Page 151 of Old Habits
“Looks like.”
“But what’s the occasion?”
Will doesn’t answer. He takes my hand and steps off the porch, pulling me along with him in a light, but firm, grip.
I look upward, watching the long ribbons of tissue sway gently in the wind above our heads. We start on the sidewalk but Will casually guides us into the empty street. I glance over my shoulder to make sure we’re in no danger of being run over while he stares straight ahead without worry as we walk toward the center of town.
I fill my lungs with the cool breeze, feeling warm tickles trail from our clasped fingers all the way up through my shoulder blades. My lips curl. Who knew a stroll down an empty street surrounded by floating strands of toilet paper could feel so romantic?
We pass by a house as the front door opens. A couple steps out, immediately followed by two young teenagers. Their mother waves at us with a wide grin on her face. I wave back, thinking nothing of it until I peek back over my shoulder again and notice several others walking along the sidewalks behind us.
“Uh, Will. Are we being followed?”
He scans around and shrugs. “Doubt it.”
More doors open. More people walk out onto the sidewalks to head into town. Not a single one climbs into their cars to invade the empty street laid out in front of us. It’s like our own private, undisturbed walkway.
“You sure about that?” I ask.
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,”he says. “My love is deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.”
I stare hard at him. “What?”
“You said that to me once.”
“I did?”
“Well, you read it out loud as Juliet.”
“Oh…” The memories come back and I laugh. “Right. Mrs. Carter’s English class.”
“For some reason,” he says, “out of all the lines in that play, that one still stands out to me the most. I’m pretty sure it’s because of how you said it.”
“How did I say it?”
Will pauses our stride and turns to me. “I remember looking over at you. Just by chance. My eyes left the page, fell on you instead, and it’s like you felt it. Your voice stopped, you quit breathing, and you looked right at me as you read that line. My love is deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite. Then… we just stared at each other for who knows how long until I realized that it was my line but then…”
“The bell rang,” I say, reliving the moment with him.
He smiles, pleased that I remember. “The next day, that moment had passed but I couldn’t get it out of my head. Almost like a part of me knew that it would be important someday.” He gives my hand a stronger squeeze. “My love for you is infinite, Jovie Ross. And that’s how I know you love me back because the more I give you, the more I have. My bounty is boundless.”
I press my lips together, hoping to stop any of the tears threatening to spill over as even more people wander past us.
“That’s really sweet, Will,” is all I can say.
He smirks. “And here I thought you’d scold me for quoting stupid teenagers that got a bunch of people killed over a bout of puppy love.”
I laugh. “I guess I’m growing soft.”
He starts us forward again. “Works for me.”
We round the block, leading directly into the town square and even more confusion sets in.
First Street isn’t the only place that got hit with a Jovie last night. Toilet paper hangs down from the branches of the dozen trees throughout the square but no one seems to be angry or annoyed by it.
Several rows of wooden folding chairs sit throughout the grass, hugging an empty aisle where all of the random neighborhood walkers have gathered — and not just from our street. I notice several groups traveling in from all corners with bright and happy smiles. A few look over at us and their smiles shift into knowing grins.
Lucky’s set up a table for refreshments on the corner by the coffee shop, the only business that seems to be open.