The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven

Two full glasses of water were placed over a circular table. A tray of fresh fruits were arranged nicely in a cobalt blue tray. The windows were wide open to let in some fresh air; Teddy was standing in front of them to push back the drapes a little bit more. “I brought out some fruit in case you are tempted,” he said with his back to me. “I know you don’t have much time, but I thought it might be nice to have something in your stomach.”

“I might take this banana,” I mused aloud. “I could eat it on the bus ride home.”

“Bus ride home,” Teddy chuckled. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“It is the same one I took to get here.”

“Yes, but it is hot,” he said as a way of an excuse. “And I have no bus stops around here.”

“I know.” He turned around to face me now, letting his lower back lean against the edge of the counter. “I had to ask the bus driver to stop me at the bottom of your hill.”

“And you walked all the way up here?”

“Yes, but I enjoy the exercise.”

Teddy walked over to his table. A chair was pushed outwards and then he took a quiet seat next to me. “Daphne has a car,” he noted. “I can drive you somewhere.”

“That isn’t necessary.”

“I don’t think you should be lingering out there alone.” He licked at his bottom lip. “And it’s hot.”

“Yes, but it’s not summer yet.”

“And you are a woman,” he entreated. “A woman standing in the middle of nowhere alone.” Teddy reached for his glass of water, compelling me to do the same. “I will not stand for it. I was raised better than that.”

“Perhaps…”

His thumb lightly stroked the outside of his

could drop me off at

I could

feeling like I was asking too much from him. Teddy stared at me intently, letting his eyes focus on my hair that was now down to the tops of my shoulders. “I could drive you after

is

care for

a larger sip of my water, finding it was the best excuse to fill up the awkward pause. I thought it best to contact Daphne

Teddy pointed behind him, suggesting I still need to complete the trimming to his hedges at the back. “I suggest you drink your water

need you to pick me up at the station in the morning,” I entreated. “Though driving

could bring your lunch and eat here,” he suggested. “Or I could… I

“That really isn’t needed.”

“I would like to do that,” he voiced out to my surprise. “You will

are my employer and I don’t want things

He questioned me in a

it’s just that…” His face was suddenly deadpan, hardly expressing any emotions at all. “I feel like I will owe you too much,”

“It will ensure I have something to eat. I can’t remember the amount of times I have forgotten to have a meal.” He smiled at me, the first one I had ever seen spread across his face.

door in the upper levels of the house slammed shut with a violent bang, startling me so much I nearly dropped my glass of water upon the table. Teddy’s hands balled up together, and his body language displayed a certain

was the wind,” he coldly replied. “Sometimes the wind blows so strong it slams the bedroom doors closed.” His fists gradually grew less tense, and soon he was laying the flats of his hands against the circular table. “But I think it is time

pleaded. He watched me gulp down the water rapidly. I let out a short exhale once I was done and placed the glass hard down

will take your glass,” he relinquished. The glass slid over the table to be positioned next to his own. Teddy retrieved the two empty glasses and immediately turned his large back to me. I watched him dowse it in dish soap, dedicating his time