Uncle William's Mate

Chapter 7

Sunlight reached through the curtains of my room waking me up from a deep sleep. I can’t remember the last time I slept like a baby. I sat up in my fluffy comfortable bed still dazed in sleep. All the memories came rushing back to me. Oh my god what happened? I start freaking out. All of a sudden my door opens and my mom walks in my room. 

“Good morning sleepy head! I have to go to work and if you want to come with me you gotta hurry.” My mom walks out and shuts the door softly. 

I whine and moan as I step out of bed. Quickly rushing to my closet I pick out a t-shirt and jeans. I hurry to the bathroom where I see just how much of a disaster my hair is. I don’t usually put my hair up, but today I think I just might have to. I grab a hair tie and put my hair into a high ponytail. Then I brush my teeth and after that I fill my bag with my supplies. That being my books, ipod and earbuds, and of course my drawing supplies. Not forgetting my phone. My mom already left as I got downstairs so the trip to the restaurant will be with me, myself, and I this morning. I laugh at my own joke. 

The restaurant isn’t a long walk from my house. Maybe 5 minutes at most. I take in the morning breeze and sunshine as I walk. I like to appreciate the beauty of all things. It calms me and makes me happier. For a long time I suffered from depression and anxiety. The depression comes and goes, but the anxiety is still here inside of me. I don’t know why I have it. I think about it a lot. How would my life be different without them?

When I reach the restaurant I see my reflection on the glass door. I think I look pretty today despite just getting out of bed 20 minutes ago. I smile as I open the door and walk in. It’s a slow day I imagine. Mondays are always slow. I look around the room and spot a familiar looking face sitting in My Spot. I thought I have made it very clear that that booth is mine. As I speed walk to my spot he looks at me and has the audacity to smile. 

“William you need to stop stealing my booth.” I laugh at him. You couldn’t truly believe that I’m mad right? I smile at him as I slide into the seat across from him. “You’re buying right?” I joke. 

“Of course I’ll buy, m’lady. What do you want? Pancakes and sausage?” He smiles at me with a look of anticipation. How is it possible for this man to be perfect? His hair is always slicked back with gel. His beard was cleanly shaved… I felt it last night. Not a prickle of a sharp hair anywhere. All the contents of what happened last night came down on me. Quite literally. What did he do to me? I’m feeling a bit awkward in his presence today.

“Yes please.” I say with a smile. He’s being overly nice today. My mom comes to our table with her pen and pad ready to take our orders. 

“What would you like dear?” My mom asks. “I’ll be paying today Ms.Lilac. She wants pancakes and sausage. The usual.” William buds in. My mom writes my order down and looks up at William. “Anything for you Mr. Roxinbellar?” She asks. “Just coffee please.” William replies. “Easy enough, thank you, I’ll have your order right in and it will be out shortly.” My mom says with a secret wink to me and walks away to the kitchen. 

“Can I ask you something?” I ask him. “Shoot away.” He replies.

 “What did you do to me last night?” I guess I was just that curious. If I were in my right mind I would have never brought up this conversation in public. Especially a place where my mom works and could probably hear everything I said. 

“You can walk home with me and I will tell you then. We got a deal?” William answered understanding the situation at hand. I nod my head knowing it’s for the best to wait. He wants me to go to his house again? Shame, embarrassment, and want all clashed in my body. I’m yearning for more of him.

…

We walked side by side down the street together after breakfast. There was a low cool breeze that made the leaves shuffle into an orchestra playing a symphony. He takes a deep breath. “This is what I love about Wisconsin. The winters are cold with snow and the summers have cool breezes that make you happy to be alive.” He states. “I full heartedly agree. It’s beautiful here. I love all of the seasons. They make me feel alive.” I add. Quite the poetic type is he not? “We’re so cringy.” I giggle. “That’s not what I want to hear, but I think I know what you’d rather we be.” He grins. “You don’t read any more of those books do you?” He asks as he opens up the front door and holds it open for me. “It’s only been a day since you caught me with it. Come on, give it up already.” I roll my eyes. 

“Hey, little missy. Don’t roll your eyes at me.” He says as he grabs my chin.  “Now say you’re sorry.”

“I’m sorry Daddy William.” I tease with a smile. Looking into his eyes I realize my mistake. His pupils dilated making me feel like prey once more. 

“Don’t tease me little girl. You don’t have a clue of what you are getting yourself into.” William warned.

“William. How old are you?” The question had been lingering in my head most of my life and I haven’t had the chance to ask. 

“Thirty.” He walked away as he answered making his way to the living room. His furniture I can only describe as the old victorian style. Floral patterns on the couch and chairs. The bent feet of the tables. The interesting choice of lamps. This man either loved this style or he was not telling me the truth about his age. In the middle of the wall is a flat screen tv sat uptop a grand fireplace. At least there’s something modern in his home, I laugh to myself. 

William sits down on the couch and pats the seat next to him for me to sit down. “So are you going to answer my question from breakfast now or are we going to make another deal?” I ask out of curiosity. Time seems to be going in slow motion and it’s boring me.