Jealous Much?

We were sitting on a bench in the nearly empty subway train. Shane looked exhausted and was slightly nodding off, but every time the train jarred the back of her head smacked against the window.

 

She sighed. “I give up…”

 

I took her hand and scooted closer. “Rest your head on my shoulder. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

 

She smiled at me sweetly. “Thanks, Cal, but I’m not so tired anymore.”

 

I noticed a boy sitting in a seat a few rows back. He was looking at Shane longingly and I quickly swung my arm around her waist, enclosing her in my arms. “Let me hold you anyway, then.”

 

He looked away and Shane sighed, whispering without looking up at me, “Jealous much?”

 

“How’d—” Then I remembered what my girl did for a living and hugged her closer. “I suppose you’re right. Sorry.”

 

“Don’t be.” She smiled and snuggled into my chest. “I think it’s cute.”

 

“Still sleepy, my dear?”

 

“No, but I think I’ll stay right here for a while.”

 

I swallowed hard and brushed my frozen lips across the top of her head. “Listen, Shane, I’m sorry about what happened. I would never hurt you ever and…” She looked up at me with concern in her eyes. I turned away, weak, and unable to face her. “Well, maybe you’re better off without me, you know?”

 

“Calvin!” There were tears in her eyes. I’d never seen her cry before, it made me want to be sick seeing her so hurt. She held me at arm’s length and with one swift movement sharp, stinging pain was shot through my cheeks. “Don’t you ever, ever say that to me again!” I looked back at her, a single tear falling down her cheek. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I will not let you belittle yourself like this. I’m tired of it and refuse to put up with it anymore. Understand?”

 

I nodded my head slowly, at a loss for words.

 

“Good.” She wiped her face and sat back, staring forward.

 

I was still staring at her in disbelief. Here I’d thought I was used to this… One minute Shane could be the happiest person on Earth without a single care, but say one thing—the right thing—and she turns on a dime; saying what needs to be said, doing what needs to be done, and fighting the battles that had to be fought. That side of her was the side that got her the job she had, the one that only few on this planet could accomplish. That side of her was one few ever saw. She hid that side from the world, tried to hide it from me, but I knew. I still knew her.

 

And so, I ran my fingers through her short black hair, drawing her slowly back into my embrace. “Calvin…”

 

“Hush…” I told her. “We’ll be there soon. I love you.”

 

Shane let out a long breath—her air on my neck melted me to the very core. She lifted her head and smiled at me softly. “I love you too.”

 

My hand moved over her hair and down her back. What could such a magnificent angel see in a creature like me?