Two things happened of interest today. First, Elliott and Freya met up for lunch, the first time they have come together without any pretense of business between them. Freya’s laptop did make it to the top of Elliott’s list, and he returned it to her personally last week, at which point they spent more than an hour talking, to the point that Freya’s boss had to stop in and remind her about a meeting. Freya considered the mild reprimand well worth it, and she has been looking forward to meeting Elliott again ever since.
I’m encouraged by the connection between them, which as of now is only attraction, but shows promise of something more meaningful. I’ve had the chance to look into Elliott a bit, and I am pleased by what I have found. He is a quiet man, keeping himself to himself, but his thoughts are deep and he is far smarter than he lets on. Freya is drawn to his wry humor and his courtesy, but I think that as she gets to know him, she will be impressed with his passion and his dedication to the things that are important to him.
The lunch was going very well, which was a good thing, for I was called away in the middle of it by Brid. I went immediately to join her at Lewis’s place, but I was immediately reassured by her smile. “It seems something good has come out of your work this weekend,” she said. “Look.”
For the first time since Lewis moved into his apartment, he had a guest. Eric was standing in the living room, glancing around at the bare walls, while Lewis dug a few beers out of the fridge.
The visit was unexpected, and I could feel Lewis’s anxiety, but he was also strangely glad to see Eric. He can tell that they have a great deal in common.
“Thanks,” Eric said as Lewis came back and passed him a bottle. “Sorry to barge in on you like this. Sarah told me you were living here.”
“Nah, it’s cool.” Lewis motioned for Eric to have a seat, and they cracked open their bottles and drank in silence for a moment.
Finally Eric set aside his beer and leaned forward. “So where were you stationed?”
Lewis’s throat tightened. I stood behind him, washing him with strength. It was strange; for weeks now, he has been wanting to talk about his experiences with someone who might understand, but now that the moment had come, he was seized with fear. Still, he managed to speak the name.
Eric nodded, his eyes tight in a way that made him look much older than he is. “Some bad shit going on out there.”
“Were you anywhere near there?” Elliott asked.
“Nah, I was stationed in Somalia. Which also sucked. I’ve been out for about two years now. You?”
“Just got back a couple months ago.”
Eric raised his brows. “Then you’re better put together than I thought.”
“Think so?” Lewis muttered, but Eric’s approval meant a great deal to him.
“Hell, yeah. I wasn’t fit for company for ages after I got back.” He was quiet for a moment. “Jo and Drew aren’t mad, by the way. Drew was around when I first shipped back, so he gets it. And Jo’s dad was military.”
“I’m glad,” Lewis said. “I feel really bad about the way I behaved.”
Eric shrugged. “You took it a little far, but your heart was in the right place.” He smirked. “I tell you what, Jason about pissed himself.”
Encouraged by the support—and also by Eric’s evident dislike of Jason—Lewis leaned forward. “So what is with that guy?”
Eric rolled his eyes. “I don’t know. He and Ian have been buddies forever, so he got sucked into the group. He’s hung up on Sarah, but she doesn’t want anything to do with him.”
On safer ground now, the two of them spent some time maligning Jason. I may not have ordinarily approved of such uncharitable talk, but it eased the air between the two of them and opened the conversation to other subjects. By the time Eric got up to leave, Lewis felt very comfortable with his new friend.
At the door, Eric turned around. “So I know this was kind of weird,” he said with a small smile. “But I’ve been where you are, man, and I wanted to make sure you weren’t dealing with it on your own.”
Lewis took a breath. He was aware of how hard it must have been for Eric to do this for a stranger, and he was so grateful that his eyes stung. He hid it well, though, coughing slightly and nodding. “I really appreciate it, man.”
Eric shook his hand. “You’ve got my number now. Shoot me a text if you need anything, okay? And we’ll catch that game on Saturday at my place.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Lewis saw Eric out and returned to the sofa, staring at the two beer bottles sitting on the table. He exhaled long and low, and then he wept, his hands shaking with relief. For my part, I stood at his back and cried praises for this blessing, for a friend who will step out of what is comfortable to offer what is needed. It was not easy, and it shows Eric to be a man of strength and character. Such a friend is exactly what Lewis needs.
Such promising beginnings! I am excited to see where these new relationships will go, and what good they will work in the lives of my charges.