Everything To Lose

Christopher

When I returned to the kitchen, Leila was out on the patio, cupping both hands around the cup. I smiled at the scene. I imagined I looked the exact same way every morning. The warmth of the cup went a long way to warding off the chill of the morning. I opened the door and joined her inhaling the fresh air.

“It is so nice out here,” she said with a reverent tone. “I love this view.”

I nodded. “I agree. I love it out here in the morning. I usually get up early just so I can be out here and watch the sunrise. I could never do this in Minnesota.”

She laughed. “I imagine you would freeze within minutes.”

“Seconds,” I quipped. “Hell, the coffee would freeze before I could get it down.”

She looked me up and down. “You got dressed fast. I’m ready when you are,” she said.

I opened the door and gestured for her to go in first. We left our cups on the counter and headed out the door to my truck.

“I think I should tell you a little more about me,” I started after we got in the truck a