Chapter 2 Thankyou for the positive reviews especially TygerTygercrimsontears. Hope you enjoy this one just as much.
The knock on my door startled me, so much so that I let the lasagne spill slightly onto my hand. A burning pain started searing through hand and wrist. I opened the door and led the boss into my apartment, it was the first time she had been here. I had made her a lasagne as she was looking too thin and I assumed she wasn't eating at home.
"I made pasta". I told her and she attempted to smile a thank you although it turned out to be more of a grimace. I placed a plate in front of her, and her eyes opened wide at the sized the portion.
"is it too much?" I ask.
"no, it looks delicious. I haven't eaten this well in months". She said looking happy and tearful at the same time. It was awkwardly silent. I wasn't sure if it was because we were eating or if she did to want to make conversation. Finally she picked up the courage to speak.
"Are you dating Grace?" she asked quietly, then quickly buried her face in her food.
"No, I'm not. I can't". She nodded. Men was a sore topic for both of us. I loved Wayne but he was married and he had a son. The love of Lisbon's life was gone. She was too familiar with the sound that he made every time he left. She would always wait for him.
"do you fancy going to the mall on Sunday?" I ask.
"I would like that a lot, to be truthful I haven't really ... Since..." She lowered her head. She had finished her plate of lasagne and I picked it up and placed it in the dishwasher. I found a bottle of wine in the cupboard, and two glasses. The last time I had used both was with Craig. I filled both to the top and sat back down at the table. We both took large gulps attempting to bury our sorrows in drink. It was irresponsible and reckless but I didn't care. Tears began to run in streams down the boss' face, and I couldn't help but cry. We sat at the table or hours alternating between crying and drinking.
"do you talk to him?" she asked out of the blue.
"sometimes, although never for long. Sometimes I forget what he looks like, but then something will bring it all back to me. Like when I see his make of car, or someone with his cuff links. What about you?" I ask. I was scared, I knew I sounded insane talking to a dead man, but I trusted this woman with my life.
" I call him and leave him answer phone messages, although he never picks up. I'm worried sick that he will get himself killed or kill someone else. All I want is a text saying that he's okay. I hate the uncertainty". I nod, at least I knew that Craig was and I had to move on with my life, at least I had closure. The boss was wrapped in an endless circle of worry.
"I don't sleep either", she continued "I don't eat much, just enough. I feel like screaming at him, but at the same time I just want him next to me". This I understood too.
"do you love him?" I ask, knowing the answer.
"yes..." she said tears streaming down her face again. "if we had met under any other circumstance then..." her words were broken by sharp sobs breaking from her chest.
I hugged her tightly and whispered "stay here tonight, please".
"thank you Grace" she murmurs back.
I offered her my bed but she declined politely. She chose to sleep on the couch is I founder some blankets and some pillows. I made her a hot coco and poured a glass of water placing them gently down by her make shift bed. I found her some pyjamas, they hung off her tiny frame and the trousers were so long they gathered round her ankles. She reminded me of some of the homeless children I had helped in the shelter. She had that same terrified look in her eyes.
"night boss" I said.
"night Grace and thank you" she said gently her face forming into a smile.