Once to his house, a small, rented, two story place about six blocks from his parents house, and two from Isaac's, Taylor got out ran to the other door to help Shirley.
He helped her out and then helped her up to the door.
"Gosh, this wind is nasty!" He said, carefully climbing the steps.
He unlocked the door, then opened it to the chilly, dark, house. They were greeted instantly by one of Taylor's three cats, Bubba, a fat, tuxedo.
"Hi bubba!" She said.
Taylor went over to pour some cat food in his dish, and immediately his other two cats, Quito and Dude, came running.
He meowed annoyingly for having his dinner be so late, since it was nearly one in the morning. Taylor helped her over to the couch, then walked into the hall to flip the furnace.
"God, it's freezing in here!" He said, rubbing his hands together.
"Toss me that blanket, will you, buff man?" She asked, pointing to the blanket on his chair. Shirley was always teasing Taylor, for he always whined about being cold. Shirley told him it was because he was so skinny and he had no fat on his bones.
"Sure." He said, sitting down beside her.
"Can I ask you something?" He asked.
"Sure." She said, turning slightly to face him.
"Do you think I'm not very manly or something?" He asked, his blue eyes focusing on her green ones.
"No, I think you're very…manly." She said, pausing to giggle at his term.
"Oh." Was all he said.
"What Tay? What's wrong?"
"Well, I just don't know. I feel like I can never please you enough."
"Am I that bad?" She said, looking at him inquisitively.
"No, it's not you, it's just that I'm always feeling like I can't take care of you."
"Well, Taylor, we're not married, you don't have to take care of me." Shirley said, looking down at her hands.
"But I do feel that way. I like to spend a lot of time with you and worry about you."
"Well, I appreciate that. My parents never really cared for me much, and I was alone a lot as a child. I'm not used to all the attention you give me sometimes. I'm sorry if I act strange."
"No, it's not anything you're doing." He said, taking her hand. "I guess it's been both of us."
"Yeah, i know."
"Shirley, why do we fight so much?"
She thought a moment. "I don't kow."
"I don't know either."
"I think we're a lot alike, and our personalities sort of clash, I guess." She said.
They were silent for a few moments before Taylor looked over at her. "I'm sorry if I make you mad." He said.
Shirley smiled and patted his hand. "You don't make me that mad...I treat everyone like that."
"Oh."
"I guess I pick on the people that are close to me the most."
"I'm close to you?"
"Of course you goon." She said, nudging him.
"Okay."
"Consider yourself....special." She said with a laugh.
"Oh boy! I'm special." Taylor joked.
Shirley looked at him. "Yeah, you are special." Taylor looked over at her and smiled. He put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her to him for a kiss. They pulled apart a few moments later.
"Let's not fight anymore." he said.
"Okay." She said, looking into his eyes, which were suddenly sad.
"What is it?" SHe asked.
"I just…" he started, looking off into the distance.
"What?" She asked, looking at him.
"I hated being away from you when we were in LA last month. I missed you." He said.
"I hated it too." She said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Aw, don't cry." He said, wrapping her in a hug.
"I just hate it when you leave me for so long. I don't like to be alone now that I know how good it feels."
"How what feels?" He asked, pulling his head back to look at her.
"Loving someone."