Where Do We Go From Here?

It was Sunday night—the night before my flight to Santorini—and I found myself stuffing clothes into a huge, black rolling bag. I always procrastinated with packing since I was never sure what I wanted to bring along. Santorini was bound to blazing beneath a scorching sin, so I managed to dig up some summer dresses and tank tops that I stowed away since my last visit there. Callie was spending her evening with her mother before venturing off with Mike. Luckily, she finished all of her packing earlier this week. However, I wasn’t as organized. Huffing and puffing to fit all of my hygienic products into my blue zipper case, I heard my phone ringing from its charger. Elated to have an excuse for a quick break, I grabbed my phone and answered it.

“Hello?”

“Verity.” Tony’s voice rang happily. I could hear the smile in his tone.

“Hey.” I said again, making this greeting a little more awkward since I was never really that great at over-the-phone-communication.

“I was wondering if you were willing to admit yourself a small break from packing.” He stated.

“I would love a break.” I gushed with a wide smile on my face.

“Really? I thought you had a lot of packing to do.” He asked for clarification.

I chuckled. “I do, but all of this packing is taking a toll on my back. I think I just need to stretch my legs for a bit.”

Tony laughed. “Okay, I’ll be over in ten.” He said before hanging up.

I looked over my suitcase and stuffed in my hygienic bag before walking to my closet to throw something on other than the flannel pajama pants and black tank top I was currently sporting. Tossing aside my pajamas, I pulled on a pair of jeans and an old Thrasher hoodie before twisting my hair into a bun.

It was weird to know that I could still get butterflies from the anticipation from seeing Tony. I couldn’t help but shake my head while looking at my reflection. Just four months ago I was the girl who didn’t care about going out and having a boyfriend, but Tony changed all of that for me. I now was a girl who sounded cliché when I say “I love him” or the fact that I am quite hopeful that me and Tony will be more than just some high school romance.

Just as Tony promised, he arrived ten minutes later. Bounding down the stairs, I yelled to my parents that I was going with Tony for a while and that I’d return soon. My mother smiled while my father nodded curtly—he still had some reservations against Tony, especially now that I’m on birth control. Tony smiled as I quickly made my way across the stone path and to his car. Hopping into his car, I quickly leaned in and offered him a quick kiss on his lips.

“Mmm…I’ve missed you too.” He said while smiling into the kiss.

I laughed. “You saw me this afternoon.” I pointed.

“Clearly, I am a selfish person who craves your presence.” He commented, earning another giggle on my behalf.

“Clearly.” I agreed. “So, what will we be doing?”

Tony chuckled. “You were the one who wanted a break, I thought you’d have an idea on what you wanted to do.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s go grab ice cream, my treat.” I offered amiably.

“Do you really want to emasculate me?” Tony asked while starting up the car.

“Only if it means that I can treat for ice cream this time.” I replied.

Tony shook his head. “If it pleases the court” He began, earning a small chuckle from me. “Then you can pay for your ice cream, but I refuse to let you pay for me.”

“So stubborn.” I muttered.

“I could say the same about you.” He smirked.

We drove through the suburban area, taking the long way to Dairy Queen. The car ride was silent for the most part, which made me wonder what was on Tony’s mind. He was usually silent when he was contemplating to himself.

“What on your mind?” I asked, breaking through the car radio silence that had encompassed us both.

Tony sighed. “Two weeks seems like a long time.”

“It’s not that long, really.” I replied.

Tony reverted back to silence, as did I. pulling into Dairy Queen, I decided to lighten the mood.

“Let’s get our ice cream to go and eat it on the beach.” I suggested.

Tony nodded, offering a small smile before we walked into the place with our fingers intertwined. I had to stifle my laugh when I saw that Stacy was working—the same girl who serviced us the first time Tony brought me here. I saw the slight grimace on her face when she saw Tony and I hand in hand.

“What can I get for you?” Stacy asked with a less than enthusiastic tone.

Tony glance at me, waiting for me to go first. “I’ll take a mint chocolate chip ice cream on a waffle cone, and he’ll take a Blizzard.”

Tony rolled his eyes in response. After ringing up our total, I handed Stacy my debit card while Tony shook his head. I was worried that he was in a bad mood, but then I saw a small trace of a smile on his lips which eased away my worries.

“Have a nice night.” Stacy said blandly while handing the each of us our order. I smiled curtly at her before the both of us receded back to Tony’s car.

Another ten minutes of driving in silence, and we found ourselves at one of the beach parks that was technically closed since it was night time, but the gates are always open.

“I found this old poem in an old library book that Maria never returned, and—well, I figured you’d like it. I wrote it down, but altered a few things to it since you’re heading off to Santorini.” Tony commented as he rummaged through his messy middle consol.

I continued to stuff my face with my ice cream, slowly making my way to the crunchy waffle cone; which I devoured quite quickly. Finally finding what he wanted, Tony handed me the crumpled piece of paper that had his handwriting scribbled onto it.

Topography – Originally by Sharon Olds (Altered slightly by yours truly)

After you flew across the country we
Got into bed, laid our bodies
Delicately together, like maps laid
Face to face, East to West, my
San Diego against your New York, your
Fire Island against my Sonoma, my
New Orleans deep in your Texas, your Idaho
Bright on my Great Lakes, my Kansas
Burning against your Kansas you Kansas
Burning against my Kansas, your Eastern
Standard Time pressing into my
Pacific Time, my Mountain Time
Beating against your Central Time, your
Sun rising from the right my
Sun rising swiftly from the left your
Moon rising slowly from the left my
Moon rising slowly from the right until
All four bodies of the sky
Burn above us, sealing us together,
All our cities twin cities,
All our states united, one
Nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

As I finished reading the poem, I felt the familiar clench in my stomach, the very one I felt when Tony would kiss me or tell me he loves me. My breathing felt off because Tony was dangerously near me and I suddenly was aware of how compact his car was, even if it technically wasn’t. A blush crept on my face because this poem was far from it being about the geography of the United States. Looking up at Tony through hooded lashes, I quickly snaked my arms around his neck and crashed our lips together, sealing his mouth with my own.

Notes

Topography by Sharon Olds was a poem I've been wanting to incorporate into this story for some time now, and figured now would be best. If you haven't checked out her other work, then I humbly ask that you do because she's a brilliant poet/author. Tbh, I think I'll be incorporating more music and poetry into this story because it really does inspire the hell out of me to write.

Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you've enjoyed this chapter <3