Saving Him by Drea Roman

Author:Drea Roman [Roman, Drea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

We fall into an easy routine as I settle in for an open-ended stay in Roger’s guest bedroom. I found out later Roger has Sunday and Monday as his off days; therefore, it wasn’t too hard to be around to watch over me like a mother hen, which he did. He also took the following Tuesday and Wednesday off, claiming he had no scheduled appointments. He put a “Gone Fishin’” sign in the door, which he found incredibly amusing. As I come to know him, I see beyond the expectations general society has of men who look like him. With his colorful tats and bearish appearance, people expect certain things: sexist views, biker gangs, a bad temper. Roger has none of these things.

Days go by, and I am listless. My boss, Lionel, keeps calling and messaging me, but I just click my phone off. It wouldn’t be so annoying if he weren’t aware of the reason I’ve gone dark. After we returned from the hospital, I emailed Lionel, giving him a bare bones description of the situation. I haven’t answered a single one of his messages or calls since. My blog has gone dark; my world has gone dark. Only one thing in my world is right, and that person is barely more than a stranger, though he already seems like so much more to me.

“It’s okay to take some time to recover,” Roger startles me by saying.

Looking up, I see he’s leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed. It’s a relaxed stance which has become familiar within the week I’ve stayed here. As it does so frequently, Roger’s kindness overwhelms my natural reserve, and I end up revealing the questions on my mind.

“What am I supposed to do next?” I ask in a harsh whisper.

Roger drops his arms from his chest and comes around the island into the living room to sit on the couch next to me. He takes my right hand into his much larger palm and links our fingers together.

“I know it’s not my place to say this, Tyler. But I think therapy is the first thing that you need to do.”

I must look startled and he lets loose with a warm laugh. It always surprises me with its nuance and richness. Roger is a happy person. I don’t think I’ve ever been around someone who is just so naturally content and easy going. He’s told me about his work, so I know that being a small business owner isn’t always the easiest thing. It’s a bit fly by the seat of your pants, much like journalism is. We have a simpatico understanding about that.

“I’m practically living with you, Roger,” I say in a teasing tone. “I'd really like to know what you think because…” My voice trails off.

Roger cocks his head expectantly, waiting for my thoughts. I want to cry because I really don’t want to admit this feeling of defeat and sorrow that haunts my chest all the time now. I blink back the tears I can’t stop my eyes from producing.

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