Blade looked up from the journal he’d been perusing when he heard someone enter his room. Chance was there, and he’d brought some food.
“As far as I know, no one’s seen you in a while, so I figured you hadn’t eaten.” he said. Though his words were fine, his tone was irritable.
“Something wrong?” Blade asked as he set down the book, then reached for the sandwich that had been brought for him.
“It’s personal.” he said with a slight scowl.
“You look like you’re angry with me. I haven’t done anything to you.”
“Haven’t you?”
“Not that I know of. And I won’t know, unless you tell me.” he said between bites.
“Because of what you did, I took a role in your penance. Because of that I’m at outs with my girlfriend.”
“I still don’t see how it’s my fault. It was your decision.”
“I’m not going to argue the point with you.” Chance said, looking at the book that blade had set down prior to eating. “What’s that?” h e asked, nodding in the direction of the book.
“Charles gave it to me to read over.” was all he said. Why should he bother to explain to Chance when he was mad at him for no good reason? he didn’t care if Chance did have seniority – that didn’t mean he had to tell him anything.
Chance didn’t push the issue. For his part, he’d been trying to push aside what Blade had done in order to give him some credit after suffering his penance. it was just that right now though….he took a deep breath and sighed. The air needed to be cleared before this evening. It wouldn’t do to fight with the new guy – he had a feeling Charles wouldn’t approve.
“Look, I’m sorry for accusing you. I’m just frustrated. Shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
“How much trouble are you in with your girl?”
“I couldn’t tell you exactly. Its been hard lately to tell if she’s genuinely feeling a certain way, or if she’s just hormonal. She kicked me out though – have to find somewhere to stay until she says I can come back.”
“Damn man. Sorry about your luck.” he ate a bit more before speaking again. “You mentioned hormonal. PMSing?”
Chance shook his head. “Pregnant.”
“Oh. Wow. How long?”
“Five months.”
“Well congrats man.”
“Thanks. Not mine though.”
“And you’re still sticking around?”
Chance nodded. “Good for you.” Blade said, setting what remained of the sandwich down before reaching for the drink. His thoughts began to trail off, but he came back to the present when Chance spoke.
“You’re looking somber, man. What’s on your mind?”
Blade shrugged. “There was a time I thought that, a few years down the road. Mandy and I might start a family. That’s been tossed on the rocks though, and I know it’s my fault.”
“Time aplenty for that though man. Just have to find someone else later on down the road. Focus on you for now.”
“I’m trying.” Blade picked the book back up. “That’s why I’m trying to study. I don’t want to disappoint Charles.”
“I know the feeling. That’s why I worked so hard to get over my addiction, work through my pain to start walking again, and work on my education.”
Blade looked at him. “You couldn’t walk?”
“Nope. Was wheelchair bound for a while. In constant pain, so I got addicted to painkillers. It’s a wonder they didn’t kill me.”
“You a dropout?”
“Yea. Never got along well in school.” Chance was reluctant to admit his reading skill was pitiful, so he left it at that.
“Trying for the GED?”
“Yea. Need to get it so I can take some classes at Uni.”
“What you interested in?”
“Photography, mainly. Need to learn how to use Photoshop, too.”
“Good luck getting through the GED, I hear it’s tough to get one.”
“Thanks.” Chance glanced at his watch. “I’ll be upstairs in the office if you need anything.”
“Sure thing. Thanks for lunch by the way.”
“No problem.” Chance said as he left, leaving the temple alcove room and properly leaving the temple before heading back to the office.