Ira is silent next to me, but his hand slips into mine.It makes me smile.He hardly ever takes my hand anymore.He's grown up so fast.
The door opens, and Boris is grinning at us."Hi.Come inside."He steps back and motions for us to enter.
I don't know what I expected.Moving boxes lining the walls, dirty dishes, and empty beer cans.It's nothing like that.The house is clean and tastefully decorated.The walls are a bit sparse, but he's only lived here for two months, so maybe he hasn't found anything fitting to hang yet.
They're not bare.There are some beautiful black and white photos in black frames."Oh, these are lovely."They are mostly of nature, but there are a few of people, and one of a big wolf.I shudder.I've never feared wolves before, but since one almost attacked Ira earlier this summer, I have developed an almost unhealthy respect for them.
"Zahrah, my best friend, has taken them.She's a photographer."He scrunches his nose and shrugs."Obviously."
"She's...Shit, how close was she to the wolf?"I can't interpret the look he gives me.
"I don't know.You'll have to ask her one day."
I inhale and bite back a groan.Whatever he's cooking smells divine.
"Come on.The food is almost done.Have a seat."He moves through the living room and gestures at an already set four-seat table in the kitchen.There is a bowl of salad, and I chasten myself for being surprised.Boris is an adult and most likely knows the way to the fresh produce aisle in the grocery store.
A counter divides the cooking area from the sitting area.I'd almost believed all the houses on the street looked the same inside, but our kitchen is L-shaped.
"Wine?"
I shouldn't."No, thank you.I took some painkillers before I came here."
He stares at me."Painkillers?"
"Headache."
He nods slowly."Sparkling water?"Then he looks at Ira."I have Coke."
Ira nods, and I smile."Sparkling water for me, please."
Moments later, Boris puts the drinks on the table and gestures for us to sit anew.We take one side of the table, and Ira moves his chair a little closer to mine than it was before.
Boris pours himself a glass of white wine from an open bottle, and I almost feel guilty for declining, but he then brings out a big pot of some creamy pasta, followed by a basket of steaming-hot garlic bread, and I forget all about the wine.
"Wow, it smells divine."
Boris grins at me, and heat washes over me.Fuck.
"Dig in."
I serve Ira, not because he's unable to, but he's still working through his initial shyness.He'll relax soon, but we do this kind of thing way too seldom.Another thing I'm failing at.
I groan at the first taste, and Boris grins again."Good?"He eats some himself but doesn't give much away about what he's thinking.
"Amazing."
We eat in silence for a couple of minutes, then Boris looks at me."Any plans for the weekend?"
I shake my head."Not really.Saturdays are most often dedicated to laundry, and Sundays to planning the week, but..."I sigh."We got some bad news at work today, so I think this coming week will be unpredictable."
Boris stops with his fork halfway to his mouth."Bad how?"
"They'll be laying off some people, and I'll most likely be one of them."
"Oh...Do you like your job?"
"Like?"I know I'm staring."No."
