Ren & Wade

 Ren knew cabin fever might be setting in, but then again, they were both used to the cold and the snow living in upstate New York. Actually, it was divine back in December, but these days of January were bitter cold and gray. 

It hadn't gone so well, their visit to Wade's parents. Wade was as indifferent as he ever was and Ren knew he didn't mean it, but she could tell from the moment they arrived how much his mother missed him. After all, she'd been his teacher in life and he was her only child. Although, Ren thought all this time he had a sister or something. 

Well, it was civil enough. Nobody changed anyone's mind about trying to split them up. She guessed that was something, but even when she got back home she wasn't so sure he was happy, but she'd let it be. All those presents were still in a Christmas gift bag waiting for him to use. Ren told Roni she should have expected that.

They left after work to the thrift shops. Roni knew a new place, but Wade couldn't go. He had some jobs to do around the apartment building.

"At this rate, he could get a job there," Roni told her.

Ren nodded. He hadn't mentioned it.

"You two could get your own place, rent-free, he told me."

"Huh." It was news to her. And to think he might be majoring in engineering somewhere (according to his mother), but he wouldn't do it. It might stress him out. She kept busy looking through sweaters, trying not to think working in the apartment building would stress him out, too. 

All the sweaters she found looked better on Roni than her.

"Now stop that, hunter green looks great on you," Roni awoke her pensive state of mind. Ren wiggled a smile and said they needed to find things for Wade. 

"He won't even come with us anymore," Roni frowned.

"He's busy," what else could she say? 'LIFE IS HARD. But she didn't. It was troubling. She felt as if she needed to be busy too. She could see how exhausted he was lately. What if he decided he didn't like her anymore?

She felt a little of her heart melt. She knew she loved him. She'd never felt that about anyone, but it had nothing to do with his face or his scent, it was far greater. He was her partner and she was becoming teary-eyed.