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John wrapped my coat around my shoulders as we walked home. I was almost in a trance of shock and horror. Tommy walked by my side with his hand on my back gently fiddling with the mesh material of the dress. His hand was cold once again, but it felt comfortable on my skin, and I hated the fact that it was. The man blinded someone in front of me and now I talk about the comfort of his hands, shame on me. But... in Tommy's defence he had done it for the disrespect the man had made towards and then refused to apologise. He did give him a chance.
"He should've just apologised." I choked out and began to cry again, Tommy once again pulling me into his side to cry into the navy cotton suit. He muttered something to John and he soon disappeared to run whatever errand it was he was told to run. We arrived at Tommy's house and I was led into the living room where Tommy placed me gently on the sofa by the grate. The fire was warm on my bare legs and I moved my hands out in front of me to unfreeze them from the autumnal cold. "Here." His voice sounded hoarse while a soft blanket was placed around my heavy shoulders, I looked up and the cigarette in his mouth made me tilt my head. "Why do you smoke so much? I think I know why, but I want to hear it from you." He took the stick of tar from his lips and pushed it into an ash tray. The light going out quickly.
"What do you think it is then?" "Do you always answer questions with questions?" I muttered, once again forgetting who I was talking to. He leant down and leaned by my ear, I kept my eyes forward. "I have no obligation to answer any of your questions, none. Don't think that I do." He stood and walked away, the resonance from his low registered voice echoing in my ear.
He walked back in moments later with a bottle of whisky and two glasses, I frowned and he looked at me with all seriousness. "Try it, you might like it." He poured two glasses and I shook my head, not wanting to start a dreadful habit like alcoholism. He shrugged and downed the glass supposed for me. "Listen, I know... this is difficult for you and this future you live in is not like this time but you're gonna need to adjust love. And it's gonna 'ave to be quick, alright?" "Will you help me? Adjust to this time?" He took the cigarette from his mouth that had been placed in and out over the time of us sort of just sitting and staring at one another. "Hmm... I'd rather you learn from Ada. She's a woman." "And? What's so different about men and women apart the obvious physical difference. In our time, women and men are equal. Well... that's the aim. For women and men to be paid the same and given the same opportunity and not have the prejudice that women wear dresses and cook and men are strong and emotionless. Men can be emotional without being weak, and women can be strong without being seen as... well a bitch." He leant back and I continued to ramble on about equality and the glass ceiling that was being broken by us women.
"In your time... do women fight wars?" He asked, almost as if it was a smart dig. "Yes, there is many women in the Army, Royal Air Force and Navy. And I reckon almost a 100% of them do not cook... I can't cook for my life." He chuckled and seemed rather amazed by the future. "Tell me more about the future." "Well we have amazing healthcare called the NHS where everyone gets free healthcare that we all pay for through taxes. As well as education and of course the technology is-... oh my God, the technology!" I stood and ran up the stairs to get my clothes that I had worn when I got here. I could hear footsteps echo my own behind me, Tommy obviously curious.
"My phone." I scrambled through my jeans and found my mobile phone. An iPhone 8, Malachi gifted it to me as I didn't have the energy to go out and get one myself. "Holy shit!" I said, unlocking it and hugging a little. I didn't have a charger or anything so I had to use the 78% of charge wisely. Tommy was entranced by the screen and couldn't believe what he was seeing. "What is that?" "It's a phone, you can call people, play music, play games, write... it does everything almost. I need to-..." "Who's that?"
He pointed to my home screen, a picture of Malachi I had treasured since first taking it. His smile was infectious and it made me nostalgic and sad thinking about him. I hadn't been away from him without contact for this long before... I know... 'a whole 2 days' is what your thinking.
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"It's... it's Malachi." It was like I had flicked a emotion switch off button as Tommy became closed off at the sight of Malachi, I wasn't sure why and it was not like they could know each other. And then this shocker came out his mouth... "Are you fucking him?" He spoke plainly and bitterly, like the thought of it made his stomach churn. "Excuse me?! No... he's my best friend. I mean... he's handsome but no. He's never been more than just a friend... not that it's any of your business anyway." I said, standing and facing him head on. Suddenly realising that I really needed to fix my tone of voice when I spoke to him.
"It is my business..." he stepped towards me and once again I moved back quickly to create distance but I hit the dressing table and knocked a few things over. "when I am interested in who you are. Wouldn't want a jealous husband, would we?... Or a cheating wife." He looked me up and down and I swear I almost fainted.
"I would never cheat on anyone, let alone on someone who I'm not even with. That's... impossible. It wouldn't even be cheating!"
