Chapter 16:

Before dinner could come, I went to my room and pulled out some of dad's old clothes from my trunk chest and told Hades to get dressed. Adam didn't like anyone in the room at the moment, so he stayed to himself, sulking at his chair at the dinner table. Trying to find any excuse to get rid of our new guest, making it miserable for everyone. I didn't care. But mom had already commented on how he dressed and how thick his beard and hair was, and how sad he looked, that made her all the more suspicious why I brought him here.

I made an excuse that he lost his wife 15 years ago and has never been the same afterwards and he lived all alone in his new house and I took the mercy on inviting him to dinner since he didn't have anyone else. Mom, being an angel, gladly accepted the way he was.

I told her that he could change. So now we were in my room, and I showed him the clothes he had to wear. As I was expecting, he simply refused.

"Hades, I know this is all new, but you have to wear this! When people see what you're wearing now, they're going to get suspicious and we don't want that. Our clothes here are a little more modern that what you're used to seeing."

"Very well. But I need your assistance…"

I blushed and he took the clothes.

"Wait. What? I-I mean… of course, yea. Ok well-"

Hades took off his armor then threw it next to my bed, and before I could even say anything, he unwrapped his cloak. I got a full view of a scar that was planted on his chest, but more than that he was very, very, very fit.

"So you're just gonna- okay…"

He had those 6 pack abs that you could touch and see heaven by closing your eyes even for an instant. He had particularly big arms that were a little toned but not too much, but the only thing was that he still looked weak. Pale.

Snapping out of my 5 minute observation I began to slowly dress him. First came the shirt. Hades dropped his robe and I closed my eyes.

"Ok. Ok. Just slip this over your head…"

"Assistance…" he whispered.

From what I could hear, Hades ruffled the shirt, and I reached out my open palms. I didn't know if it was an accident but Hades guided my hands to the shirt and helped him pull it over his head, over his chest, down his abs, and down to his waist. The procedure was slow, painful, and agonizing. I opened my eyes. Hades smoothened out the shirt and looked satisfied, either it was because of the shirt or something else. I tried my best trying not to look satisfied myself.

"Ok, now put on the pants…"

Was I going to enjoy this too?

I closed my eyes again. I heard the ruffled pants drop to the floor, then heard Hades ruffle them again to put it on. But then he grabbed my hand…pulled it down low and my cheeks warmed up again! What's he doing! Lowering my head, I had no idea how to react towards this.

"I don't understand this… Help me."

Was all I could hear him say.

I didn't dare open my eyes.

His hand guided mine

I felt the helm of the pants and Hades pulled them on with my help, but he guided my hands to the belt area. I fiddled around and got the buckle together and it took longer than it usually would, with me not able to see and all. The whole time I did this, Hades cold hands were on mine, softly gripping me. Oh god. Was he doing what I think he was doing? I'm pretty sure he knew how to handle a belt, but then I wouldn't know.

"Okay, follow me. And don't be surprised if Adam is a total jackass…"

"A what?"

"You'll see…"

We went into the dining room and mom already served the food, Adam had already began eating when his plate was served to him.

"Adam! Wait until everyone else sits down…!" she whispered to him.

Hades and I sat down, and mom gawked at him.

"Oh, look at you! You look so handsome. Nicely done. Well, everyone grab a fork and dig in! I slaved on this all night!"

I gladly began to eat, enjoying and savoring my usual modern day food. But Hades observed me watching and didn't know how to follow. I picked up the fork and lowly displayed how to use it. One little inch at a time, he followed, and ate his steamed vegetables and pot roast at a slow, slow, slow pace.

"Delicious," Hades commented as he tasted the meat.

I smiled at him. Mom saw us.

"What was that, August?"

"He just said the pot roasts good…"

"Oh, thank you! So, tell me, where are you from?"

"…He's from Carson City, Nevada. Right?" I asked, looking directly at him.

Hades nodded, looking uncomfortable but supporting me.

I was beginning to wonder if this was the right decision in brining him here, we should've thought up of a story before we did.

"And what did you do there?" she asked.

Adam looked at us.

"He studied cinema and foreign language writing…" I answered for him.

"Oh? Foreign language writing? Interesting. And what do you write?"

"He writes Greek-"

"Evey, the man can speak for himself…" she smiled, eating her pot roast.

Hades put down his fork, cleared his throat and gave her a direct look. Adam looked a little hostile at him for a moment, and I was getting nervous. For an instant, my mom looked intimidated.

