Chapter 3

Arolyn's energy curled on itself a little, but she stepped up to the counter and ordered an NYPD with extra meat. Parvathi ordered a Firehouse with extra hot sauce. They both got Dr Pepper. Then Parvathi set a hand against her low back so they could sit in a booth together. He purposefully sat across from her.

"How long have you been an art model, Arolyn?" Parvathi asked.

"Three years," she replied. Her cheeks flushed and she looked away. "Your unchanging look was the first time I thought I was being seen for more than just a well muscled form."

"You were, but I was seeing your gifts, nothing more."

Her head lowered as she nodded.

"You don't enjoy doing it, do you?" he asked.

"No, I enjoy it fine," she said. "I just… wanted it to lead me to something more."

"Prostituting yourself is not something more."

"It would at least be a livable income!"

Parvathi's brow furrowed a moment.

The waiter brought over their order and Arolyn dug into her sandwich. She wolfed down the sandwich. Parvathi ate his slowly and studied Arolyn's energy. Halfway through his sandwich he put it down and approached the register. Arolyn followed him with her eyes and slowed her eating. She watched him lean against the counter as he spoke with the cashier. They both laughed about something and she turned away. Parvathi stayed by the register for quite a while. Arolyn was almost finished when he returned and sat.

"You're gay, aren't you?" she asked.

"No, but he certainly is." Parvathi returned to eating.

"Just admit it. You are!"

"Arolyn, it does me no good to lie. Least of all to you."

"Then love me."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I've already told you why not. Was your sandwich sufficient?"

Arolyn looked down at her crumb covered napkin. "It'll have to be. Thank you for buying lunch, Parvathi."

"My pleasure," he replied.

"Can I pay you back in some way?"

"Don't prostitute yourself."

"Anything else?"

"We'll see. May I walk you home?"

"I… guess."

"Alright."

Parvathi cleaned off the table then took her hand as she stood. She locked their fingers together, but he said nothing. The cashier handed him a large bag as they walked to the doors.

"Thank you," Parvathi said.

"No, thank you," the cashier replied.

Arolyn gripped Parvathi's hand a little tighter as he led her out of the sandwich shop.

"Do you live in the Birch Tree Apartments?" Parvathi asked as they crossed the street.

"Yes, number 8."

"Do you have roommates?"

"One. Who's never there."

"Do they at least help with rent?"

"She did. But not in the last six months."

"Does Beth-Anne know this?"

"Yes, but because of the lease, I…" Arolyn stopped. "I shouldn't be telling you all this."

"I don't mind."

"But I don't want you doing something for me to make me feel indebted to you."

"You already do, Arolyn. And all I did was buy you lunch."

Her free hand grabbed his wrist. "Please, let me do something for you. I don't want this hanging over my head."

"It's not."

They crossed the parking lot and walked down the sidewalk to her apartment. Arolyn let go and unlocked the apartment. It was bare save the apartment owner's furniture and a few dishes in the dish drainer. Parvathi set the bag down on the table.

"Have you talked to your roommate about selling her contract to someone?"

"I've left several messages, but she's never called me back."

He nodded and glanced around the kitchen. On the fridge was a number next to the name of Lisa. Parvathi memorized the number before turning to Arolyn. She sat on the couch watching him expectantly.

"Are you in need of anything?" he asked.

"No," she said, wrapping her arms around herself. "I've got what I need."

"Then I will see you tomorrow."

Arolyn nodded. She turned her head away as Parvathi left the apartment. He locked the door handle behind him then returned to his apartment. He made a call to Beth-Anne about changing apartments as he started to pack, telling her he had someone to buy his contract. She was okay with it as long as he could find someone willing to sell theirs since no one had contacted her about getting out of their lease. Parvathi then called Lisa to have her meet him on the far side of campus.

He left then.

Lisa was a very beautiful woman, but she caked on the makeup way too much. She got off the hood of her car and swayed her hips to where he stopped.

"So, what's this about, Sugar?" she asked.

Parvathi pulled her close to him. "I came for your contract at the Birch Tree Apartments," he said softly. "You wouldn't mind." He kissed her neck. "Not having." He kissed her neck a little higher. "That little girl." Another kiss. "Call you ever again." He kissed the underside of her chin. "Would you?"

Lisa shivered in his arms. "Not one bit," she gasped. She kissed him hard and wrapped one leg around his.

"Then sign," he said, breaking away.

Lisa smiled and signed the form. Then she caressed his face. "Best of luck keeping that one satisfied." She tried to stick the key in his pants, but he stopped her. Parvathi took the key from her hand as she tsked then walked away.

Parvathi pocketed the signed agreement then returned to the Birch Tree apartment complex.

"Parvathi?" he heard as he neared the stairs leading to his apartment.

He turned to face Arolyn. "Is something wrong?"

"You left this," she said, holding out the bag of sandwiches to him.

"I left nothing, Arolyn. Are you still feeling alright?"

"Fine."

"I'm glad." He took a step up the stairs.

"Parvathi."

"Yes?"

"Is it normal to feel sore?"

He left the stairs. "Where do you feel sore?"

"Everywhere you touched today."

"Yes, that is normal."

"Anything to make it hurt less?"

"None that I know of because it's your body getting used to the expression of your gift."

"I don't like it," she whined. "It hurts to sit now, even more to lie down. And my whole head hurts!"

"I'm sorry. Would you like me to try and do more work with you?"

"Will it make the pain stop?"

"Maybe. It may also make it worse."

She started crying.

Parvathi embraced her lightly and rubbed her back and stroked her head. Arolyn shifted closer to him and lightly bit his neck.

"None of that now," he said gently.

She rested her head against his shoulder. "I can't do this right now. Not when…."

"You can do this. You are ready to take this on. I said I would help you and I will."

"Only if I can pay you back." A stronger wave of energy came off of her.

"No, Arolyn. Do not follow in your roommate's steps."

"But you have experience; you're gentle."

"You will also not find men as nice as me out there if you decide to do that."

Her hands bunched up his jacket.

"Here, let's get you home."

Arolyn slowly let go and he picked up the bag. He walked her back to her apartment and helped her lay on the couch on her stomach.

"Have you eaten yet?" he asked.

She gave a small nod.

"Okay."

Parvathi put the food in the fridge, seeing she had nothing in there, but ½ a block of cheese and maybe four tortillas. Arolyn groaned and he turned. She had pulled a couch pillow to be under her head.

"Would you rather lay in bed, Arolyn?" he asked.

She gave her head a small shake.

"Would you like me to grab your blanket before I go?"

"Please."

He nodded. "Which room is yours?"

"First one."

"Alright."

Parvathi went into her room, finding a solitary picnic blanket on her bed. He searched for other, warmer blankets and didn't find any. He took the blanket out to her. He lay it over her. Arolyn pulled her legs under her.

"Thank you, Parvathi," she said.

"You're welcome, Arolyn. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

She started to cry as he closed the door.