Mr. Navas

5

I woke up to sunlight coming in from the window in the bathroom. The bedroom was still fairly dark. I sat up and stretched my arms, then yawned. I rolled over and reached onto the dresser for my phone. Huh? I usually keep it there when I go to bed... I rubbed my eyes and looked around. Wait a minute... This isn't my room!

I quickly sat up in a panic and looked around. Oh right... This is Jesús' room. It all makes sense now. For a second, I forgot that I had gone over to his last night. I looked over my shoulder and checked the time. It was half past eleven. I really slept in...

I finally got out of bed and nearly tripped over from the pants I had borrowed. I rolled up the pant leg, so it was out of my way. In the bathroom, I ran the tap and splashed some water onto my hands to rinse my face. I dried my hands off on hand towel that was hanging off to the side.

When I got downstairs, I saw Jesús sitting on the couch enjoying a cup of coffee. My phone was laying on the coffee table in front of the couch. I must've left it there last night. I pressed the home button and my familiar lock screen didn't show up. The screen didn't turn on.

"Damn it."
"What's wrong?"
"My phone's dead."
"I have a charger, hold on."

He stood up and walked to the kitchen counter. He picked up the long white cord and handed it to me. I thanked him and plugged it into the wall and my phone. I sat down next to him.

"What time did you wake up?"
"Seven thirty."
"No, did you really?"
"Yeah. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, actually. Awh, is it because you slept on the couch?"
"I just wake up early, I'm a morning person."
"Oh... So did you sleep ok, last night?"
"It was fine."
"Ok, sorry for just coming in and taking your bed."
"I already said it wasn't a great big deal."
"Just making sure that it was ok with you."
"Don't worry about it."
"Ok."
"Do you want anything to eat?" He asked me.
"Do you have cereal?"
"Of course, come here."

He stood up and walked to the kitchen. He opened a cupboard door and pulled out a box of Shreddies. He opened another cupboard and took out a bowl and then a spoon from a drawer below. Since he was getting that stuff, I went over to his fridge and got the milk. I looked for the dining table, but didn't see one...

"Um, where do I sit?" I hoped not on the couch because knowing me, I'd make a mess.
"Here," he said pointing to the counter.

I walked around and sat at the opposite side of the counter. I pulled out one of he four stools that were tucked underneath. He handed me the cereal, bowl, and spoon. He then sat down next to me.

"Is this like your breakfast bar or something?" I asked after shovelling a spoonful into my mouth.
"Yes, it's basically my table."
"You eat here all the time?"
"Yeah, I don't have people over often..."
"Oh, it's just you then?"
"Most of the time."
"Do you ever get lonely?"
"I mean sometimes... But I miss home the most."

I kind of felt bad for him. He was living here all on his own. To me, I think it'd get lonely. The again, I lived by myself, but I was always out trying to earn some extra money. I lived a very busy lifestyle and was rarely home.

"So, what do you do for a living?" He questioned.
I cleared my throat. I was a bit embarrassed, "At the moment, I'm unemployed. I actually just got fired a few nights ago..."
"Oh, well I'm sorry to hear that. What did you do then?"
"I was a waitress."
"That's ok, I guess. You were just a waitress."
"Just a waitress?!"
"Yeah?" He sounded confused.
"That was my only job. I'm unemployed. I have no money now."
"Get another job."
"I can't!"
"Why not?!" The conversation was getting heated.
"Because!"
"Because why?!"
"I have no education!" I screamed.

I covered my face with my hands like I was ashamed. I wasn't the person to argue with a stranger or anyone, but what was said was all true. I didn't get a post secondary education because as a family, we simply couldn't afford it. I wasn't that good to earn a scholarship either. I felt like an idiot. Here beside me, was a successful man and then there was me. An unemployed girl who is struggling to pay her rent.

