A Little Bit of Hope

Chapter 3 - Help

"Hurry up and put it on already," Tina griped. I shifted my weight uneasily. The girl in the mirror followed my every move, but if not for the yellowish bruise on her cheek, I wouldn't have believed it was me.

I was encased in a tight sheath of slinky black, a halter top dress that stopped just above my knees. It was more conservative than some of my clothes, but somehow I felt more exposed than ever. I pulled the door open and stepped out.

Tina barely glanced at me before saying "You're buying that."

I had learned earlier that Tina wouldn't allow me to disagree. With anything. I closed the door and quickly changed back into my ratty jeans and t-shirt. I found Tina waiting outside with the massive pile of merchandise she'd insisted on buying for me. She herself had only gotten a pair of shoes and a pack of gum.

The cashier took the dress and smiled brightly. "Will that be all?" she asked cheerfully. I nodded tiredly. We'd been at the mall for over seven hours, and the only other thing I could stand was a hot shower and a soft bed. I found myself amazed at my decision to stay at the mansion, but luckily Tina seemed okay with it. I hadn't spoken to Ian since the night before, and I hoped he would head back to the apartment before I could. I wasn't sure I trusted him, or maybe it was that I didn't trust myself around him.

"Hey, Molly," Tina waved a piece of paper in my face. "Take a look at this."

I took the piece of paper and read the bold lettering.

HELP WANTED - BAKER'S ASSISSTANT. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.

I looked up. "I've never baked a day in my life," I protested. "Besides, I don't need a-"

Tina cut me off. "You do. Just because you have a way to get money doesn't mean you have a job. I fully respect your decision if you're safe and you like what you do, but we both know that's not quite true." She threw me a solemn glance and I blushed. I really wished people would stop pointing it out. She grabbed my hand and pulled me along. "C'mon, the store's just over here."

I let her drag me to the far end of the mall, to a bakery called Honeybuzz. The smell of fresh bread washed over me and my stomach grumbled. A robust middle-aged woman was mixing cookie dough in a big metal bowl. She looked up and smiled.

"Hiya ladies," she called. "What can I do for you?"

Completely contrary to my nature, I immediately decided that I liked this woman.

"Hi," Tina replied cheerfully. "Could we get two chocolate chip muffins? And my friend here would like to apply for a job."

I smiled shyly and nodded. The plump woman set the bowl aside and stretched her hand over the display case. "I'm Clara. You got a name, hon?"

"Molly," I whispered, then more loudly, "Molly Markowitz."

She smiled again. "Well Molly, just let me get those muffins and we can sit down and talk."

Two hours later, I walked away with a bag of cookies and a job. Tina spent the walk out to the car smug as could be, practically strutting and humming to herself. Somehow we managed to stuff all my new clothes into the trunk of her 1998 Chevrolet Camaro, and we headed back to the mansion. It couldn't possibly have been only six, could it? Then again, I'd been staying up all night and sleeping all day for the past few years, so I guess technically it was past my bedtime. It was impossible for me to keep my eyes open any longer.

I roused for a moment when Ian picked me up and carried me inside, just long enough to mumble for him to put me down, but I quickly fell asleep again listening to his heartbeat.

The next morning, I woke early and stumbled down the stairs. I plopped onto a chair, put my head in my arms, and groaned.

Tina poked me with a fork, and I took a heaping plate of eggs from her. "Thanks," I mumbled. My feet and arms were unbelievably sore. It felt like I had run a marathon with a sack of bricks, instead of carrying some clothes around a mall. My ankle had done remarkably well, so clearly I was nowhere near obtaining a medical degree.

I ate the eggs, toast, and coffee Tina pushed on me. "You don't have to baby me," I muttered.

Tina laughed, but sobered quickly as Ian loped down the stairs. "Mm, something smells good," he said with a lopsided grin. He snatched a piece of toast off Tina's plate, dodging when she swatted at him with a spatula.

I sat rigidly and hoped neither of my new roommates would remember I was there. Unfortunately Ian was against the idea.

"So Molly," He began, flopping onto the chair next to me. "Tina said you got a whole new wardrobe. You'll have to put on a fashion show for us tomorrow."

I took a sip of my coffee to avoid looking at him. "Not today?" I asked.

He shook his head and leaned back. "'Fraid not. I've got to get back to work, but I'll see you around seven." He leaned in conspiratorially. "That's a promise."

I blushed. How the hell does he manage this kind of hold over me? I wasn't left to wonder very long, as he stood with a sigh and stretched.

"Speaking of work, I've got to go." He nodded to Tina and winked at me. "See you later."

As soon as he was gone, Tina scampered over. "You two should go out sometime."

I nearly dropped my coffee. "Um, me and Ian?" I ask, desperately hoping I'd heard her wrong. When she nodded, I sighed and put my head down again. "Why?" I felt sort of awkward badmouthing her friend, but I couldn't help myself. "He's so.... frustrating."

"Yeah, he is, but what makes you say that?"

I shrugged. "I met him in the shittiest part of town, but he dragged me over to his mansion and told me that I could live here, and he's given me nothing even resembling an explanation. I mean, I don't know who he is, what he does for a living, hell, I don't even know his last name. "

Tina tilted her head down in a comically stern expression. "Now you listen to me, Molly Markowitz," she began, her gray eyes twinkling. "Ian is the kindest guy I know, and if he hasn't explained himself, it's because he's waiting to see if you actually want to know." I started to interrupt, but she shushed me. "He's dealt with a lot of shit, and I've never seen him interested in anyone for the past six years." She lost the goofy expression and became deadly serious. "If you aren't interested in him, then you had better tell him. I don't want either of you getting hurt."

I reeled back. "I am interested in him!" I yelled. "Okay? I like him and he's super nice and- and- and he scares the shit out of me because no one has ever treated me like this before!"

Tina reached over and gently wiped a tear off my cheek that I hadn't realized was there. "It's okay hon," she murmured. "I'll talk to him about it, and if he doesn't give you an explanation, I'll freeze all his underwear again."

"Again?"

Tina nodded. "Last time it was because he forgot to feed my fish while I was out of town and they died. They were just feeder goldfish, so it wasn't a huge deal, but it was two days, for fuck's sake."

I giigled at her story, and at the idea of Ian having to put on frozen underwear.

"But for real," she continues, "I'll make sure he talks to you. Okay?"

I nodded. I would love to have someone- anyone- explain why he would do all this. I sat there for a second, grateful to be able to let off some steam, then finally ask, "So what is his last name anyways?"

Tina smiled and took my empty mug. "Zerlandar."

I practically snorted in disbelief. "Yeah, right."

"No really, it was his mother's maiden name. He wasn't really close with his father so he changed it when he turned eighteen."

"Really? Well no wonder he didn't mention it before. It's one hell of a name."

Tina rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up, Markowitz, and help with these dishes."