I’m lying on the couch on my PJs. The hot water from the bath helped me relax. But maybe I should cook something. An empty stomach is sure to not lift anyone’s spirit. The doorbell rings. Did Gwyn forget her keys?

Oh, it’s Mike. “Hi.” I let him in.

“Hey Thomas.”

We exchange the usual how you doing and I say, “You’re out of luck. She is not home and I dunno when she’s returning.”

“Do you mind if I wait for her?”

“Be my guest.” He goes to the living room and I to the kitchen. “You had dinner already?”

“Does a bag of chips count?”

Only if you are trying to pass out.

“No. I’m gonna reheat some pasta. Do you prefer red or white sauce?”

“Can I say both?”

I laugh. “Yeah, I prefer rosé too. But Gwyn almost had a fit when I suggested it. Said that is not how you do such thing.”

“You getting along now?”

“Yeah. We talked. I was overreacting. In fact, I think I owe her an apology…”

“I don’t believe she thinks you do.” I sit beside him handing a plate and a fork. “Thanks. You might have started off on the wrong foot, but it was way better than the last roommate.”

“I am a step up? Wow they sound awful.”

Mike has a weak smile. “He was. But not at first, you know. Seemed like a very charming and well-educated med student. Then one day Gwyn got home earlier, he had some friends over and they were talking about her. A disgusting tranny, they said, among other things.” His knuckles are almost white from how hard he clenched his fists.

“That’s just wrong… Did she confront him?”

“Yeah, right there. He tried sugar coating his words, but when she didn’t buy it, his mask fell and he went full phobic… So she broke his nose.”

“What?!” My brows go from frowning to almost above my hairline.

“His friends were not happy and tried to get even, so she broke theirs too. No charges were pressed by neither side, but some rumors spread around campus and no one wanted to share a room with her until now.”

“Thinking about it, you were far too happy when I called.”

“I didn’t want to mislead you, but Gwyn distanced herself from just about anyone after the incident. She felt betrayed and needed to relearn how to trust again.”

“What made you think I was a good option?”

“You seemed more stubborn than her.”

I nod in agreement.

“And it was pretty much my only choice.”

And softly hit my elbow to his ribs for being a smart-ass. We are laughing when the front door opens to let my roommate in. She greets us and sits by the couch, I fetch her some pasta too, and we eat while talking. Mike goes home around nine thirty. The two of us go to the kitchen to clean the dishes.

“Gwyn.”

She looks at me.

“Thank you.”

Then raises an eyebrow to question what for.

“For being my friend.”

“Thank you for being my friend too.” She replies smiling.