Chapter Two
997 Words
Zoie walked out of the store and laid eyes on her black Jeep. In a rush to get home, Zoie impatiently stood on the sidewalk and waited for the cars to drive by so she could get to her car. Suddenly, the sound of a groan caught her attention.
“You could’ve said excuse me!” A man yelled.
Zoie peered down to see a man sitting on the ground with a black duffel bag close to him. He moved his hands around the ground to look for things that the teenager had figured out how to wreck. Groaning vigorously, Zoie advanced towards the man and picked up all of his things and sat them in the open bag.
“You shouldn’t be sitting here.” Zoie said. As the man ignored Zoie’s comment, Zoie placed her focus on the teenage boy who had his phone to his ear as he laughed and talked away. Squinting her eyes, Zoie watched as the boy began to wheeze for air to breathe causing a few people around the area to run towards him.
“What’s going on out there?” The man asked, catching Zoie’s attention. Quickly, Zoie turned her focus back to the man as the sound of the boy releasing a loud exhale made her smirk.
“Poor kid had an asthma attack.” Zoie lied. “Anyway, be careful.”
“Thanks.” He mumbled. Instead of leaving, Zoie stood there and continued to stare at the man. He wore all black yet she still noticed how dirty his clothes were, he had a black duffel bag with him and a white cane laid on the ground next to the bag.
“I may be blind but I can tell that you’re still here.” He sassed.
“What is your name?” Zoie found herself asking. His faint beard matched the short brown hair that sat on his head, his dark blue eyes were surrounded by dark circles, there was a small scratch below his pink lips and dirt covered his tan skin.
“Tobias.” He answered. “Tobias Stone.”
“I hate to jump to conclusions but do you have a home?” Zoie found herself asking.
Tobias scoffed. “Wow lady, you sure are a nosey thing.”
“I don’t feel exactly comfortable leaving a homeless blind guy on the streets.” Zoie shot back. “You don’t have any family around?”
“I don’t want them knowing anything about me.” He hissed. “It’s complicated, you wouldn’t understand.”
“You’d be surprised.” Zoie mumbled.
“Thanks for the small talk lady but I’ll be going now.” Tobias muttered. Zoie watched as he felt around in search of the white cane that laid on the ground behind him. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Zoie truly felt bad for someone.
Tobias had grown accustomed to being alone. At the age of twenty two, Tobias was severely injured in a car accident leaving him blind. After an argument with his father, Tobias stormed out of the home and angrily drove to clear his mind which resulted in a bad wreck and his loss of sight. Tobias lived under the room of different family members for three years and continued to listen to them all speak to him as if he were a child. Fed up, Tobias left on his twenty sixth birthday.
For months, Tobias had been lying to the family pretending to have a job and a home. Leaving Boston and coming to Doveport was a bad idea but he would never admit it to any of them. Whenever he found a place to charge his phone, he would sit there and demand Siri to call any family members so he could spread more lies about his lifestyle.
“I cannot believe that I’m doing this.” Zoie whispered to herself. With a deep breath, she continued. “Tobias, I’d like for you to come with me to my home. I could whip up a warm bath and cook you a hot meal.”
Tobias shook his head. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not and I can tell.” Zoie replied.
“I am not a charity case!” Tobias exclaimed.
“Did I say you were?” Zoie asked. “You’re a blind man sitting outside a grocery store. I just witnessed someone kick your belongings out of your bag. At least come and get something to eat.”
Tobias sat there as he listened to the woman speak. Truthfully, he hadn’t eaten anything in a week. Someone was nice enough to give him water earlier in the morning to save him from dehydration but he hadn’t been lucky enough to eat yet.
“Thank you but I’m sure your husband wouldn’t be fine with you bringing another man home, ma’am.” Tobias replied.
“I’m not married.” Zoie answered. “Only a boy would be offended by a woman helping someone who needs it - a man wouldn’t.”
Tobias found himself smiling at her comment. Slowly, Tobias nodded his head in agreement as Zoie stood there awaiting his answer. As she opened her mouth to speak, Tobias cut her off.
“What is your name?” He asked. He listened as the woman took a sharp breath.
“Zoie.” Zoie answered. “My name is Zoie, Tobias.”
Tobias nodded as he found himself smiling again. Oddly enough, he enjoyed hearing Zoie speak. Reaching back and feeling his cane, Tobias grabbed it and smiled.
“What are we having for dinner tonight, Zoie?” He asked.
- Writer
