Save Me by Eliza Freed

if she’s been with us our entire lives. People die, others are born, life keeps moving on. Noble seems fine with the forward progress. I’m always lagging behind him. He pulls me into life, forces me to live it. It must be exhausting for him. I stand and watch him pull up his overalls. He is as light as air, not weighed down in the least.
    “What?” he asks, and walks over to me. “Did I upset you?” His face is full of concern.
    “No.” I shake my head. “You couldn’t upset me. I’ll stop taking the pill and we’ll see what happens. Whatever is in God’s plan.” Now that I am safely with Noble, I’m willing to accept there is a plan without becoming totally pissed off.
    Noble pulls me to him and holds me tightly. I bury my head in his chest, thankful to have him. So thankful he’s here, in this life, with me.

Love Hurts
    N oble goes out to the Volvo and starts it to let it warm up. The temperature hasn’t gone above freezing in weeks. This is the worst winter I can remember, and it’s barely begun. I bend over and give BJ a kiss good-bye on the head.
    “We won’t be late. Just a birthday dinner,” I say, and BJ tilts his head, listening. I lock the door behind me and walk to the car Noble has pulled up to the house so I don’t have to walk all the way to the L-shed. The wind pierces my scarf and whips across my neck. Noble’s waiting to open the door for me.
    “Happy birthday, Charlotte.” He flashes his signature naughty grin at me.
    “Are you sure you want to go out?” I ask. From the expression on his face, I’m surprised we’ve made it this far.
    “For a little while. Part of your gift we need to be home for.” My heart begins to race. “We’ll get arrested if I put my tongue there in public,” he says, and the heat rises in my chest. I lean into Noble and kiss him. I close my eyes and forget it’s cold outside as his warmth fills me. “Get in the car,” he commands. “Or we’ll never leave.”
    I climb into the Volvo and reach for the button to heat my seat, but Noble already has it on. He is going to be a great dad. Julia is going to kill me when I tell her we’re trying to have a baby. I can’t even predict Jenn’s reaction. She’s already annoyed I’m married this young. The only thing appeasing her is our delayed honeymoon to Hawaii in January. We’re planning on spending at least a week with her. Maybe I’ll ask Noble to wait until after Christmas for a baby.
    Noble takes my hand as he drives over the river. The water is the color of steel and the sky a dark charcoal. It reminds me of Jason’s eyes, like the water when he was placated, like the sky when he was not. Noble squeezes my hand and I forget Jason. Just because the northeast is gray this time of year doesn’t mean I’m going to spend every day reminiscing about Jason. I can’t. I’ll go insane.
    “You know, I don’t think I realized when we got married that you’re not only rich, but also an older woman.” Noble keeps a straight face as we glide through the EZ Pass lane.
    “Is this supposed to make me feel better about my birthday?” I ask, not amused.
    “Do you see the way I look at you?” He’s practically licking his lips.
    “Yes. You are a very naughty boy, Noble Sinclair.”
    “I am going to look at you the exact same way when we are seventy-five and, even if I can’t get it up, when we’re eighty-five, too.”
    “There’s something to look forward to. Can we talk about something else?”
    “What do you want to talk about? What are you looking forward to?” I watch Noble merge, switch lanes, and exit off the highway. The few people on the streets of Wilmington are bundled up so tight their eyes are barely visible. They’re rushing somewhere. At some point during the last five years, I stopped looking forward to things…stopped looking forward at all.
    “Charlotte?” he says as he pulls into a parking space next to Mikimotos.
    “Mmm, sushi. You’re too good to me,