Saving Olivia

Boiling water

I sighed as the hot water fell on me, warming my frozen bones. This day has really been something else. But I'm not going to think about it. It's over. I am home. The snickers bar in my fridge is calling to me. Mmm... Alright this shower is over. I need chocolate. Shutting off the water I wrapped myself in a pink fluffy towel and walked from the bathroom to the small walk in closet that held all of my clothing. I quickly pulled on a pair of fuzzy pajama pants and a Beatles t- shirt. I tied my hair up in a messy bun as I walked out of the closet. I could see that man in my kitchen. Who is he anyways? Ah! He's using my Mac and cheese! Now, Lydia won't have anything to eat when she comes over.

"If you ate my candy bar I'm calling the police." I calmly say as I walk into the kitchen. I'm mentally shooting daggers at him with me eyes. Trying to be intimidating. That chocolate is mine.

He laughs, "I know better then to touch a woman's chocolate." He turns around with two bowls full of mac and cheese. "Have a seat, dinner is served."

"Who are you?" I ask. I'm trying really hard to be polite but I don't appreciate my privacy taken over by a strange man who eats Lydia's organic food. He is really throwing me out of my comfort zone. Well, actually, he's barging into my comfort zone.

"Mason's my name. Saving girls is my game."

"That's just cheesy." I snort. I look up just in time to see Mason's frown. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings but that was kinda corny.

"Fine, fine. My name is Mason. I live in the apartment house down the road from here. I take care of my mother and by day I work with the road crew." He stated, his voice was entirely emotion free. Almost like it was the facts of somebody else's life and not his. I wonder if he's unhappy with the way his life has gone. He seemed like a pretty upbeat guy, even if he did make Lydia's mac and cheese.

"Look, I didn't mean any offense." I say trying to smooth things over. Why I care, I don't know. It's not likely that I'll ever see him again. "I appreciate you bringing me home and making me dinner. I'm sorry. I'm- I'm just not accustomed to strange men."

Mason laughed. It seemed that his good humor had been restored. "I'm not a strange man. I'm actually quite normal."

"You're strange to me." I murmured.

I met Mason's eyes over the table. His eyes searching mine. My eyes searching his. Each of us trying to uncover the mystery of the other person. We both failed.The contact held until he nodded toward the table. "Better eat before it molds. There's no preservatives in that, you know."

"So, if those guys didn't hurt you, why were you passed out?"

Uh-oh. I do not want to get into this. Quick short answer. That's what I need. Shoot. What excuse... Ah! "As soon as I saw those men coming toward me I got dizzy. I simply swooned. I thought I would be killed tonight."

Mason raised his left brow but remained silent. I did too. Trying to ignore him as he stared at me, I shoveled the macoroni into my mouth. "This is good." I said, trying to distract him. "You should be a chef or something."

Mason let out a loud bark of laughter. "Yeah." He rolled his eyes. "I'm so special. I can boil water."

I couldn't help but snicker. Put like that it did sound kind of funny.

Silence continued for a server all minutes as we focused mostly on the food before us.

Mason was helping himself to seconds before he spoke next. "Are you new in town?"

"Not really." I said praying that he would find another subject. Why did he keep coming back to me. I know me, and I know that I am not a good conversation topic. "So why do you work with the road crew? Isn't that sweaty work?"

"In the summer it is." I mentally sighed when he took my bait and continued to speak. Now this kind of conversation I could handle. " I like working the roads. It's honest hard work. It pays well, helps me stay fit. And I get to look at all the pretty girls who drive by." This last statement was said with an accompanying wink. I could feel my face heating up a bit.

Mason chuckled when I made no verbal comment to his teasing. What could I really say? I didn't know him well enough to tease him. For all I know, he might just be telling me the truth. If that's the case, then I would call him a pervert. And that wouldn't be nice. Plus, if he had a temper it might flare up at me for calling him that and then he might beat me or...

"Hey, I was only teasing. No need to look so scared." He was speaking in a low warm voice. The kind people use when speaking to a frightened animal. I was that animal. " to be honest, I just really like the work. And contrary to what people think, we only take two breaks and a half hour lunch."

I couldn't help but chuckle a bit at that. I remember Lydia complaining about construction crews.

"There we go." Mason said leaning back with a satisfied grin. "No need to be so serious and withdrawn when I'm around, sweetheart. I'm a pretty easygoing guy. You'll find that out for yourself."

"I will?"

"Sure." He flashed me another cut grin. "Now that I know you have this great Mac and cheese, I'll be stopping by all the time."

"Aren't you worried you'll wear out your welcome?" I asked. Honestly, he was putting me at ease. I didn't mind making small comments to him. He seemed nice enough, but that didn't mean I was willing to trust him with my history and my secrets.

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