“Thanks for walking with me.”
“Thanks for letting me,” answered Joel Harper.
They were now stopped in the front of her rundown apartment building, their two-mile walk complete.
He looked up to the darkening sky, and then glanced down at Cheryl, feeling the flush crawl into his cheeks. He couldn’t remember when anyone had thanked him for anything. Especially a woman. Especially a pretty woman.
She seemed to read his mind and his face. Her bright green eyes came alive and she smiled, quickly raising her hand to her mouth, trying to hide the two missing teeth on the left side of her mouth.
He understood.
“It wa-was a pleasure. I, well, you know, haven’t spent this much time with a woman since my second ex said hasta la vista.”
Then, without a second thought, he opened his mouth to reveal three missing teeth. “Here’s mine, let’s see yours again,” he said, the words barely recognizable to even himself.
Doing her best to stifle her laughter, she then met his stare.
After another moment of eye contact, Cheryl released her hand from her mouth, embracing the full belly laugh. Accenting it by throwing back her head, laughing even harder. He wouldn’t have thought that possible.
Her auburn hair seemed to have a life of its own as it bounced in rhythm with her shaking body. He rid himself of more tension and joined her. It was impossible not to go where she was visiting.
A few moments later, after one more impromptu trip into the land of unabashed mirth, they settled into a relaxed silence.
But not for long. Cheryl reach up and kissed him on the cheek, stepped back, her handsome face, hard junkie lines and all, one of the most beautiful things he’d seen in his life. She kissed him on the mouth. Her lips were warm and inviting.
He returned it. Not so much out of want, although there was no denying that truth, but more out of gratitude and acceptance. Ideals he’d barely considered for the last year of his life.
Funny how choosing different roads led to worlds never before considered. He never believed he’d be a junkie stuck on this road, desperate for the escape. Yet here he was. Yet, somehow, he knew that road was going to be a memory. Starting today.
“I know we aren’t supposed to get involved with each other until The Father says it’s okay, but I couldn’t resist,” said Cheryl, her eyes steady.
“I get it too. But not every rule is meant to be kept. You’ve already helped me.”
She batted her eyes, grinning. “Oh. Helped you? How?”
“You already know, but lesson number one is to say good things about each other, right?”
Moving closer to her, Joel took both her hands in his shaking fingers. “After two hours, you’ve already made me want to be better. That means something to me. Something real.”
She kissed him again, eyes glistening. “Now, those are words I’ve not heard for a very long time. Thank you, Joel Harper.”
He felt his heart swell. He fought his own tears, but not very well. He reached up with a soft finger and wiped at one of them.
“I love to see a man cry,” she whispered.
“You hit the jackpot, then,” he said.
She laughed and then turned up the short stoop. “Come on in. We have a couple of hours before we have to get back to the mission. We can talk some more. I can’t wait to learn all about you.”
Looking down at his feet, his voice grew soft. “Careful what you wish for.”
“I’m usually cautious about that, but not today. I know what I’m doing. Come on.”
They went through the old aluminum door then headed down the dimly lit hall, the odor of musty cigarettes and cheap booze dancing in the stale air.
Stopping at 1F, she reached into her pocket, took out the key, and opened the door then ushered him in.
“I’m sorry this isn’t much of a place, but it will have to do for a while longer,” she said, putting her coat on the torn leather chair near the studio bed.
“It’s okay. I’m about to lose mine so we might be neighbors.”
She moved close to Joel, wrapping her arms around him. “I’d like that.”
Joel kissed her, then she led him to the bed and sat down. “I’m tired of being alone, Joel. Stay with me and help me the rest of this day.”
Sinking down beside her, he realized how lost he’d been. How much just human contact could mean. This wasn’t about sex, but about being needed and wanted, for both of them.
And miracle of all miracles, Cheryl actually wanted him to help her?
More tears formed in his eyes. He wondered what Ellen would think of that. Maybe he’d get to tell her someday.
He lay down beside Cheryl, curled her up in his arms, the scent of her hair gentle to his nose, then both of them closed their eyes.