Free Layover by Peaches The Writer

hot tea and continued to wait. After an hour, I began to feel that he was purposely avoiding me. Was this the same man who professed his undying love for me not so long ago? Maybe he was caught up in the moment and being home brought him back to reality. Another 15 minutes passed and he walks in.
    “Up and at ‘em, huh?” he asked me.
    “You know me, the early bird gets the worm”.
    “Look, I’m sorry about last night. I guess I wasn’t ready to deal with my feelings. I didn’t realize I would be overwhelmed with emotions when I saw you.”  
    “You thought it was just a phase? Infatuation? That you would get over me and the feeling would pass?”
    “Something like that.”
    “And now, how do you feel now?”
    “Stronger than ever”.
    “It’s cool, Allen. I’m just saying, people can sense changes in behavior. You keep being cold to me and everyone is going to sense something is up. I’m saying, just act normally. We haven’t done anything wrong. Just remember that.”
    “You’re right. I’m sorry. I guess I know what I feel in my heart is wrong.”
    That and the fact that we lied about seeing each other, but I wasn’t going to perpetuate the feelings Allen was having. I wanted him to feel at ease. I mean, if you can’t be comfortable at home, where can you be comfortable?
    Kenny walked into the kitchen, stumbling.
    “Boy, do you have any BC headache powder?” he asked Allen.
    “No.”
    It was apparent that Kenny had too much to drink several hours ago and now he was paying for it. He seemed out of it until he focused his vision on Allen’s tee shirt. He stared for a few seconds and then he returned to bed. At first, I didn’t know why he had found such an interest in Allen’s clothing, until I looked for myself:
    AeroKinisis.
    Kenny had apparently noticed the logo on Allen’s tee shirt and at that point, I felt obligated to tell Allen that Kenny saw his coat in the car.
    “We haven’t done anything wrong, huh? Isn’t that what you said?”
     
    “I’m sorry, Allen.”
    “Ny, just go get my coat before he puts two and two together.”
    I went into the room. Kenny appeared to have gone back to sleep so I tried to get Allen’s coat out of my bag without waking him. Just as I had retrieved the coat and was making my way to the door, Kenny turned over. I stopped in my tracks. He didn’t appear to be awake so I continued out the door. I made it to the living room and as soon as I handed the coat to Allen, I could hear Kenny stomping down the hall.
    “What the fuck is going on?” he insisted on knowing.
    “What are you talking about?” Allen asked.
    “Why y’all sneaking around and shit, with coats and shit?”
    “What are you talking about, man? I was just asking Nya for my coat.”
    “Oh, that’s your coat? How did Nya get it?”
    “I gave it to her in Denver.”
    Allen had sold me out. I couldn’t believe what he just said. I didn’t know what to say so I waited for someone to ask me a question.
    “Nya told me she didn’t see you in Denver,” Kenny told him.
    “I don’t know why she told you that. She called me because she had a layover and I came to the airport and sat with her until the airline found them hotel accommodations. She was cold so I let her wear my jacket.”
    “Nya, why did you lie?” Kenny asked me.
    This would have to be good.
    “I didn’t want you to know I bothered Allen and Lisa,” was the best I could come up with, “After I lied about that, I couldn’t tell you who’s coat it was because I wasn’t supposed to have it”
    ”It sounds like some bullshit to me. Where was Lisa?”
    “I don’t know. Allen just showed up without her. I assumed she was at home.”
    That ought to get Allen back for selling me out. Kenny wasn’t really buying any of it but he was too hung over to really do any investigating. As he went back to bed he left us with one thought,
    “Y’all motherfuckers are up to something, but I’m going to find out what it