Episode 16

The mysterious note that was on top of the sugar pot had been made in a hurry, written in pen on a paper napkin:

"Leyne, when he tells you that you can leave, don't hesitate, leave at once"

With the note in his hands, Leyne leaned against the kitchen wall.

Leyne: {It's true... I almost forgot that I'm safe now. I'll be able to go stay with my uncle Billy. It's just that I can't leave before taking care of Tez. He deserves it, after all, he saved my life.}

Leyne put the note away, finished his chores in the kitchen, and went out to the garden. He looked around before fetching what he needed from the next room. With a watering can in hand, he watered one by one the seeds he had planted first, in the spot where he had fallen.

Leyne: Look at that! It's pretty fast for something to be born... I don't know what it is, but you're definitely sprouting, little friend. I once heard that if you talk to plants they grow faster, so hurry up. When I leave, it would be nice not to have a hole here, so that Tez doesn't keep remembering all the time that I loved his family.

...

At nightfall, Leyne was tired. As soon as he lay down on his bed, he fell asleep immediately.

A few hours later, Leyne woke up feeling a weight on his bed. Startled, he sat up abruptly and turned on the bedside lamp.

Leyne: Tez? What... Do you need something?

Tez was sitting sideways on the edge of the bed.

Tez: I didn't mean to scare you. I just woke up, and since you weren't by my side, I came to see how you were doing. Didn't I tell you my bed is the most comfortable?

Leyne: It... You did say that, yes. But it's not right for me to sleep in your room. Especially since you're an injured person in recovery.

Suddenly Leyne noticed Tez's stomach wound, seeing him shirtless. With a surprised expression, he got up.

Leyne: Heavens! I forgot to change your dressing. Come here!

All flustered, Leyne sat Tez down on his bed and ran out of the room, returning in less than a minute with a first aid kit.

Leyne: I'm so sorry, Tez. I really forgot. The doctor was saying that cleaning it well and changing the dressing is very important so the wound doesn't get infected. And this task fell to me, who hasn't been thinking very straight... But don't worry, I'm going to do everything right.

Tez watched as his wound was treated with the utmost care, and then covered with a new dressing.

Leyne: There! I'm going to leave this here in my room, to keep it close. I can't forget again, tomorrow morning we'll see how it is, and if anything, I'll change it and... And... Tez, don't look at me like that.

Tez: Like what?

Leyne: Like that... With those eyes... You keep looking at me like that, and I don't know what you're thinking, sometimes I don't know if I did the right thing, or if I ended up upsetting you.

Ignoring Leyne's words, Tez leaned in to kiss him again, so, realizing what was about to happen, Leyne dodged and escaped.

Leyne: Tez! You always do that because you want me to be quiet. And I'm speaking for both of us, or even for about three people... I know. But... Please Tez, I wanted to understand why you do that?

Tez: Don't you want to be close to me?

Leyne: I... I do. {What am I saying?}

Tez: Then you can't run from me.

As Tez approached, Leyne took a step back.

Tez: If you go any further back, you'll hit the wall.

Leyne: Then stop coming forward! You're making me nervous.

Leyne ducked under Tez's arm.

Leyne: You'd better go to sleep! You need to get some good rest.

Tez: Ok, then you come sleep with me.

Leyne: What?

Tez took Leyne's hand and led him to his room.

Tez: I'm going to sleep, but you're sleeping here too.

Leyne: Look, you said you were going to sleep, so you're going to have to close your eyes and sleep, okay!? I don't feel comfortable like this at all.

Tez: If you don't stop talking, I'm going to kiss you instead of sleeping.

Leyne: Okay... I understand.

Leyne lay down on the bed and pulled the pillow over his head.

III

Upon opening his eyes in the morning, Leyne found himself enveloped in Tez's arms, his face resting on his arm.

Leyne: {I can't say if that was comfortable for him. For me, it was strange}

Tez: You're awake already. Good, shall we go to the kitchen?

Leyne: No. You stay here resting, and I'll go.

Tez: We'll do as I said. We'll both go down. I feel much better than yesterday, and I need to tend to my collections, and my plants.

Leyne: I took care of the plants yesterday, and I've been taking care of them. As for your collection, if you're referring to those knives, I can help if you teach me what to do. I'll help you with everything until I go home.

Tez: Ah... I'm glad you took care of the plants...

Leyne: Let's go together then.

Leyne sat up in bed.

Leyne: But first let me see the wound.

As Leyne examined the wound, the sound of a car pulling up could be heard.

Leyne: That must be Rodrigo... He said he was coming today. Does he have the keys?

Tez: Yes, he does. Rodrigo seems to have taken a liking to you.

Leyne: I like him too.

Tez: Why do you like him?

Leyne: I think it's because of our age, and a few other things in common. Besides, I already give him more points because he was the first person to compliment my cooking.

Tez: Leyne?

Leyne's face slowly rose to look at Tez.

Leyne: Yes?

Tez: Are you going back to your uncle Billy's house, or are you going back downtown?

Leyne: Ah! That's an easy one to answer... To my uncle Billy's house. I don't want to hear about working for companies anymore. I'm going to try something else, like selling fish, or opening a grocery store. {Him asking me that reminded me of Rodrigo's words in the note.}

... When can I go, Tez?

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