Tim Johnson lived inColumbus, Ohio and served as hair and makeup coordinator for a local television station.He was the first cousin of the Technician known as Yield, a close personal friend of Yuñior Delgado.Tim, as well as Mr.Yield, were two of the few people outside of family that the cartel allowed to visit and stay in the home of Eduardo Delgado.The visit made by Tim had been to outfit Yuñior's assistant, and the man shopped and purchased items for the entire family.He'd also give his big brother a sense of style.Yuñior trusted Tim's eye; therefore, Micah would as well.
He sat at the table, his back to Tim as he talked and measured Alita, asking her to extend her arms while he made notes.When he measured her bust, Tim made a point of speaking loudly to let Micah know the young woman was holding the measuring tape, and Tim was not touching her body.He did measure her waist but handed the tape to Alita as he took her hip measurement.
Tim spoke, “I didn't plan meals for four days.I need to go grocery shopping for food for us.Do you guys want to come and see how it's done?”
Micah, without turning around, said, “That is a task I have no interest in doing today.”
“Okay, fine.Alita can come with me to see how I'm going to put together meals while I learn what you like and don't like to eat,” Tim said.
This time, Micah turned around, “Tim the Johnson, do you know how to make the tail of the oxen with potatoes, slowly braising the green leaves of the turnips, and the iron skillet corny bread?I would very much like that meal for supper.”
Tim blinked several times.“You want oxtails and potatoes, turnip greens, and cornbread for dinner?”
“Sí, please.And the gooey cheese with the curled-up pasta,” he said, nodding his head.
“Macaroni and cheese?”Tim asked.
“Sí, can you prepare this meal for us?”
“Sure, but I thought you would want steaks with baked potatoes and endive salads or some shit.”
“My grandfather is a cattle baron,” Micah explained.“We have those meals all the time.As college students, we will not be feasting on such elaborate meals but basics that we can prepare and eat on for a day or more.”
“Okay, Alita, you can come to the store with me,” Tim said.
“I cannot leave his side when we are out of our own country,” Alita explained.
“He will be here at the house; ain't nobody breaking in my home,” Tim said.
“To leave his side is a termination offense,” Alita clarified.
Tim placed a hand on his narrow hip, “So, are you saying you go to the bathroom with him too?”
“If we are in a public space, yes, but he rarely will use a public bathroom unless there is no other choice,” Alita said.
“And what about you?Does he stand guard when you wee, or do you stand guard while he wees as well?”
“My back is to him as he does his business, but I am there,” she said.“Made things at school weird, but we were allowed to use the janitor's bathroom since I had to always be with him.”
“Such an odd way of life,” Tim said, completing his measurements and working on Micah next.
He noticed when the young man disrobed, she too turned her body away from him.To think of people so young having to live such a life...then he thought of Tonda being at Fer de Lance's side as well as Gunther being at Yuñior’s.Over the next four days, Tim's respect for Micah expanded as he understood the man's logic and reasoning and how he managed living with Asperger’s.
****
AT THREE A.M., TIMheard a rustling in the kitchen and arrived to find Micah warming milk and looking for honey.
“Please forgive me for riffling through your pantry.I am looking for honey to go in my milk,” Micah said.
“You can't sleep?”
“Sheets,” he said.“New sounds.New smells.But mainly the sheets.I can hear the hairs on my legs when I move.”
Tim frowned at him, “Excuse me?”
“The fabric is not a good grade of cotton,” Micah said.
“Well, pardon the hell out of me.Did you also feel the pea between the mattress and box spring?”Tim asked.
