It’s not even midnight yet and I am actually stomping back to the door when I return from the bathroom. My face is murderously dark and I feel like my bones will hit the ground at any moment. I do not want to be here, but I don’t exactly want to be anywhere else either. I’m stuck in hell until the time runs out. I think I’d just like to be unconscious.
I make it back to my post far too soon, and there’s already a line waiting for me. Checking the group out, my eyes are drawn to the young man in front. He’s not facing the guy at the desk; he’s turned directly toward me. I struggle to smooth out my face and become friendly, wondering if there’s a problem for me to solve, but then he opens his mouth to greet me and waves.
It takes another 20 seconds for me to comprehend, but I finally recognize his face. The Boy smiles widely, unfazed by my menacing presence. The fury finally breaks away from my features, replaced by confusion. Why is he even here right now? Oh, thank god he’s here right now.
I take an uncertain step toward him–is this unexpected visit enough to warrant an embrace? Does it matter? Because at this moment, I think it might save my fucking life. Maybe he reads the hesitance on my face, or maybe he doesn’t even notice, but he opens his arms and steps toward me, too.
Joy consumes me, propelling me forward, shocked laughter pouring out of my chest. I run around the rope barrier keeping us apart and he turns toward me as I throw myself into his arms. I manage a breathless “hi” that gets lost in his jacket.
“How’s work?” he asks between laughs, holding me like he’s missed me for years.
“Shit.” I admit, grinning widely. Tears sting my eyes, but I push them back down along with a thousand others clamoring for escape.
He’s essentially my height, but I’m on the tips of my toes to lean into him–not patient enough to walk all the way. I hold him like the world behind me is a black hole, cramping a muscle in my shoulder that stings like a needle. The feeling of his arms around me anchors me to the earth, washing away every trace of anger.
He just holds me, and I don’t care that I have a job to do, I don’t care who might be watching, and I don’t even care if a car suddenly comes crashing through the window mowing us all down because he’s here.
For a second, I wonder if I’m dreaming. But he’s really right here holding me safe and secure right when I needed it most. And for this moment, nothing else matters. Not one damn thing in this entire world.