August 4 — 5:03 PM
Schlatt stabbed his fork aggressively into the ceramic plate sat in front of him, completely missing the green beans on his plate. He was more focused on the stranger sitting in the seat across from him, trying to make them disappear with his eyes, wishing Ted had just left them where he'd found them.
" Schlatt just eat the damn beans" Ted pointed at Schlatts plate with his own fork.
You just bowed your head lower in shame, playing with your food, taking the occasional bite.
" I'm sorry about him, hes just a big grump, " Ted laughed slightly.
" I don't blame him.. " You said, before stuffing more beans into your mouth.
" We need more beans," Charlie frowned
Schlatt grunted, abruptly pushing himself from the table and disappearing into another room.
" I'm really sorry about him, he's not like this around people he knows, you just gotta let him warm up to ya " Ted apologized.
" It's okay. '' You said, you fidgeted with the dog tags tied around your neck, a quiet clinking noise sounding.
" You can stay with me tonight " Charlie offered, then shoveling a mouthful of the green beans into his mouth.
" I appreciate it, " you smiled.
You took the last bite, making sure to leave nothing but an empty plate, then gulping down the last of the flat ginger ale served to you.
" Are you guys done? " Ted stood from his seat, reaching one hand out for your dishes, the other for Charlie's.
" Yes, thank you, " you handed him your plate with the glass.
" I can show you our room! " Charlie pushed his chair in, then marched backward toward a warmly lit room, grinning before turning around and walking forward.
He switched on the camping lantern in the middle of the room, illuminating the area.
The walls were littered with drawings and newspaper clippings, blankets and pillows everywhere, two long, tables lined the opposing two sides of the room.
"You can use as many blankets as you want, I think I have more than enough," he chuckled nervously.
" Can I sleep here? " you motion to a spot on the right side of the room, a flat spot on the ground where the hardwood floors peek through all the clutter.
"Anywhere, Just not here," he points to his bed, or more of a mess of blankets.
Charlie finishes folding a blanket for you, and hands it to you along with a puffy pillow. All his hard work to waste as you immediately unravel the warm fleece.
He doesn't complain, as he watches you collapse exhaustedly onto the floor.
—————
" Schlatt, you're overreacting " Ted stood with his arms crossed in the doorway of Schlatt's room.
" You let a fucking stranger into our home Ted! "
" boo hoo "
" What the fuck is your problem man. You're gonna get us killed! "
But His complaints fell on deaf ears, for Ted had already left for the kitchen. Charlie was sitting at the table, occupied by a granola bar and a superhero comic in front of him.
" You like them right, don't feel like throwing them out to the dogs would be the right thing..." Ted stood with his arms crossed.
" Yeah! " His voice came out muffled from the granola in his mouth, he paused to swallow, " I like them so far."
