Memories of Tomorrow

Her thoughts returned to Melvin.

Well, it’s not something I have to solve today. Today, I have something bigger to worry about. Melvin and I can continue to roll along just like we’ve been doing for the last decade, and Melvin will be just fine. Bless his heart, I do love that about him. He’s content to simply move along, not really pursuing any personal objective, worried mostly about his business objective.

As she had the thought, it struck her, how in reality, she wasn’t that different from Melvin.

Funny how we all have our own objectives, our own agenda, even if we’re in a relationship. We still have our own path to follow. Maybe Melvin wasn’t willing to compromise in certain areas of his life, but then, for the most of their relationship, neither had she.

Gina was so lost in her thoughts, that the sound of the doorbell chiming made her jump and utter a loud gasp.

Dammit. I don’t have time for somebody at my door this morning. Who in the hell could be here this early?

“Coming!” she shouted from the bedroom. Hoping she hadn’t voiced her thoughts aloud.

As she opened the door, the man of her thoughts stood before her, soaked in something red.

“Melvin, what on earth? What’s all over your shirt? What are you doin here so early this morning? Why aren’t you at work?”

“You know, that’s what I love about you Gina. You can ask more questions in two seconds than any human being can possibly answer in fifteen minutes.”

She could tell by his tone that he was a little more than disgruntled and didn’t appreciate her round of questions in the least.

“Well, start with the first one – what is that on your

shirt?”

“It’s tomato sauce.”

“Ok, so how did you get tomato sauce all over you, and does that really warrant a trip to see me?”

“It does. I got this all over me because one of the waitresses at work managed to spill a whole can, and I just happened to be in the line of fire. I don’t have another shirt at work, but I thought maybe you had one of mine here. And, your place is closer than mine. So, do you think I could come in, or you just want me to stand out here like a big red tomato while we discuss the situation?”

“Oh, oh yes, come on in. And yes, I’ve got one of your work shirts here; remember, you asked me to mend the pocket a couple of weeks ago. It’s clean and hanging in the laundry room.”

Gina opened the door wide, made room for him to come inside, then went to fetch the shirt.

Gina’s thoughts were suddenly overtly sarcastic. Of course, he would come here. Of course, Gina always has the solution when it comes to shirts, pants, and mending. Of course, that’s all that Melvin really needs Miss Gina to do; take care of the domestic issues.

She was instantly sorry for her thoughts, but it didn’t change the fact that for the most part, that’s exactly how she felt about Melvin’s thoughts of her.

“Here, here’s the clean shirt, go to the bathroom and change, and then bring me the tomato-sauce shirt. That stain can’t sit, or it will never come out.”

“Yes ma’am. Just as you say ma’am. I’ll be right back ma’am.”

Melvin’s tone was more than a little sarcastic as he headed for the bathroom.

Maybe we’re both way past this relationship. Maybe we’re both just reluctant to admit it.

“What’s got you in such a tizzy this morning?” Melvin shouted from the bathroom. “I thought you’d be taking it easy, drinking coffee and contemplating how to spend your day.”

“Of course, you’ve forgotten what today is, haven’t you?” Gina shouted back to the bathroom.

Of course, he had. It didn’t have anything to do with him, or the Krusty Kupp so he simply tossed it out of his head.

“What’re you talking about? What is today? It’s not your birthday, it’s not…” his voice trailed off, as he pulled the clean shirt over his head.

“I’m supposed to see Jorja today. Remember? I’m supposed to be at her house at 8:30, and your visit isn’t helping me keep my schedule. Are you almost finished?”

“Oh, yeah. I did forget about that. Yes, here... here’s the dirty shirt.” He handed if off to her as he walked past. “Well, I’m not here to mess up your schedule. I gotta get back to work ASAP. It’s busy this morning, and if that shirt hadn’t been such a total mess, I wouldn’t have left at all.”

He gave her a swift peck on the check, and out the door he went.

Just like that. Get the clean shirt, leave the dirty shirt. See ya later, Gina.