The Borrower and Her Bean (complete)

Part 6

Part 6

Greg and Carson looked ready to bolt as their faces coloured with embarrassment. Puffing their chest out in fake bravado they put their hands on there hips and Carson said" Yep, but we thought it was a dumb game."  Henry chuckled and the little boys attempt to be brave. Trying to find a way to connect to Melina he said "well maybe if you want I can show you how to play it, and show you the tricks to make it not so dumb" the boys interest peeked at this offer and a broad smile grew on their faces. They relaxed a bit as they said in unison "Awesome, that would be fun".

Melina could not believe what she was witnessing.  She knew that her brothers like her believed that Borrowers and Beans should be co-existing, but they were still terrifying. Yet here her brothers were agreeing to play a game with the giant. Looking at her bean she could see his face was mirroring the excitement at playing with the boys and wondered. Could it be true that he wanted to be friends?

The boys set up a time with Henry to meet and play his game later that day. Saying see ya later they left both Melina and Henry. Henry could see she was uncomfortable with what had just happened. Shifting as his arms were getting sore, he said "I could tell your brothers were scared but they still are willing to spend time with me. I know you are scared too but you helped me. What is the problem your people have with me that you would get in trouble?"

Melina had to word her thoughts well so her bean would not get the wrong impression of her community. "Well, Beans that what we call human Beings in the past have been very frightened of us. If a borrower was found they would often get exterminators in to kill the 'infestation'. Some have been captured and experimented on, and often we have been squashed underfoot mistaken for vermin. Because of these past behaviours borrowers have learnt to be unseen; this rule is so strong that if a borrow is seen by accident the family generally have to relocate. If they do it on purpose, their family leave them behind."

This hit henry hard realising what she had risked, what they all had risked helping him. Melina continued "However my brothers and I believe that their are beans that would happily co-exist with us rather than hurt us. You are the first we have had contact with. So, I hope that our faith in you is not misplaced." Stunned by their bravery henry nodded his head. "I can keep your secret; I would love to get to know you and your brothers, and if your parents are able to put their fear aside, I would love to meet them to. If there is a anything you need just let me know and I can help get it for you. 

Shaking her head Melina knew her family would be too proud to accept help from a bean. She cautiously watched as he smiled at her again "well I have work to do, its been nice chatting can we do this again tomorrow maybe?" she saw the hope in his large blue eyes as he waited in anticipation. He was nice, gigantic, but nice, maybe she could have a friendship with him. Coming to a decision she nodded her head and said, "Ok Henry, breakfast tomorrow but you need to bring some with you as I missed mine today." He chuckled starting to rise to his knees "Ok little one, I'll bring breakfast." He then rose to his feet. Her stomach churned as she saw the size of his feet wrapped in leather sandals his toes sticking out the end. With shock she realised his big toe could almost be half the size of her body. "Have a good day Melina" her bean spoke from the clouds as he left. There was something in the way his baritone voice said her name that sent a thrill through her body and left a smile on her face for the rest of the morning. 

That afternoon Melina stood at the hole to her bean's computer nook, it wasn't a room, but an alcove carved out of his living space that he dedicated to his love of all things gaming. Using the curtain ball and chain attached to his blinds she climbed to the windowsill. She was partially hidden by the books he had stacked on the sill turning it into a miniature bookshelf, along with some of his figurines. The blinds were closed to protect the items siting on the sill darkening the nook. She quietly looked over to the computer desk and saw Greg and Carson standing on his desk by the keyboard waiting for her bean. She was amazed again at their boldness, although she could see them begin to shake slightly as her bean entered the room.

He was dressed in black shorts and a royal blue tank top that showed off his large muscular arms making Melina blush just at the sight of them. She could see him grin through his beard as he pulled the chair out and sat down. Facing the boy's he picked up a large set of ear muffs and explained that he spoke to the other players through a microphone that stuck out like a small snake towards his mouth. She could see the boys faces full of excitement and awe as he turned on the machine and the screen glowed with light, and filled with colour.

The afternoon was one of amazement as she enjoyed seeing her brothers learn. Henry pointed out each key's importance on the keyboard and they did mock scenarios until they were a fine unit. Henry would call out a play, then Carson and Greg would dance over the keyboard along with Henry clicking the mouse to bring about the desired manoeuvre.

The cheers would arise from the two borrowers as they would raise their little arms at the computer screen. What they didn't see and only Melina was privileged to observe was the soft look of pride, and joy that would pass over Henry's face. Once the game really began the challenge was in earnest, concentration fell over borrower and bean alike.

It was during a particularly hard campaign that Carson jumped quickly from the E key to the space bar causing him to slip and tumble off the keyboard. In a split-second Milina went to cry out as she saw him rolling toward the edge of the desk. He didn't fall, instead her beans large meaty hand flew out so fast and Carson tumbled into his hand instead of falling to his demise. Hand to her mouth muffling a sob she noted Carson's trembling body as it lay in Henry's hand. Her bean looked down a look of concern on his face at the little boy and pulling his head set off saying "Are you ok?" Carson trembled as he stood up and walked off his hand back onto the desk "Thank you Henry, I guess it's a dangerous game." He chuckled covering his embarrassment.

They returned back to their game and continued for another hour, as Melina sat she struggled to stay awake and finally with the sounds of laugher and cheers in the background curled up against a book and fell asleep.

Melina didn't want to open her eyes, but she heard voices quietly whispering, the problem was one of the voices whispers was louder than her loudest shout. "Should we wake her?" the deep baritone voice said followed by a more normal borrower voice "yeah we should neither Greg or I can carry her she's too heavy". A gentle chuckle followed as her beans deep voice said, "well I could pick her up but I'm sure waking up in my big beefy hands would scare the wits out of her." At this comment Melina opened her eyes and looked up into the face of Her bean gazing down at her with a soft look in his eyes. 

Quickly pulling herself up into a sitting position she looked between her brothers and her bean. "How did you find me?" Henry chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck "well once the game finished we could her a soft snoring" red stained her cheeks as she realised he meant she had been snoring 'Loudly' horrified she stood up and hid behind one of the books. Trying to hold back tears of embarrassment she ran to the chain shimmied down and disappeared into her safety into the dark.