"I- I didn't know..." He finally said, breaking the silence in between us.
"It's ok, how were you supposed to know?"
"It... It must be hard for you."
"Yeah. All I've ever done were waitressing jobs or something simple."
"Why did you not continue with your education?"
"Money."
"Could you not afford it?"
"My family couldn't. We'd spent most on treatment for my father."
"I'm sorry about that."
"He's ok, he put up a tough battle against cancer and he won," I smiled. I could feel some tears.
"Don't cry, be happy."
Jesús gave me a weak smile, "I know, I'm just so thankful that he's still here and- I'm trying my best to do what I can considering the circumstances."
"I know," he said, "keep on doing what you're doing. You're doing a great job so far."
"Am I really?"
"You're giving it your all and that's all you can do. It's your best."
"Thank you," I said.

By then, I had finished eating my breakfast. I stood up, wiping a few tears from my eyes, and brought my bowl to the sink. I washed it out, dried it, and put it back into the cupboard. Jesús was still sitting down, sipping his coffee.

I walked past him and to where my phone was charging. This time, the lock screen lit up. There were no texts from Alyssa or Jess. I texted them both.

"Hey, sorry for disappearing last night. I'm ok and I had fun. Can't wait to see you both next time!"

I decided to not tell them about my little stay here. I put it back and sat down again next to Jesús.

"Want one?" He said, pointing to his cup of coffee.
"No, I'm good. I don't usually drink coffee."
"Alright."
"Well, I'm going to go upstairs."

I excused myself even though I had just sat down. It was last noon and I needed to get home. My rent was due soon and I had already paid it late previous times. I needed to pay on time or else I'd have to find somewhere else to stay...

Upstairs, I collected my dress from the floor. I was about to change into it when Jesús came up the stairs and into his room.

"You don't have to wear that. Here, hold on."

He walked past me and repeated his actions from last night. He looked through his dresser and pulled out a navy blue hoodie with white shorts.

"I'm just trying to think of what would fit..." He told me.
"It's fine, really. Thank you."

I stepped into the bathroom to change. The hoodie fit nicely and in fact, I liked oversized sweaters and hoodies. They were cute. On the other hand, the shorts did not fit. Even adjusting the waistband didn't help.

"Jesús!" I called. I poked my head out the door.
"Yeah?"
"The shorts are huge."
"Uh, sorry," he scratched the back of his head.
"It's ok, do you have anything else?"
"I think it'd all be too big..."
"I'll just wear the same pants."
"Oh ok."

I pulled on the sweatpants I wore earlier. I opened the bathroom door and gave him back the shorts and black t-shirt. I collected my dress from the floor and went downstairs. I picked my phone up and unplugged it from the charger. Jesús came downstairs then.

"Hey, leaving already?"
"Yeah, sorry, I've got to get going now."
"No problem. Do you need a ride?"
"I'm good. Thanks for having me, it was nice."
"What do you have planned for the rest of the day?"
"Going to try and find a new job," I said, swallowing hard and shoving my hands in the pockets.
"You know, if you ever need help, give me a shout."
"I appreciate it, but I'll be fine."
"Pass," he held out his hand.

I cautiously handed him my phone. He then gave it back for me to unlock it. I did and returned it to him. I waited for him to do whatever he was doing.

"What are you doing?"
"There, done."
He gave me back my phone, "What did you do?"
"I just gave you my number in case you need any help-"
"I said I'll be fine."
"And," he said, continuing where he left off, "so you don't lose the bet."

He was grinning and my lips soon curved into a smile. I can't believe I actually got a guy's number!

"Thanks," I shook my head. I couldn't believe it.
"Just please don't give this to anyone and don't tell people my address."
"Um, yeah, of course."
"Please, Kristine. I don't want to have to deal with it all if people find this stuff out."
"Ok, I understand. I won't."
"Don't even tell anyone that you know me," he was serious.
"Nobody?"
"No one can know that you stayed over with me."
"Oh... Don't worry, I won't tell."
He smiled, "Get home safely and hopefully we'll talk soon."
"Ok."
"Goodbye."
"Bye."

Things in life were just beginning to get interesting.