Page 31 of Tension

Chris:

You gone wait for me?

Vel:

Always.

I put my phone away, held my head up high, and continued to make my way to my destination.

The only person I needed to worry about tonight was Chris.

The night passed by in a blur. Not because I was intoxicated; no, I was watching my drinks, but because I was high on life.

Afterglow was a vibe with all kinds of people from different walks of life.

I talked with strangers about why flats were better than drums, then I had to remind them that Big Chicken was just playing us all by only giving us half a wing.

I danced with this widowed old man who came to Afterglow because it was where he first met his wife.

I joined in singing someone a Happy Birthday, the Black version.

And I just enjoyed my food and my own company.

I had moments where I would look around and realize that life had a funny way of moving even when you felt stuck.

Even when you wanted everything around you to just stop, so you could have a moment of peace, a moment to yourself, a moment to catch up when you're behind…

The world keeps right on moving.

It’s okay to take a break, maybe even shut the world out as long as you eventually start to move again.

I knew as soon as I stopped moving, my feet would catch up to my body and the pain would kick in. But when I entered the hotel, I headed for the bar instead of my room.

I just wasn’t ready to end my night.

Vel:

How was your night?

Chris:

Great!

I sent him a bunch of pictures I had taken throughout the night.

Vel:

Beautiful!

That beach air looks good on you. You're glowing.

Chris:

It feels good, too. I may have to make this permanent.

Vel:

That’s fine. Just make sure you have an empty drawer for me and a little closet space. I don’t need my own room; I’ll just sleep in your bed.