The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven

“I see the loaf is from a bakery.” He offered me a false smile, hoping it would be enough to start a conversation.

“There is one next to my workplace. I go there from time to time. Oh! Will you excuse me for a moment? Feel free to pour the tea when you are ready.” I ran out of the kitchen, hoping to find my phone so I could call my employers. The rainstorm would mean I would not have to go into work later in the day, but I wanted to have confirmation with them.

I was gone for more than five minutes, mainly because I had to call my other three employers. The last one was quite adamant for me to come in, stressing the fact that the storm could not last forever. I assured him that I would give him a ring in another two hours, considering the weather could drastically change by then. By the time I walked into the living room, Teddy had finished his lemon loaf and his tea cup was empty. “I was gone so long.”

“What were you doing? I heard your voice.”

“I was talking to my employers.” I sat down on my chair, and hoped that the teapot was good enough to still retain some heat. “But the last one wanted to have an argument with me.”

“I understand.”

My hand rested over the side of the teapot, seeing it was still hot enough for me to enjoy. I fancied it would be strong in taste, and not feeling like a bitter cup of tea, I raised myself from my chair and decided to have a cup of instant coffee instead. “I hope you weren’t bored.”

“I was tempted to look around,” he confessed. “But I thought it would make a bad impression.”

My back was to him as I poured out the hot water, watching it swirl around the sink. The wind was still fierce outside, but it was nice and warm in my apartment space. I filled the kettle with some fresh water and clicked it on before I returned to my seat.

“You have a lot of family portraits here.”

“Yes.” I looked over my shoulder, seeing the closest one was against a wall beside me. “We are very close.”

“Do you live in close proximity to your parents?”

“In a different town,” I admitted. “And my brother is working abroad. He is living in Boston right now.”

“So far away.”

“Have you ever been to America?”

“No. Have you?”

“I haven’t,” I told him in truth. “But I think it suits my brother more.”

“Have you no interest in visiting him?” Teddy asked with all politeness.

I took my first bite into the lemon loaf, realizing how cold it felt once it was placed inside of my mouth. I would have to do better next time, but then again inviting Teddy up here was a rather spontaneous decision.

“Sela?” Teddy urged, since I did not answer his question at first.

“No, he comes here,” I answered him with a stuffed mouth. I used my hand to cover the front of my mouth with embarrassment.

The kettle suddenly popped, so Teddy took the liberty of starting up my coffee. He must have watched me earlier, for he knew where the spoons were and scooped the appropriate amount of instant coffee into my mug. “You drink this stuff,” he commented, while trying to disguise his disdain.

“I don’t enjoy it, but it works.”

“I guess we all can’t have elaborate coffee machines.” He looked over his shoulder to make eye contact with mine. “I like to collect antique things.”

“I noticed.”

“I like old stuff,” he continued. His hand was raised upwards to pour hot water into my mug. “I don’t know why I do. It is a rather expensive hobby.”

“You could open an antique store,” I teased him. “Or you could even sell your car.”

“Yes, it is a bit out of date,” he laughed. “Would you believe me if I told you that I don’t even own a cellphone?”

“You don’t?!”

“No.”

“How do you live?”

His smirk was broad and mischievous as he answered me: “I have no idea.”

Teddy made his way over to me and placed my mug down on the table. It was only then that I realized he was serving me in my own household. “Ummm.” I let my fingers tap against the side of the mug. “Thank you.”

“You mind if I take a bit more lemon loaf? It is quite good.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“And turning off the fan overhead,” he added. “I don’t want to catch a chill.”

“Do you want a blanket?” I watched him head over to a switch I pointed out to shut off the light and ceiling fan at the same time. The living room descended into darkness, but fortunately the windows were wide open to let the natural grey lighting seep through. In normal cases I would have been scared, but oddly enough I was not. “Teddy?”

“No, I will be fine.”

