The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven

My deepest concerns could not be satisfied. I had rung Daphne’s place for most of the night, but to no avail, she was not home to answer my calls. My curiosity could not be quenched, so I would have to take another avenue and be weary of Teddy’s presence. He had been kind to me, yes, but I knew by now that men’s actions were often conducted by an ulterior motive.

As I walked up the long hill, I could not help but ponder the simple fact that Teddy was speaking to someone - an unknown being when he believed I wasn’t around. There was something he was hiding from me, a secret that was connected to his ancestral home. A secret that I was almost sure he would take to his very grave.

He gave no signs of being mentally disturbed, no troubles of the mind that made me believe he had some sort of sickness. Teddy appeared completely sane, but then again, I had only known him for a single day.

As I reached the top of the grassy hill, I could see the faint outline of the grey building. From this distance it appeared to be a very normal house, quite beautiful. Though I was young, I had experienced enough of the world to know that appearances could be deceitful. Instinctively a guard was put up, a wall for my own well-being since I knew the master of this house had a certain partiality towards me. His motives were unclear, but I knew for certain he was going out of his way to please me.

I walked along the stony path, seeing the pale grey sky that shielded the morning sun. It was likely to rain this afternoon if the clouds continued this way.

With each step forward, I could feel my heartbeat escalating, aware that there was a blackness about this house and around the man that owned it too.

The front door drew open, and to my surprise Teddy appeared over the doorway and stepped down onto the rocky pathway. He closed the door behind him and leaned his back against it. He wore a white dress shirt and khaki pants that appeared to be freshly ironed. I could feel his earnest gaze as I slowly approached him, revelling in the scenery that he clearly delighted in.

I stopped in front of him, ensuring there was enough distance to keep me in check. He stared at me intently, though it gradually ebbed away. “Forgive me for staring,” he stated in an almost charming voice. “I trust your journey was well?”

“Yes, Teddy.”

He brought his hands behind him, letting them lean against the door that he rested upon. I wasn’t sure if it was intentional to block the doorway, or if it was a subconscious action. “Would you like to have coffee with me before you begin?”

I bit down on my tongue, unsure of the answer I should give him. He waited ever so patiently for me, taking in my countenance to get a hint of my inner thoughts. “Yes,” I found myself replying. Teddy leaned himself off the door, and then latched his right hand over the doorknob to push it open. The hallway was dark, making me hesitant to walk inside of it.

“Come along now, Sela,” he spoke out in a charming voice. He slipped into the darkened hallway, compelling me to follow his example. I took one last look behind me, seeing the bleakness of his front yard where the distant cliff overlooked the sea. Courage rose within me, and I stepped over the threshold to enter Teddy’s household. It took me some time to remove my yellow spring jacket and high black rubber boots. Teddy was waiting for me down the hall. He stood there watching me, taking in my every movement with care. When I was finally near enough, he almost looked like he wished to smile at me, but he would not allow himself such luxury. “I hope you don’t mind muffins again.”

“No, I don’t mind.”

He stepped over to the right, leading me down the small steps to get into the kitchen. Warmth immediately flooded my senses, making me look over to my right to see the oven was on at a low setting. The scent of coffee filled the air once I approached the rounded table. A platter of fruits rested over the table, its colour losing its vibrancy because of the dimness of the room lighting. Luna was fast asleep upon her master’s chair. Teddy was facing the window, taking hold of matching ceramic cups to lay it out on the counter-top.

“Do you need any help?”

“Everything is ready.” He went over to the oven to turn it off. “I have your carrot muffin ready for you.”

“But I thought I ate the last one!” I exclaimed with an air of disbelief.

“I bought some more.” He retrieved the muffins out of the oven, making sure to lay it out on neat little plates with a napkin at the side. “I purchased enough to last the week.”

“Of carrot?”

“Yes, I imagined it was your favourite,” he replied in a monotonous voice. He turned in my direction and laid the pastel blue plate in front of me. “Do you approve?”

“I feel grateful.”

