ODAAT: Volume 2, Chapter 24

 

Wallpaper

We had a day off between Greenville and Tampa. Instead of staying in Greenville, we decided to keep driving. We booked a hotel in Tampa for the following night. I didn't even think about where we were staying, but we ended up in the exact same hotel. I know there are other places in Tampa, but I always seem to end up at this one. I head to the reception desk when we arrive. I grab keys for the two rooms and toss Crystal's to her. After checking in, we head to our separate rooms to drop out suitcases off. Jared is in his own room this time, while Frankie and I are booked in the room next to his. Crystal and Charlie are on a different floor entirely. Within minutes, Crystal is down at our room, knocking loudly on the door. Frankie opens it, letting her into our room.

“I want to go to the beach. I want to go swimming, I think.” She announces, looking around the room. I raise my eyebrow.

“It's the first week of May.” I remind her, but she shakes her head.

“And?” She counters, and I have nothing to say to her. I know that it's warm and the sun is shining brightly. For Charlie, this may as well be summer. I look at Frankie, who seems to enjoy the idea.

“Come on. We could use the sun. Well, you could. You're pretty pale.” He insists. I shrug, rolling off the bed I was laying on.

“Okay. Fine.” I agree, heading towards the door. Crystal skips out, meeting Charlie in the hallway. Jared opens his door right as I'm about to knock. We both laugh and I motion down the hall to where Crystal is jumping in front of the elevator. He raises his eyebrow.

“Where are you going?” He asks. I shrug.

“The beach apparently. These people are insane. Do you want to come along?” I look back at him. He seems to pause, then nods.

“Yeah. Sure.” He agrees, closing the door to his room. The elevator arrives as we meet Crystal in front of it. She's already calling a local taxi service to drop us off at the beach. It's not a long walk, but, none of us feel like exerting energy if we don't have to. The taxi is already waiting outside when we get to the lobby. Crystal steals the front seat, while the rest of us pile into the back. I'm fairly small, so I end up practically on Jared's lap. He doesn't seem to mind. Crystal has already spun into a story about the last time we stayed in this hotel. She recalls the Halloween party and how I was being a sour puss. I look at Jared briefly, forcing myself to look away. I barely remember the last time we were at this hotel. I don't remember that Halloween party at all. My mind was preoccupied with the other time I had stayed there. My head was in a different hotel room with a seashell collection and Jared.

When we get to the beach, Crystal decides she wants to go swimming. Charlie agrees, sure that the water is probably warm enough. It's Florida in May.

“I'm not getting in that water.” I dismiss, sitting down in the sand. Crystal shrugs and starts pulling off her shirt. No one packed swimwear, so she's decided to go in her under garments. Charlie pulls his shirt off too, leaving it on top of hers. They head towards the water, hand-in-hand.

“I'm going to grab a dip too. It's been a while since I went swimming. I could use the water.” Frankie announces, motioning towards the ocean. I laugh, opening my arms.

“Be my guest.” I insist through the laughter. He nods, and chases after Crystal. I watch as he grabs her, lifting her into his arms. Charlie laughs as Frankie throws Crystal into the water. She starts yelling and splashing the water in Frankie's direction. Charlie doesn't hesitate diving in himself. I feel the sand shift beside me and look over to see Jared sitting down. I smile in his direction and he returns it.

“How long has it been?” He asks, letting the words float off with the slight breeze. I laugh. I wondered if he would remember that hotel. If it struck him the same way it had struck me. The unchanged wallpaper with beige and green swirls that line the narrow hallways. The elevator with the mirror on the ceiling. The small rooms that feel too cluttered with the ugly curtains. The ugly truth.

“Five years.” I answer, pulling my knees up to my chest. He nods, resting his arms on his legs.

“And they are still using the same wallpaper. I guess some things never change.” He observes. The words feel like they are implying something else and I shake my head.

“Yet, so many things have. I mean, that wallpaper is faded now, losing all of it's color. I mean, sometimes, change is inevitable.” I ramble. He looks over at me, teasing the side of his lip between his teeth. I let myself stare for a few seconds longer than I should, then look back at the sand. My mind briefly finds itself on another shore.

“I think time forces change.” He adds. I nod slowly.

“It does.” I agree, looking down at the sand.

“But, maybe if the change was forced by time, there's a chance it was never meant to happen. I'd like to think, if it was never meant to change, it can always be changed back.” He finishes. I look over.

“I think, it's time to let go. Move on. Upgrade that old and jaded print with something new and flashy. Something that works, maybe.” I argue. He nods, looking out towards the water. I follow his view and we watch the other three splashing around. Then he looks back over at me and smiles. It's like the sun itself is radiating from his lips.

“I don't care if it is faded. It's beautiful. I wouldn't change it for anything.” He persists. I laugh.

“We're not talking about the wallpaper, are we?” I ask for clarification. He shakes his head.

“I know that we weren't working. I know we've done a lot to each other. I think, I probably did more,” He pauses, faking a smile. I laugh, leaning forward on my knees.

“Yeah. I'll say.” I agree. He's quiet for a minute, then reaches for my hand. I let him take it.

“But we could, now, I mean. If you're willing to give another shot.” He trails off, looking lost. I lean forward, pulling his hand towards me. He looks over and I quickly kiss him.

“Jared, I'll always be willing.”