Yes

And so, in the next few weeks, our friendship blossomed into something I never knew would be possible. I told Harry many things I never thought I would say to another soul.

That Friday came, and it changed everything from what was about to transpire. Per the usual ordeal, I baked something sweet for Harry. I made him a lemon blueberry tart, which was my first time making it. I walked to his house and greeted him.

"Hi Harry, I hope you are doing well. I know you were feeling down the other day.”

"I am feeling a little better. Thank you for being there for me."

I smiled, "Great, I'm glad I could help."

"Well, c'mon in, what are you waiting for, haha?"

I handed him the basket, "Wow, that smells amazing. What did you make this time?"

He opened it up while I said, "Oh, it's a" —

He gasped, "A lemon blueberry tart. My grandma used to make these all the time." He looked at me with playful suspicion, "Wow, how did you know?"

"I just have that level of intuition."

He winked at me, "I guess you do."

We sat down with the game playing in the background. During the hours, Harry took me on an adventure as he told many more stories about his life, from his career at Microsoft as an engineer to his several hobbies of paragliding and live-action role-playing. This man's entire story was alluring and unbelievable. We laughed and bathed in the moment together.

"I used to be really adventurous before I had my daughter."

"So, with that kind of life, how did you end up in this little neighborhood?"

"Well, I used to live in Chicago, but after everything that happened with Gracie's mom, I wanted a fresh start. And after scrolling online, this seemed like the perfect place."

"It is a very nice place to live, especially to raise a daughter. There's just something about the aura here."

"Yeah, it feels almost ancient, in a way."

"What do you mean? That's an interesting word to use."

"Yeah, I imagine nothing has changed in the past 100 years."

"Oh, yeah, things have, but the town's simple attitude is the same. I like it here. It's comforting. It doesn't feel like anything bad can happen.”

We watched another game while he started to doze off. I felt his warm head tilt onto my shoulder, and he was asleep, almost like a baby. The strands of his soft hair grazed my arm. He adorably mumbled in his sleep, and I didn't want to disturb him, so I just sat there, watching what was on television.

I looked at him, and I brushed his hair. I don't know what came over me, but I gave him a small kiss on the cheek, which, incidentally, woke him up. I hope he didn't feel that kiss.

He yawned, and I looked at him, "Hello, sleepyhead."

"Good morning to you, too. I can't believe I fell asleep that easily."

"You must be tired.”

"Yeah, but I don't typically fall asleep like that around other people. I’ve been dealing some insomnia.”

"Well, you should take a long nap."

"OK, thank you. Wait, come here, though."

He grabbed my hand and brought me to his bedroom.

Harry grabbed a book from his bookshelf, "Look, this is my grandma's cookbook that came out in the early 70s."

I flipped through the pages, "Wow, this is really amazing. I want to publish a cookbook one day. I know it would make my grandma proud."

"Oh, you'll get there. I just know it."

His self-assurance in me was new because I didn't have many people who believed in what I was doing.

"Thank you. Working at a small bakery is difficult, and I feel like I am amounting to nothing."

"That's not true at all. You are an amazing person and cook. Never think you are unappreciated — I appreciate you. All the things you've made have been so tasty, and I've enjoyed having you as my best friend."

"Aww, thank you. It's hard to find friends as an adult, especially being a man."

"Yeah, I can relate to that. I feel my life has been loosely defined as just about being a dad and a worker. I don't know who I am outside of that anymore.”

"I feel the same way. I don’t have many family members who are still alive. Without cooking or baking, who would I even be?

"I know. You are a fantastic man. You know how to make anyone feel special."