I think Maira fell asleep on me. She laid there, nestled on my arm, and never moved. It felt like hours had passed, but I didn’t want to disturb her fumbling around for my phone. But at some point she jumped up as if she forgot something really important and started rambling about how she’d been right under my nose all that time, smelling like hot garbage. It was honestly kind of funny. She almost died, yet she was concerned about her hygiene? Women…
While she bathed, I tried to clean up as much as I could so she wouldn’t have to worry about it later. Some cabinets needed to be replaced completely, but the stove had burned to a crisp, so I swept up the ashes. Seeing the aftermath sent me deep into my feelings. If something as solid as a stove could burn up that quickly, how did she survive? I wasn’t a religious guy or anything, but someone…some being had to be looking out for her. Maybe a ghost? My gammy? Whoever… I was so grateful.
Maira returned to the living room, smelling fresh and looking as radiant as one could after a traumatizing event.
“You’re probably starving by now,” I said.
She offered a weak smile, but I saw her eyes dart quickly away from what used to be her stove. Poor thing. She’d probably eat takeout for the next month.
“It’s late, but would you like to come to my house? I could make you something.”
Her left eyebrow rose ever so slowly.
“You cook?”
“Uhh…”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I just wanted to feed her, not put myself in the spotlight.
She gasped.
“You do cook!”
“I can make a few things.”
“Okay, chef. Let’s see what you got.”
Maira sat at the island while I inspected the fridge to assess the situation and found leftovers from last night.
“I forgot we still had some salmon. I made this yesterday. Hope that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay! We didn’t waste food in our house either.”
She took a few bites, and I anxiously awaited her review.
“Huh!”
She said it like she was surprised in a good way.
“This is delicious.”
Thank goodness.
We both ate rather quickly since our dinner plans were dashed. I collected our plates, put them in the dishwasher, and we settled in the living room. With a full belly, and a less stressed friend, I finally had a brief moment to begin decompressing and think about everything that took place that night. Mainly post fire. What did it all mean? Did it change anything?
“I like your house,” she said, piercing the silence. “Kinda reminds me of our house.”
“Yeah? I like it too. But it’s too big and quiet without Alessia now.”
She nodded.
“I can imagine. She moved out?”
“Moved to Mt. Komorebi, of all places.”
She gasped again.
“Really! That’s surprising. You two were always joined at the hip.”
“Yeah, tell me ’bout it.”
“You okay, though?”
“Yeah. Of course. I’m proud of her. I’ll be alright.”
“Good.”
The silence fell on us again, and I didn’t know what to do or say next. I was getting a little tired, but I didn’t have a job to rush off to in a few hours like she did. Still, I kinda wished she could stay a little longer. But she did have a job to go to and started making her exit.
“It’s so late,” she said. “I should get out of your hair.”
“You’re no bother, really. Will you be okay going home? I mean…you could stay in my sister’s room if you want.”
She pat my hand.
“That’s really sweet, and I appreciate everything you did tonight. But I really do need to go.”
I wanted to suggest she take a sick day or something, but it was none of my business, and her snapping at me was still recent history, so I let her go.
awww.