Chapter 7
By Panny
It was with a great relief that Trunks greeted the women who met him at the door. He fielded a few question as best as he could, then moved through to the kitchen. Inside Lady and Gladice were discussing things over drinks.
"Ah, young man." Lady greeted. "Come. Sit. We were just talking about you."
Nervously he joined them while Gladice poured him a drink.
"Trunks." She started. "You've been a great help around here and it's greatly appreciated. But there's something else I'd like you to do for me."
Trunks looked at the blonde woman and nodded. "I'm always willing to help."
"Well this isn't like changing lightbulbs or anything like that... We want you to take Pan from here." She waited as the man before her stared, dumbfounded, then continued.
"I don't know if you know this, but before you came here Pan was... well, frustrated with life. She'd been unable to find a job outside and with so many girls here, there wasn't much for her to do around the house. I started giving her odd jobs, like an assistant, to distract her, but I'm sure she was aware of it. I was afraid she might turn to "other" jobs. I have nothing against the girls who work like that, in fact I did it myself for awhile, but Pan is just so... innocent, I didn't want her to force herself into that line of work.
"But ever since you've joined us, her outlook has changed, and I don't want her to go back. I'm afraid that as long as she stays here, the effect you've had on her will fade."
Trunks breathed deeply and leaned back. "Have you talked to Pan about this?"
Gladice shook her head. "No, not yet. I'm certain she'll ask to stay and help, but I also know she'd be thrilled to go with you."
Knowing they were trusting one of their own to him, Trunks felt a twinge of guilt. Straightening up, he spoke nervously. "Umm... Has Pan mentioned my age to you?"
"Yes." Lady, who had until then been silent, replied. "She told us you're 19, though I feel certain that number is a bit exagerated."
Trunks nodded. "Very exagerated. I'm actually 30."
Both women looked at him in shock, then Gladice began to laugh. "You don't really expect me to believe that, do you?" Trunks nodded solemnly. "...But... you look so young. I though that you were maybe 22 or 23."
Trunks shook his head. "I am much older though. I'm sorry to have decieved you and everyone else, it wasn't intentional. I just thought Pan would be more comfortable talking to someone more her age."
"Well, this is a lot to take in. We'll talk a bit more later. In the meantime, Alice is leaving today and I'm sure she could use some help with those boxes."
Trunks smiled, grateful for the chance to leave. He didn't know what affect his confession would have but he hoped it wouldn't be too significant. As he made his way upstairs it suddenly occured to him that he'd have to tell Pan his real age soon as well. He hated to think of her being angry with him. He truly enjoyed being with her and he didn't want to ruin their relationship, however complicated it may be.
BAM!
Pan woke with a start to the sound of boxes being dropped to the floor. Rubbing her eyes she sat up groggily and made her way down the hall.
"Hey Pan." Trunks greeted. "Were you taking a nap? Your hair's a mess. Didn't mean to wake you."
Pan shook her head. "What are you doing?"
"Helping Alice move her stuff. Care to help out?"
Still tired, she shuffled over to help him with one of the boxes. He could have lifted it on his own with ease, she could tell, but she went along with it anyway. It felt good to help and be with him again.
They continued working until everything was packed into a waiting car. There were a few tearful farewells as Trunks stood back in awe. It was amazing how close the women of the house were, and it made him long for that connection. Everyone he'd grown attached to, save for his mother, were gone. It hadn't occured to him before that these were the first people he'd allowed himself to open up to since the attacks.
Once Alice had left, everyone returned to what they were doing. Fighting his nerves, Trunks approached Pan and asked her to join him outside.
"What's this all about?" She asked as they made their way down the road.
"I just wanted to talk since we haven't really gotten a chance to lately."
They continued walking down the predominantly dirt road, both trying to come up with an easy topic to talk about.
"So..." Trunks began. "It's amazing how much stuff that Alice had, huh?"
"Yeah, well she's been saving it up for awhile. Some of the women here use the extra money they have to buy the essentials like blenders and silverware and stuff. That way when they find a new home they don't have to spend a ton of money right away. I've actually been thinking that maybe I should start saving up myself."
"Really? Are you planning to leave soon?"
"No, not too soon at least. But I know I can't stay here forever."
"Why not? I'm sure they'd let you."
"Yeah, I know, but everyone knows staying at the house is supposed to be temporary, no matter how long it takes."
Trunks thought for a moment. "How would you feel about staying with me?"
Pan stopped walking and stared at him. Nervous, he inhaled deeply. "I mean, it's something Gladice mentioned, that maybe you'd want to. My mother and I have a large home, so if you wanted to, you could."
"I uh... I don't know. That's something I'd really have to think about."
"But you'd consider it?"
Pan nodded and smiled. "Yeah. I enjoy being with you and it would be a good step out. I'd be more comfortable knowing I wouldn't be alone, and since you come to the house so often, I could as well."
"Okay. Well, like I said, if you want to, you can. But..." He swallowed hard. "There's something you should know. It's my age." She looked at him quizzically. "I'm not really 19.
"You're not?"
"I'm 30."
A dead silence fell and she stared at him with utter shock. "Thirty?"
He nodded.
"You can't be serious!"
"I know I may not look it, but it's true." He looked at her hopefully.
After a long silence, she responded. "I see. I'll have to think about this." Without saying goodbye she turned around and began to walk back. Trunks ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh. She hadn't flipped out like he'd expected, but somehow her overly calm composure was even worse. He considered following her to talk, but what could he say? All he could do now was wait.