She flat out refuses, until you convince her

"Absolutely not," she says, in and uncommon bout of anger, hands pressed against her hips and her cheeks red. "That man made my life a living hell in high school and now you want to let him sleep here, on our very first night together, no less?" The normally very cheerful and friendly Sarah is pissed off. More pissed off than you've seen her in a long time.

Still, you owe it to Mr. Robinson to try. "I get he wasn't the best to you," she rolls her eyes at your colossal understatement, "but that doesn't mean he deserves to be out on the street on a cold night like tonight." I see her eyes soften, slightly. Usually I'm the one having to persuade her not to adopt every stray cat we find on the street. "And he was always so kind to me. He helped me become the man I am today. Without his guidance, I doubt I'd have the job I have now that let us even afford this apartment in the first place."

"Why does it have to be our apartment, though? Doesn't he have friends or family or something? We can't be his only option, right?" I can already see that her conviction is wavering. I feel bad about pushing her like this. I've never had to argue so hard to get her to change her mind, nor have I had any desire to do so.

"He wouldn't be asking us if he had any other option," I tell her. I mean, he didn't exactly say that, but it wouldn't make any sense for him to ask unless he had no other choice. "Helping those less fortunate is the right thing to do. Just because he was mean in the past doesn't give us the right to refuse to help him now. We are better than that." I can tell that one hit her deep. Her arms drop to her side and her eyes fall to the floor. I didn't mean to imply that she was being a bully or anything like that, but it seems like she took it that way. After years and years of dealing with **** and torment from bullies, the idea that she could be one must cut deep. I want to clarify, to make sure she knows that isn't what i meant. My mouth stays shut. It may not have been the direction I intended, but it is working.

"You're right... but does it have to be him? If it was anyone else..." her voice trails off. If it had been anyone else, I'm sure I would have been the one arguing against letting him stay.

"Please, Sarah, can't we let him stay?" I ask again, striking at the moment of her weakness when she is most likely to agree, even against her best wishes.

"Okay... but only for a few nights. No more than that," she says sternly, I nod. It was enough just to make her agree at all, there is no point to pushing her any more.

"You're the best," I tell her with a quick kiss on the cheek. "Let's go tell him." We exit the room to find Mr. Robinson sitting on the couch, watching TV with a beer in his hand. "Hey, Mr. Robinson. We talked about it, and we are fine with letting you stay a couple nights."

"But no more than that," a little fire has returned to Sarah now that she sees her old tormentor again.

"You're the best kid. I'll be out of your hair before you know it." It doesn't take too long for him to gather up his meager possesions and move himself into our apartment. When he's done, he looks at Sarah as she is bent over putting sheets and a blanket on the couch. Her ass does look amazing, but he's staring so much, I'm starting to get uncomfortable. Right as I'm about to say something, he speaks. "Ah, so cruel making an old man like me sleep on the couch." I laugh. Of course, he was just looking at his bed for the night. Why would I even think he would be staring at a girl a third his age, who he taught in high school no less.

"I'm sorry, it's the only other bed we've got. We didn't plan on having too many visitors over," I explain to him. Even if we did, it's not like we could afford to rent a bigger place. Not until Sarah graduates and starts her own job at least.

"I'm just being grumpy. I think I've earned that at my age," he says with a grin making both of you laugh. Sarah doesn't share in the humor and huffs as she leaves the room. "She's really grown up, huh?" he asks.

"You have no idea. It's not just the weight loss either. She is so confident and outgoing now. Nothing like she was back in the day. I was in love with her back then, too, and now I'm even more head over heels."

Mr. Robinson shakes his head. "Just be careful Liam. Women are emotional creatures. They might be in love with you one day, and filing for divorce the next."

"Sarah isn't like that. I know she isn't."

"That's what they all say, kid." As I open my mouth to argue further, he puts his hand up. "I'm just saying, be careful. That's all." When Sarah comes back, he gives me a pointed look, but stays silent.