3 FRIENDS

My eyes slowly peeled open, and I was unsure where I was. It looked like my flat, but then again, so did every flat in the district. Thick goop blurred my vision, and I tried to raise my arm to wipe my eyes and was surprised to feel a sharp pain. Grimacing, I lowered my arm and rubbed my eyes with my left hand. I was in Mr. Barton’s flat, there was no doubt now. I heard the coffee pot bubbling and could smell Mr. Barton’s signature brew, the unique dark coffee with accents of orange and chocolate. I turned my head and saw Mary sitting on a chair looking at me with worried eyes. She got up and ran into the kitchen when she saw me stir.

“He’s awake!” she shouted.

Mr. Barton walked over and stood in front of me. “Jake, how are you feeling?”

“Terrible,” I said in a groggy voice.

“That I don’t doubt. Your wrist has a compound fracture,” he said as he appraised me.

“They said the break would be clean,” I croaked.

“I’m afraid it isn’t,” he said.

I grumbled under my breath and looked down at my wrist. It was wrapped in heavy medical cloth and not the cheap stuff. Mary stood to the side of him looking at me nervously, and I could see tears pooling in her eyes. Still, I didn’t understand how she had managed to get me here. I weighed at least fifty pounds more than her.

“I’m so sorry Jake,” she said, her voice wavering as the tears spilled down her cheeks.

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I gave her a weak smile. “It’s not your fault. I wasn’t going to let someone steal your things.”

She smiled back half-heartedly, and I could see she was suppressing more tears of guilt.

The light on the front door glowed red.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“It’s been over ten hours. I gave you something for the pain, and I imagine you’ll be needing another dose soon. I’m going to put dinner on for the three of us, then you can have more medicine,” Mr. Barton said.

“How did you get medicine? I can’t afford it,” I said, but he was already back in the kitchen. Mary was still staring at me.

“Did you get your stuff back?” I asked, turning to Mary.

“Yes. I’m so sorry. You did nothing wrong.”

I nodded and closed my eyes, drifting back into sleep despite the aching pain that was throbbing through my arm.

When I awoke again, Mr. Barton was handing me a large tray with a bowl of steaming potato soup and a large slice of bread with melted cheese. The three of us ate in silence, and I could only hope Mr. Barton didn’t disclose my undying crush for Mary when she had brought me here. I was content with the way things had been going and was so thankful for the time and memories I had with her. I was unable or unwilling to convince myself to take things further for fear of losing the person dearest to me. I knew what it was like to lose everything, and I never wanted to go through that again.

The food took away the edge of hunger. Mr. Barton brought over another ladle of potato soup and a thick slice of bread for me, which I gladly accepted. We enjoyed the meal, but it was evident that both Mary and Mr. Barton were concerned with my health.

After dinner, Mr. Barton brought over three steaming mugs of coffee and passed them out. Mary took her mug and eyed the drink with caution.

“I’ve never had coffee before,” she said, swirling the contents of the mug in slow circular motions.

Mr. Barton and I looked at her in shock, then smiled.

“It’s the best drink available, and Mr. Barton happens to be a brew master,” I said, mustering the energy for social conversation now that my stomach was comfortably full.

We drank the coffee in peace, enjoying each other’s company.

“Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Barton,” I said.

He nodded and gave me another dose of the liquid medicine, sending me into a deep, dreamless sleep.