Neon Nights

She looked uncertain, her hands falling from his chest.

“I suppose...”

 

She pressed her lips together, pulling away.

“Come on,” she said, trying to remain optimistic. “Let’s keep looking.”

 

She glanced over at him before running her hand along a display of curtains.

“I gotta not be hopeful, Abel,” she said quietly. “You get that, right?”

 

She folded her hands, looking around.

“I don’t think I could lose you again,” she said quietly.

 

She looked ashamed after a moment.

“Yes, you are,” she said gently. “I’m sorry. I’m being selfish.”

 

“I know, Abes,” she said gently, reaching over and squeezing his hand. It wasn’t romantic, more of a soothing gesture. “It’s okay.”

 

She let go and continued into the store, her frame a little tighter than before as she moved through the furniture.”

 

She approached the blankets and tarps and paused before draping one over her head like a ghost. She turned to Abel.

“Boo.”

 

He could hear the grin in her voice.

“That’s not very nice. Maybe you’re the evil spirit.”

 

She laughed deeply, pulling back the blanket and beaming at him.

“‘Boo’ was short for ‘I hope you have a bootiful day’, which would make me at least a very nice spirit.”