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“Sure. But my roster at work is crazy at the moment. I am not sure when I will get a day that doesn’t require me to sleep instead,” I say honestly, because I may not want to spend money on clothes, but likewise, my days are long and the time I do have off I will need to rest.
“I understand that, but don’t forget you need to take care of yourself too. Sometimes a little shopping with a good friend can also do wonders for your soul.” I smile at that. “Besides, I am sure it won’t be long before you have a date or something. A woman as pretty as you will be on every straight man’s radar very soon,” he adds, and my eyebrows rise.
“Yeah, I don’t think so. Do you see what I look like right now?” I say to him, spreading out my arms. My work clothes are well worn and wrinkled, my hair falling from its high bun. I am pretty sure I have mascara rubbed under my eye, and my lips are chapped, the hospital air conditioning doing nothing to help my skin hydration.
“Well, there is a maintenance man around here who looks at you like I look at my morning coffee,” Brian smarts, raising a brow.
I shouldn’t ask, but I want to know. “What look is that?”
“Like he like he wants devour you whole and do it every day for the rest of his life.” Brian is quick as he watches for my reaction. I try to school it, but my damn cheeks heat and give me away.
“Uh… I am not really looking for love, so you can put your matchmaking skills away for now,” I say, trying to get off the topic.
“You are gorgeous. He would be a dumbass if he didn’t find you attractive.” Brian shuffles some papers on his desk, and I huff a laugh.
“Aw, thank you, Brian. You are great for my ego,” I say with a guarded smile.
“Oh, stop. You are a strong, independent woman. I knew that the minute we met. Now get your fabulous self upstairs and try to relax. All this taking care of everyone else must get tiring.” I am starting to understand his sass comes from a place of love.
“Thanks, Brian,” I say, moving toward the elevators, already feeling a little lighter. As I unlock my apartment door, I fight the yawn that breaks through. I am too tired to swim tonight, but I might go up and check it out. If nothing else, it gives me another space to sit in while I am trying to stay inside and away from danger.
Pushing through my front door, the instant feeling of calmness soothes my weary soul. I take my time tonight in de-stressing from the day. Moving a little slowly, showering and changing before I hit the kitchen, trying to work out which packet of noodles I will make up tonight.
I stop short as I see a box on the kitchen counter, hiding almost out of sight. I didn’t see it when I came in earlier. Grabbing it, my eyes widen as I see it is my favorite box of cookies. A smile forms as I read the small note stuck to it.
These are clearly your favorite. Hope you don’t mind I dropped them off. They remind me of you—sweet, delicate, and pack a punch. - Eddie
My smile is immediate, and my heart stutters a little. I feel like a grinning fool.Maybe Brian was right just a minute ago.My stomach gurgles, reminding me that I do need to eat something today, since lunch consisted of candy lovingly supplied by Shelley again. Putting the cookies down, I open the cupboard to grab some noodles and balk.
I open the next cupboard and the next, almost in a state of shock. I move quickly to the refrigerator and pull the door open and just stare.
The colors that now shine out from my kitchen are like nothing I have ever seen before. My cupboards and refrigerator are now crammed with so much food it is almost a crime. Everything you can imagine, from fresh fruit and vegetables, bagels, cheeses, meats, chicken, ice cream, sweet treats, more cookies. I feel overwhelmed. I gasp for air, can barely breathe, as my eyes water and my hands shake.
Eddie.
Warmth spreads as I continue to look at everything. Taking it all in. He has even supplied cleaning products and new kitchen towels. My stomach drops. He must have seen my empty cupboards last night. I am embarrassed as well as grateful. I don’t like feeling like a charity case, yet he doesn’t know that I can’t afford food. It is a kind gesture, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, I want to sing from the rooftops and jump in his arms. On the other hand, I am scared to touch anything, worried that it was an error or mistake.
I close the cupboards and refrigerator and grab my cell. I need to speak with him.
“Hey, Pinkie.” His voice floats out after only two rings, and butterflies swarm my belly.
“Did you fill my cupboards?” I ask nervously, my face scrunched. I didn’t even say hello or ask about his day. It is not my most eloquent greeting, but I am nervous and frazzled now.
“Yes. I realized when I made the hot chocolates that you haven’t had time to go food shopping properly since you’ve been here, and, well, you did stop me from dying a slow and painful death the other day…” He trails off. I don’t correct him. I found a small food store not far from the apartment that I could visit easily, but their prices were astronomical. So, I bought a few things and had plans to ration them out for the week.
“You were not dying, Eddie!” I say, laughing. My tiredness from earlier dissipates as my laughter dies down.
“Regardless, I had some time, and I wanted to surprise you. You work hard, you volunteer… I want to look after you for a change,” he says, just like it is a fact and that is the way it is going to be.
“Thank you, Eddie, but it is too much,” I say, starting to protest.
“No. It isn’t. I know how busy nurses are at the hospital. You probably don’t even get a chance to buy lunch. Now you have everything you need at home.” I can hear him moving around.
“Have you eaten?” I ask and immediately cringe. It is well past seven. Of course, he would have.
“No, you offering to feed me now?” I can hear his smirk through the phone.
“Well, if you are nearby, I could put something together for us,” I say, holding my breath. God, why is this so difficult? My heart is pounding.
