in the midst

Jamie knew he wouldn't have a place to live if it weren't for Effy. After all, she was the one with the full-time job at the library. She even paid for her own health insurance. So many things he'd planned to take care of, yet he had no time to really ponder over those things, being an intern at the hospital.

"I was so hoping we could get away to Seattle this summer," he said as they were finally having a chance to spend some time together. "I really want my dad to meet you."

He knew she'd heard this old story plenty of times, but she had to know that his dad would not treat her like his mother did. It was true, Effy would always be an outsider to his mother, who he hadn't seen in months so, therefore, she didn't help with the rent, either.

"Sometimes, I know why dad left her." He'd decided. "She's so cold." He couldn't remember her ever coming to visit when he was younger and living with his Dad on the west coast. She'd kept in touch through daily phone calls. Now that he was only fifteen minutes away, they never talked anymore. But he didn't feel guilty about it. He just felt sad for Effy.

He asked then if she was going to take some vacation time to fly back to Toyko to see her mother. She only shrugged and went back to one of her craft projects. She was making puffs which would later on become a puffy quilt. She was thrift, using some of his shirts he never wore anymore.

"I don't want to spend the money." There was enough college debt to worry about already, and she was taking online classes. But she never spoke of it. In fact, he didn't know if they talked anymore. For the most part, he was on the go. She always had breakfast waiting and hot coffee in the morning. As usual, he overslept and was in a hurry.

"We should get away, some weekend, you know." But he didn't feel like looking into flights to Seattle. He just wanted to sleep. After all, becoming a doctor was exhausting. When would it ever get better?

He could see she could be productive without him. A part of him was certain he should let her go. He was no good for her. Still, he would feel lost without her. So he was waiting for the moment to take her in his arms to tell her all the sweet nothings he'd bee holding in his thoughts all this time. Only she kept sewing.

And then the sirens went off. She looked at him, as if what should they do?

"Where's the flashlight?" At least if it went dark they could find their way out of the apartment.

She pointed to the kitchen before the lights went out. Jamie hesitated, wondering what to do next. Of course, Effy felt her way to the small kitchen and found the flashlight in no time.

Jamie smiled. As usual, she always gave him strength in times like these.