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“You look young, Freckles, but I hate to break it to you, you don’t look that young.”
“Okay then, how old do you think I am?”
He rubbed his chin theatrically while contemplating his answer. “My powerful rules of deduction would put you at twenty-three.”
“And what rules would that number be based on?” I challenged with an arched eyebrow.
“I have no idea,” he admitted as he slouched back down to the island.
He was funny and he had me laughing a lot.
“So, according to you, my name is Freckles, and I’m twenty-three.”
“Yep.” He took another sip of his black coffee.
I shook my head. “We should have enough information to apply for a driver’s license, then.”
“Are you in a rush to get out of here? This place is pretty awesome.”
I looked around. “Yes, it is. Why isn’t anyone living here?”
His eyes dropped, and he moved silently around the island into the sitting room that was open to the kitchen. I wasn’t sure what I said wrong, but his reaction made me cringe. I had just ruined a lovely time with one stupid question.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
He sighed deeply. “You didn’t. It’s just complicated.”
Of course, it was. What part of this wasn’t complicated? He had a stray cat with no memories living in a house that looks to have never been occupied. Complicated was an understatement.
“It was meant as a gift for someone, but she never got a chance to see it.”
His voice was barely audible as he recanted what had to have been a painful memory. I cowered as far down in my bar stool as I could get without falling off.
He stood in front of the window quietly as I finished my coffee. I didn’t know what to say after that, so I didn’t say anything. I wanted to give him the space to work through whatever memory had taken him prisoner. I got up and debated on pouring myself another cup, but instead, I rinsed my cup and just waited.
“I need to be going,” he said suddenly.
“Oh, okay.” I pushed myself off the counter. Before I could walk him out or say anything else, he was gone. I heard the click of the lock being engaged on the front door and then silence. Again.