"What Evey said. Greek. I have studied for years and became an expert in what I do, and from my knowledge of writing in Green, I decided to become a writer. Literature was my best. My career has been stable. I found myself here, in a new house, and when I met your daughter Evey, she helped me," Hades whispered at those last 3 words, and he looked at me," She helped me when no one else would, and I had been alone for some time, and when she came. It all changed when I thought it never would. I had escaped my brothers, from their cruelty and bitter greed, and Evey made it all better again."

There was that sweet, soft, charming, dazzling sound in his voice he projected when he first said my name, capturing my most fondest attention, having me stare at him, and him stare at me.

It made everyone at the table dizzy, and mom and I were almost swaying back in forth in our chairs, like a cobra to a snake charmer. Hades looked away- the spell was broke. I snapped out of my daze and stuffed pot roast into my mouth

"Wow… T-Then, E-Evey must be very lucky… That was so charming…!" my mom stuttered. Blushing.

Adam gawked, revealing the food in his mouth, and let his fork slip from his hand.

"Oh give me a break!"

"Adam!"

"No, that's s-so…! I mean- What was with your clothes?"

"Adam!" my mom tried to hush him.

"This is the 24 century! Not freakn- freakn Hamlet for god's sake!"

"Adam! This is our guest! What is wrong with you!" mom whispered.

"And what's the deal with your hands! Play with coal before you got here!"

"You know what! We need to talk…!"

Mom pulled Adam up and took him to the kitchen. Both of them made those voices people make when they try to make their conversation private, but other people can still hear them. Especially if it was an argument. I looked at Hades.

"See what I mean?"

"I now know the definition of 'jackass' in your world…"

"Yea, let's go to the living room…"

We waited awhile and mom came into the room, alone. We all heard Adam stomp upstairs, slam the door, and yell a curse word. Letting, that awkward moment pass, Mom apologized repeatedly and began with her questions again.

"August. So, where do you live?"

"August lives out of town. Near the lake, I can't remember it name, but can he stay here with us? Mom? It's a lot closer to work and it'll be safer for him to be safe, because he said when he first came here, he was robbed and mugged. S-Since we live closer to town, do you think he can work here? We have a computer and he doesn't. And besides, he said t-that he needed help with his work, so I'll stay with him… I now some cinema work, so it'll be perfect…" I was sheepish.

"You got mugged? Oh, I am so sorry. When did that happen?"

"In the morning, when he was going to work…"

"What did they take? Oh, I hope they didn't take anything valuable…"

Hades looked at me, not knowing what to say.

"They just took money, that's all. And t-they busted the tires and windows of his car, so he couldn't drive. That why we took a taxi…"

"Well, where does he work?"

"August hasn't actually…truly…really found work. B-Because he needs to do some research at the library!"

"The library?"

"Yes! And I want to go too, because it's a new town for both of us… A-And, it'll be fun. Please mom?"

I knew my mom had a soft heart, and if she accepted this, she would be a total angel!

"Well, I don't want you to be robbed again. Must've been scary! Oh, well…" she thought to herself for a few seconds and glanced upstairs with her arms crossed," Adam will get over it."

I flew myself at her.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"We need to use the guest room for something anyway," she hugged back.

After our discussion, I lead Hades to his new room. Hades gazed around and touched the lamps, the digital clock, and the light bulb lamp in the middle of the roof. Trying to figure out how it all worked and what it did exactly. Finally, he settled onto his bed, amazed on how soft it and comfortable it was. I closed the curtains and opened the bathroom door.

"If you need anything, just come ask me. Try to avoid mom and the douche bag, they're just going to ask questions… I'll come back in the morning and we can go to the library and have fun."

"What will we do at this library?"

"I'm going to teach how about our world. It's a perfect opportunity to get out of the house, away from the jackass and my questionable mom and to teach you everything I know. It'll be great. Trust me!"

Hades laid in the bed.

"I think it'll be more comfortable if you wore Pj's…"

Hades nodded, sat up and took off his shirt and made himself comfortable. He looked peaceful. I said my goodnights and went to my own room. But down the hallway, the jerk and my mom were still at it. For another 30 minutes, their argument cooled down and the asshole was apologetic again, and my mom smiled at him with forgiveness. They dimmed down the lights and he asked her to slip some silk on. I closed my door, locking it, then took a hot shower. Turning off the lights and getting comfortable, I had a good sleep. Excited for tomorrow.

When morning came, I didn't expect Hades to come to my room.

"Come, we must leave before the husband comes out…"

"Agreed."

"I am dressed. I shall wait for you. Hurry…"

I got up from my bed and got dressed. I called a cab and asked to go to the library. Hades didn't trust the cab, but followed after me after a short argument. The drive there was interesting. Hades got to see the other cars, diesels, telephone wires, street lights, bicycles, the radio towers, glass windows, yellow school buses, the train, and other people who wore clothes similar to mine.