“Let me know if you need anything else. I am not a good hostess.”

think?” he asked from

“I feel incompetent.”

hear the steady patter of his footfalls as he made his way over. He passed me, moving behind my chair to pull up the last of the blinds. He went over to the second set of windows to perform the same task, letting me

back my chair and went around the living room to retrieve

nicely,” he said with utter civility. “Or is

it down neatly, and then walked around the countertop to bring myself unexpectedly to Teddy’s

and retrieve it. I could feel that heated stare again.

the item. I hitched my breath, fearful that he heard the sound since he was standing so close to me. Nervous, I retreated from the spot and made my way to the table first. The coffee was bland against my taste buds, but I drank it down anyways. Teddy slowly made his way over to me, and brushed past his chair to light the candle. He was such a tall man, so much so, that he had to lean over and bend his long back to place the blazing match against the

to consume me. A large hand was placed over the back

doing my best to focus on anything else but him. It was becoming harder to resist his lingering stare. I could hear the pulling of wrappings as Teddy tried to get another piece of the lemon loaf. His momentary distraction was enough for me to lean back in my chair and feel more comfortable. The candle cast a warm orange glow about the table, illuminating our faces with an alluring light that I was not prepared for. I watched Teddy slice the loaf into smaller pieces, desiring it to be in small equal parts before he could place it into his mouth. His peculiarities were subtle at times, but the more time I

voice was smooth, almost musical-like as he uttered: “I suppose you have the evening

I took another sip of my coffee, as I noticed the sudden

way you can go out gardening in this

tell my

shoulders back, taking on a haughty

an instant regret of ever making that suggestion to him. “Please

have my

him, tilting it slightly in approval. He raised his chin upwards, absolutely pleased by my silent salute. His dark brown eyes glowed marvellously

into my eyes. I forced myself to look downwards, knowing it was at my peril if I continued to entertain

tension was almost too much to bear. I was the first to abandon my seat, and looked around the room for a welcome

he emphasized in a soft, murmur. “I will

have nothing

like many things,” he whispered, almost impatient for

suggested. “And

not the television,” he quickly shot

“It bothers you?”

energy that radiated from it made me glance upwards immediately. There was a certain look to his eyes again, like

it wasn’t until he was standing in front of me that I realized he was deliberating where to sit. “Sorry.” I moved towards the edge and took a spot, feeling awkward once the couch

finding it easier to stare at the rugged circular mat in front of

am not

“Yes.”

play an instrument like you, but I have tried and failed multiple times. I don’t

quite gruffly. “Yours is working

“So is yours.”

professional like yourself. I confess…” He looked down at the palm of his hands. “It was enjoyable to be working side by side with you this morning. Normally I would put off cutting the grass, but when I saw you working in the corner of my eyes, it encouraged me to carry on.

buying a fish a

what changed your

interact with it. They are pretty to look at, but that

in grave understanding. “I

have any pets as a

his head sharply as he tried to disguise the anger that flooded his eyes.

of the question. We had some finches when we were growing up, but they died by

were you like as a teenager?” He inquired, trying to

my shoulders at him. “Quiet and I

“A hermit,” he taunted.

as much

at me, and I have suffered for it.” He stared in front

and laid it over the top of his knee.

some things do,” he warned, with a mysterious look to him. His eyes ventured downwards, focusing on my hand that was still resting over the top of his knee. Aware of

had opened up a photo album that I had left on my coffee table. His finger

let my finger smooth over the front of his chest fondly. “He’s an athlete. You should see him! Not as tall as you, but he is so

football

good at every sport. He is fond of rugby too, but of course they

“They have American football.”

flipped the page to see me atop

money I would have begged them to sign me up for horse

“It’s never too late.”

the image of my father with me at

a swim

he is wearing his swim trunks,” I giggled.

delight as he added: “It means you are an experienced swimmer

“Yes, I can swim.”

it out,” he quipped. “How

of my couch, hardly

wanted to see the

“You really are incurable.”

blinked nervously. “A

not

Teddy was back-tracking now, realizing he made a dreadful error. “Nothing

I think about