House Plants & Light-Sabers

There was more life in Nadia’s apartment. Thanks to Leon and the introduction of four house plants. Monstera. Cactus. Snake Plant. And one that hung over the edges like a mop — Nadia put that out on the windowsill.

It was still a crack den sort of joint, but now there was some warmth.

Nadia and Leon sat at the dining table figuring out the 1000 piece Star Wars puzzle.

“You know about Star Wars? I have the high ground,” Leon laughed.

“High ground? I saw some of them with my ex-husband, but I really didn’t… Well… They were too nerdy for me…” Nadia admitted.

“Light swords and robots… I prefer rom-coms…” she said.

“Lightsabers and droids — you must learn my padawan…” Leon said booping her on the nose. She blushed.

The puzzle was of the Millennium Falcon. Nadia bought it to reconnect with Alice…

“Don’t you think you are smoking a bit too much?” Leon asked.

She had a cigarette in hand. Tar stained fingers. It burned good. The head rush. Mmmm…

Leon didn’t mind the second hand smoke. But he was concerned for her health. Whenever they were together she had a cig in hand. Recently Nadia had a smell of booze on her — she said it was from her new job at a nightclub.

She left out the detail that she was a stripper now.

“I don’t think I’m smoking too much… But I can cut down,” she said.

“Okay… I trust you girl,” he said. There was a pause.

“Leon…” she said.

“Yes?” He said.

“Do you maybe want… Only if you want… Maybe a blowjob?” Nadia blushed.