Page 21 of As the Years Pass

Judy told me this last night and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Adam

It’s fascinating. I guess they use copper to carry oxygen, not iron like us, so that’s why their blood is blue.

I huff out a laugh. I love that such small things entertain him.

Nature is pretty amazing.

Adam

Octopuses are cool.

I think you mean octopi.

Adam

Actually, they’re both right. But it seems…

Adam

Proper Greek would be octopodes, but that’s weird.

Maybe you should be a teacher.

Adam

I’ve thought about it.

I could see him doing that. He loves kids. Maybe he should look into it. Maybe it’ll make him happy. He’s a great realtor, one of the best in Nevada County, but I don’t think that selling houses is what makes him happy. I’m not sure how he even fell into it, because that’s not what he wanted to do when we were younger. Though, he never could make up his mind on what he wanted to do then.

A heavy weight settles in my chest as I realize how much we don’t know each other anymore. How many things have changed in our lives through all these lost years…

But deep down, surely we’re the same people, right? I mean, how much can people change?

I see him, I’m next to him, and I stillfeelit. That has to mean something, doesn’t it?

There’s a knock on my door, and when I look up, the HVAC guy is walking in. That’s when I realize I never got his name.

“From what we can tell, everything in the prints looks accurate, so that’s a plus. It is a lot of work though, meaning it’s going to be costly. We can take payments in increments, to help with the cost. Replace things here and there, you know.”

“I appreciate that, thank you. Are you able to write up a quote for me? Overall, and how you’re able to break it up?”

“Sure thing. Is the email I have on file for you an okay one to send it to?”

“Yes, that would be great.”

He nods, placing the blueprints on my desk. “I’ll have it to you by mid-week next week, at the latest.”

I get up. “Thank you. I’ll see you out. Also, I’m sorry, but I realize I didn’t get your name.”

He smirks. “Charlie.”

“Well, thank you again, Charlie.”

I walk them all out the back door, and wave them off. I knew this was going to be a lot of work, but an entire HVAC systemreplacement? Adam is going to chew my head off if he ever finds out. I chuckle, then head back to the office.

Guess what I found out today.