Seeing Blind |NH|

Chapter Thirty Nine

I went home and showered, washing my hair about fifteen times in an attempt to get the blue paint out of it.  I cursed her several times and hoped it was taking her just as long to get the paint off of her.  Eventually, I gave up.  My hair remaining a slight blue tint.

When I got out of the shower, I dressed and decided I wanted to get some flowers for both Miriam and Esta.  Picking up my phone, I saw several missed texts from Esta.  Two were of the two pictures we took.  Two more were of her, in her bathroom, blue paint still on her face, yelling at me for painting her face.

I laughed.  "Serves ya right."  I picked up my keys and wallet, as well as my phone, before heading out the door and downstairs trying to Google the closest flower shop.

When I got back, I had a bouquet of peonies in my hand for Miriam, and the last of the dahlias the place had for Esta.  Knocking on her door, she answered after a couple of minutes and smiled at me. 

"Why, hello again, Niall.  Long time no see."  She reached out and kissed my cheek. 

Feeling my face flush with color, I once again found myself unable to breathe or speak.  'What the fuck is wrong with me?' I thought.  "Hey, darlin'.  These are for you," I said, handing her the flowers.

She smiled, "So that's why you asked me, eh?"

"Well, I figured a nice little 'newly renovated house warming gift' was in order."

"They're beautiful.  Thank you, Niall.  Let me get these in some water and we'll head on over." 

She disappeared for a few minutes and then returned, grabbing her keys and locking up.  We headed next door and knocked on Patrick's door.  He answered almost immediately, and smiled at us both.

"Hey guys.  Come on in," he said, shuffling us in. 

I had actually never fully been inside his place before.  It's amazing how each of us decorated a similar place so differently.  Hers was fairly bare and yet always a total disaster.  Mine was probably full of dust as well as music and clothes related things.  And Patrick's, well, his was definitely a bachelor pad. 

A small, cute woman emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.  All three of us looked over at her.  Patrick rushed over to her while saying, "Niall, Esta, this is Miriam.  Miriam, these are my neighbors I was telling you about.  This is Niall and this is Esta."  He said all of this while gently bringing her to us and pointing to us as if she couldn't figure out who was Niall and who was Esta.  I could tell he was nervous.

"It's nice to meet you, Miriam," Esta said, sticking her hand out for her to shake.

"It's nice to meet you," I said, handing her the peonies.  "These are for you."

"Thank you.  How sweet.  It's nice to meet you both."  She smiled.  Her voice was soft and sweet.  And the way Patrick looked at her.  He was definitely in love.  "Dinner will be ready shortly."

She walked back into the kitchen and placed the flowers in a vase before bringing them out to the set table.  Esta went into the kitchen to help Miriam while Patrick and I remained in the living room.

"Want something to drink?" He offered.

"Sure.  What do you have?" I asked, following him to his little bar he had set up.

"Whatever you want."

"Gin and tonic?"

"Coming right up." 

As he made my drink, I whispered, "She seems very sweet, Patrick.  I'm happy for you."

"She is."  He smiled.  "How's the redecorating going?"