“I see the loaf is from a bakery.” He offered me a false smile, hoping it would be enough to start a conversation.

“There is one next to my workplace. I go there from time to time. Oh! Will you excuse me for a moment? Feel free to pour the tea when you are ready.” I ran out of the kitchen, hoping to find my phone so I could call my employers. The rainstorm would mean I would not have to go into work later in the day, but I wanted to have confirmation with them.

I was gone for more than five minutes, mainly because I had to call my other three employers. The last one was quite adamant for me to come in, stressing the fact that the storm could not last forever. I assured him that I would give him a ring in another two hours, considering the weather could drastically change by then. By the time I walked into the living room, Teddy had finished his lemon loaf and his tea cup was empty. “I was gone so long.”

“What were you doing? I heard your voice.”

“I was talking to my employers.” I sat down on my chair, and hoped that the teapot was good enough to still retain some heat. “But the last one wanted to have an argument with me.”

“I understand.”

My hand rested over the side of the teapot, seeing it was still hot enough for me to enjoy. I fancied it would be strong in taste, and not feeling like a bitter cup of tea, I raised myself from my chair and decided to have a cup of instant coffee instead. “I hope you weren’t bored.”

“I was tempted to look around,” he confessed. “But I thought it would make a bad impression.”

My back was to him as I poured out the hot water, watching it swirl around the sink. The wind was still fierce outside, but it was nice and warm in my apartment space. I filled the kettle with some fresh water and clicked it on before I returned to my seat.

“You have a lot of family portraits here.”

“Yes.” I looked over my shoulder, seeing the closest one was against a wall beside me. “We are very close.”

“Do you live in close proximity to your parents?”

“In a different town,” I admitted. “And my brother is working abroad. He is living in Boston right now.”

“So far away.”

“Have you ever been to America?”

“No. Have you?”

“I haven’t,” I told him in truth. “But I think it suits my brother more.”

“Have you no interest in visiting him?” Teddy asked with all politeness.

I took my first bite into the lemon loaf, realizing how cold it felt once it was placed inside of my mouth. I would have to do better next time, but then again inviting Teddy up here was a rather spontaneous decision.

“Sela?” Teddy urged, since I did not answer his question at first.

“No, he comes here,” I answered him with a stuffed mouth. I used my hand to cover the front of my mouth with embarrassment.

The kettle suddenly popped, so Teddy took the liberty of starting up my coffee. He must have watched me earlier, for he knew where the spoons were and scooped the appropriate amount of instant coffee into my mug. “You drink this stuff,” he commented, while trying to disguise his disdain.

“I don’t enjoy it, but it works.”

“I guess we all can’t have elaborate coffee machines.” He looked over his shoulder to make eye contact with mine. “I like to collect antique things.”

“I noticed.”

“I like old stuff,” he continued. His hand was raised upwards to pour hot water into my mug. “I don’t know why I do. It is a rather expensive hobby.”

“You could open an antique store,” I teased him. “Or you could even sell your car.”

“Yes, it is a bit out of date,” he laughed. “Would you believe me if I told you that I don’t even own a cellphone?”

“You don’t?!”

“No.”

“How do you live?”

His smirk was broad and mischievous as he answered me: “I have no idea.”

Teddy made his way over to me and placed my mug down on the table. It was only then that I realized he was serving me in my own household. “Ummm.” I let my fingers tap against the side of the mug. “Thank you.”

“You mind if I take a bit more lemon loaf? It is quite good.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“And turning off the fan overhead,” he added. “I don’t want to catch a chill.”

“Do you want a blanket?” I watched him head over to a switch I pointed out to shut off the light and ceiling fan at the same time. The living room descended into darkness, but fortunately the windows were wide open to let the natural grey lighting seep through. In normal cases I would have been scared, but oddly enough I was not. “Teddy?”

“No, I will be fine.”

“Let me know if you need anything else. I am not a good hostess.”

think?” he asked from the darkened part

“I feel incompetent.”

behind my chair to pull up the last of the blinds. He went over to the second set of windows to perform the same task, letting me see the bleak grey skies

chair and went around the living room to retrieve

nicely,” he said with utter civility. “Or is

around the countertop to bring myself unexpectedly to Teddy’s side. “The box of matches are in the

stepped to the right, allowing me to pull it outwards and retrieve it. I could feel that

a tall man, so much so, that he had to lean over and bend his long back to place the blazing

me. A large hand was placed over the

candle cast a warm orange glow about the table, illuminating our

smooth, almost musical-like as he uttered: “I suppose you have the

another sip of my coffee, as I noticed the sudden stiffness to his hand movements. “For

no way you can go out gardening

tell my

taking on a haughty air about him. “Maybe I

instant regret of ever

have my gardener

raised his chin upwards, absolutely pleased by my silent salute. His dark brown eyes glowed marvellously under the candle-light, captivating me

as he continued to peer into my eyes. I forced myself to look downwards, knowing

the room for a welcome distraction. Teddy followed my movements, bringing himself across the table to be at

emphasized in a soft,

I noted. “I have

whispered, almost impatient for me

suggested. “And books.

television,”

“It bothers you?”

upwards immediately. There was a certain

center, and it wasn’t until he was standing in front of me that I realized he was deliberating where to sit. “Sorry.” I moved towards

together, finding it easier to stare at the rugged circular

I am not

“Yes.”

could play an instrument like you, but I have

has their gifts,” he said quite gruffly. “Yours is

“So is yours.”

would put off cutting the grass, but when I saw you working in the corner

buying a fish a few

changed

with it. They are

his head in grave understanding. “I never

you have any

anger that flooded his eyes. “No,”

question. We had some finches when we were growing up, but

teenager?” He

now.” I shrugged my shoulders at him. “Quiet

“A hermit,” he taunted.

as much

fingers through his damp hair, pushing it backwards. “You have me there,” he acknowledged. “But life has thrown a wrench at me, and I have suffered for it.” He stared in

a hand and laid it over

warned, with a mysterious look to him. His eyes ventured downwards, focusing on my hand that was still resting over the top of his knee. Aware of his reaction I slid my hand away

legs to retain some warmth. I took the liberty of bringing the candle over to us, wanting to have some light in that part of the room. By the time I settled down, Teddy had opened up a photo album that I had left on my coffee table. His finger rubbed over the corner of the photo album, while he took in photos of me as a toddler. “You are adventurous,” he relayed, after he pointed at a

let my finger smooth over the front of his chest fondly. “He’s an athlete. You should see him! Not as tall as you, but he is so muscular I am almost certain he

is playing football

every sport. He is fond of rugby too, but

“They have American football.”

to see me atop of a

had money I would have begged

“It’s never too late.”

at the image of my father with me at his side. “My

swim

trunks,” I giggled. “You

filled with delight as

“Yes, I can swim.”

to test it out,” he

of my couch, hardly believing a word

mentioned that you wanted to

“You really are incurable.”

blinked nervously.

not sure

realizing he made a dreadful error. “Nothing more than

about I

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