Chapter 3

The metallic crashing sound of the trash truck under my window causes me to open my eyes. I wince as the dumpster is dropped back onto the asphault. I take a deep breath and attempt to steel my nerves against standing. I stretch my body with a large yawn and stand with a sigh. I grab my glasses without thought, throw my sleep shorts and t-shirt on, and shuffle across the small hall to the bathroom. I relieve myself with my eyes half-closed. I wash my hands and wipe the water off on the towel hanging on the rack opposite the sink.

Walking out of the hall, and into the living room, I stop dead in my tracks at the figure of someone sleeping on my couch. I blink, frown, and head to the kitchen where I push the button to start my coffee maker. I pull two cups out of my cupboard, and a couple of spoons. I dump two spoonfuls of sugar into my cup and frown, wondering if I should add any to the other cup. I glance to the living room, and shrug, seeing she's not moved.

After what feels like an eternity, the switch on my coffee maker flips, and the pot is finished brewing. I pour some into my cup, and some into the other cup, and grab the half-and-half from the fridge. I pour a generous amount of the creamy liquid into my cup and stir. I take a large drink of the hot liquid and smile as I feel it warm me from the inside.

I pick up the half-and-half and sugar settling them into the crook of my arm before I carefully lift both cups of hot liquid and head to the living room. With a frown, I push stacks of books over on the small side-table and place the cups down, as well as the sugar and half-and-half.

With some glances around and some indecision, I push books over on my heavy wooden coffee table and sit down cross-legged across from the couch. I sip my drink and look around the living room at everything; except the figure sleeping on my only real sitting surface. I raise an eyebrow at the deadbolt still locked on my front door. I take another sip of my half-empty coffee cup and give in to my curiosity.

The figure laying on my couch is breathing slow and steady breaths. I study her face, framed by tight coils of black hair. The intricate coils are uniform and shine with natural health. Her eyebrows are the same dark color as her hair, thin and delicate, and rest in a relaxed sleeping neutral expression above her dark eyelashes.

Her eyes flick open, and our gazes lock. Her eyes are dark and swirling, and I find myself drowning in their unfathomable depths. I am paralyzed in her gaze and find myself unable-or unwilling?- to look away. She blinks, and I break my gaze away from her and blush at having been caught staring at her while she slept.

"Um, I, Uh," I fumble, trying to overcome my twinge of irritation at this unknown woman somehow in my home, without having to be invited. "I made you a cup of coffee. I didn't know if you wanted any half-and-half or sugar, so I didn't add any. Would you like some?" I hold the cup of coffee out to her, and she moves, delicately folding herself into a sitting position. She takes the cup of dark liquid and holds it up to her face. She smells the liquid, and glances at me, holding it out to me. She tilts her head to the side, holding the cup out with both hands.

"Tell me when," I tell her, as I start pouring the half-and-half into her cup. Her eyes widen, and she watches as the half and half swirls into the coffee. I pour until the coffee light and threatening to overflow. I hold up the sugar bowl and pull a spoonful of sugar out of it. I pour two spoons of sugar into the cup, and stir with slow cautious movements, trying not to slosh the liquid onto her lap.

I sip my coffee, and she follows my example, sipping it with closed eyes. We both sit for a moment, content with the quiet exchange. I glance once more to my deadbolted door and chained door and decide that it's time to ask.

"How did you get in my apartment?" I ask. At my voice, she looks up at me, smiles, and takes another sip of her drink. "The deadbolt is locked, and I didn't hear your break-in. I've been in all the rooms this morning, and there are no broken windows. I'm on the fifth floor, so the only open window in my bedroom couldn't have been how you got in. And why did you choose my apartment?" I wait for an answer, and she watches me and sips her coffee.

With a sigh, I stand up and take the half-and-half and sugar back to my kitchen. I place the sugar next to the coffee maker, put the lid back on the sugar dish, and turn to put the half-and-half back away. I drop the half and half as I'm startled by a pair of black eyes right in my face. The woman from the couch had followed me, and I hadn't heard her footsteps. The woman catches the half-and-half mid-air, not letting it spill. She holds it out to me with a smile. I take the half-and-half and step around her to put it into the fridge.

The woman tries to tell me something, but the language she is speaking makes no sense to my ears. I turn to her and watch her speak. Her voice is soft, yet powerful. Much like a rushing spring of snowmelt. I shake my head, trying to dispel the thought and make any sense out of what she's saying.

"Can you speak my language?" I ask her. She tilts her head at me, and I frown. "Well, let's go to the book store then, maybe we can find a dictionary and get communicating," I know she doesn't understand, but I shrug and throw some pants on over my night shorts, and a jacket over my t-shirt, her following close behind me the whole time.

I put my shoes on as we head to the door, and slip my canvas backpack over my shoulder. I unlock the deadbolt and open the door for her to go through I hold it open, and wave my arm out the doorframe. She seems to understand my arm motion at least, and steps beyond the threshold out into the communal hall. I lock the door behind us, and we head to the subway station.