Eating

Nadia opened the door. She looked different. She had lost weight. Her face, narrow. Pretty, but bony. It didn’t help that she wore different clothing. She wore a black sweater with a dinosaur on the back.

The caption, “Rawrsponsibility.”

She was wearing just panties. Nadia’s hair tied into a small pony.

“Hey…” She said.

“Hey,” Leon said, coming in quickly. Anxious to get out of the corridor. He was a bit surprised that Nadia opened the door without at least shorts on — this area was dangerous.

The apartment was modest. A table. Small kitchenette. A sofa and TV. And two doors which led to a bathroom and bedroom he supposed.

There was a half finished Star Wars puzzle on the table. Nadia had no clue about it really. She ordered it online — thinking it was a Lego Star Wars kit, but was surprised when it was a puzzle.

Anyway, it was still some effort…

Leon sat down.

“I’m sorry I don’t have much in food — we can order something…” she said.

“You haven’t been eating,” he said.

“Does it show?” Nadia said looking up emotionally.

“Let me take care of you — you can’t do this alone,” Leon said.

“I — I don’t know…” she said.

“That’s okay,” he said.

He ordered and paid for some Chinese food. Sweet and sour pork. Rice. Steamed spinach and broccoli. Nadia seemed to devour the food.

She had really been hungry…

“Do you have money…” he asked.

“I-I lost my job at Starbucks…” she said, “I guess it wasn’t meant to be…”

Nadia had been a mess. Crying at work. Getting orders wrong. A customer made her cry once and everyone left the store. She had been fired.

She had some money left — mostly for rent. Although it was coming up soon. She’d mostly been surviving on instant ramen and water. A boiled egg here and there.

“Why didn’t you call me? I’m happy to help —“ he said.

“There’s a reason why… I can’t —“ she said, “You’ll hate me…”

“I know already. It’s the reason we broke up,” Leon smiled.

Nadia’s eyes tearing up. Leon placed a hand on hers.

“You loved Alice. That’s special. I’m sorry you lost her. As much as I hoped it was me. That’s my problem… You are my friend Nadia, let me help you…” Leon said.

Nadia was full on ugly crying. A mess. She and Leon fell asleep on the couch — her curled up in his lap with the TV buzzing an old movie from the ‘90s.