We got to the library. Hades' gaze went up the huge walls, looking at the different architecture and how smooth the rock was, and how clear and nice the color looked, the structure looked amazing. Once we got inside, Hades stared up to the high ceiling, walking in big circles and looking at the electric lamps that hung there along with the small glass chandelier.

The chandeliers were dazzling and sparkly. The library was fitted very comfortably, and Hades would stare up to the dome of the spiral structure of white and brown galleries.

His gaze would go down the aisles of knowledge, and I was worried that other people were staring at me in horror as if they could actually see the fog of black depression that enveloped Hades.

My first thought was that someone left open a window or a door for too long, bringing in must, but I know that I was wrong because I've never seen a fog with this intensity before.

He looked at the painting on the walls, the painting people see but don't pay much mind to. Hades looked, awestruck, at the operating computers lined up in rows along the walls.

The screens were fuzzy to the touch, because of floating lint and static. He would flinch, jumping away, when the screen would change from one picture to the other.

We got some chairs near a window.

I plucked down in my seat as Hades slowly circled around one last time, easily and slowly sitting down in his chair, still taking in the walls and pictures.

Until he sat firmly in his chair, but had that intention to keep on moving and look around more.

His eyes were buzzing with questions as he looked at the row of books and computers, edging for some answers. We sat there for a moment. Both of us looked at eachother finally after a long time.

Our spot was within a little cocoon of light that was shed by the lamps above our place, and there was that faint little halo above the shade.

"So?"

Hades didn't answer.

"Any questions?"

"Of course I have questions. My first question: Is what are those?"

"Those are computers. It is an electronic data processor: an electronic device that accepts, processes, stores, and outputs data at high speeds according to programmed instructions. Almost the whole world is based on computers."

"What can it do?"

"Well the question is: What can't it do?"

"What is that? Out there?"

"Where? That? That is a bicycle… It's a two-wheeled vehicle: a vehicle with two wheels and a seat that is moved by pushing pedals with the feet, and steered by handlebars at the front wheel. I have one. Very different from a car. It's very easy when you get a chance to learn and it's fun to ride around in when you're in a hurry…"

"I have too many questions of your world… what about that? Up there?"

I looked up.

"A lamp. I know it's not fire or a torch or anything. But it gives of electric light. We can turn it on and off whenever we come into a room. If you use it wrong or inappropriately, it's a bad way to lose your fingers."

"Is it…? It's as bright as the sun…"

"Don't stare at it too long. It'll hurt your eyes."

"What is on your wrist?"

"A watch. It's able to tell time whenever I need during the night or day. It's an alarm and a stop watch. It's all about time, numbers and ….time."

"What is that man over there…using…?"

"T-That…is…a calculator. a device used to compute arithmetic operations or problems we can't solve in our heads, especially a small hand-held electronic device. I have one and I use it for homework and other things, and he's using it for homework too, it looks like he's in college or something."

"College? What is that?"

"It's a place where some people go after they graduate from Highschool. I'm in Highschool right now. It's an institution of higher learning: an institution of higher learning that provides education to undergraduates and awards bachelor's and sometimes master's degrees. It's a pretty big deal for some people…"

"University?"

"A University school or division: a school or a division of a university that usually has its own dean and other administrators and whose faculty teaches and confers degrees in specific academic fields. It's school, but it has more advantages in it, and you can go to school for about 4 years or more or less…"

He nodded and looked around more, at other people and other things that could catch his fancy.

"What is that? In that woman's hand?"

"A cellphone. Almost everyone in the world has one. It's a way to contact anyone in the world from one place to another, so it's the best way to keep in touch with someone. I have one. I can call anyone right now…"

"How…How is all of this possible?"

"Well, it's along story, really. It might be boring."

"Tell me."

"Okay, well, you know how one person gets a crazy idea and then another guy get a crazy idea. They generate that idea into something…amazing. Useful. Then that idea spreads and makes our civilization better. We strife on it, really. It's all about our…curiosity. We like to know how things work. We…progressed through history and time to get to where we are today. We discovered a new way to look at mathematics, physics and science of our atmosphere and biosphere…"

"Tell me everything…"

Hades and I sat there, comfortable and content. We didn't have any coffee or anything to drink, as we didn't have anything to eat whatsoever, not even breakfast. I'm not sure of both of us were even hungry to begin with. We never got up from our seats that day, but only to look at books and picture and look up facts, and we never stopped talking until that evening, when it was time to go home. Both of us were completely glued to eachother.

