there so I would not have to wait alone. I hugged her goodnight then went back to the recliner and continued watching TV as Allen rummaged through the fridge to get something to eat. We had the normal conversation as I sat and he ate, ‘how are you, how was your day?’ it was nice to get to talk to him again. I loved his company and conversation with him never got old.

He finished eating and lit a cigarette, handing it to me and lighting one for himself. I scooted over in the recliner so he could sit with me, just like we always did. He threw his arm over my shoulder and rested his head on mine as we smoked and watched TV. Just like I knew he would he put his cigarette out and voiced that he was tired, I smiled at the way things always seemed to happen on schedule.

We got up and headed for his room. He left me alone to change into a pair of his PJ’s and I crawled under the covers just as he was coming back in with a glass of water in his hand. I smiled and took it with a thank you, liking that he knew I could not sleep without water and liking it even more that he was nice enough to get it for me.

He crawled into bed next to me, getting himself comfortable then turning to look at me, I smiled and nodded my head for him to turn off the light. Snuggling up next to him I kept quiet, a grin plastered on my face as I waited.

As if on que he rolled over and looked at me, “Why are you so quiet? Your usually chatting my ear off by the time we get into bed.” I laughed, and began talking like I normally did.

He pretended like he hated it, that I was interrupting his sleep. He always gave me the same story ‘I’m sorry I am not very talkative, but we have talked all day and I have to get up early.’ He said it like it bothered him; but whenever I kept quiet and tried to let him sleep he would always roll over and ask me why I was not talking, he never admitted it but he liked it when I talked him to sleep.

That’s usually exactly what happened too, I would be chatting away, not really caring if he was talking back, and before I knew it he would be sound asleep. It was when I didn’t talk that he could not sleep, and stayed awake tossing and turning, eventually starting a conversation to fill the silence. I continued talking about this and that, a dream I had, a funny moment at home, I rolled over so my back was facing him and stretched out.

A few moments went by as I kept talking, and I knew he would either roll over to cuddle with me and ask why I rolled away from him. It always happened that way, I just never knew which one it would be. This time he asked me why I rolled away, I laughed and turned back to face him, only to find he had rolled over as well. It did not bother me though, we snuggled up to each other and continued talking.

He asked me about a dream I had had a long time, back when we were still dating. I was curious as to why he remembered it, but he would not give me an answer, like usual. It did not matter though, it was just a silly dream from a long time ago, nothing special.

I was talking less and less, my eyes heavy with sleep and my mind slow. I closed my eyes and voiced random thoughts here and there, my voice only a whisper and I stroked his back. He did the same to me, like we always did, cuddled together our hands roaming and massaging eachother’s spines. It was familiar and comforting, a breath of fresh air after the hectic day.

I was almost asleep, my forehead resting against his and our breathing begging to even out with sleep. His arms tightened around me as he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

“Can I kiss you?” His voice wrapped around me in the darkness and my heart jumped into my throat at his words. My reply was instant; I didn’t need to think about it.

“Yes.” I breathed a second before our lips touched, the perfect end to the day. A good night kiss from my best friend.

Author's Note

I wrote this the day after it happened. A real event in my life that for some reason, stood out from all the rest.

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