1.11 James
12:52 PM | Posted by
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Tom stood staring at me with a look of distain on his face. “Well?” All work had to come a halt, and I had a feeling it wasn’t going to start up again until I gave him an answer that he believed. “This is unacceptable.”
I turned away to start back on my project. But he appeared in front of me again. “I deserve an answer.” I let out a long sigh as he continued. “This is the third day in a row that you refuse to have even one drink with me after work. You spend more time grooming than sleeping, and you’re out the door each morning before the crack of dawn. You force me to drink alone! Do I need to get you some help?”
Now he was mocking me. But he knew me well enough to know that eventually he could provoke me into a response. “From what I hear, you are hardly drinking alone”, I started. “From what I hear,” I was gaining momentum, “You have the whole pub drinking with you and playing your stupid games.”
“And I wouldn’t have to resort to such games if I only had a companion to share a quiet ale with.” Tom smirked.
“I had no idea you were so poetic. And don’t say,” I saw where he was going already, “that I would know this if I spent more time with you at the pub!”
Tom continued on but I refused to engage. How could I? What would I tell him?
Well Tom, I met this girl called Catherine in the coffee shop when I looked like a pickled train-wreck and decided to go back every day at the same time to see if I could see her again and convince her that I am actually a respectable member of society.
This only really needed to go on for four more days anyway, just until I could see if her routine visit to the shop was weekly as it was certainly not daily.
Tired of having my character torn apart, I launched into a list of things that I was trying to accomplish by not drinking and gambling each night. “…unlike others that I shall not name.” I even started to tell him how I had run into Catherine and the state I was in at the time. No thanks to him. I tried to explain to him that I would never have a shot at winning over a woman of her caliber, her beauty, looking like an escaped lunatic. And it must have worked, for Tom went silent. In fact, he was too silent. And what was with the head spasms?
A voice behind me made me realize they were not spasms but that Tom was trying to indicate we had company.
“Don’t let me stop you.” I turned to look into the eyes of the very person I had hoped to see each day. The one person who I wished at that moment was not there.
Catherine stood in the doorway to the workshop, both eyebrows raised, one hand on her hip and with an unusual look on her face.
Tom jumped up to greet her. “Thomas Mallory. At your service!”
Catherine smiled at Thomas. Shook his hand. And regarded me. “Nice to see you again, James.”
“Yes. Of course. How can we help you?” I should have been ready this time. But now my brain scrambled to figure out what she had heard. What was I even saying? This cannot be normal. Maybe Tom is right and I do need help.
“I’m here to collect some papers for my brother”, she said.
“Your bro-… Oh yes, Eric’s accountant. They’re in the front room.” I moved past Tom and gave him a look that even he did not want to argue with. “Right this way.” I gestured for Catherine to lead the way and we walked out of the workshop.
“I’m surprised to see you running errands for an accountant. I thought people were supposed to go to them.” I sifted though the mess of papers on the counter to find a small folder with the name “Rouse” marked on it. Where had I heard this name before?
Catherine looked suddenly quite sad considering I was only making small talk. “My brother is… not able to see people right now. So I am collecting the information he requires.” Her voice took a formal tone.
I decided not to push it and tried to lighten the mood. “He’s lucky to have the help.” I handed her the folder as I heard a sudden crash from the workshop followed by the predictable slew of profanity.
I shot an embarrassed look and started to apologize for Tom. Catherine raised her hand and shook her head. “No need.” She smiled. “I need to get these back anyway.” She turned to go and I regrettably ran back to the workshop to make sure Tom still had all ten fingers and toes.
Because if he hadn’t lost any yet, I may just have to…
“Great timing as usual, mate.” I saw Tom look up from his machine. The piece he had worked on meticulously all morning was cut into three pieces.
“I got my measurements wrong, and it just…” But I cut him off.
“I cannot believe my luck.” I shook my head. I didn’t want to hear about how all the hours Tom spent on this one piece were for nothing. For once, I wanted out of my head. I wanted to talk. About her.
“Did you see how surprised she looked when she overheard us talking? I know I was caught off-guard, but wouldn’t you think a woman that beautiful would be used to men falling all over themselves for her attention?”
Tom just stared. The scrambled thoughts in my head were starting to line up better. Who knew that talking about something actually helped? I suppose if I had been in my right mind, I would have noticed the absence of the ring at the front door. The ring that would have indicated someone entering or leaving. In fact, it took that very sound to make me realize it’s previous absence. Eric returned to the store and spoke.
“Hello Miss Catherine. Have you already been helped?”
