Hello Again

VI

 I shoot straight up in bed, the word Peter on my lips. At first I wonder where I am. The room is a subtle dark, only a little bit of light coming from the window. The clock beside the bed says it is four thirty-six. But it isn't my clock, and it is this realization that helps me remember where I am, what happened, why Peter was on my mind. Getting out of bed, I scramble down the steps in Jurgis' shirt he lent me. It is a band t- shirt, one I've never heard of. He may have told me some time before about it one of the times we were out having lunch together. The name is vaguely familiar.

 Downstairs, I quietly go down the hallway to get to the kitchen. Already knowing exactly where everything is I take a cup and go to the sink for water. I turn the water off when it is full and bring it to my lips, taking a sip here and there. I leisurely walk around the kitchen, then stop at the window that streams in a dreamy blue shadow. Suddenly, while I'm enjoying the quiet and view out the window of the stars, the light turns on. I turn around, face stricken, to see Jurgis.

 "Are you okay?" he asks rather tired.

 "I suppose. I just needed some water." I tip the water back up to finish it, then set it in the sink. When I turn back around, I remember I am half dressed. The shirt only barley covers my butt. Good thing I didn't wear nude color undies! But maybe wearing navy blue boy cut panties would bring more attention? Maybe I'm thinking too much about it... at least I didn't wear one of my tho-

 "Good. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

 "You didn't. Only startled me a little." Trying to change the subject, I walk on to the door and past him. He turns the light off and follows behind me. I step onto the stairs and remember the shirt's length again. Crap.

 But just like he read my mind, he says, "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm pretty tired. I'm going to go back to bed. Good night, again." And he turns around to leave.

 "Good night." I set a hand to the railing to lean over a bit. He turns to look at me, smiling. Gosh, that smile.

 "Good night, Sam."

 I'm not sure how I ever went back to sleep, but when I wake up again it is because an alarm wakes me up. I can't figure out how to turn it off so I reach around for the cord and pull it. Silence. I'm still shaky as I lie back down onto the pillows. After a few minutes of laying there, I smell the faintest hint of herb. Somehow, I managed to find a pair of shorts in Jurgis' many clothes and head downstairs fully dressed. I walk into the kitchen and see Jurgis and his mother there, a freshly brewed pot of tea on the counter.

 I have to control myself to not say anything about Jurgis' fine looks for still being in the clothes he slept in and hair all messy. I didn't notice it last night, probably because it was so early in the morning. But I sure do now.

 "Morning, sunshine!" Jurgis waves at me from the stove, a pan in his other hand. Mrs. Brahms sits at the island on a stool with a dainty cup and the paper in front of her.

 "Morning." I smile.

 "Did you sleep well?" Mrs. Brahms asks.

 "Absolutely." I lie. Well, sort of. All except waking up and just feeling strange, and Jurgis knows about that. He gives me a sideways glance before spinning around. He's making eggs sunny side up, for his mother I'm guessing.

 "Well good, I'm glad to hear it. I'm sorry you had to sleep in Jurgis' room. Was it at all satisfactory?"

 "Most satisfactory." I nod my head at her. In the corner of my eye, I see Jurgis look at me. I can only imagine the smile he must be showing off.

 "Would you care for something to eat?" Jurgis asks.

 "I think I'll just have tea for now, thanks." Jurgis nods and steps over to the glass cabinet that holds all the beautiful tea cups. He picks out a light purple and blue flowery one and hands it to me with a wink.