Free Uncaged by Katalina Leon Page A

lofty descriptions applied, but she liked the complicated man who got bashful, said stupid stuff, or laughed like a kid even better.
    She finished brushing her teeth then sat down to pee. After she washed her hands in cool water, she exited the bathroom.
    Mitchell sat on the bed holding the remote. The glow of the television provided the sole light in the room. “Good news. The signal’s back.” After handing her the remote, he headed toward the bathroom. “Choose something. I’ll watch whatever you like.” The door shut behind him.
    Clicking through a few channels, she came to the conclusion pickings were slim. Her gaze drifted toward a bookshelf filled with murder mysteries, well-worn philosophy tomes by Plato and Aristotle, and a wide selection of science fiction fantasy including H.G Wells and Jules Verne, which she loved, too. A stack of college-level math texts were within reach of the bed. She peeked inside one dog-eared book and saw the pages covered with inscrutable penciled equations.
    Remembering to cancel the hotel room in Rapid City, she reached into her tote for her phone and clicked. Then for the fourth time today, she called her mother. Mara didn’t pick up. The message went straight to voice mail. “Hi, Mom. I’m snowed in. I’m not even going to try to drive until the roads are plowed. I’m spending the night in Los Lobos. I’ve got a room with a lock on the door, and I feel completely safe.” She winced a little at the last part. “I love you. I’ll call in the morning.”
    The door opened. Mitchell emerged with damp hair combed away from his face. Bold cheekbones and a longish nose lent his face a breathtaking elegance. For a second, she simply stared.
    He smiled, brightening the room. “Anything on TV?”
    “Nothing.” She motioned toward the bookshelf. “Have you read all those?”
    He sat beside her on the bed, “Yep, a couple of them two or three times. I read a lot on the road. Would have gone nuts if I didn’t.”
    Taking a chance, she offered an opinion. “You should go to college.”
    He stroked the light stubble on his chin. “The opportunity came and went. I feel too old.”
    “You’re not! I promise. I see all ages in my classes.”
    “Really? Something to think about.” Taking hold of the remote, he clicked a few channels. “Look! Dumb and Dumber is on. You said there was nothing to watch. Shame on you.”
    “Uh!” She groaned. “ Dumb and Dumber is always on.”
    Leaning back on his elbows, he settled his weight on the mattress. “You have to admit it’s funny.”
    “It is.” She felt encouraged he didn’t feel the need to get up and move away from her.
    The movie lumbered along. Mitchell beamed. She knew every line but found herself laughing anyway because he did. During a commercial break, she caught him looking at her.
    “What?”
    “I’m glad you came to see me today. It feels like something has come full circle.”
    “It does.”
    “So, you grew up and went to college. What else is going on in your life?”
    Grabbing a strand of her hair, she twisted the ends. “A lot and not enough. I don’t know how to answer.”
    “Do you have a boyfriend you hang out with?”
    “No.”
    “Just no?” He pulled himself upright, clasping his hands in front. “You mean not at the moment or no one serious?”
    Drawing her knees to her chest. “I mean not ever.”
    “Nobody? That surprises me.”
    “Does it? Think about it.”
    “What are you looking for in a boyfriend-d?” he stuttered.
    “Hundred-percent trust and a sense of safety. Mention that to guys my age and watch them scatter like cockroaches fleeing a kitchen light.”
    “There’s someone out there. For a different set of reasons, I’m in the same boat.”
    Biting her lip. “I used to dream about you.”
    His face flushed. “Oh, come on—”
    “Wait, let me make my point. Before today, I carried the most vivid image in my mind of what you would be like in real life. Beneath the public