Unexpected Encounters [B.H.M.]

29

I helped him put the shopping away before he gave me the money and we went into his living room for a bit. Just to catch up a little, which meant mostly me telling him about what I had been up to, so naturally I ended up telling him about the pub quiz mostly which led to him asking a little more about my job. But that was okay because it meant he was talking, he was interacting with me.

Eventually, I suggested that we start with the cooking before it got to late. And we did, and somehow he seemed okay. But I knew how that was, it was relatively easy to seem okay on the outside. What was on the inside was an entirely different story, but that was okay.

We spent quite some time in the kitchen, working on dinner while we talked about anything that came to our minds. I think he enjoyed it. I knew I did. We had dinner together and afterwards I helped him store everything in containers to either freeze or put it in the fridge before we cleaned the kitchen and then just sat down on his couch to relax.

"Thank you for insisting to come over again, Frida," he said, gently placing his hand on my arm. "I know I probably make you feel like you're a little annoying, but I really appreciate it. It makes me feel a little better, at least for the moment."

"That's good. That's what I want. I know that whatever you're going through, I can't make it go away, but maybe I can make it a little bit more bearable every now and then..." I told him, placing my hand on his for a moment.

"You do," he just said, nodding a little. "Yeah..." He took a deep breath, before he shifted a little, pulling his hand away. "So, what do you want to do?"

"I don't really mind," I told him honestly. "We can watch TV or play a game or... I don't know, put on music and sing along, whatever you feel like."

"Well I don't feel like singing," he said, shaking his head. "But we could see what's on TV or maybe... play some scrabble?"

I had to chuckle. "Scrabble, of course, I should have expected that."

"Sorry," he mumbled apologetically, giving me a small smile. "We don't have to play scrabble if you don't want to, I just thought you're enjoying that. It seemed like it the last times we played that."

I glanced at him and nodded a little. "Yeah, that's true. And you know, I did enjoy that. Can I still have a look at your other games? We can always play Scrabble a bit later when I feel ready to lose my sanity."

Brian chuckled a little. "It's that bad? Is it me or the game?"

"I think it's a combination of both," I admitted. "But it's still fun, I guess..."

"That's good. I want you to enjoy yourself. We can do what you suggested - play something else now and then Scrabble later. If I'm honest I can barely sleep these days anyway, at least it takes me a long time to fall asleep so you're welcome to stay as long as you want."

It wasn't good that he had trouble sleeping, but it was good that he wanted me to stay to prevent him from being alone and getting lost in his thoughts. I would gladly make myself go crazy with Scrabble to help him get through this. "Okay, that sounds like a plan. Which other games do you have?" I asked him and got up with him so he could show me his games cabinet. Unsurprisingly, it was full of kids' games. That seemed like something I could maybe use after we had played Scrabble. Instead, I chose something a little intellectual as well, but something that made me less crazy than Scrabble.

"Trivial Pursuit? Oh it's been a while since I've played that," he admitted, taking the box from me.

"Good," I said firmly. "That means you're not some sort of miraculous genius at this game too."

Brian smiled at me and nodded. "Alright, fair enough. If I get my way later, then we can play this first. Did you buy any snacks by any chance?"

"I did," I confirmed. "Yeah, you put them away earlier actually," I reminded him, slightly amused when I saw the surprise on his face.

"I did...? Oh dear, this is worrying. Okay, I'll go get them and you set up the game," he told me before he disappeared into the kitchen.

I did as he had told me so soon we were playing Trivial Pursuit together until about midnight before we switched to Scrabble and played that for a few hours. So at about three in the morning, when Brian wanted to start yet another round, I shook my head. "No, sorry. I think my brain is fried now, Brian. You have to be able to tell that. And as much fun as it is to give you an easy win, I think I might fall asleep actually."

"Oh... well-- Alright. I see your point. It is already late, it couldn't hurt to get some sleep," he gave in.

I glanced at him, barely able to keep my eyes open. "No it really couldn't," I agreed. "But first, I have to hope my car gets me home safely somehow.."

"No, nonsense. You aren't driving anywhere this time of day, Frida, it's not safe. You're nearly asleep already, you can just stay here."

Part of me wanted to decline this offer, but I was also just very tired. "Are you sure?" I had to ask.

"Of course I'm sure. You know where the guestroom is, I'll get you some clothes to sleep in, and then you can go get some rest. I even have spare toothbrushes somewhere in the bathroom on the first floor. I'll get you one of those. C'mon," he said before he got up. "We can pack up the game tomorrow, don't worry about that now."

He held his hand out for me so I pulled myself up. "Okay that actually sounds very good. Not having to drive now wouldn't be the worst."

"You're always welcome to stay here, especially if I force you to play scrabble until the middle of the night," he reminded me, and he had a good point. "C'mon, I'll get you a duvet cover and then I'll look for something for you to sleep in and a toothbrush. Second floor, do you remember where?"

"Yes, I remember," I told him. Still holding his hand for some reason - maybe because of the late time of day - I followed him upstairs. He went to get me a duvet cover before I went upstairs to get the bed ready while he got me something to sleep in.

He didn't take long before he gently knocked on the guest room door. "Frida? May I come in?"

"Of course," I told him. It wasn't like I was getting changed - I was waiting for him to bring me something to change into. And he did, he was holding something that he gave to me.

"I don't know if this fits, it's just a shirt and some shorts. I'll go look for the toothbrush, you can have your own bathroom up here or use the one a floor down, it's up to you. You can go ahead and get changed and if it doesn't fit I can find something else," he told me, closing the curtains of the room. "Does that sound good?"

"That sounds good. Thanks, Brian," I told him with a smile.

"Anytime," he replied before he left the room again. While he was downstairs, I got changed into the improvised pyjama which fit surprisingly well. I went downstairs to meet him in the bathroom and he let me get ready first. When I came out of the bathroom, he was already changed as well. "So do you think you have everything?"

"I think so, yes. I need a bed now, but that's upstairs."

Brian smiled at me. "You go ahead then. And ... knowing myself, you will be up first tomorrow so please help yourself to anything, okay? Feel at home here, Frida."

"Thank you, Brian. I will, don't worry about me. You get some rest now, okay?" I half-asked, half-ordered.

He nodded a little before he leaned down to give me a hug. It took me by surprise but I hugged him back because it was actually nice. I didn't hug people often enough because I didn't really have anyone to hug. It was nice, I had nearly forgotten how nice that was. We lingered in the hug a little before I kissed his cheek and pulled away. "I'm going to go to sleep now before I fall asleep in your arms."

Brian smiled a little. "You'd be welcome to do that, of course, but I see why you prefer the bed right now. Sleep well, Frida."