good together. Later that night Bryan took her home. There wasn’t any hesitation as to whether or not to follow her inside. They moved fluidly together. Tracy changed into a sexy low cut maxi dress that clung to all her curves. Bryan took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie. They sat and talked for hours. “Maybe this is where I should be. “ Bryan looked up at Tracy’s front door. Surprised it was now open and Tracy was standing in the doorway. Tracy waved for him to come in. He sighed and cut the engine and exited the car. He left his cell phone plugged into the cigarette lighter. Once inside, Bryan could smell the sweet scent of fresh homemade apple pie. He knew Sunday was Tracy’s favorite day of the week. She told him of the special home cooked meals she grew up eating on that day after church. Everyone would gather around the table and talk about current events and their hopes and dreams. Bryan knew Tracy hoped to continue that tradition with her own family one day. “How long were you sitting out there? I almost went and tapped on the window.” Tracy turned to look at Bryan for a response. Bryan looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. Her hair was up on top of her head in a messy bun. She had the faintest amount of make up on with deep plum lipstick on her full lips. She was dressed comfortably in an off the shoulder t-shirt that read “Natural Hair if you dare”, and a pair of purple tights with pom-pom socks on. Bryan took it all in. “You know what I couldn’t even tell you. I don’t even remember the drive here,” Bryan said. “I just drove, I needed to think. “Oh, well that’s not alarming.” Tracy said, “Come on.” Moving through the house toward the kitchen, Tracy and Bryan continued to catch up. Tracy was putting the finishing touches on her Sunday dinner and Bryan was helping with the dishes. They moved in a calm quiet as they finished their tasks. Bryan was just grateful for the busy work. The company wasn’t so bad either. Tracy hummed her favorite gospel song and danced as she worked. Once everything was done they sat at the table and had a slice of one of the pies and some warm milk. Tracy waited Bryan out as long as she could. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong? And don’t tell me nothing I know you too well for that. Bryan looked up at Tracy and smiled. He knew he painted her out to be a self-absorbed brat and he was wrong for that. Bryan realized he wasn’t giving Tracy a fair chance. She was always there for him when he let her be. “One things for sure Tracy wouldn’t sleep with me then invite her ex into the house with me still in there.” Bryan couldn’t let the images of Gianna’s relived face and then the empty porch out of his mind. He looked up at Tracy. She was staring at him. She smiled and ate a piece of pie. “Look I won’t force it out of you. I need your help with something. Follow me into the bedroom.” This is what Bryan did best he was good with his hands and solving other people’s problems. He followed Tracy to her room and relieved to have something to take his mind off of things. He remembered a time when Tracy tried to reach for something in her attic and hurt her ankle. She called Bryan and they spent the next three weeks playing every board game they could find. He even let her slide when he caught her cheating. They spent long nights by the fireplace enjoying every inch of each other. Most nights they stayed up talking all through the night. She was always easy to talk too. No surprise he ended up there. “I guess I just needed to sort some things out is all. I really don’t want to get into it.” Bryan knew he couldn’t mention any part of this morning to anyone, and he for damn sure couldn’t mention last night to Tracy. Tracy turned and looked at Bryan. Tracy knew something was wrong now. “I didn’t say anything. I’m here if you need to talk. Anyway, can you please see what you can do