No one interrupted us, so it was the perfect chance to talk about math, arts, paint, politics, our government, social leaders, science, calculations, history, cellphones, rockets, atmosphere, the sky, clouds, airplanes, air travel, the sun, the moon, philosophy, trucks, clothing, war, bombs, soda, DVD, gaming systems, Xbox, Legend of Zelda, Halo, World of Warcraft, agriculture, farming, food, apples, peaches, bees, flowers, lions, bears, alligators, biology, America, Europe, Canada, Arctic, the universe, the stars, life, hospitals, vegetation, music, pianos, violins, flutes, composers, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, Television, Radios, trains, engines, tires, oil, gas, California, cruise ships, toys, brain teasers, puzzles, the Lock Ness Monster, Bigfoot, the Mothman, comic books, psychology, the human brain, the navy, the marines, weapon technology, heaters, coolers, oven, microwaves, videos, cameras, copiers, scooters, movies, actors, screen plays, Shakespeare, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Jules Verne, War and Peace, To Kill a Mockingbird, football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, players, NFL, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

It's hard to believe we would talk more tomorrow.

We were on our way home, when I thought of something we could do.

"Hey, do you want to try some pizza?"

"P-Pizza?"

"Pizza…"

"P-Pizza…"

"Pizza. Come on, you'll like it!"

I pulled him into a small restaurant on the edge of the sidewalk. The bell rung as I opened the door, pulled up some seats, and opened the menus. I gave one to Hades. Who took almost 15 minutes just to look at the whole thing.

"I don't even know what these are…"

"It's food. You can order appetizers if you want and desserts in the end. But this place only sells pizza…"

"Only…? What do the others sell?"

"Oh wow… I don't think I can name them all. There's chicken, hamburgers, tacos, fish, and a whole bunch. But now, we'll start with pizza…"

We ordered (well I ordered for him) and 10 minutes later we got our pizza. First I observed Hades, watching him attempt to handle this.

He looked at it from every angle.

It was flat, smelled unfamiliar.

It was white from cheese and red with sauce.

Perhaps the sauce looked undesirable?

Or maybe it was the ingredients?

The meal had all sorts of things on it, making it look colorful.

But delectable to his eyes?

I wasn't sure.

"Here," I picked up my pizza, held it the way it's suppose to, slowly inserted in my mouth, and took a small bite," It's good! Take a bite…!"

"I'd rather not."

"Oh come on! Cheat a little! Experiment! Expand your boundaries! Taste something new for once!"

Hades picked up the pizza just as he was instructed, lowered his head towards his plate, smelling it, hesitating, lowering his head more, and took the tiniest, smallest, most simplest bite of a pizza I had ever seen in my life. I had to squint at him just to make sure. He chewed it for a moment. Tasting.

Contemplating. Chewing.

Tasting.

After those minutes, he lowered his head, smelled it, slightly hesitant, and took another bite. Then another bite and chewed, but more like ate. Without his compliment, I began to eat my own meal and we ate in silence. He finished his before me. That made me laugh.

"Did you like it?"

"After a second thought…"

"Good! It's what I wanted to hear!"

The waiter came by.

"Fill your cup, miss?"

"Yes, thank you."

After the man left, Hades looked at my cup. It sizzled, bubbling, and cackled. I had a Coke. I didn't notice him looking at is closely, smelling it, then jumping backwards from the awful smell he wasn't familiar with. I lifted it to drink- he grabbed my arm, stopping me!

"What are you doing? I almost spilled it!"

"Poison!"

"W-What?"

"Y-You would drink that?"

"Um, yea. I know how it looks, but it's not bad for y- Well, in a healthy way, it's bad for you. But I'm not worried… It looks like…bubbly oil, but people drink this. It's a Coke. A Coke-Cola. And you're…not ready for something like this. Propably end up sick to your stomach."

Hades agreed. After about 30 minutes of talking about the ingredients and asking the waiter how the pizza is made, he was satisfied with his answer. It wasn't anything like what they had back in their world. He complimented on the style of the restaurant, looking at the big plastic fish on the wall, the vines hung from the roofs, and the pictures of men making pizza and flying the dough up in the air.

The ingredients and how it was made interested him, making him all the more curious to how all the other different kinds of food were prepared in our world. He told me how he was interested in this 'Big Mac' we called in our fast food restaurants, and I promised him that we would eat some tomorrow.

After ordering a second piece, we headed home. Adam went into town two hours before we got back, needing to watch the next football game and making a few runs at the table and bar with his money. Hades and I were relieved he was gone. My mom asked us how the library was, and the reply was no different from the immensely warm feeling I had all day.

(Writer: Lately, I've been feeling a little unappreciated. Where's the lovely comments I used to get? The nice reviews?)