For Your Eyes Only

Chapter 10: Fun and Forgiveness

"Why are my lights out? I know I paid the bill" Rob asks. Everything is off and he opens the blinds to get some light inside. "I wonder if the whole floor is like this too". He opens the door and looks out to see the light in the hall has gone out. Seeing he has no candles, Rob goes to the store. By the time he gets there, many people are already buying them out, among other items.

Rob moves further up the line and places his candles and ice bags on the counter."It looks like this doesn't happen often". "Of course it doesn't. You ever heard 'Sometimes it Snows in April?', it's not just a song, you know" the cashier says, ringing up his items. Rob takes them back to his apartment and sees Kenya's door open. He misses the lit candle outside. "Hmm...". He knocks on the door. "Hello? Kenya?" She doesn't answer and Rob steps inside and sets his stuff in the sink. He holds one bag of ice and carefully steps around the room.

"I have a bag of ice for whoever's broken in here!" he shouts, holding the ice bag. Kenya hears the noise and steps out her bedroom and goes to her living room to see Rob holding the bag. "Rob, how did you get in here and why are you holding that bag of ice like that?". "Your door was open and I thought someone broke in". "I set a lit candle outside and left the door open". Rob turns to see the candle by the door. "Oh...I guess my job's done". He sets the bag in the sink and pull out the candles. "How often does a brownout happen here?". "Not often. I don't even remember the last time it has gotten this warm...". It suddenly gets very cloudy outside. "...or this dark". A clap of thunder arrives and rain comes pouring down.

"At least we'll cool down. It's bad enough the lights went out at work, but the circuits blew completely. It'll probably take weeks for it to get fixed". They talk some more, but the room gets warmer from the candles. "I think I want to go to that social conference after all". "What made you change your mind?" Rob asks. You remember that session in group therapy about trust and forgiveness?". "Yeah". "I was thinking about it and maybe it would help me move on from Andre. If I go, it won't be a huge surprise like last time". Kenya goes to get a cup of ice. "Maybe you don't have to go alone". "Rob, are you asking to be my date?" she says, teasing. "Yeah, we share so much together..." He moves closer and watches her rub an ice cube all over her neck. "...and we'll...". The cube melts and runs down Kenya's chest. "...have a good time". "You're probably right. What's the worst that could happen?".

Rob ponders the same thing. It has been a while since people even cared about what happened, but it left him feeling unable to trust people fully before moving here. If trusting others was so difficult for him, the hardest would be forgiving those who hurt him, those who didn't forget what he did and most of all, forgiving himself. Kenya forgave him for how he came off to her the first time, so there is some hope yet.

The day becomes night, but the rain is still coming down heavily. Kenya yawns and stretches out to show she is tired. "I'm going to go to sleep". The power was still out, but Rob gets up to go back to his place. "Hey Rob, since the lights are still out...you can stay over until tomorrow, if you want..." she offers. Rob stops when he hears this invite. 'Finally, you're going to get some! Now say yes! She'll get the thrill of her life, for sure!' Rob agrees to stay over, but with one condition. He has to sleep on the sofa. Kenya gives him some pillows and a blanket from her linen closet.

"Here you go, Rob. These should help keep you warm". "Thanks, but I was hoping something else would make me warm". Kenya figures out what he means. "I don't think we should do that". "Come on, you can trust me. I won't do anything except sleep, I promise. If I'm lying-" Lightening strikes in mid-sentence, making Kenya laugh. "Good night, Rob" she says, going to her bedroom. "Wait! That doesn't count! I didn't finish the line!". Rob looks out the window. "I was so close! You just had to show up and mess with me, didn't you?" he responds in haste. The thunder claps loud enough to make Rob flinch and move from the window in a way of saying 'Don't blame me for you not getting any'. He is left setting up his sleeping space for the night and after getting in to sleep, he starts banging his head against the pillow and yelling into another pillow in frustration. This was going to be a long night.