The Blue Shirt

I hate being away from you that's why I love that shirt

It was late, she was tired, and he was on a trip. There was nothing really to do but go to bed. She grabbed the bedroom book from the nightstand and threw it on the bed with a chuckle. He never understood her need, or ability, to read more than one book at a time. She had her bedroom book, her living room book, her bathtub book, and, of course, her traveling book. One time he actually read one of her books and tried to trip her up, seeing if she really kept the plots and characters straight. She had amazed him with her ability to not only answer the Q&A, but to analyze and compare the literary complexities of each. The book landed on his side of the bed. His side. She would awaken in the morning holding his pillow. She missed him so.

As she walked to the dresser, something caught her eye. It was a blue shirt. She picked it up and held it to her bringing it to her cheek to feel the soft cotton fabric, to catch the traces of his cologne mingled with the scent that was his. She quickly removed her bathrobe and slipped on the shirt. She wrapped her arms around herself, wrapping his arms around her. She loved wearing his shirts, especially this one. He had been wearing this shirt when they first met. The phone rang.

"Hey, you!" She giggled.

"Now, how did you know it was me?" He teased.

"I'd know that ring anywhere.” She laughed.

"You're wearing it, aren't you?" He was like a little boy when he knew he had done something romantic.

"You mean that nasty old shirt you threw on the floor." They both laughed, though she felt tears welling.

"Gotta go, time zone, you know, work." There was a long pause.

"Yeah, I know."

"Hey, I miss you and the other stuff, too."

They both had survived devastating relationships and had made a vow that the word "love" was never to be mentioned. It had become a private joke, a code between them now.

"Me, too, you” And they hung up.

She settled into bed now content having heard his voice knowing that he was with her in the form of a blue shirt.