When I was done with the tea and sandwich that she’d fixed up, she’d asked about whether she could call any of my friends. I mumbled she could call Jules, and then tapped out a code on the screen of my cell.

“She’s had a bite to eat and will be asleep soon, yes,” I heard Chris say.

I drifted off to sleep as they talked.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Christina

Jules was sincere in thanking me for taking care of Aerin as we walked to the doors of Aerin’s apartment, (what a space!). Aerin’s friend had decided to walk me to my own front door, leaving Aerin’s front door slightly ajar, as we talked.

“It was nothing,” I assured her, after she thanked me again. “I’ve actually never had a conversation beyond “Hi, Hello” with her before tonight, and I’d felt guilty that I hadn’t made an effort to do so, even after she’d thoughtfully sent over a Christmas basket over the holidays.”

“Well, Aerin’s a pretty private person, so it doesn’t surprise me that you hadn’t talked to each other before tonight, even if it is just the two of you living on this floor!” Jules assured me.

“Do you suppose I can check on her tomorrow?” I asked, surprising myself.   What was that about? Leftover guilt from the holidays is one thing … but this?

Jules gave me a big smile. “I hope you do! She could stand having a few more friends, actually.”

She corrected herself quickly, “Um … not that she’s –“

I waved my hand, and interrupted the beautiful auburn-haired friend of Aerin’s. “We all could stand having a few more friends in this city, couldn’t we?”

Jules nodded. Before I turned to push the door to my apartment open, she surprised me with a warm hug. “I’m serious, Chris. Thanks a lot for taking care of her. We’ll never forget it,” Jules whispered into my ear. I teared-up, surprisingly moved by the heartfelt nature of Aerin’s friend’s gratitude.

I leaned back against the door after I shut it, welcoming the darkness of my own apartment. I closed my eyes and allowed my thoughts to flit back to the events of the past few hours.

First, Damon had dragged me out into the icy weather even though I’d protested that I was sure that my cold had worsened into a flu, most likely. Fine, it was that one special day for lovers, supposedly, but if he really cared about me, he’d have seen I was really struggling with this cold-flu thing, and wouldn’t have insisted in going out in that dreadful weather. Besides, he just wanted to go to that “see-and-be-seen” spot to show his new car off, I think.