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…”

of his glass, while he altered

could drop me off at the

could do

focus on my hair that was now down to the tops of my shoulders. “I could drive you after every shift this week,” he nervously pointed out.

is too

only care for your

was the best excuse to fill up the awkward pause. I thought it best to contact Daphne as soon as possible, knowing she

pointed behind him, suggesting I still need to complete the trimming to

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

he suggested. “Or I could… I could make lunch for

“That really isn’t needed.”

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

I cut in. “You are my employer and I don’t

in a higher tone of voice.

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

have something to eat. I can’t remember the amount of times I have forgotten to have a

I nearly dropped my glass of water upon the table. Teddy’s hands balled up together, and his body language displayed a

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

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 on the table. He visibly flinched at the sound, making me feel guilty for causing him so much

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 to clean the