A Home For My Heart

Chapter Nine

GRACE

Three knocks' raps at my door and I rose from my bed with a groan, who could it be this early in the morning. Yes, I get up for work early but that was it. I was not a morning person; the person knocks again.

Coming! I shouted.

I open the door to see the delivery for my order was here, nice. Couldn't they spare a girl five more minutes. It would be the gentlemanly thing to do.

Morning, I greeted.

The guy gave me the papers to sign, and they brought in my delivery. When they were done, I thank them and closed my door. Turning to my new addition to the house, I smiled feeling happy that I was not fired for my living conditions and happier that my boss secretly cared.

I went to the grocery store and all my much-needed items, even some of my favorite junk snacks including ice-cream and chocolate. I spent the rest of cleaning and preparing for the office bashment tomorrow, which in it self was a separate bundle of nerves tucked away in my stomach waiting to be let out.

Mr. Henry had a lot of women to do his will, so why choose me, the plus size girl. I'm already the lease liked in the company so why not get a slimy to do it. His sudden change of actions had me wondering. Did the three ghost of Christmas gave him an early visit?

Whatever the reason maybe, I could only assume it's for the greater good. I sat back in the chair with a heavy sigh, mission accomplished. I didn't realize how dirty the house had gotten; it was already in the afternoon so instead of making dinner, I decided to go out instead.

The streets were lined with jolly goodness, it warmed my heart to see the kids playing and enjoying themselves. I walk to a food stall close to park and bought some corn dogs, then proceeded to take a seat on one of the parks benches. Enjoying a peaceful evening under the night sky as I ate my corn dogs and watch the festivities before me.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you here, what a nice surprise, mind if I join you? I look up to the source of the voice and instantly regretted that I did.

What's Tom doing here? I ask myself.

Uh... Sure, I stuttered a bit, uneasiness immediately stepping in. "I just want to say I'm sorry for the little misunderstanding in the elevator", he confessed. Wow. Misunderstanding my foot, plus he didn't even sound sincere. He's what old folks describe as a wolf in sheep's clothing or sly as a fox.

The air around us became thick suddenly, and I didn't feel like eating anymore. What a way to lose an appetite. My night was going so well until he came along. Great, just great.

He sat close to me, and I can feel his gaze burning a whole in the side of my head. I get up and was about to leave when he grabs hold of my wrist.

"I'm truly sorry", he said.

Using the puppy eyes look, I yanked my hand free from his grasp and walked off. While on my way he shouted from the distance, "I like you, Grace". I ignored him and continue walking to another part of the park, I want to be far away from him as possible.

I strolled along the walking path, the stones glowed under the moon light in an angelic white. Beautiful, I said. I walked for another five minutes maybe, before a voice I recognize called out to me, a voice that I was happy to hear, I never thought I'd say those words.

Nonetheless, I felt safer with him around. Mr. Henry, I greeted. Out for a night stroll, I see. "You can say that, he smiled". "I haven't seen you in work today". "Is everything alright?

Oh, I'm fine, since the installations I bought a refrigerator and some other stuff. We walk in silence until we came upon a gazebo almost to the end of the path, not saying anything much, just pulling a bit of small talk.

I felt strange. I talked to my boss all the time, so why the nervousness is kicking in now. A weird feeling I'm getting that I don't understand. I work for him.

So, I started trying to break the ice. All set for tomorrow night? "Yeah, I guess so", he said looking down at his cup. "What about you, already prepared, I hope". There was an awkwardness between us, neither of us made much eye contact.

We stayed like that for a while until I was ready to leave. Tomorrow would be a next day of odd moments and weirdness, as whatever it is between us grows, hopefully it turns out to be something positive.