"Good Afternoon, mah boi!" Tony bellowed in deep cheer.
Garfield was on the other side of the Roth's door.
Tony pat Garfield's shoulder, then shook his hand.
"Pretty bunch of flowers you got there," Tony gazed at the bouquet of lavenders and white carnations.
"Good afternoon, Tony. Thanks," Garfield chuckled. "They're not mine, they're for your daughter, actually."
Tony quizzed. "What's the occasion?"
"I just wanted to show up for her."
Tony agreed. "She'd appreciate it. She's been feeling down for a while now," He sighed.
"Rachel should be in her room, upstairs." Tony stepped aside so Garfield could walk in.
The Roth house was lined in pastel hues and vintage furniture. There was an ambience of deliberate flare, modern art adorned the walls. The windows were largely arched, allowing light to grace the sweet-toffee browns of the floor. Wafts of herbs and soft, fresh breads trickled from the kitchen.
"Thank you," Garfield asked with a smile. "Where's Mrs. Roth?"
"She's road running. I might just change the locks to the house," Tony laughed, and so did Garfield. "Rachel's room is straight down, second door on the left.
"Thanks again. I'll see you in a few, Tony." Garfield made his way upstairs.
"Rachel?" Garfield knocks softly on the closed door.
He knocks again. "Hey, Rae, it's me. Garfield."
Herc fragile request. "Leave me alone, please."
"Look, I know it's hard for you right now, Rae. I might not have the right words to say, but I care for you, I really do," Garfield's face melts into an expression of sadness.
Garfield hears shuffling behind the door. After a few moments, it opens.
There was Rachel, in a dark purple camisole and black shorts. Her face was smeared with pain. Red, puffy eyes, clear strings of snot and tears. Her hair was disheveled, but the red dye was fresh.
Instantly, Rachel collapsed in Garfield's arms. A small box of treats fell to the ground, and the flowers crumpled. Garfield rested the flowers to the side, then fully embraced his neighbor. He uses his foot to close the door behind them.
Rachel shatters in Garfield's arms. Her tears were inner angels pleading for help. She felt fragile, but Garfield knew she was both soft and strong enough to endure her panoply of emotions.
Garfield moves one hand from Rachel's back, behind her head. He caresses her with care, and kisses her hair. He didn't say anything for a few minutes. He let his presence mesh with hers.
"Come here," He guides Rachel to her bed, and she sits.
"May I sit down? I've got outside clothes on."
"Please do," Rachel wipes her eyes. "I'm planning to wash my sheets later today. I'm so sorry for spilling all over you like that."
Garfield sat down, and Rachel rested her head on his shoulder.
Garfield said, "Crying is natural. It cleanses your soul. It gives you a chance to rebond with your vulnerable self. You don't have to suppress your emotions, their job is to be felt."
"I keep trying to tell myself that, but every time I allow myself to feel anything, I feel minimized. When I do finally allow myself to be vulnerable, I explode in such a nasty mess of holding things in way too long."
Naked intimacy. They were undressing each other with their clothes on.
He leans his head on hers. "Even if the world invalidates your feelings, if you hide it well, or nobody knows why you feel what you feel— you deserve a space where your deepest pains and desires are seen, heard, and cared for."
Another moment of silence sits between them.
Rachel asked. "Why do you care so much about me?"
"My heart is drawn to you in a way I've never felt before. I can't explain it, but I'll try. You feel like a place where it's safe to land and unravel. I don't have to feel defensive when I'm around you. Sure, we have our differences and hidden clues,"
He moves her face to his. Rachel appears tempted to break down again. He's ever so patient for any emotion coming down her corner.
"But there's just something about you, you, that keeps me close. And I care for you because I've been seeing you go through a lot, and I never want you to feel unsupported through the process. This thing we've got going on… I can't really put a title on it yet," He wipes the tears off her face, lightly caressing her cheek with his touch.
"I want to protect and sustain it. You mean something to me, and I want you to know that."
Rachel rested her hand on his chest and leaned in cautiously. Then she stopped right before his lips. She wanted to kiss him so bad, but she had so much clutter going on internally, it was overwhelming.
Rachel felt weak as she cried again. "It's not you, I promise."
Garfield's face softened. He reassured Rachel once more. "Take your time, I'll always be here."
"I pull you in just to push you away again. I'm sorry about all of this. Not talking to you, not making plans with you. It's just been a hard time."
It's been about a week since Rachel had her fallout with Ace, and before that, she didn't see Garfield for about two weeks. They lived right next door, but in two different worlds. Garfield texted Rachel, called her. He asked his parents if Rachel was okay, and they said that she insisted on being alone. But today, Garfield made it up in his mind that he was going to break through to Rachel, no matter what.
"Would you like to share what you've been going through and feeling?" Garfield asked gently.
Rachel sniffles, sliding her lip under her teeth.
"Not right now, but I'll come around."
The truth is, Rachel wanted to tell Garfield, but she was scared.
"I respect that. By the way," Garfield picks up the flowers and boxes of treats.
"I got these for you. Something about you tells me you like lavender." He gives her the bouquet first.
"Thank you," She carefully took the bunch of flowers.
Rachel wondered if Garfield would give just to take, but she highly doubted it. Then again, she would have never thought Ace would be the way he is, so she could never be too sure. For now, she decided to sit and observe.
"These are gorgeous," Her cries melted into her pretty smile. "I really appreciate your gesture." She hugged the flowers gently. Her nervous system felt safe, grounded, and comforted. Rachel made a mental note of that.
"Absolutely, Rae," He hands her the box of treats. "Homemade chocolate chip cookies and brownies, by yours truly."
Rachel's smile deepens as she opens the container of indulgences. She savors the soft, sugared cookie. The flavor warmed her soul, and for a moment, she was immersed in the sweet goodness.
"You've got a baker's hand in you. I had no idea."
"What did you expect? I live with the Queen of Baking." Garfield jokes playfully.
"Not every kid takes after their parents gifts. You hit it on the nail," Rachel talks between chews, overcome with elation.
"Thank you so much for this, I mean… wow. It's not every day you see someone bring flowers and goodies for something not related to physical illness."
"That is true. For me, mental and emotional health matters as much as physical. I'll be here for you anyway you need me to."
Garfield and Rachel hug again, and Rachel shares her treats with her neighbor. Garfield says how he loves her change of hair, he feels like red is an intense color that fits weirdly, but well into her personality.
After threads of conversations and laughter, Garfield offers a walk around town; to get some fresh air and invest in their well-being and connection. Rachel agrees, and within minutes of changing, her hand is in his as they venture outside of the house.