Geoff had just finished weighing bananas and putting them in his basket full of pasta and soup that will be his main diet for the week, when he heard crying. It was a child's crying and he felt a tug on his heart.
When he was younger, his parents swore against crying kids and the parents that raised them. The phrase 'I never would've let you do that' came up quite frequently. It annoyed Geoff because kids are hard to control and yes, maybe you shouldn't take them to crowded places or out late, but you don't know their life. They could have a sick parent in hospital and they spend their spare time trying to help them, so they only have time to shop at awkward times. Maybe they are a young, single parent whose family disowned them and they're trying their best. So, as an adult, he just feels sympathy towards these people.
The crying got louder, so Geoff went to check it out. He turned the corner and it revealed a young boy, who couldn't have been more than five years old. The mother was desperately trying to get the boy to calm down, seemingly trying to sit him down to the side of the isle. It was clear that this kid was panicking and the closer Geoff got it was evident that the boy had down-syndrome.
As Geoff loudly approached with his basket full of cans and packets, the mother looked up at him.
"Is there anything I can do to help, Miss?" He asked, putting his basket down to stop the noise.
The lady looked confused. Maybe no one had thought to help before. "Um, yeah, actually. I'm just trying to get him to lie down because it always calms him, but he won't— I think he's embarrassed." She explains.
Geoff simply lies down on the floor partially close to the poor boy. "Hey, Buddy, come on and lie down next to me. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Look at me, I'm a fully grown adult and I'm down here." He smiles, reaching a hand out for the boy.
"His name is Liam." The mother says, still trying to coach the boy down to the floor.
"Hi Liam, my name is Geoff. If you come down here, we can have a little floor party all to ourselves." Geoff smiles, hand still stretched out for Liam.
Liam looks from Geoff's face to his hand to his mother and back again, deciding to take Geoff's hand and lie down.
Geoff smiles at him as he shuffles closer to Geoff little by little. Geoff, on his side with his head on his arm, can see the boy closer now. His dark brown eyes are full of worry and tears, but his small little hand clings onto Geoff's fingers. His neatly cut hair is pressed against the floor and his forehead. Tear tracks still streak down the kid's chubby cheeks, they're stained red with a frustrated blush.
"He likes hugs." The mother states. She's looking at the two fondly. Geoff looks at her, she looks around thirty five, sharing the same features as the boy.
Geoff nods his head, proceeding to slowly wrap his arms around the boy and bring him closer. He is quieter now, but his breathing is still not quite right. "I used to suffer from panic attacks," He states in a calm voice. His tone is level and unchanging, something secure that Liam can almost grab onto and hold. "I still do now, but it was mostly when I was in school and there were constantly so many people around me all the time that I just got overwhelmed. And y'know what really helped me?" Geoff asks and looks at the boy who has now buried his head under Geoff's chin. Geoff feels the shake of his head against his chest. "Well, I used to imagine I was in this far away place where I was all alone. It was different a lot, but I always went back to my favourite. It was in the mountains, where I imagined the cold air blowing into my face and ruffling my hair. Yeah, there was an amazing view of a reservoir." Geoff stopped. "Do you know what a reservoir is?" Liam shook his head, he seemed quite calm now. "Well, a reservoir is a large lake used for our water supply. Um, and it would sparkle in the sunlight - it was like glitter; really shiny. And we can't forget the little birds that lived there. They were so pretty! All different colours and everything." Geoff stopped, peering down at the boy. He was curled into his chest, breathing normally.
Geoff looked to the mum to see her reaction and she was still looking lovingly at them. She grinned at him and looked behind Geoff. He followed her gaze and suddenly realised that he had gathered quite the crowd. There were a lot of faces looking at him. He tore his gaze away, quickly becoming flustered. He let go of the boy slightly, analysing him to see if he was ready to stand up.
"Are you ready?" He asks quietly. Liam nods, so he sits them up and helps him stand to his feet. He kneels so that he is face to face with Liam, making him giggle. "Okay, little man, would you like a sticker?" He asks.
Liam's face turns to complete surprise and he can hear a chorus of gasps behind him. Gees, it's like being in some kind of soap opera. Liam nods vehemently, so Geoff reaches into his coat pocket, reaching for his little roll of stickers. He handed them to Liam and he picked a 'I survived a panic attack today' one; it had a red rocket-ship on it.
Geoff stands up, grabbing his basket. He smiles at Liam and his mother and is about to leave when she speaks. "Thank you so much! How can I repay you?" She asks, hope in her voice. She's obviously ridiculously happy that someone helped her.
Geoff frowns, "Oh, absolutely nothing. I refuse to accept anything for helping a kid out." The mum goes to protest, but Geoff cuts her off. "I like helping people, it's what I do. Your gratitude is enough. Have a nice day." He bows his head and leaves.
As he turns around, he sees that the crowd has dissipated, thankfully enough. So, he goes about his shopping. In isle six, he is stopped as he goes to pick up some brunch bars.
He looks at his arm that now has a hand on it and follows the hand to the the arm to the body to the face and holy shit does he like what he sees. A gorgeous man with the most beguiling, purple hair ever. His surprise turns to happiness upon the sight of this man.
"Hello." Geoff says, not really sure what to say to the prettiest person he had ever seen in his life, who is now still holding his arm.
"Hello? What do you mean 'hello', dude? That was amazing and you're walking around like it wasn't a big deal!" The man took his hand off of Geoff to gesture madly, accentuating his point. Geoff still isn't quite sure what to say, choosing to stay silent instead. "Seriously, man! Where did you even get those stickers?"
Geoff laughs nervously, putting his heavy basket down beside him. Awsten mirroring him with his own. "Well, they are for me." Awsten gives him a puzzled look. "Uh—yeah, it's just that I— I still get panicked a lot and I just like stickers." Geoff tries to explain it, but fails.
"That's adorable." The man declares. "I'm Awsten, by the way." He sticks out a hand for Geoff to shake.
"I'm Geoff." He smiles, shaking his hand.
"Listen, uh— are you gay? 'Cus like I think you're really cute and sweet and I really want to ask you out and I don't know if it's more awkward if I ask you out and you say that you're straight or if I just ask you straight up, so..." Awsten rambles.
"Yes, I'm gay. Can I take you on a date?" Geoff grins. He's glad that he had the opportunity to ask him out, rather than him asking Geoff out.
"Damnit! You stole my line," Awsten laughs. "But, yeah, I would love to." He hands Geoff his phone, so that he can type his number in.
"I have to tell you that this has been like... The most interesting shopping trip that I have ever had." Geoff laughs, as he types his number in.
Awsten takes his phone back, nodding. To Geoff and sending a text to his number. "Yeah, for me too. I hope I see you again soon."
"You will. Trust me." Geoff smiles.
And Awsten does trust him; because Geoff looks trustworthy.
