Jack & Tammy: Night

Tammy is sleeping on her side.

It has been a long day and she took a long warm shower when she got home. Probably headed to bed an hour or two longer than she needed to. Sarah had beat her to the punch and was already in the bedroom sleeping in her basket, eyes parting open briefly to acknowledge Tammy as she stripped on her way to the bathroom.

She peeled off her clothes, letting them drop to the floor with a splat. Rather than folding them into the hamper, she let them stay in the heap near the wall. In the shower, she used the new shampoo, and the new conditioner, and the new body wash. Everything smelled sweet and she felt moisturized. The extra money spent had been worth it. Toweled dry, she put on the cream slip-- and this was her favorite one. It had been in her arsenal for years and it maintained its beauty through time.

The straps were so thin, so delicate. She found it amazing hat straps bore the responsibility of holding her up and in place altogether as she slept. These straps had done so with complete grace and without complaint, year after year.

Her clean ankles felt weighted as she crossed the dark room, approaching the bed. She peeled back the puffy duvet and slid into bed.

It was over within five minutes. Sleep is generous when you are truly tired. Tammy felt soft and small in the shell of a puffy monster, drifting off to dream.

There were no hard sounds that woke her. And that’s often how it is when someone takes care and caution near a sleeping body. It’s not that they are ever 100% successful in their attempts. There will always be some noise or soft disturbance.

For Tammy, this was a shift in pressure and weight. Her eyes didn’t need to open all the way to know that Jack had come home. Without reaching for her watch, Tammy knew it had to be an hour past since she had originally fallen asleep.

There were the sounds of running cold water, the plucking of Jack’s teeth like strings on a guitar with his favorite dental floss. A brand Tammy was afraid to use because it was old-school, and not designed for comfort. But Jack was a wild man and took risks.

She heard his heavy leather jacket being set on the chair as he whispered something to Sarah. Tammy tried to stay awake listening to his movements, but the hissing of the shower sent her back to her inner world. Some moments later there was heat at the small of her back and the little hairs at the nape of her neck shivered. At the dip in her waist rested Jack’s heavy right arm. It was warm and sank comfortably between her ribs. He was always about 20 degrees warmer than she was.

Now Jack has settled his breathing to match Tammy’s more closely. He clears his throat before wrapping a leg over hers and pulling her in a little closer, staying locked tightly in that fashion for 15 minutes.

Tammy shifts and rolls over to face Jack. His face is relaxed, eyes drooping and gives a soft smile. He cradles Tammy’s small body with his arms. His t-shirt smells clean and freshly laundered. His exhales shoot warm air over Tammy’s forehead.

“Hmm?” he asks.

“I said that you smell nice.” Tammy mumbles sleepily.

“Oh. Thank you.” Jack tightens his grip and stretches out his long legs. His toes reach a portion of the bed that’s cool to the touch, cooler than the rest of the bed. Nevertheless, he remains extended, willing to let his body heat warm up that portion of the sheets as well.