All I Have To Give

Believe

I sing at the top of my lungs knowing that I'm completely off key.

"Do you believe in life after love
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough
Do you believe in life after love
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough"

My concert is cut short when I'm interrupted by a short man with tattoos.

"Ma'am you're in a Costco."

I shrug "Well they shouldn't be playing Cher and not except me to scream along."

He sort of laughed "Scream along?"

I say defensive "I said what I said."

He actually laughs "Alex, but most people call me AJ."

I smile and introduce myself.

I ask "Okay AJ.. Do you want to sing-scream along with me?"

He winks "You bet."

*******

"Why do you keep describing me as a short man with tattoos? Literally, every time we tell the story."

"Because that's what I thought when I first saw you and also that you were incredibly handsome" I giggle and gently poke his side.

He sauntered back over to the counter "Well I'll have you know when I first saw you.."

"Mhm yeah?" I smile and lean over it and kiss his cheek.

"When I first saw you I thought, wow that's Wifey right there. Personally I was trying to do you a favor and kinda flirt with you."

I laugh "Really?"

"Really" He looks deeply into my eyes.

Howie cleared his thoart "I hate to ruin the moment and all, but um I'm still here."

"Sorry D" I pull back.

"My bad man. I'm about to order out are you staying for dinner D?"

Howie politely declines "Another time guys, I have to go pick up the boys from school. It's Leigh's day off."

"As deserved." I smile

Howie nods in agreement.

"We'll hold you to it man. Actually, we should all just go out to dinner some time."

"That sounds like a plan Aje. I'll let you guys know when."

Howie makes his leave and say "Bye!"

Unintentionally we said "Bye" in unison.

The door closes and I turn towards AJ.

"You know.. You could say that we're.." I walk over to him.

He sighs "Babe, don't say it."

"What? All I was gonna say is that we're.."

"No."

I sigh "Okay I won't."

"Thank you" He kisses my cheek.

"*NSYNC! You could say we're in sync, you get it because.. We said "Bye" together in sync and.. You're a Backstreet..Boy and sooo yeah.. *NSYNC. We're in sync. "

He lets out an exasperated sigh and laughs "Why are you corny?"

I shrug "Just born like this I guess."

*******
The doorbell rings and I practically run to the door and get it.

"AJ the food here!"

I hear a muffled "Okay I'll be there in a minute."

I begin to take out the containers and divvy it up onto our plates.

"Come on J."

"I'll be there in a second."

I hear shuffling and something heavy drop.

"Shit."

I stifle my laughter "Seriously your foods gonna get cold and I know that you--"

AJ comes out with a mini karaoke machine with an extension not far behind it.

"This song goes out to my lovely fiancé and how she almost got kicked out of a Costco."

"What the h--"

The song plays and he starts singing.

"No matter how hard I try
You keep pushing me aside
And I can't break through
There's no talking to you"

"AJ why are you--" I can't help but laugh

He dances around me trying to do his best Cher impression.

"It's so sad that you're leaving
It takes time to believe it
But after all is said and done
You're gonna be the lonely one"

"So are you gonna help me sing
Our song or what?"

I nod excitedly and join in during the chorus.