There is a part one to this story. It is not a necessary prequel, but it is short in case you want to quick brush up on your backstory.
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More than a week had passed of Lauren being no more than a few steps away from her father's bed. She was there for every nurse's visit and every meal, making sure that Paul had everything he could possibly need. Her father appreciated the company, but he also became increasingly unaware of his surroundings and wouldn't necessarily recognize her or know who was taking care of him. It was a Saturday that Lauren's step mom had the day off from work, and it was per her suggestion that Lauren take a day off from the depressing job of caretaker to get some fresh air and perspective. Lauren did not fully like the idea of being away from her dad in case he needed something, but she also thought she should give he and step mom some time to be alone together.
Lauren called up her friend, Hannah, to see if she was free for a little afternoon hangout. The tone of Hannah's voice said more than her words. Lauren could tell Hannah did not have willing free time, but she also felt bad for Lauren's situation, so she conceded to invite Lauren over for a while. Hannah still lived with her parents and sisters while she was taking classes and waitressing part time, so even though Hannah wouldn't be out of work for another hour, she told Lauren to come over, that someone would be home to let her in.
Lauren borrowed her father's station wagon to make the five-minute drive to Hannah's family home. There was only one car in the driveway, but that was enough. Lauren parked beside it and made her way to the back door of the big, white house - that was the way she'd entered for years of birthday parties and sleepovers. She knocked a couple times, and it didn't take long for Hannah's dad, Mitch, to grab the door.
The back door opened into a slightly cramped, but clean, kitchen. Mitch had to step back to let Lauren pass in front of him into the room. Mitch looked happy if not a little surprised at the new presence. It looked like Hannah had not warned her dad that Lauren would be stopping by.
"Hi, Mr. Clark," Lauren said, trying to make her greeting light even though she was feeling rather awkward.
"Hi, Lauren," Mitch mirrored her greeting, not exactly sure what else to say.
"Hannah said I could hang out in her room until she got home from work. Is that okay with you?" Mitch's face became slightly more relaxed.
"Yeah...yeah, fine. You're welcome anytime. Hey, I'm sorry to hear about your dad." The last part he said really fast, and his face contorted to look apologetic. "How's he doing?"
This was the kind of forced conversation that Lauren had tried to get away from by spending some time away from her own home, but Lauren also had an answer that was practically scripted at this point. "He's doing alright, all things considered. He's comfortable." Lauren hoped this would be a satisfactory answer so they could drop the subject.
Her hopes were answered, because Mitch merely smiled and pulled her in for a short hug. It was nice. Mitch and her own dad had similar builds. They were both 6 foot and broad-shouldered. At 5'4", Lauren couldn't help but get absorbed into the fatherly embrace. As a dad of three daughters, Mitch was good at comforting a girl.
She'd known Mr. Clark since she and Hannah were in elementary school, and she'd always liked him. He would bring them snacks and drive them around to the mall before they got their own licenses.
The hug ended, and Mitch smiled down at her, hands on either shoulder, holding her an arm's length away. "Can I get you something to drink?" he offered genuinely.
"Actually, a glass of water would be great, thanks," Lauren replied.
"Sure thing. How about you go make yourself at home in the other room, and I'll bring it to you?" he offered, already reaching into one of the cupboards for a large glass.
"Thanks," Lauren reiterated. She knew by "the other room" he meant the living room, and she helped herself through several doorways to get there. The living room was a little bit of a mess. Obviously the family wasn't expecting company, but Lauren barely thought anything of it. Their large TV was muted in the middle of an episode of "Criminal Minds." Lauren sat down on the left side of the couch, because it was the only piece of furniture that did not have clothing on it. She found a place for her purse on the floor. It looked as though Mitch had been folding laundry into many piles before she'd knocked on the door. With three daughters and a wife living there, it was no wonder that laundry was a big job.
Only a few seconds later, Lauren was joined by Mitch, who came around the corner already apologizing for the mess. Lauren, of course, brushed off the comments, saying it was no big deal. He set the glass of water down in front of her. As soon as he did so, it would have been natural for him to take a seat, too. He eyed his chair, nearby, which would have been perfect for sitting an appropriately comfortable distance away, except that a precarious stack of jeans had already claimed it. Then he glanced to couch next to her, as it was the only place without piles of clothes on it.
"Uhhh," he stalled, looking back and forth.
Lauren giggled at his hesitation and finally said, "You can sit next to me. I won't bite."
Mitch nodded his head, which nonverbally communicated "Well, yes that's true." But Lauren could tell he felt slightly uncomfortable. Already, this was probably the longest period of time Mitch and Lauren had ever spent alone together. Usually by now Hannah would have dragged her by the hand upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door. Both awkward parties now sat on the couch, faced forward, feet on the floor and hands on their knees.
Lauren picked up the glass of water and took a sip to try to occupy the silence. She underestimated the fullness of the glass, and a little bit spilled over onto her chest. What would in normal circumstances have been an a trivial accident to go unnoticed, the spill was amplified because it was the only action happening in the room.
"Oh!" Mitch exclaimed and laughed a little. Lauren startled at the drip and set her glass back down. She looked down at herself to assess the damage. It wasn't that bad, but definitely noticeable.