Page 37 of Vesper Martinis
“Nice place,” he says, hands in pockets, almost like he’s afraid to touch anything.
He looks over a glass peacock on the console table behind the couch.
I realize that everything in my apartment, though sentimental to me, doesn't seem very homely. Black and white aesthetic with leather furniture and a couple of glass sculptures here and there. Some wood here and there and books on shelves on one wall. There’s no TV, rugs, or paintings.
In the house where I grew up, there was too much stuff. I think that’s why I like this minimal look. I can see everything I own. Everything here is here because I want it to be, not because I forgot to put it somewhere else or throw it out.
I stand next to him as we admire the peacock I bought when I first got the apartment.
“Pretty, huh?” I ask, nudging him slightly with my shoulder.
“Yeah.” He smiles. “Where did you get it?”
“There was an antique shop around the corner from my first apartment. I was looking to get something to make it, you know… mine. Everything was always Mom’s or Dad’s, so when I saw this, I thought, that’s it! Paid for it with my own money. It was my choice. I bought it because I like birds and I love how it sends rainbows around the room when the light hits it. It was shining around the store at the time, and I knew I wanted that in my place. It’s been with me ever since. I think I’ve been in three apartments, not including this one. Hopefully, this is my last. I want to get a house next.”
“You like birds?” Wesley asks.
“Yeah, I like how colourful they are and how each kind of bird makes different noises. Those birds that can mimic other sounds are so cool. What about you? You like birds?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m a regular bird whisperer. You saw me with that pigeon, right?” Wesley jokes.
I chuckle.
“Yes, I do recall that.”
At that moment, the light hits the peacock just right, and several rainbows cover the walls. It’s quite a sight. I know it’s just science, and I can probably do it with any glassware, but it’s still magical. Just those little specks of colour warm the room so much.
“A house, huh? Do you think you’ll stay in Vancouver?” Wesley asks.
I shrug, “Possibly. If I can find something I like.”
“What do you want?”
You.
“Well, I’d like a house with a lawn. I’d like to get a dog at some point. Maybe have some kids in the future.”
Wesley smiles. “I like that. I was kind of thinking the same thing. A family home.”
“Hmm, that sounds nice,” I hum.
My mind drifts off to a house Wesley and I could share. We’d have the peacock. Maybe one of the rooms could have pigeon wallpaper in it. Wesley’s art would hang on the wall, but we’d still keep it clutter-free if possible. I know that kids tend to come with a lot of stuff, so that might be something I’ll have to let go.
If he wants kids.
Should I ask that? Why not? We’ve been getting to know each other for a bit now, but that hasn’t come up.
“Kids?”
“Hmm?”
“Uh, what do you think of kids? You want some? One? Lots?”
Wesley looks into the distance as he thinks of his answer. “I think I want at least two kids. It might depend on my partner, though, if we have more. How many do you want?”
“Two sounds perfect,” I say, getting dangerously close to just admitting that I want to have kids with him. To have this house that I’ve come up with in my mind. All of it.
But he’s still my employee, so all of that is just a dream at the moment.