“As long as I win your approval,” he charmingly replied. “That is all that matters.”

“You go to great lengths of it.” I lowered my gaze, feeling a sense of shame. “But I am grateful for it… truly.”

He turned away, hell-bent on filling our small mugs with fresh coffee. I watched his precise movements, the way his head was bent low as he poured out piping hot coffee into each mug. He returned to my table to set the beverage down, and then smiled slightly at his cat that had taken over his seat. “Luna is tired today,” he observed.

“Cats often sleep at this time.”

“They sleep all the time.” He went over to the counter to retrieve his mug, sliding it over gently to the far end where his refrigerator was positioned. A small amount of dairy satisfied him, and then he spun his spoon around to mix in the sugar that he added for a sweet flavour. In time he returned to the table, using one hand to lift his cat off the chair and delicately settle her over his lap. Luna stirred briefly, but a calmness soon came over her until she was fast asleep once more. A natural silence descended over the kitchen. We drank our beverages calmly, listening to the rushing wind bursting through the tiny crack of the window.

“What did you do with the rest of your day?” Teddy inquired. “Did you work all evening?”

“I was done at five o’clock.”

“And then?”

laughed to myself. “I think I came home, took a shower, and then

you

“I called my friend.”

“Friend?”

untouched muffin. “I went to school with her. She is married now, so it is hard

“I wouldn’t know.”

in reply, shooting down that idea immediately. “Not everyone gets

have been with someone for almost five years now. I thought I would marry her

“Yes?”

you ever thought you knew someone, only to find out it was

“Not really.”

thought that way about me,” he mused aloud. “That is what

“Do you believe her?”

she wanted to change me.” He brought the mug up to his lips. “But

different

haunts me. I don’t think I can live a normal life like everyone

“Why?”

seen…” He stopped himself short and glanced past me to stare at the chained-up door. “She wanted me to get married and shut up the house, but I could never do that.” His face visibly hardened, becoming stone cold. “She was

have to be selfless in marriage.” His eyebrow quirked up in shock. “Perhaps,

my,” he softly chided. “Don’t you have a firm opinion

“No, not really.”

purely doted on…” He wore a shadow of a smile then, as if memories of the past had suddenly seized him. “I imagine it would be harder for me to be, as you call it ‘Selfless.’” Teddy took to sipping his cup of coffee, appearing to be done with this turn

“I disagree with you.”

really?” he asked

up muffins to bring out its flavour. Offered

have done all that,” he conceded, with a certain look

you have asked nothing

set his mug down with purpose. “But I believe doing

“Karma?”

than that.” He took up his coffee again, seemingly

my muffin, enjoying the flavour even more than I did yesterday. Teddy decided to

threatening to rain. I hoped it wouldn’t come to that, or there would be no purpose of me being here. My troubled thoughts must have been portrayed by my expressions, because when I looked to my right, I

“It looks like it.”

me with confidence. I had trouble believing him, but I thought it

“And do what exactly?”

to have an outsider’s perspective on my most recent paintings as well.” He pushed away

ever perform

“Like an audience?”

“Yes! In public.”

low drone he answered: “No. I don’t

“You’re good enough.”

you.” He brought Luna upwards, and rested her on the kitchen floor. Teddy retrieved his mug, intent on cleaning it in the kitchen sink. He took to washing his mug, giving me enough time

I desired anything else. I felt touched by his concern, but assured him I was quite satisfied at the moment. It felt like he was doting on me, intent on ensuring my happiness, but I could not understand the cause of

my own amusement. It must have dawned on her that I was around, for Luna came pouncing towards me. She rubbed her head over the side of my leg. I smiled at the sight of her, and since I had finished my pastry, I lifted Luna up and placed her over my lap. Her white fur was stroked softly, watching the way her chin perked

now, letting a

“Does she follow you?”

he quipped with something of a smile. He pulled out his chair and descended over it with certain grace. Teddy let his elbow rest over the table, letting the palm of his hand support his head. He had no qualms

trying to suppress a laugh. My nerves were shot,