This Charming Man

Twenty Two

Mr Weekes was packing when I entered his room. His suitcase was laid on the bed with articles of clothing cast haphazardly around the outside of it. He turned at the sound of the door opening and smiled nonchalantly, obviously not used to being awake this early and I let out a soft sigh and crossed the room.

"Here, let me do it, Mr Weekes," I said, taking a shirt from his hands and folding it neatly. He didn't complain and sat on the edge of the bed to watch me.

"I'm hoping to come back soon," Mr Weekes said after a moment, smiling up at me, "To visit you of course."

I smiled back, arranging the clothes to fit correctly in his suitcase. "I'm already looking forward to it," I said.

Mr Weekes gave what seemed like a nervous laugh and sat at the end of his bed. "Look, Brendon," he began, running a hand through his hair, "I-I have something important I want to tell you."

I paused and looked at him, cautiously tucking his work shoes into a pocket in his suitcase. "Wh-what is it?"

Mr Weekes breathed out. "I heard you and Ryan arguing yesterday. A-after he caught us. I just wanted to say that uh... N-no let me start again," he said and turned to me, giving me an oddly sincere look. "Brendon, what do you think we are? As in, our relationship?"

I blinked at him. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say. I suppose I would've liked some sort of personal relationship with Mr Weekes but from his tone, I had the feeling that wasn't what he was going to be propositioning to me.

"I-I don't... I'm not sure," I mumbled, looking down at the suitcase again.

"So you know we're not in a relationship?" he asked, his tone oddly hopeful.

I shrugged. "I guess..."

Mr Weekes breathed out again in relief. "Good. W-well I don't mean good but y'know what I mean. Look, Brendon, what I'm trying to say is, if you thought this was going to become an intimate relationship, that it really wouldn't be possible because of uh... Well for starters, I'm a lot older than you-"

"You don't need to give me reasons," I said, a little more sharply than I intended, making Mr Weekes falter.

"Oh, I... Oh. Alright."

I sighed and put down the pants I was folding. "Look, Mr Weekes, I knew this wouldn't become a relationship. I didn't even expect it to," I said, giving him an encouraging smile. I reached over and patted his shoulder. "I'm not even expecting to see you again after today."

Mr Weekes frowned slightly. "But you're coming to visit me, aren't you?"

I shrugged. "I doubt I'll ever get train tickets, Mr Weekes. But I will visit you if I do."

Mr Weekes smiled and raised his eyebrows. "Is that a promise?"

I laughed and held out my hand for him. "I promise."

He grinned and shook it. "Good."