A Room With A View

Chapter Twenty-Five - Brian

September 18th, Monday

"Help," she cried softly, "I need help."

Brian's heart splintered. He wanted to rush to her, hold her. But she looked so desperate and mournful, that he was worried she would break apart in his arms.

He let go of Cafe Clark's front door and walked swiftly toward her, scrambling for something to say other than "are you alright?"

Madeline turned and nearly ran down the block, away from him. Brian stopped short. He opened his mouth to call after her, but closed it.

She had run for a reason. If she didn't want to be bothered, then Brian wouldn't pry. After lunch, he would rush home and see if Madeline was there. If she wasn't, he would go out and get her a care package. Something that said "I'm thinking of you", but wouldn't be too intrusive. Like flowers and pancake mix. He'd offer up a casserole, but Brian didn't know how to make one.

The blonde-haired hostess from a few weeks' ago popped her head out the door and frantically looked around.

"Excuse me," she said, her eyes lighting on Brian, "but have you seen a girl around here? She has curly brown hair and--"

"Madeline?"

The hostess smiled in relief. "Yes, thank god. You know her? Have you seen her?"

Brian shook his head, corrected himself, and nodded. "Yes, but she's gone. She looked pretty distraught, and then she just took off down the street." Brian pointed the way Madeline had gone. The hostess stepped out onto the sidewalk and looked past him. She frowned.

"I'll have to call her," she said under her breath.

"Would you...would you happen to know what happened?" Brian asked tentatively.

The hostess faced him and gave him a once over. Recognition dawned on her face. "Avocado Toast," she said by way of identification.

Brian felt his ears go red. "Yes, that's me."

The hostess nodded. She had short-cropped hair that barely touched her ears and eyelashes that reached her eyebrows. "Len." She held out a hand. Brian shook it.

"I don't know what's happened," Len said, turning back toward the cafe. "All I caught was 'on the boat,' and 'is he okay'. She rushed out before I could ask her anything. I know her brother works on a boat off Australia, so maybe something happened with him?"

Brian's heart sank. Australia? He should have held Madeline when he had the chance. If she was rushing off to Australia, then he wouldn't see her again.

He mentally kicked himself. Something had happened with the girl's brother, and here he was bemoaning the fact that he wasn't able to hold her while she cried.

"You live there, right?" Len stopped at the host stand and stared up at him, her face unreadable.

"Australia? No," Brian said, still chastising himself.

Len gave him a look of annoyance. "I mean her building. Here, in New York."

Of course. Get it together, Brian, he thought furiously. "Yes, I do."

"Can you...can you check in on her? When you get home?" Len's voice wavered. It was high and clear, almost girly, whereas before it had been low and husky.

Brian stared at her. "Absolutely. I was already planning on it," he said honestly.

Len watched him a moment longer, then sniffed and grabbed him a menu. "I'm guessing you're here for your sister. She's not here yet, but go ahead and grab a seat. If you can find one," Len added, sweeping her hand across the nearly empty cafe. A sole couple sat huddled together over a shared muffin and two cups of coffee.