Chapter 12
The next change in their relationship came
within the next few weeks. Michael still hadn't given Patience the package from
his mother, and another one had arrived since then too.
Patience was getting a little stressed. It was getting closer
to Thanksgiving break, and that meant that teachers were getting ready for
finals and end of the semester projects. She was getting loaded down with
everything, plus trying to get the video ready for Michael.
She spent most of her time in the library or her dorm room.
There were some days when the group would study at Michael's place, to try and
quiz each other for all their finals.
Heather noticed the change first. Patience was getting edgier
as time wore on. Heather kept saying it was because Patience was taking so much
on, but Patience always disagreed. Patience kept saying that she was fine, and
that she knew what she could handle. But, as time went on, it seemed more and
more like she didn't.
Michael started noticing too, slowly picking up on hints when
he was studying with Patience. She started pacing more, running her hands
through her hair more often. She flew off the handle much easier, even though
she would quickly apologize.
One night, they were studying together and Patience had
broken into tears when one of her math problems wasn't working out right.
Michael wasn't quite sure what to do, amazed at the sight of the 19 year old
sitting on his couch and crying her eyes out. He had always sworn that Patience
was a strong girl, that nothing could scare her or hurt her.
The next time it happened, it was the group over studying.
Heather had quickly taken her friend into her arms, trying to calm her down.
When it worked, Patience had grabbed her grey oversized Old Navy hoodie and gone
for a jog. She returned about an hour later, and Michael gave her the tapes, in
hopes of cheering her up.
Moments kept popping up during study times, as the four
started getting ready to head out for break. Patience was actually staying in
town, as was Michael. Heather and Paul were flying back for a quick visit with
the families, and did everything short of ordering Michael to make sure that
someone would have an eye on Patience.
The two had their own Thanksgiving Day celebrations. Michael
bought a turkey and started cooking, while Patience staid in the living room
with the Macy's parade on the television and her history book open in front of
her.
Michael was mixing up the salad when he heard some
obscenities fly. He stepped out of the kitchen and looked at Patience working on
homework. He quickly raced over, pulling the book and paper out of her hands.
"Patience, I thought we promised that there would be no studying today. That
today was just going to be fun?" Michael said.
"I know." She softly replied, watching the closed history
book in Michael's hand instead of the concern on Michael's face.
"Put in some movie or something. And don't do any school
work. It's Thanksgiving Break, and that means taking a break from school."
Michael said.
Patience nodded, as Michael took the history book with him
into the kitchen.
So, Michael went back to cooking, and Patience started
watching some movie. She hadn't really paid attention to what she picked.
A few minutes later, Michael heard louder yells and
obscenities than what he had heard with the history book. When he had left the
room, there had been no school books out there, so something was going on with
Patience.
Michael set the turkey in the oven, set the timer and then
went out to the living room.
Patience was sitting on the couch, some random movie playing
on the television. In her lap, she had her English Composition book. "Patience."
Michael warned.
Patience closed the English book and handed it over. Then,
she turned and acted like she was watching the television.
Michael returned to the kitchen, working on odds and ends for
the meal when he heard sobbing coming from the living room. He shook his head,
knowing Patience had another school book with her. He only wondered what it
could be that was making her cry.
He journeyed back out to the living room, amazed at the sight
in front of him. Patience had her math book open, her homework had fallen onto
the floor, but she held her pencil up and was crying. "Patience?" He asked,
wondering what was going on.
"My pencil lead broke." She managed to get out through tears.
"But I thought we promised." Michael started.
"Ah, forget that promise. I have way too much to do to
actually take a day off." Patience said, as she started crying harder.
Michael quickly sat down next to her, moving the math book
off her lap, taking the broken pencil from her and setting it all down on the
coffee table. Then, he took her in his arms. He started running a hand up and
down her back, calming her. Reminding him of the night after his arrest, when
she did this to him, reminding him of her being there for him, even if at the
time, they hated each other
"You thinking what I'm thinking Pinky." Patience asked,
sniffling a little.
"Sure Brain, but how are we going to get an elephant in a
leotard?" Michael asked, as Patience pulled away a little and smiled.
Michael smiled back at her. "Just finish watching your movie.
And, when that one is done, put another one in. Don't think of all the stuff you
have to do, don't worry about the end of the semester. Just think about here and
now." He said, as he started to get up.
He felt a tug on his hand, looking down to see Patience
holding onto it. She slowly stood up, looking at him, catching his gaze for
another one of their seconds that felt like it went on forever. "Thanks Michael,
for everything." She said, as Michael smiled.
"Don't mention it." He replied, as Patience stepped closer.
Michael knew what was coming. Ever since Paul had walked in
on them kissing that one day, there had been this want. He had to kiss her
again. And, he knew that look in her eyes. It was the same look that had been in
them that day.
"You know, this here and now is pretty nice." Patience said,
looking up at him.
"It is." Michael replied.
"I really wish I could just pause this, keep replaying it at
the times I felt you so close to me." Patience said, sniffling a little from the
tears she had cried earlier. "You're really comforting in my life, you, Paul and
Heather seem to be the only things constant, and I love that about you. You're
always there for me."
"Thanks Patience." Michael softly said, as his face moved
closer to hers.
Patience closed her eyes, knowing what was coming next.
Just as their lips touched, Michael's nose sniffed the air.
"The turkey!" He said, jumping back and running to the kitchen.
Patience threw herself back onto the couch, feeling a little
silly. She ran a quick hand through her bangs, trying to calm down her hormones.
That was when she felt lips on hers, and arms wrapping
themselves around her. Patience smiled, knowing that she was going to love this
holiday, and this vacation.