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…”

thumb lightly stroked the outside of his glass,

me off at the main bus

could

letting his eyes focus on my hair that was now down to the tops of my shoulders. “I could drive you after every shift

is

care for

I thought it best to contact Daphne as soon as

Teddy pointed behind him, suggesting I still need to complete the trimming to his hedges at the back.

morning,” I entreated. “Though driving me to the station after twelve will ensure I have enough time to

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

“That really isn’t needed.”

of water in silent deliberation. “I would like to do that,” he voiced out to my surprise. “You will have to tell me what kind of food agrees

cut in. “You are my employer and I don’t want things to get any more

me in a higher tone

deadpan, hardly expressing any emotions at

he fought back. “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. “I would

that moment, a 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

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

rapidly. I let out a short exhale once I was done and placed the glass hard

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