Chris was already waiting outside as Lin approached.
Lin smiled as he got closer, reaching into his pocket for the keys, he looked at Chris embarrassed. "God I'm sorry, bud. You really didn't need to come over, I just got overwhelmed."
"You look like you haven't slept for a week and have got the weight of the world on your shoulders. I've got a spare ear and a spare hour, get the coffee on."
Lin smiled. "Yes Sir."
They made their way in and Lin flicked on the coffee machine.
"Take a seat."
Chris looked round the nearly empty room. "Well I could but then where are you going to sit? On my knee?"
Lin turned frowning and looked round the room. "Yeah. Meant to get some furniture sorted. Haven't got round to it yet."
"You've been here a month Lin, and you're still living like a student. This will not be helping you to relax."
Lin waved his hands round and dismissed the comment. "I know. I'll get on it."
Chris shook his head, took the coffee from him and sat on the floor his back against the wall. "So. What's been keeping you awake."
"I met this woman..."
"Ah ha! Knew it!"
"No! Not like that, I met her when I went to see Ham the other night. She took my spare ticket."
Chris smiled. "Jeez, bet she thought all her birthdays had come at once!"
Lin shook his head. "She didn't know it was me."
He filled Chris in on the whole story his voice breaking again when he talked about Danny.
Chris nodded. "You can't feel guilty about being able to see Lin. This isn't your fault."
"I know, but it's not that little boys either. Or Alicia's. Neither of them deserve this life. It's not fair and I don't know how I can help."
"I think just listening to their story and doing what you are to make theater better is all you can do.
You can't cure everything thats unfair in the world. You need to stop taking on everyone's problems, you're going to make yourself ill."
Lin pushed his hands deep in his pockets and sighed. "I know."
Chris finished his coffee. "Sounds like she's doing just fine without your help dude. You sure you're not trying to find an issue somewhere where there isn't one just to see her again?"
"What do you mean?"
Chris laughed, well apart from sounding amazing, what does she look like?"
Lin broke into a wide smile and looked at the floor. "She's beautiful, her hair is the most amazing copper colour I've ever seen, when the sun hits it shines like Amber, and God, her eyes! They're like a turquoise blue. Her smile just lights up the .... Why are you laughing?"
Chris shook his head. "Nothing bud. Hey help an old man up. I can't feel
my legs. You doing anything the rest of today?"
"Not really, got a speech to work on but wasn't going to start it till later."
Chris bent back, cracking his spine.
"Good. Get your wallet, we're going homeware shopping."
Alicia took off her shoes and walked to her bedroom. "Freedom for a week"
She sank onto her bed and sighed.
It had been an interesting day that was for sure.
She shook her head and smiled as she thought of Lin.
He seemed really sweet, she took her phone out of her pocket.
"Message Lin"
'What would you like to say to Lin'
"Thank you for coming today. I'm off for a week so I will be free anytime if you want to go over things."
She sent the message before she lost her nerve.
"You are going to have to make a decision Lin. We've been here for 2 hours now."
"Carla was always in charge of interior design. Do you think black or white for the couch?"
Chris pondered the question. "Black. White is going to get marked too easily."
"Good point."
His phone vibrated in his pocket
he took it out and smiled at the screen reading Alicia's message.
He responded 'Hi! No time like the present, how about we meet tomorrow? I can meet you uptown or I can come to yours for a coffee?'
Alicia listened to the message.
It would be nice to go out for a coffee with him again... "Business Lis, this is purely business"
She messaged him back 'If you come over to my place I can show you an adapted apartment, maybe something will be useful?'
Lin nodded and responded. 'Great idea, let me have your address and I'll see you tomorrow, about 7 ok with you?'
'Sure. See you then'
She messaged her address and had a quick check of the fridge.
"Yep. Need to get some milk in."
