Ray Smith (2)

After some time, we ran out of things to eat as well. It was getting late, about time to go back home.

Most customers had left by now. 

"I should leave now."

"Cool!" Shit. I guess I needed that lesson on being more social. Who says cool? That's like saying I was waiting for him to get lost.

Thankfully Ray didn't seem to mind it. He tried to help me move the dishes but there was no way I would let him. 

When I returned from kitchen after keeping those dishes away, my mom and dad were hounding him.

He smiled brightly, his mannerism oozing respect.

"It was the most delicious cake I've ever had. This place is very beautiful too."

Mom and dad started slapping his shoulders and rubbing their noses. 

"Aw, don't lie. You're a very good child."

"Don't let that stupid son of mine bother you, alright? If he acts out, just tell me."

"Haha, no way, Edward is very famous in class for being well-behaved."

So this was the triangle of insults. All of them were intent on embarrassing me. I rushed in between them and pulled Ray back.

"He's getting late, don't hound him."

My dad chuckled. "Accompany him to the station, it's just a small walk away."

"It's ok, I'll go on my own," Ray waved his hands and tried to say no, but I was already pulling him away. Mom and dad said one last bye and we stepped out of the studio.

The door creaked behind us, the light from the shop dimming behind the frosted panes.

Ray still had his bag with him. 

The street lights flickered. Our footsteps were the only sounds that rang out in the place.

Ray kept gazing up at the sky while I walked next to him, looking around. 

As we stepped out of the street to a slightly more busy one, Ray broke the silence.

"My family is kinda poor."

It was unexpected. I looked to the side, but Ray was still staring up. 

"It was a long time back, an incident happened and since then both my mom and dad became very… distracted? They were shaken, and our business crashed. We are still making some money, but are drowning in debt."

I once again found myself without words.

For someone aiming to be a writer, this was the third time today that I was without words. How shameful.

"I just do these jobs to help out. The interest repayments end up being a big problem, this little money helps in some way, and I get to spend some on myself too."

I couldn't say anything.

Was I supposed to say 'I am sorry?' Why would I do that? Why did people say that anyway?

Would it sound patronizing? Maybe. I obviously can't say things like you should do this or that, that was simply insensitive… and if I stayed quiet?

Would that make it seem like I am ignoring him?

Ray suddenly chuckled, snapping me out of my thoughts.

He looked at me with a soft smile.