IS THAT YOU UNIVERSE?

Rainbow.

Mama's wise words echoed in my mind: "The universe sends us exactly what we're ready for, at the exact time we need it." I sighed, feeling the weight of the weekend's events bearing down on me. A break - that's what I yearned for. A reprieve from the turmoil, a chance to catch my breath, and reassess the shattered remnants of my life.

God knows I needed one. The chaos, the pain, the unrelenting storm raging within me - it all cried out for a moment's peace.

Ben remained elusive, a ghost confined to his office. I waited patiently, or so it seemed, for half the day, but he refused to emerge. Not even the call of nature or the allure of a midday nap could coax him out. I realized that hunger would eventually get the better of him, and I needed to talk to him.

With a sly smile, I retreated from the kitchen, watching from a distance. It wasn't long before Ben seized the opportunity, sneaking into the kitchen to grab a bite. I stifled a chuckle, amused by his covert operation.

Some things never change, and Ben's clumsiness is one of them. I recalled the time he tried to sneak up on me, leaving a trail of chaos in his wake. His enthusiastic "Boo!" was met with a feigned shriek, hiding the fact that I'd known he was there all along. His beaming pride in finally scaring me was too endearing to shatter.

Lost in the nostalgia, I stood in the grocery store parking lot, a foolish grin plastered on my face. The voice of a stranger broke the spell. "Howdy neighbor? You doing alright there?" I jumped, releasing a startled yelp as the bag of fruits slipped from my grasp.

"Shit!" Muttering a frustrated curse, I chased after the runaway fruits, watching in dismay as they rolled away with alarming speed as if fleeing from a catastrophe. The absurdity struck me: even the fruits couldn't stand the sight of me!

As I scrambled to gather the scattered produce, I lifted my gaze to confront the unsuspecting culprit responsible for the mayhem.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry I startled you," he said, his eyes filled with genuine remorse. "If I'd known you were lost in thought, I would've approached you differently." I accepted the fruits he offered, his hands briefly touching mine.

"Don't worry about it," I replied, my gaze drifting over his features, searching for a spark of recognition. But his face remained a puzzle, and I asked, "Do I know you?"

He chuckled nervously, his eyes darting away before returning to mine. "Yes, and no. Not really," he said, his words dripping with ambiguity. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his enigmatic response, and he continued, his voice weaving a trail of curiosity.

"I've seen you around, maybe waved a couple of times, but we've never officially met," he said, extending his hand. "I'm Hunter Riggs, your new neighbor. Nice to meet you."

Something shifted, and the puzzle pieces fell into place. Ah, yes! This was the mysterious man who'd been waving at me from the old building next door. But...he looked completely different without his beard. The rough, intimidating edge had vanished, revealing a surprisingly handsome face. I couldn't help but think, Damn, he cleans up well.

My eyes widened in alarm as I asked, "Are you following me?" Hunter's response was a low, smooth laugh that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Nah, I was just grabbing some food supplies and saw you lost in thought, smiling at your trunk. Figured it was a good time to introduce myself, neighborly and all."

I eyed him warily, suspicion simmering beneath the surface. Why now? He'd been watching me for two weeks, and suddenly, he wanted to talk. As if he'd tuned into my thoughts, he provided an unsettling answer: "I've been seeing you since I got back." Got back? The phrase hung in the air, heavy with implication, leaving me wondering what he meant – and what he wanted.

Hunter's enigmatic words left me with more questions. "Got back"? From where? A trip? An adventure? His cryptic response only deepened the mystery.

He turned to leave, but not before dropping another hint. "You've got that look, so...yeah, I kept my distance." I felt a surge of curiosity, but before I could ask, he was walking away, inviting me to visit him for tea or a drink.

As I watched him disappear, I couldn't help but wonder: what kind of look? Do I have a look? I shook my head, chuckling wryly. Who cares what he thinks, anyway?

Yesterday, I thought he was just a vagabond, a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows. But today, he'd transformed into a perceptive stranger, leaving me unsettled.

I tossed the bag of fruits into the trunk and slid into the driver's seat, pushing aside thoughts of Hunter's enigmatic words. I had more pressing concerns – the unfinished chores waiting for me at home. I needed to focus on those before Ben returned.

As I started the engine, I couldn't help but scoff at the memory of Hunter's name. What kind of parent names their child Hunter? It sounded like a name from a bad action movie.