Abe or The Goldfinch

Chapter 8

Earth-4076361

Boris was lying in "his" room, listening to music with headphones, trying as much as possible to ignore the screams of his hosts.

"only Abe" once again, yells -I'M NOT GONNA TAKE THAT THING...- Rebecca answers -I'M SICK OF THAT DAMN ATTITUDE YOUNG MAN, YOU KNOW YOU NEED THEM FOR...-

But his son answers -I'M FINE, I DON'T NEED THAT THING...- but Amir adds -let's all calm down, Abe, please, you know what's best, the doctor said it won't be for long, just until...-

But again the child screams -I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THAT THING AND THAT'S FINAL, IF YOU WANT TO POUR IT DOWN MY THROAT...- she shouted angrily -WHAT DOES IT THINK WE COULD...?-

But the paternal figure intervened again, with another of his democratic speeches, which although it managed to stop the fight, only left mother and son more pissed off.

Fortunately, as he said it in a normal tone, Boris didn't hear it.

A few screams and slamming doors later and the house was left in its increasingly usual deathly silence, God, how he wanted a cigar right now.

But, although he never claimed to be the most sensible person in the world, even he knew that Amir and Rebecca would not take it well, which also reminded him that his "reserve" was running out.

He had not yet made any "contacts" in the Big Apple, so for now he was in for a dry spell, but it was for the best.

Some time after being like that, someone knocked on his door, that was unusual, there were still a few hours left until dinner.

It was Rebecca, who entered the room visibly uncomfortable and said - hey Boris, ummm, me and Mr. Odeh need to talk in private... would you mind taking Abe out for a couple of hours?... you can go look for Chico's stand or something... - while she took some dollars out of her bag.

Boris nodded and took the money, what else could he do? Tell the woman who gave him bed and food that he couldn't?

He entered the other boy's room, without knocking obviously, and saw him there at his window, staring into space... shirtless, ho Chernabog, now he really needed a cigar.

Boris tried not to stare too much... seriously, but he couldn't help but pay special attention to his thin, pale figure, although everything was in its place, and with that pretty face, if the boy were to sunbathe a little more and lift some weights... he'd need a 3-meter pole to keep the women away.

He shook his head and asked, coming closer - aren't you cold?... it's December - the brown-haired boy shrugged his shoulders and answered - I've been really hot lately - yeah... he wasn't the only one.

The Slav then said -we are going out, so get dressed... or not, as you wish, the general public will not complain- staying longer looking at him to make the joke and see him embarrassed... but it did not work.

He just stared out the window, Boris began to take steps towards him, Abe did not react, Boris only half a meter away from him approached his hand, very delicately touched his arm, his skin felt cold, and that was already saying a lot for Boris, since his own skin was also usually very cold.

He began to slowly slide his fingers down his arm, until Abe answered -fine...- and stood up to start getting dressed.

Once they both left the house, Boris put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a sign to be quiet, then they put their ears close to the door and heard Rebecca shouting -LOOK, I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE BOYS... BUT YOU'RE BEHAVING LIKE A COMPLETE...-

But Abe angrily stepped away from the door and started walking away at a very fast speed.

Abe took the food from the shop assistant and heard him say -too bad Chico isn't here, I really would have liked to see you, like everyone else- the boy answers -I'd like to keep helping them, but...-