He slowly enters and we follow him and drop all the shopping on the floor. He stands in the foyer wringing his hands nervously as he looks around.
“Do you like it?” Adrian asks.
He nods quickly.
I put my hands on my hips and look around. This is pretty nice, actually, Adrian has had it furnished in chocolate and cream colours. A large plasma screen is on the wall and a glass coffee table sits in the middle of the room. The kitchen is modern, black, and marble, while the dining table is the same glass as the coffee table in the lounge room.
“Over here is your bedroom.” Adrian disappears up the hall. We follow and find a large master suite with a bathroom.
Jarvis eyes widen. “This is the bedroom?” he whispers.
“Yep,” Adrian replies proudly. “Oh, come and see the kitchen.”
We follow him back out to the kitchen and he opens the pantry door. “I had groceries delivered this morning. I didn’t know what you liked to eat so just eat what you like and the other stuff can go to waste.”
Jarvis pulls out the crisper and looks at all of the vegetables.
I frown. “Do you know how to cook, Jarvis?”
“Umm.” His scared eyes search all around.
“Oh, and I got you cable.” Adrian walks into the lounge room and holds up the remote at the television, switching on the music.
Jarvis stands at the kitchen bench quietly as he looks around. He’s so overwhelmed.
“Welcome to your new home, mate.” I smile.
His scared eyes meet mine and he shakes his head. “I…” He swallows. “I don’t belong here.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Tough, ‘cause this is where you are living.”
Adrian smiles and pours himself a Diet Coke from the fridge. “Want a drink, anyone?” He holds up the bottle.
We both nod and take the glasses from Adrian.
“I will get your things transported here. Just write down your current address and we will organise everything.”
Jarvis’ eyes drop to the floor. “That won’t be necessary,” he murmurs.
“Why not?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I don’t really have anything.”
I roll my lips and look to Murph who shrugs, also.
“Where is your home?” Murph asks as the room falls silent.
“I don’t have a home.”
I frown.
“I’m a ward of the state – a foster kid. I’ve never had a permanent home.”
My eyes stay glued to him as my stomach drops.
Adrian puts his hand on his chest sympathetically. “How did your parents die?” Adrian asks gently.
He shrugs again. “Don’t know and don’t care. On the end of a needle, I suspect.”
I stand, silent. It’s not very often that people shock me.
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Mate, I’m giving you an opportunity here. I want you to take it, to make a successful life for yourself. You can do this. I know you can.”
He doesn’t answer.
Adrian tries desperately to change the subject. “Lets get your clothes ready for tomorrow.” He claps his hands together in the gayest mannerism I have seen from him to date.
I smile broadly and shake my head. “You are so fucking gay, Murph.”
Jarvis eyes widen to me in question. “Is he gay?”
“Total cocksucker.” I smirk.
For the first time today I see a trace of a smile cross Jarvis’ lips.
Adrian shrugs happily and starts pulling the clothing from the bags, spreading them out on the lounge. He puts the suits with the shirts, then lays out the belts and ties to wear with each outfit.
“So, tomorrow, for work, wear this suit here.” He gestures to it. “And this shirt, these shoes and this tie.” He puts his hand on his chin in thought. “Did we get enough socks?”
Jarvis’ face drops and he fiddles with his hands nervously.
I frown. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know how to do a tie,” he whispers softly.
I swear, I can feel Adrian’s heart melt across the floor.
Adrian and my eyes meet. “That’s ok.” He smiles gently.
Adrian and I immediately get the ties out of the bags and start tying them around our necks. We loosen them enough to get them off and lay them out for him. I look at my watch. Shit, I’ve got to go.
“I…” I hesitate, not wanting to leave this kid alone. “I have to go. I’m picking up my wife and we are moving into our new apartment tonight.”
Jarvis nods.
Murph’s eyes glance between Jarvis and me. “You know what? I think I’m going to hang around here with Jarvis for a while and make him some dinner.”
I smile at my wife. She’s been to Hell and back, yet here she stands, looking up at me with love in her eyes.
“Are you ready to go to our new home, Mrs. Stanton?”
She smiles as she wraps her arms around me. “I am, my beautiful Lamborghini.”
The apartment was ready to move into two weeks ago, but Natasha insisted on finishing her diary entries while we were at the hotel. She said she didn’t want to go back there once we begin to move forward.