ANTHONY
“Is everything alright?”
Anthony jumps as a gentle hand rests on his shoulder snapping him out of his spacey thoughts.
“Um yeah, I’m fine,” Anthony says quickly and looks up at the man standing next to him. “I got lost in thought.”
“I can tell,” the other man says and sits down next to him. “Sorry if I startled you.”
“It’s fine,” Anthony says with a shrug. “Worse things have happened.”
The other man snorts a little, before offering him his hand. “I’m Harold, but everyone calls me Harry.”
“Anthony” Anthony replies and takes the man’s hand.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Anthony,” Harry says with a friendly smile. “You were very quiet, I hope you still had a good experience. These things can be a little overbearing for some people, especially first time visitors.”
“Well, this isn’t technically my first time around,” Anthony admits. “I tried when I was younger, but I wasn’t ready to face it then.”
“Mmh, I’ve been there myself,” he says nodding understandingly. “I’m glad you’re trying again, that's a good first step toward recovery.”
“I just feel like maybe I should have said something.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Harry says encouragingly. “It’s not an easy thing to do, talking about your life problems in front of other people I mean.”
“Yeah,” Anthony says studying one of the floor tiles closely. “It’s just a lot to take in.”
“Agreed there,” Harry says. “If you ever need anything, give me a call.” The man hands Anthony a business card. “I always answer.”
“Thanks,” Anthony says weakly and takes the card. He’s beginning to feel very drained and shaky. The meeting wasn’t eventful, but still somehow managed to drop a thousand pounds of stress on his shoulders.
“Would you like to get some dinner?” Harry asks after a short spell of silence. “You look like you could use some stress relief, and there’s a great place just down the street from here.”
“Maybe some other time, I should probably get home before it gets too late. I have work in the morning.”
If Harry’s disappointed he doesn’t show it. “Alright, well I’ll walk you out then.”
Neither of them say anything as they walk out of the small community center and into the brisk outside air. It’s not until Anthony is seated on his car that Harry speaks again.
“I know it might be early for you to be thinking, but I’m open if you need a friend. So it’s just something to think about.”
“I might take you up on that offer,” Anthony says as he opens the door to his car. “Thanks.”
“Have a good night, Anthony.”
“You too.” Anthony starts his car and closes the door behind him.
~~~
SUMMER
“So,” Summer says casually as she leans over the counter so her face is a few inches from Anthony’s. “How’d last night go?”
“It could have been better,” Anthony says absently and continues counting out change into the drawer. “But there’s a guy who’s willing to be my friend, so that’s good I guess.”
“That’s great!” Summer says excitedly. She wishes she could be the one to help through his depression. And while she knows she can help him some, she knows in the case she won’t be enough. He needs someone who’s been where he is. “So I take it you’re going to keep going back?”
“I’ll try,” Anthony says as he finishes sorting the cash in the drawer. “It’s tough. Talking about stuff with you is different than talking about stuff with a group of strangers.”
“That’s understandable, but I don’t think anyone is there to judge people,” Summer says. “They’re there for help just like you.”
“Yeah, it can still get a little overbearing. When I tried a while back I ended up drinking and overthinking more because I got stressed, so I’m taking slow this time,” Anthony explains. “I don’t want to go back down that particular road.”
“I’m proud of you Anthony,” Summer muses and Anthony looks up at her for the first time that morning.
“And why’s that?” he asks giving her a confused look.
“Because you’re trying even though you’re obviously still scared. That’s a good thing- well not the being scared part, but the trying part. You care enough to try to get better and that’s a good thing.”
Anthony leans his forehead against hers. “You showed me that there’s something out there worth trying for.”
Summer can feel herself blushing. “But you made the choice, and that’s something to be proud of.”
“Thanks, Sam,” Anthony whispers and gives her a small kiss on the lips.
She blushes a little more.
“I don’t pay you two to stand around and make heart eyes at each other all morning,” Steven says, announcing his presence behind them.
Anthony rolls his eyes and pulls away from Summer. “We’ll have to pick this up later.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that!” Summer calls after him as he walks back to the storeroom.
“You know, whatever happened the other week it worked miracles for your relationship, and I think I’m regretting getting as nosey as I did,” Steven comments as he comes to a stand still next to Summer.
“Well, thanks for hiring him,” Summer says quietly. She hates thinking about what would have happened if Steven hadn’t hired Anthony.
“He makes you smile, so I had to jump at the opportunity,” Steven says with a shrug. “I like seeing you happy, Summer. And for what it’s worth I think he needed you too.”
Summer smiles slightly as Steven turns and walks away to start setting out clearance signs, before grabbing the broom to start sweeping.
YOU ARE READING
The Ways in Which I Die (COMPLETED)
RomanceSummer's not that excited about her job. Anthony's not that excited about his life. They meet somewhere in the middle and Maybe just might have a path to happiness...
