BR - Awkward

It’s an awkward Uber ride back to the hotel.

“I’m glad I could meet her finally,” Beth says after a few minutes of silence, touching your leg. “A bit.”

You nod. “Um. What do we do?”

“S’pose we go home,” Beth replies.

“Like…” you begin, letting it hang as you look at her.

But she’s just looking at you. Go home separately? You go back to Gurlberg and she goes to England? You’ve never even thought about this, let alone talked about it. You’re usually too busy being horny or hungry or playing soccer.

It’s true that life’s gotten a bit boring since FUTA hit the pause button, but you don’t want to be away from Beth. You’ve only been together a couple of weeks, but they’ve been the best weeks of your life. You’re in love. This is terrible news.

You sigh, looking at her pathetically.

“I don’t want to leave you,” you tell her honestly. “And I don’t want you to go anywhere.”

She turns a little pink and smiles, embarrassed. She’s visibly moved, and perhaps a little uncomfortable.

She breaks eye contact. “Never thought I’d hear that from a girl,” she says, trying to lighten the mood. “Not that I mind, love. I don’t want to leave you either.”

“We could stay here,” you suggest tentatively. “Living in a hotel’s not very practical, but we’re loaded now, right?” The words come out sounding hesitant. It’s a dumb suggestion, and a selfish one. This is home for you, not for Beth. “Where would you go if you were going home?”

“My mum,” Beth says without hesitation, making a face. “She’s… bought a new house, actually.”

“Oh, yeah? Where?”

“Um…” Beth looks at you worriedly. “The Midlands.” She lowers her voice when she says that, as though it embarrasses her.

“What? I thought you were from England,” you say.

She stares at you for a moment. “Yes. Yes. It’s in Southam.”

“What?”

“Near Coventry,” she adds, leaning into you affectionately and looking expectant, as though she expects you to know what any of that is.

“Uh,” you say.

“By Brum,” she adds, starting to sound a bit ****.

“OK,” you say. “Sounds nice.” You have no idea what any of that is, but it’s England. It must be very fancy and beautiful, like Beth.

“What about you?” Beth asks with a big smile. “Where is Mary? I don’t think you ever told me.”

“Gurlberg,” you reply reluctantly.

“Where’s that?”

“It’s here in Florida.”

“Is it on a beach?” Beth asks brightly.

“Um, no. It’s… a swamp,” you reply quietly.

“Oh,” she says, failing to hide her disappointment. “Is there anything cool there?”

“No,” you reply simply. One truthful word. “Nothing.”

“I see.”

You can’t look at her. You turn and look out the window as the car takes you through downtown. It’s an election year, and mean political ads are already everywhere. Florida blows.

“Can we,” you begin nervously. “Can I go with you? Would you mind? Would your mom mind?”

“Course not,” Beth replies, perking up a bit.

“Yeah.” You sigh, glancing at the ads. “I kind of want a break from the politics and racism for a minute. Let’s go to England. It’s got to be better there, right?”

Beth cringes.

“What?” you say.

“Nothing,” she replies quickly. “OK, love,” she adds, grabbing your hand and squeezing it.