Past, Present and Future

Breaking The Chains

I went over to the studio apartment with groceries for T. I had been teaching him to cook simple meals so he could at least eat when I couldn't come over or leave food. 

This night was no different, but something felt off. Was someone there? I knocked and knocked but no one opened the door. I grew worried so I used my spare key to let myself in. "T", I called. "Is everything okay?"

The smell of burnt pasta assaulted my nostrils immediately. Heading to the kitchen, I turned off the spaghetti and took the pot to the sink. Poor kid, I guess I forgot to tell him you have to stir pasta or it will burn. I restarted everything while I went of search of T. He was asleep so I tiptoed back to the kitchen and turned down the water. 

"Paul?" came a tear-filled voice several minutes later. "Paul, is that you? I tried making dinner for you and I fell asleep and now it's ruined and I'm so sorry. Don't be mad!"

"Hey, it's okay. I appreciate the gesture. Why are you crying? Did something happen?"

"I have a major headache and I feel sick but I wanted to do something nice for you and I failed miserably." He hugged me tightly and started crying again. "I love you!" he said in muffled tones against my shoulder.

"I love you too." Taking his hands in mine, I led him to the couch so I could finish dinner. He looked miserable so I called him to help me finish. "You can set the table and pour wine for me."

"I don' have any more. I drank it trying to get rid of my headache."

"You're drunk then. " I start laughing. "Did you actually drink cooking sherry? " I held up the empty bottle. "The wine's in the other cabinet." 

"Gross. " He muttered. "It's nasty!"

I start laughing at his expression as he heads to take a shower.

His feelings for me have finally broken through. I wondered how long it would take.

Over dinner, I tell him about the video shoot and how it went.