Needle & Thread

Chapter 4

Mulier esse est simulere

The bench nearest the local tailoring business doesn't appear beyond inviting, but it will have to do. After an hour of searching through a phone book from a late closing corner shop and calling every motel in a miles radius, I decided this bench would be my best bet of a good night's sleep.

The rain starts up again, making me grateful for the small but functional awning efficiently protecting the bench from water damage and me from a restless sleep.
I swiftly open my suitcase in search of a suitable pillow, deciding I won't be getting any other use out of a dress anytime soon, I take the green clothe  and  quietly shut the case again.

An elderly man walks out of the building of which i will visit tomorrow, shutting and locking the door behind him. He turns and looks at me after opening his umbrella. I quickly sit up and stare at my hands. He continues to look over at me as he locks the door, he looks slightly puzzled at my presence.

" Are you lost?" He says with a slight accent atop his already heavy english one.
He seems genuinely concerned for my well-being and this care immediately influences my heart, a way it has never been before.
'No, no i'm just waiting for the rain to pass"  I lie to the man in hopes of the confrontation to end.
" Are you planning to sleep on this bench?" He ignores my obvious lie.
".. yes sir." I respond, slightly embarrassed
He turns away, hesitates,  but quickly turns back to the door he previously locked.
"You seem  to be new around here" he makes small talk as he opens the door and begins ushering me inside.
I sit still, questioning the actions of the man before me.
His collared shirt and sweater seem somehow comforting. His round glasses lighten by the nearby light post.
"Come on dear, it's getting worse out here."
I hesitate but then quickly gather my things and walk inside, only due to the elders' push.
His warm smile as I walk inside seems to calm my thoughts of cynicism.
" There seems to be many tourists around the area this time of year. Are you just traveling?"He says this as he walks around a large desk with more fabric and scraps of color than I have ever seen. The walls are lined with fabric rolls  and large bookshelves warped with prolonged use, making the room appear half its size.
"No sir, There weren't any rooms available, But i can stay on th'-"
"I hope you are  not going to say you were going to sleep on that bench." He cuts me off before I can begin my pleading.
He leads to a door  near the back of the workshop and stops, turning around to look at me.
"You seem like a nice young lady, and I refuse to let an undeserving person, or anyone for that matter, sleep in the cold rain. Now, sit here and wait for me as I gather your blankets."
He leaves me for a moment but comes back soon with soft blankets and a pillowcase filled with fabric scraps
"I'm afraid this is all I can do for now. Please, sleep well, and do not worry about any payment, I would rather sleep on the floor myself than leave you out there."
He says this as he opens the door to his office, A small room with a nicely sized couch and a desk which seems to have generations of use with scattered papers atop.
" I will be leaving my spare key on the desk, stay as long as you wish."
After he closes the door, leaving it slightly cracked, I lay myself in the warm blankets and place my head on the makeshift pillow, surely getting the best sleep I've had in a while.

Hey girlyyyy I've missed you xo.
Giving Deus ex machina but idc 😘
This one was more detailed.. you like?
It will be getting better i promisee
Also i fixed the accents cs it was kinda bad
🏃🏻‍♀️🫂🙆🏻‍♂️ luv you bae xx