Stay With Me

Chapter 3

"Charlie. Charlie! Charlie?" Meryl shouted into my apartment. I was barely awake and didn't recognize her voice at first, but then it finally clicked. We had been planning to meet at Starbucks to talk about what we were going to say during our interview on the Today show. I couldn't believe I slept through our date! I've been waiting forever! She is going to be so ticked off at me! I shouted groggally out to Meryl, "Hey. Sorry guess I needed some sleep after yesterday's excitement."

"Well, come on silly!" Meryl shouted into my bedroom. I guess she had gotten up enough courage to finally come into my apartment. The whole time were in Sochi I kept inviting her into my apartment for coffee or donuts, but she always said that she was busy or had something to do. However, half an hour later she would call me and tell me to come to her place and talk about our routine. So this was the first time she had gotten up enough courage to come into my apartment. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt that said Boston: Home of the Red Sox on it. I don't even know where I got that shirt. Anyway, I walked came out of my bedroom and Meryl gave me that "you can't seriously being going out into public like THAT" look. I sighed and said, "Hey, what do you expect when I just woke up 5 minutes ago!" She laughed. I just love the way that she laughs; it is delicate yet so strong and purposeful. She is the picture of perfection. 

"Maybe I should help you pick out your outfit!" Meryl said. I can't believe what I'm hearing!!!!!!

"Sure." I said, and I walked into my bedroom. When Meryl got into my room, I said, "This is my closet," doing my best Vanah White impression. Meryl laughed again. I opened the sliding door and Meryl mocked a gasp. My clothes were all in a pile on the bottom of the closet - big surprise, I just dumped out my suitcase! 

"Okay, lets get you into something presentable for television." She started to paw through my stuff and I saw that she pulled out a light blue button up shirt that was, somehow, the same shade as her dress, along with a black suit coat and pants, along with a dark blue tie. "There! Put that on, fix this mess," Meryl mussed up my hair, "and THEN you'll be ready for the interview!" She smiled and walked out of my bedroom so I could change. Within 5 minutes I had ditched the Red Sox t-shirt and jeans and replaced it with a camera ready suit. "Charlie." Meryl said when I walked out of the room, stretching out the 'ie.' 

"What?" I said.

"Your hair is a mess! Brush that curly blonde mess out, young man." She pretended to be mad and wagged her finger at him. She was trying to keep a straight face, but broke out into that perfect laugh that she has.

"Fine." I said, mocking a pouty voice, but then burst out into my own, loud laugh. I walked into the bathroom and started to brush my thick, tangled, blonde curls into something that looked a little more presentable.

"Well, that took awhile. We only have 10 minutes to get down to the studio for the today show!"

"God, sorry Mer! We can take my car. I'll drive!"