An Off Afternoon

Tilly Adams finished with her 12:00 and looked at the appointment book. Two cancellations this afternoon…what was she supposed to do for the next four hours. She picked up the phone and called Mrs. Roberts.

“Mrs. Roberts this is Tilly, unless you know something I don’t there doesn’t seem to be anything for me to do this afternoon at the clinic.”

“Oh I’m sorry Tilly I meant to let you know about the cancellations…I’ve had so much on my mind. Tilly why don’t you take the afternoon off tomorrow is going to be busy all day…does that suit?”

“Oh yes it certainly does, it will give me time to do a little housework before school tonight.”

That settled she tidied up her room and left. It was a drive to her little bungalow but a pleasant one. She stopped off and picked up a few things from the market and went home. Standing at the top of her driveway she looked through the trees at the ocean, it was only a small glimpse but still…there it was. It was worth it, everything she had to go through for the divorce…just to keep the bungalow.

She hadn’t much time now with the job and school she was basically just sleeping there. Pulling around back she parked her car in front of her garage and picked up her market bag and went to unlock her back door. She stopped…sure she had locked it…she always locked her back door. Thinking maybe she hadn’t waited for it to catch that morning she went in and placed her groceries on the counter stowing the milk in the fridge.

When she turned she noticed through the glass door of her washer/dryer combo tucked under the counter…clothes and they weren’t hers. She backed away from the unit as if it were a thing alive. Her mind was tumbling…

Having finished his shower he draped a towel around his middle and walked nonchalantly down the hall and into the kitchen. He’d seen her car in the back yard and knew what to expect.

“Aaahhhhnoooooiiiieeeewohhh” She screamed.

He glanced at her and reached under the counter pulling out his clothes, “don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you,” he said softly.

“Wha…who are you…what are you doing here…get out…get out!” She yelled, “I’m calling the police!”

“No you’re not,” he said dropping the towel and slipping on his underwear he turned and looked at her.

Repelled by his body and at the same time attracted…and frightened she backed up against the fridge. “Please…please go…please don’t hurt me…I’ve got a little money…you can have it.”

“I don’t want your money,” he said in the same quiet voice, “I just borrowed your house…it’s a nice house…you’re a nice lady…I’m not going to hurt you.” He stepped into his jeans and watching her face pulled them up and did up the buttons on the fly.

Tilly met his eyes he was amused, “get out of my house,” she said in a low voice, “get out.”

“Why the rush you don’t have visitors…you’re home early today…I didn’t expect you or naturally I would have been gone already,” he pulled his tee shirt over his head, “by the way you’re out of milk.” He said sitting down and pulling on his socks and boots.

“You’ve been here before haven’t you…you ate my cheese,” her mind was beginning to work now…little things she’d noticed and discounted were coming back…the detergent bottle.

“Like I said I borrowed your house, he smiled up at her. “You get home around 5:00 and then leave before 6:30 you’re back by half past nine. You go to school at nights…something medical.”

“You’re scaring me…you’ve been watching me…please don’t…”

“I’m not going to do anything to you…unless you want me to.” He smirked and stood up tossing the damp towel in the washer.

“Who are you?” she asked shakily

“Hando,” he said and walked out the back door.