Crossing the Line

Recovery from a sprain — not how I planned to spend my summer vacation. But I have to admit, it's not all that bad, as my wonderful girlfriend Bailey, who just graduated from medical school, is taking care of me. We spent a week at my family's beach house. A week of swimming and barbecuing, entertaining my little cousins, and sleeping in adjacent rooms. For a week, I watched Bailey bond with my mom, sisters, and slightly crazy but lovely grandmother. For a week, I enjoyed having Bailey take care of me — and that really means something, as I constantly need to apply ice packs to my injured ligaments and bandage my aching muscles. For the first time in a long time, being myself around her, I found that the walls I had built crumbled. Bailey is funny and kind, but… she’s not looking for a serious relationship. But I certainly don’t plan to remain ‘just the fun guy who’s always around’...