A week passed before I could finally get used to Garret’s presence. I had lost sleep I don’t know how many nights due to the thoughts about there being a strange man in my closet. He had assured me several times he meant no harm, and I was beginning to believe him. His gifts were considerate, and were indeed stuff I had always wanted. He told me that he also learned my thoughts from listening to me talk (weird) and from what my mom would say (also weird). He basically stayed in the secret room, and showed me the secret-secret room that he made his. Well, now he technically didn’t have to, since I knew about his presence. So he took the liberty of moving an old couch in to sleep on. How, I don’t know, so I didn’t ask.
I was still a little angry that he had been taking my money (my secret stashes at that) and eating all my food. Not to mention reading all my personal poems, stories and diaries. But . . . as much as I hated to admit it, Garret was a nice guy. He had refused to tell me much about him . . . other than the fact that he was from Bulgaria. Weird, I know. He didn’t look very foreign . . . but who was I to judge? And he had kept true to the ‘one question a day’ thing. That was really annoying.
I guess there was really no point in trying to hide all of my personal secrets from him- since he was living in their hiding spot and knew every one of them. He could sooo easily blackmail me if he wanted. He had a funny way of being a torturer. He’d be really nice to me, act like he’s been my friend forever, give me gifts and tell me about myself, eat my food and use my house when no one was home. Then he’d answer one question- golly I felt so privileged to be acknowledged by master for one question. I wanted to growl at my own sarcastic remark. This weirdo was getting on my nerves.
But at least he was nice to talk to. He was very knowledgeable- and sometimes even helped me on my chemistry homework. And each day the gift was small- and he promised they’d get better as they went along. I assumed this was for me to trust him. He obviously wanted my trust, but for whatever reason, I had yet to figure out. He wouldn’t tell me. Well . . . he probably would have if I asked. But I always got sidetracked and had a particular question each day to ask him.
The first weekend came, marking exactly a week since I first found out about Garret. Sometimes he’d hand me the gifts personally, sometimes he’d leave them outside the panel with a small note and a cute little bow. Today it was waiting for me outside the panel.
I leaned down to pick up the small package. It was a small box, and I had no guesses as to what it could be. The small note that was attached read
‘Hey there, Alyssa. I know you’re eighteen and you probably think you’re a little too old for this- but luckily I know better.
Enjoy, Garret.’
I crumbled the note and shoved it into my jacket pocket. I shut my closet door and decided to wait until later to go into the secret room. I plopped down onto my bed and tore at the tissue paper until my box was revealed.
I looked around- even though I was home alone (excluding the possibility of Garret of course), and then I looked back down at my box. I smiled. It was a Rarity figurine. You know, from My Little Pony. I couldn’t help but smile. Rarity was my favorite, and I couldn’t help but enjoy an occasional episode.
Sometimes I wondered where Garret went and when he went to wherever he was buying me these little gifts. Sometimes, when it was quiet, I figured he was out somewhere or maybe asleep. I didn’t know. I didn’t ask.
I got up and placed the unopened box upon my dresser- planning to open it later. For now, I was hungry. I was in a potato chip kind of mood. Unless Garret ate all of those too.
Once I was in my secret room, I went over to the credenza where I stored my candy and junk. I opened the bottom cabinet. Garret had depleted a good deal- but I couldn’t blame him. I stashed good stuff- not the cheap rip-off brands. Plus I figured he was doing me a favor in a way. I didn’t need my arties clogging up- so why not let his? It was a good way for pay for his nice little settlement into my house. Uninvited.
