Silence

Chapter 15

I finished telling my story to the girl next door. She wanted to be a reporter when she grew up. She looked up at me, tears in her eyes. I leaned forward and wiped them for her.

"I'm sorry for making you cry, Levana. I didn't mean to," I said, pulling away from her.

"No, no, it's okay, sir. I just didn't expect that kind of ending. I mean, what kind of romance story ends with no romance?" She laughed lightly. Her voice was slightly clogged with tears. I smiled at her.

"I don't know. But thank you for coming by and asking for a story. I'm sure it's entertaining enough for your school." I glanced up at the clock above her head. "Now, it's late, you should be getting home."

She startled and looked at the clock, too.

"Oh, wow. Yes, sir. You're right. The time had gotten away from me." She bowed. "Thank you so much for the wonderful story. I'll be sure to share it."

"I'm grateful to you for listening to an old man's ramblings," I laughed.

"You're not old!" She exclaimed, crossing her arms and almost dropping her pen and paper.

"Almost thirty years older than you, though."

"Sure, but–"

I cut her off. "You should head home before it gets too dark."

"Ah, yes. Thank you again," she said as she bowed one more time before running out the door. I watched her go to make sure that she reached her house safely. When she got inside, I sighed in relief and let the curtains fall shut.

There were parts of the story I'd kept from her. Especially how it'd ended. That was a story for another time, as I was getting on in my years. She was too young, too impressionable to know how it really ended.

I headed to the kitchen and started making dinner for us. While I was chopping the lettuce, there came a knock at the door. I wiped my hands with a rag and walked to the door. On the other side was Murray. I opened the door for him and he stepped inside shivering.

"Welcome home, Murr. How was your day?" I asked, taking his coat for him and hanging it up.

"Mid. I don't even remember half of it." He took his gloves and shoes off.

"The neighbour's daughter came over tonight. Said she wanted a story to tell to the school for her last year of high school. I can't believe she's just as young as we were back then," I laughed and Murray wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"Shit, yeah. Those were the days. Being in jail for no reason... Gosh. Fun experience in the end, though." He joked and poked at my side. "To think that I'd be put in jail for something I didn't even do in the end. All just 'cause "someone" was jealous. At least I did it for you, and I would do it again a thousand times." 

I pulled him in and lightly kissed him.

"Yeah, yeah, but aren't you grateful you got to save me at least once? Saved me from those brambles like I was damsel in distress..." I trailed off. "You really are a good actor. Why were you there, Murray?"

"No real reason. I was staying at my mam's house that day, but she'd left for work early that morning. I was bored, and found you. "

"But why did you tell me you were from California?"

"I am," he said casually.

"Really? It's been 20 years and you're telling me this now?" I laughed. 

"Sure," he said, resting his head on my shoulder. I patted it.

"Anyway, want to help me finish dinner? I'm almost done with the salad, but the casserole has yet to be put in the cooker26."

"Blah, blah, blah. That's all you ever say, Con. At least, you're finally mine now."

"Oh, don't be cheesy or I'll fall for you harder." Murray had his arms wrapped around my waist.

"How did it really end in the end anyway? What did you do?" Murr asked tentatively.

"That's a story for another day, my love."

We didn't end up eating dinner until later that night. And I would never again regret anything in my life.

The end.

26: Cooker- Oven