Page 9 of Hope & Harmony

“I’ll need some help getting dressed.” I squeeze my eyes shut as he adjusts the bed so I can sit up. “I’m still so dizzy.”

He coughs nervously. “Are you sure there’s not a friend I can call? I’m happy to help, but I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage…”

“It’s fine. My friends are all in Bozeman. Mom and I moved to Seattle for her treatment when she got cancer.” I tug at the hospital gown. “I decided to stay after she died. Better music scene.”

Alek reaches over hesitantly to assist. “I’m sorry to bring it up, I remember you mentioning it. I just meant…if you’re not comfortable with me, I can always call my mom to help.”

I’m not stupid. Most men wouldn’t offer a seemingly helpless woman this level of financial support without some ulterior motive. My vulnerable condition is like a magnet to predatory assholes.

But Alek? He’s like an angel. I don't get any creepy vibes at all. Plus, he seems to genuinely like me.

Besides, it's nice to have someone looking out for me for a change. What comes next scares me. I never paid rent on my apartment, so I’m going to be evicted any day. My injuries won’t allow me to work so I have no way to make money. The Mission is holding my job open, but I’ll lose my coveted location at the Market, if I haven't already.

Please let him be legit.

A tear trickles down my cheek.

Alek's hand finds mine. "Don’t worry. We're in this together.”

Oh, I’m worried.Terrified, more like it.

A man, who was just another face in the crowd two days ago, is now my knight in shining armor.

This can’t possibly end well.

Can it?

CHAPTER 9

ALEK

Three Weeks Later

It's funny how my life changed in an instant.

One minute I couldn't fathom saying hello to her, and now Hope is living with me in my apartment.

Time's zipped by since Hope got out of the hospital. We're slowly figuring out how to navigate...whatever this is. On a positive note, she's no longer dizzy and can get around on her own. On the other hand, the brutal headaches are still an issue. Day by day, she's getting stronger.

Our routine's settled into a fairly comfortable pattern. I work from home and take care of feeding us both. She rests and listens to soft music while I work. If she has an appointment, I go with her because she's not cleared to drive for at least a few more months. At night, after I make dinner, I read to her. She's still on a strict no- screen routine while her brain heals.

Tonight, we've just enjoyed delicious takeout dumplings from my favorite Chinese restaurant in the ID, and finished three chapters from our current book,To Kill a Mockingbird.Her feet are in my lap as she reclines against the pillows on the couch.

It's weird how something as simple as reading out loud can feel so intimate. So right.

I close the book. The silence wraps around us for a moment.

"You know." I take her foot in my hand and press my thumb into her sole. "Hungry Llama's come through for us. I'm glad everything worked out, and my health care policy covers significant others. Your hospital bills and medical care are paid for."

Hope's eyes blink open. "Well, my'significant other,’ thank you again for everything you're doing for me. Please let me know when I wear out my welcome and you want to kick me to the curb."

"That'll never happen." The words escape before I can stop them.

Her face pinkens. "Well, I know I say it a lot, but all of this… It's...really kind of you. And your mom popping by so you can work…I owe you so much."

"No. You owe me nothing." I feel a bit awkward because Hope living with me is a dream come true. She's everything I thought she'd be and so much more. "I truly love having you here. My mom thinks of you as the daughter she never had."

We fall into a brief silence, the comfortable kind. Not strained in any way.

---