Page 26 of Holding On

"I just met the guy. And I'm his cleaning lady, not his friend."

"Sounds like he could use a friend."

"Are you kidding? This is Ethan Baxter we're talking about. He has tons of friends. He's the most popular guy on campus."

"But they all went home for the summer."

"Maybe one of them came to visit him for the weekend."

"Maybe. But if not, it'd be a shame if he were all alone." Mike takes a swig of his lemonade, intentionally pausing, the silence forcing me to think about Ethan and the fact that he's probably alone right now.

My eyes go to the plate of leftover burgers and the half-empty bag of potato chips. I guess I could go over there, but what if Ethan slams the door in my face? I could totally see him doing that. He said he likes his privacy. But he shouldn't be alone on a holiday.

"Okay, fine." I shove my chair back. "I'll go over there, but if he yells at me for it and I lose my job, it's your fault."

"Stop at the store and buy him some beer. Guys can't say no to beer."

I get some foil and wrap up one of the burgers. "Are you just trying to get rid of me so you can work on your podcast?"

He lifts up his glass and points it at me. "It was your idea to go over there, not mine." He takes a drink.

"You guilted me into it." I find a paper sack and toss in the burger and bag of chips. "Okay, see ya. I'm sure I won't be gone long."

"Good luck." He smiles.

I'm going to need it. I can't imagine Ethan being receptive to me showing up there uninvited.

As I'm driving to the store, I almost change my mind, but then just decide to do it. If he turns me away, I'll give him the food and leave. At least he'll have dinner.

At the store I buy a six-pack of beer, and as I'm walking to the check-out I pass a display that has the ingredients for s'mores. I stop and add them to my basket, figuring if Ethan doesn't want s'mores, Mike and I can always make them when I get home.

My heart is pounding as I knock on Ethan's door. I wait but nobody answers. The blinds on the window are closed so I can't see inside. Maybe a friend did come to visit and they went out.

I ring the door bell. After a few seconds, I turn to go back to my van.

"Becca?"

I turn back and see Ethan at the door. He's in his wheelchair, wearing navy shorts and a white t-shirt, his hair messed up like he'd been sleeping. It's six-thirty. That's kind of an odd time to take a nap.

"Hey." I turn around, holding up my two grocery sacks and the smaller sack from home. "Mike made burgers and we had extra so I thought I'd bring you one." I bite my lip, feeling completely stupid for coming over here. What was I thinking? I don't even know Ethan, and yet I show up with dinner? On a holiday?

"You brought me food?" He's looking at me like I'm crazy, which I obviously am. This was such a dumb idea.

"Yeah. I um, just thought you'd want a burger but if you don't, that's fine. I'll just leave." I start toward my van but hear his voice again.

"Becca."

"Yeah?" I stop but don't turn around.

"What else did you bring?"

I face him again and see him smiling. So maybe he's not mad, although he's still looking at me like I'm crazy.

I walk up to him and hand him one of the sacks. I thought it was the beer sack but it's the sack with the chocolate bars.

He pulls them out, along with the marshmallows. "S'mores?"

"If you don't want any, I can take them home. It seemed like a Fourth of July thing. There was a display at the store."

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