In the Lyrics by Nacole Stayton Page B

girl?”
    My body cringes as he calls her that. I know they’re friends, but friends with pet names, come on.
    “I think I’m scheduled to be there for the night shift. Around eight or so. Actually, that reminds me – I need to call and check.”
    “Damn, girl. Well, I guess I’ll stop by for dinner and see you then. Colby, wanna come?”
    “Sounds good, man. Well, as long as I don’t hate the job and quit. It might be weird if I showed back up to eat then.” I hang my head back and laugh.
    “All right. Night, y’all. And you two be good out here.” Dusty winks and then makes his way down the dark hallway.
    When the last episode ends, I look down at the floor to see Hensley sleeping. She looks so peaceful and content. What I really want to do is crawl down beside her and hold her in my arms. I bet that’s what Dusty does in there, in his room. He’s a lucky dude, that’s for sure. Instead, I get up off the couch and bend down and pick her up. I’m careful not to wake her as I cradle her body in my arms like a small child. Moving in front of the couch, I lay her down and cover her up with the small throw blanket that I was using. It’s actually one my grandma Lynn made me before she passed away. It was Levi’s favorite blankie when he was younger.
    Taking the remote from the coffee table, I turn off the TV and then take one last glimpse at the sleeping beauty on the couch. I hit the switch on the lamp and the room goes black.
    I hear her voice whisper in the darkness, “Colby?”
    Turning around, I answer her, “Yes, Sunshine.”
    “Why do you call me that?”
    Without hesitation I confess, “Because my world was dark for a long, long time. When I first laid eyes on you, things seemed brighter for once. You didn’t know it, but I watched you as you prepared for your set, and you seemed so peaceful, like a ray of sunshine as it beams down on the world.”
    “That’s extremely cheesy,” she snorts.
    “I know, but it’s the truth,” I admit. And it is, even if she doesn’t realize it or thinks I’m kidding. Maybe she thinks I’m a fraud and I’m only talking sweet to her to get in her pants.
    “I like the truth,” she says so matter-of-factly.
    “Me too. Goodnight, Hensley.”
    I start to walk away but hear her get up from the sofa, and I swear I hear her mumble, “Ouch.” Within seconds, I feel her small hands grab ahold of my arm as she whispers, “Wait.”
    Looking down, although it’s dark, I can see the outline of her face. I consider raising my hand and tracing every line, committing them all to memory, but instead we stay staring at one another for a few seconds, and I keep my hand at my side. The only noise that surrounds us is that of the ceiling fan and our breathing. It feels like hours pass before she reaches up and kisses me. Slow at first, but then she picks up her pace. Last time it was me who pursued her. My tongue was doing the exploring. This time it is all her. Her hands slowly drag themselves up my arms and across my chest. They hover a little longer there, before they rest themselves on my pecs. I can feel them and their warmth through the thin cloth of my T-shirt. I don’t want to break the moment, so I don’t move. Instead I let her lead me and stay in control.
    She seems nervous, and since I saw her ring, I’m not sure if she’s ever done this before or not. I’d like to assume she’s at least kissed someone in her lifetime. I mean she is twenty, but who knows about her upbringing or how strict her parents were. Seeing how she basically lives here, with a gay man, I’m sure they weren’t all that hard on her when she was growing up, but what do I know? That reminds me. She’s never talked about them, neither has Dusty. I assume they’re alive. Making a mental note to follow up on that, I do my best to stay completely still.
    “Touch me,” she purrs into my mouth as her lips part and allow her words to exit.
    “Hensley…”
    “Shh…don’t talk. Just