Tenement Funster

Tea and Sympathy

Roger ran from the bus stop all the way home.  His heart racing from the run and from worrying about Brian.  Trying to imagine what might have happened at his office this morning and feeling terrible about it.  He finally reached the stairs to the mews house and climbed them.  

He opened the door to find the house empty.  Roger instantly wondered if he had managed to beat him home.  He closed the door and walked to the office and bedroom just to be sure Brian wasn't in either room.  After checking, he pulled off his coat and hung it up and went to put the kettle on.  Figuring Brian would be home any time now and he would be prepared to offer him tea and sympathy.  The water boiled and Roger made himself a cup.  Watching the front door as he sipped the soothing beverage.  Waiting for Brian to come home.

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John shoved the money in the taxi driver's hand and was partially blinded by the onslaught of tears that started as he walked to the front door of the maisonette.  His hands shaking as he opened the door and went inside.  His frantic phone call to Freddie had given him strength to climb into a taxi to go straight home.  Now he stepped into the sanctuary of their shared place.  Feeling slightly better at not having to face anyone else as he set his bag of personal effects down and pulled off his coat.  The sound of footsteps startled him and he looked up at see Magda coming towards him.  Wearing a soft smile.  He went to wipe at the stray tears on his face. Hoping she wouldn't see them.  He hoped she didn't know his fate.

"Oh my dear boy..."  Magda cooed to him as she held out her arms to him.  The sight of her sympathetic expression and tone set him off and a fresh wave of tears began as Magda pulled John into her arms.  Offering him comfort as he sobbed with his head leaning against hers.  Her small frame much shorter than his own.

"You just let it out..."  she told him in a soothing voice.  Rubbing his back as he hiccupped and got her shoulder wet with tears.  They stood there together in the foyer as she kept hold of him. Allowing him to process his shock and dismay at being dismissed for something so ridiculous.  Once he quieted down, she loosened her hold and pulled back to look at the damage.  

John's face was red and his nose was dripping.  He made a sniffling sound as he went to wipe his face with the sleeve of his jacket.  Magda stopped him.  Handing him a tissue she had at the ready.

"Let's get you in a nice hot bath so you can calm down..."  she instructed.  He willingly let her lead him upstairs as he tried to get a grip on himself.  Standing and watching her draw a bath and then helping him undress.  For some reason he had no modesty as he stripped and stepped into the inviting steamy water.  Instantly feeling a semblance of relief from his strife as he slid down into the tub and savored the scent of the lavender bubble bath.

"Thank you..."  he finally managed to say in a quiet voice as Magda reached for a cloth.  Wetting it in the hot water.

"You are welcome..."  she responded and folded the flannel and placed it over his forehead.  He found a smile for her as she walked to the door.  "I'll have some tea for you in a while..."  she advised as she closed the door behind her.  John exhaled a deep sigh and reached up and pressed the wet cloth to his face.  Trying to understand how this could have happened to him and wondering what other fallout there might be from his arrest.

Freddie bolted through the front door and noticed John's bag sitting in the foyer.  Magda appeared from the hallway.

"Where is he?"  Freddie asked her.  She pointed upstairs.

"I put him in the bath...he was in a terrible state when he got here..."  she answered.  Freddie gave her an endearing smile and walked to her.  Accepting her offer of an embrace.