Strangers

disappointment

  Harry has been in physical therapy for a couple of weeks, and today he finally goes home. He had to regain movement for his body. I went to his apartment to clean so when he comes back, it'd be spotless. I hadn't had the time to come and clean, just pay the rent. I could only have so much energy.

  I was sweating by the time I was done. I flicked sweat off as I returned home to take a shower. I had to pick up Harry after so it had to be a quick one.

• • • •

  "Are you excited to go back home?" I questioned. He sighed.

  "Yeah, a hotel room for a couple weeks sounds fantastic." He muttered. I stood silent. I didn't want to go off and tell him I've been paying for it.

  I turned to his apartments. "Where are you going Vienna? I haven't paid my rent." He said quite irritated. I bit my lips.

  "Harry, you still have your apartment. Don't say anything about it." I helped him off the car, a bewildered look.

  "How... Did you...?" I huffed in annoyance.

  "Yes, Harry I've paid for it. Just don't worry about it okay? You just go home and relax." I took his key and opened the door with the familiar push. He looked around noting the neatness.

  "How did you have the time and money to do this?" He asked, sitting on his couch and leaning his head back.

  "I have two jobs. I'm a middle school teacher and I work at Macy's right after school. I grade late at night. I get the energy because I have to get things done, there's bills to pay. Don't even think about paying me back. I did it out of kindness."  I told, getting ready to cook him something. I decided to make some steak and veggies to the side, with freshly made pineapple juice. He stood quiet for a while, looking at me prepare.

  "I really do need to pay you back. That's too much kindness for me." I didn't comment that I could spend my money on anything I want. I felt it needed to be done with the kindness of my heart.

  "Yeah, no. You're barely getting on your feet again. You have no job right now. Just really, don't worry about it. Please. You'd be offending me if you do." I said to him while making the steak. On the side I starting cooking the veggies. I cut the pineapple into pieces and blended them, taking out the pulp and added water and sugar. My mother used to do this all the time, I felt a little nostalgic. I closed my eyes; I was tired.

  I put the food on the plates and laid them on the table. I quietly got Harry and seated him on the chair. His face scrunched up. "Vegetables?" I shot him a look.

  "They're healthy." I plopped a piece of carrot on my mouth. I just ate, not really bothering to talk; I was hungry and exhausted. I have been doing a lot lately. Harry didn't peep again. Once we finished eating, I washed the dishes.

  "The pineapple juice was good." He commented.

  "My mother makes it all the time." Wiping my hands on my shirt, I started to fix his bed while he plopped himself on the couch. I fixed up his pillow, my eyes feeling heavy. My head dropped a couple times, I climbed to the bed to fix the corners but without wanting to, my eyes drooped completely.

• • • •

  I didn't know what time it was but it was dark. Harry laid in bed with me, only he wasn't sleeping. He was sitting up from the headboard and looking forward. The lamp to his side made me wake up. I had always been sensitive to light.

  "Harry?" I yawned in my mouth. "Sorry I slept on your bed. What time is it?" I yawned again, my eyes feeling dry.

  "It's not the first time you've slept in my bed, so you shouldn't bother apologizing. It's one in the morning." He said tiredly.