Seymour was supposed to be sweeping the floor. The shop was closed, and Mr. Mushnik had already left. But his brain was busy with worry. Audrey has asked Mr. Mushnik to leave early to talk to her boyfriend, and he had reluctantly agreed. She hadn't been gone for very long, but Seymour was still concerned. She'd seemed so troubled, and Seymour had a bad feeling about this Doctor Scrivello guy.
All at once, he spotted her outside the window. His heart shattered in two at the sight of her, on her doorstep, appearing to have fallen. Seymour threw down the broom and practically flew across the street.
"Audrey?" Seymour knelt down next to her. He didn't touch her, guessing she wouldn't want anyone to touch her.
Audrey turned her head. "Seymour? Is that you?"
"It's me. Audrey, what happened?" Seymour took her hand, his heart pounding as he helped her to stand. Her face was stained with tears. "Audrey, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Seymour knew she was lying.
"Audrey, you can tell me anything. Please, I want to know."
Audrey rubbed her eyes. "Orin didn't take the news very well." Seymour noticed that there was a vague red handprint shape on her face, and his heart ached.
"Did he hurt you?"
"Well, yes," she admitted. "He told me it was all my fault, and that he didn't want anything to do with the baby. How am I going to raise it now, if it never has a fatha'? I'm not good enough to be a motha'! What am I gonna do?"
Seymour was overwhelmed with sadness as he gazed at the sweet, kind woman he loved. She was so helpless, so hurt, so desperate. I want to help her. I want to be there for her, and for the baby. I could take care of it when she can't. I could be her ally.
"I could help you," he mumbled without thinking. Audrey looked into his eyes.
"What?"
"I could help you," he repeated, making his voice more audible. To his slight dismay, his speech became shaky. "With-With the baby."
"Really?" Audrey lit up.
"Well, sure. I'm just across the street, so I can come in a second if you need help. I don't have much experience, but I can try to be as helpful as I can. You-Ya don't have to be alone."
Audrey's face seemed to glow, even in the dim evening light. Her smile was a smile Seymour never seen from her. It was full of joy and hope and relief.
"Thank you so much, Seymour. You don't know how much this means to me. I've been worried about it all day, 'specially considerin' Orin's reaction. You're a life saver, Seymour. I don't know how I can repay you."
"You don't need to," Seymour insisted. "You're-You're my friend."
"It's getting late. I'm going to bed. G'night, Seymour. I'll see you in the morning."
Seymour watched her go inside, dumbstruck. I've never seen her so happy. I must have done something right.
Seymour suddenly realized that he had no idea how to take care of a child. He'd been one of the youngest boys in the Home, and had spent much of his time alone. This meant that he'd barely interacted with any of the infants and toddlers, let alone cared for them. What have I gotten myself into?
Making his way back to his basement home, Seymour did his best to calm himself. Audrey's never done this before either. We can learn together. We can do all of this together— even if I'll only ever be her friend.