I catch you when you fall

Chapter 2

"Can I ask you something" I ask him and he has to smile. "You just did that, but gladly. What do you want to know?". That makes me laugh because he's right. "How do you know the cafe and how did you know where the first aid kit is?" I ask and raise my hand. "I ain't never seen you here, even though you look familiar to me" I say and look at him.

"You really don't know me?" he asks and looks at me in amazement. "Um...I mean I've seen you somewhere befor, but no, not really. Should I?" I ask and look at him suspiciously. "No, it's okay. Forget it. What was your question?  Oh yes. I've been here a few times, the cafe belongs to my aunt. So I know where the first aid kit is" he says and winks at me.

"Wait what? This is your aunt? I didn't know that, she never talked about you. But how often have you been here? I've never seen you here and I'm here often". "I'm...let's say I work...a lot. That's probably why you haven't seen me here yet. But you know my aunt? How?" he asked back and looked interested. "Now I want to know what you do for a living. To answer your question, your aunt is a close friend of my mother..." I say and briefly close my eyes at the thought.

"Hey, are you okay? I didn't mean to offend you" he says, looking at me hurriedly. Of course he also has to be attentive, I think when I notice that the brief moment of my emotional chaos was not hidden from him. Usually I manage to hide my feelings well and it's not that people around me would have paid attention to notice. As soon as I smile, my friends believe I'm fine. Why does an actual stranger notice it anyway, I ask myself. "Yes, I.....I'm fine" I answer hesitantly.

He's still looking at me worried and I can tell that he doesn't believe me. Therefore I try to avoid his gaze and think about how I can change the subject, but that is not necessary. "You don't seem to want to talk about it, that's okay. But sometimes it's better not to hide your feelings" he says, giving me a look that I can't fully interpret.

"Maybe you're right" I say and get up to escape the situation. "But not today, I have to go now. It was nice to meet you Harry and thank you for the drink". "No problem. I also was happy to meet you. If you want to talk, I'll be in the town for a while and my aunt will be able to tell you where I am" he says and also get up. "Goodbye" I say and leave the little cafe. Even without turning around I know that he is looking for me.