I could feel Sophia crawling out of bed to turn off the screeching alarm. She was trying to not wake me, but the alarm volume had done the job for her. I watched her dress by the glow of the television. I waited for a kiss, but she started to creep toward the door.

“Morning, beautiful, were you going to leave without giving me a kiss?” I asked her.

“Oh, baby. I wanted to let you sleep,” she said, turning around.

“Don’t ever leave without kissing me and saying good-bye.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“Kiss me.”

“Always, love. I wish I didn’t have to go to work, but I’ll be home on my break,” she said to me as I lay there still waiting for a kiss. “Okay, Okay. You want a kiss. I got it.” She leaned down and touched her lips to mine.

“Thank you,” I said to her. “Have a good day at work. I’ll see you on your break.”

“Go back to sleep, handsome. Text me when you’re awake,” she said as she stood, heading for the door.

I closed my eyes and thought about how lucky I was to have Sophia in my life. Where would I have been at that moment without her? I missed work and New Orleans, of course, but I needed Sophia more than anything. I played our time together in my mind until I drifted back to sleep.

I texted Sophia went I woke up, as she asked.

Sophia: You doing okay?

Me: Better than I have in a long time, Sophia. Thank you for bringing me home.

I felt relieved to be away from New Orleans and at home with Sophia. I smelled her pillow, waiting for her reply.

Sophia: No place I’d rather you be than keeping my bed warm. No point in you being alone in New Orleans when we can spend time together. We never seem to have enough of it.

Me: I should’ve come weeks ago.

Sophia: I’m glad you’re happy. We’ll get your work all straightened out, and then you can return to New Orleans. But for now, I’m going to enjoy every moment we have together.

Me: I’m sorry I’ve been such a dick.

I didn’t know what else to say to her—how to express my sorrow for my behavior the last few weeks. The only thing I could do was stay sober. It was easier to do being with Sophia. She had no liquor in the house, maybe by design, and she lived in the middle of nowhere. I had no form of transportation when she worked, and there were no stores within walking distance.

Me: Anyway… I think I’m going to wash our clothes from the weekend. Is that okay?

Sophia: Hell yes. Hang your clothes up in my closet when you’re done. What’s mine is yours, Kayden.

Me: Be back in a bit.

Sophia: I have to get back to the kids anyway.

I washed clothes and cleaned her room while waiting for her. I checked out the pantry and fridge to see what I could make for dinner. At least I could help out around the house and help keep her fed. Thankfully, Sophia didn’t have to work late, giving us hours together in the evening.

Dinner simmered on the stove when Sophia walked through the door a little after three. She walked into her room, dropped her bags, and crawled into bed with me.

“What have you been doing?” she asked.

“Washed all the clothes, cleaned your bathroom, straightened up the room a bit, got dinner started, and waited for you,” I replied.

“Wow, thanks. I’ve been a little preoccupied lately. That leaves more time for just us,” she said, snuggling her face into my neck.

We spent the evening in bed, shutting the world out. Sophia fell asleep early, but I didn’t have the heart to wake her. Her soft breaths and tiny snores made me chuckle. I’d never heard her snore before tonight. I brushed the hair away from her face and stared at her perfection. Holding her closer, I kissed her eyes and smelled her.

A knock sounded at the door, but Sophia didn’t move.

“Come in,” I said quietly.

The door opened slowly, and a ragged Suzy appeared. “I’m so sick. I just wanted to let you know that I’m not going to work tomorrow.”

“Okay, Suzy. If you need anything, just text me. This little one is out for the evening,” I said, looking down at Sophia.

“She sleeps like a rock. I’m going to bed, and I’ll see you in the morning, God willing.” Suzy closed the door.

I picked up my tablet and snapped pictures of Sophia asleep in my arms. I didn’t want a posed picture but something pure and honest. She looked like a child wrapped in my arms. Her innocence drew me to her, the pull stronger now than ever before.

I slowly moved her off of me, but she didn’t even stir. I’d never seen someone sleep so soundly. I turned off the lights and crawled back in bed. I found a peace with Sophia in my arms unlike any other I’ve experienced.

Sophia left for work early the next morning, and I took care of Suzy. I brought her soup and ice water in bed, making sure she didn’t get up for anything. I was so thankful that she allowed me to stay with them. I wanted to help them in every way possible. They had given me a roof over my head when I needed it most and had nowhere else to turn.

Suzy, Sophia, and I slowly fell into a pattern. I often cooked dinner, and the three of us ate together. Some evenings we played cards and watched movies. We became a threesome, not sexually, but in friendship.

Suzy gave us our privacy, but we included her as much as possible. Sometimes she’d lay on the bed with us and talk. Sophia and I were both older, and she used the opportunity to pick our brains about love and life. Why she chose us to ask, I’ll never understand. Sophia and I had failed miserably before finding each other. We could only offer her advice on what not to do. She became like a little sister, filled with questions, looking to me for answers.

I spent the next month applying to every place imaginable—job application after fucking job application. What a pain in the ass. Every single one wanted to know about my criminal record, and I answered honestly, but I knew I was doomed as soon as I hit send. I wished I could grab this shitty black cloud following me around and piss on it.

The holidays were closing in fast, and all I wanted was a drink. Every day was a struggle for me. It called to me. Every fucking day, it called to me. I needed to work, and the idleness of my life had become mind-numbing.

So much in my life was up in the air. Would I be able to stay in Florida with Sophia? I couldn’t return to New Orleans without a job in place. I tried to live in the present and not worry about the future as Sophia had asked.

She told me, “Everything has a way of working out in the end.” I loved her for her optimism, but I knew the realities.