Page 26 of Bryce

Thanks.”

“Any time.”

They stayed for a fewmore minutes, enjoying the sound of the rain pounding on thepavement.

*****

He could not sleep,which was not a surprise to him. She had been the one to call an endto the evening, saying that she had to get an early start.

He had to admit thateven sitting there on the porch and watching the rain had been ofimmense pleasure to him. Now he was alone in his room, pacing thelength of his bedroom, his body tight and restless from unresolvedfeelings and emotions.

When the hell hadthis happen? He wondered. And why was it haunting him now? Thefriendship situation was not doing him a world of good. He wantedher. Wanted to sink himself into her until he was melded.

Moving towards thebottle of scotch he had bought on one of his visit to the liquorstore, he poured a generous amount and took it with him to stare outthe window. The rain had eased up somewhat, with fine drizzleshimmering against the glass. Everything looked dark, wet, and clean.

Pressing his foreheadagainst the cool glass, he closed his eyes briefly as the emotionsand memories tumbled around inside his body.

She had been hislifeline when he was suddenly plucked from the familiar into a worldhe had no idea how to navigate. He had been scrawny, a skinny kidwith braces. Sixteen and as yet to grow into his long limbs.

Awkward had been hismiddle name. He recalled how out of place he had been. A chauffeurhad dropped him off at the front gate where other children had beengathered, and he had never lived it down.

Mostly it had beenjealousy. He was super wealthy, while most of them were from middleclass families. He had never belonged there, and his parents had beenthoughtless and cruel to even thought of it.

He had dared notcomplain, because it would have made things much worse. He would havebeen reminded how fortunate he was.

He had everything achild could ever dream of. His suite of rooms were the height ofluxury, even though the furnishings had been picked out by a designerwith a bent towards the ultra-modern and gouging every penny from hisfamous clients. The suite had been oppressive and brought littlecomfort.

He had spent most ofhis time in the elegant playroom where he had done his assignments.His existence had been an incredibly lonely one. His parents werealways entertaining, and he had been left alone with the help.

He was not allowed toattend sleep overs or have friends over. So, he had spent his timedreaming and longing for the day when he could escape.

Until he met her.Moving from the window, he went to sit on the edge of the bed. Zahrahad made things considerably better for him. Suddenly, his life hadmeaning, and he was able to laugh.

School was not such atrial anymore. He had never been able to invite her over of course,but she had invited him to her place. That was until her mother hadstarted to become a nuisance.

Taking a sip of thedrink, he bent his head and stared into the liquid moodily. He shouldhave kept in touch. Because he hadn’t - he had lost the mostimportant thing in his life.

*****

“Put me towork.”

“What?”Zahra looked up from the list she was going over, distractedly.

“You obviouslyhave a shortage of people to run errands. Jessica is seeing to thenewcomers and your other lady is busy cleaning and changing linens.You are in the middle of preparing a meal. And you need supplies. Letme go and get them.”

“No.” Sheshook her head, mentally tallying up the amount of apples she neededfor the apple turnover. ‘I could never ask you…”

“You’renot asking. I am offering.” Before she could stop him, heplucked the list from her and pocketed it. “Do I just go to themarket and pick the things out or are they packaged and ready foryou?”

“Bryce,really…”

“I insist.You’re swamped.”

“You’re aguest.”

“I thought wewere friends.”

She sent him a wrylook, a frown pleating her brow.

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