A Full Timetable

Even after a long day of work -still wearing her waitress uniform and a sauce smear down her top because she’s barely in the door- Aki’s girlfriend has so much energy to spare.

“Volunteering looks great on a CV,” Evelynn says cheerfully. She’s flopped forward over the back of the couch, over Aki’s shoulder, and half down his chest. Her phone is clutched in the air like a sword, and on the dimming screen is an email about volunteer work opportunities to help the university’s PhD students.

“It’s the wrong kind of volunteering,” Aki says and flips a page in his book without pause. Most of the offers are labour-based and belong to lesser degrees.

“But it’s science!” Evelynn insists with an excited grin, wriggling like she’s kicking her feet in the air. Her legs are probably a bit numb again from standing on them all day. “And helping the environment, and swimming in the harbour, and we’d do it together. At least one of those things must count.”

“Marine science will not get someone a proper job,” Aki explains. He brushes Evelynn’s draping hair to the side so it doesn’t get caught in his shirt buttons and hurt her. “It’s not a valid, impactful way to help by simply quantifying invasive species found in the sea walls of the harbour. I also don’t like swimming and it will be hot. Get up, you’ll hurt yourself like that.”

Evelynn has her head tipped at an awkward angle so she can press an ear to his chest. “I can hear your heartbeat.”

“Come and sit properly,” Aki says firmly. “You’ll get a sore neck.”

“One good thing out of four options won’t change your mind?” Evelynn jokes and pushes off, her weight and warmth leaving Aki. She moves around the couch, pausing to turn on the reading light with the sun sinking into the horizon, and sits up against him. Evelynn puts her head on his chest again. “It’s only a few hours, and it’ll fill the slot in your timetable."

“The student’s parents haven’t officially cancelled the piano tutoring, they’re still deliberating,” Aki corrects but he has been thinking about it. They do need the money, but mostly he just doesn’t like empty hours. “Maybe I’ll finish this book then.”

“You don’t like the book.”

With good reason; there are gaping holes in the timeline of both Karakorum and Ulaanbaatar, which were major stations along the Silk Road. It’s like the author completely forgot about Mongolia, and there is not even a single mention of the role Buddhism played in trade and construction. He should have picked a different book to practice his French reading skills – next time he’ll be better at deciding.

“I started it so I need to finish it,” Aki says.

“How about; you finish the book relaxing on the grass, while watching me splash around not validly helping the environment,” Evelynn laughs. “We can get food after.”

Aki considers it. “Show me the email. And go change out of work clothes while I reheat your dinner.”

“Thank you, love you!” Evelynn passes over her phone, gives him a peck on the lips and trots off.

Aki isn’t entirely convinced but finds himself already putting the book down because it’s been rescheduled. He spends his new empty time slot reheating dinner and asking about Evelynn’s day. They go to bed early, with Evelynn out as soon as her head hits the pillow.

“Goodnight,” he murmurs, pulling the blanket over her.

Aki shuffles around just a bit more to get her work bag ready for tomorrow before going to sleep himself, arm over her waist. He’s mentally setting alarms because Evelynn will need to reapply a lot of sunscreen when she’s volunteering.