I Got A Roommate
By: Larry Nowicki
Tags: Hope, Short Story, Giving, Home, Fiction

How did this happen

Photo by Misty Ladd on Unsplash

A couple of weeks had gone by and Joe hadn’t really paid attention to whether or not he had any more of those dreams. When it was coming towards the end of the month again, that time when the gathering happened. There were no clairvoyant messages. No dreams of the upcoming gathering. The anticipation of something coming was starting to get to him. There seems to be a pattern. The full moon. The next one was coming soon. New paragraph

Joe just figured you would show up at the place. He gathered his stuff for the outing and figured he would just spend the night.

After getting there and setting up his camp he prepared for the night. He started a fire and set back for a relaxing wait.

As darkness dropped there were still no visitors. No one came. No one showed up. He had already planned to spend the night so that’s what he decided to do.

In the darkness next to the fire he prepared a simple meal. After finishing he cleaned his mess and settled in. He figured he’d sleep early.

He always prepared for his night sleep with a ritual where he would ask questions in his mind for what he was trying to figure out. He said in his mind that he was wondering why no one showed. Was there supposed to be a gathering and he just didn’t or wasn’t informed.

He tried to send out a message is anyone coming. Then relaxed and went to sleep.

He woke just before Dawn and noticed someone sitting by the fire. The fire was almost out. Silently he got up, gathered some kindling, and added it to the fire.

As the flames caught and brightened the area he realized the figure was Hope.

He turned to her and said Was there not a gathering this full moon?

She replied We don’t do one every full moon. Usually every change of season. And sometimes when we need to get together. Sometimes if someone has a problem we need to fix it.

I didn’t get any messages or dreams so I figured I just show up just in case. How are you doing?

Not so good. Haven’t really been getting along with my parents or siblings. They have no idea what’s going on. I’m just trying to figure out a way out.

Out of their house or out of the situation you’re in.

I asked for this situation. I’m trying to get out of my house without any hard feelings.

Where are you going to go?

I don’t know. I have no plans. I have no place of my own.

Joe thought for a moment. I live alone and there’s plenty of room in my place if you’re interested.

That would be great but what do I tell my parents?

How do I get out? What should I say? I don’t want them to think I’m ungrateful for all they have done for me.

Tell him you found a new job and you’re moving to another town.

I wasn’t working so how could it be a new job.

Tell them you found a job you would like and there’s a place to stay there.

That might work. They know I’m not happy with their religion and that I’m searching for one that fits me. I will tell them that I found an occult gift shop online. In one of their posts, they are asking to hire someone. Someone who is interested in many religions and will not have a problem promoting any of them. They might think I would fit in there.

I’ll have to think about it but staying at your place does sound interesting.

It’s settled. We’ll figure it out. I’m starting to get hungry. I bought some stuff for breakfast. Would you like some?

Sure.

How did you know I would be here?

I felt that something was troubling you and that we needed to talk. I hoped you would be here. It’s a two-day bus drive to get here and I didn’t want to come for nothing. I’m glad you’re here.

What about the others. Are they coming?

No! I did not intend for them to be here so I did not summon them. This is something we should talk about alone. It might have to do with them in the end but for now, it’s just us.

They sat in silence while they finished eating. Joe started to clean up.

Hope said. I’ll do that. You gather the things so we can get out of here.

Joe asked What is your hurry? Is there somewhere you have to be?

The bus station. My parents will start to worry if I’m gone too long.

We don’t have to hurry. I can take you.

I’m not sure I’m ready for them to meet you.

That is OK. I’ll drop you at the bus stop in your town.

What about your job? It will take time to get there and back.

I got some personal time coming. This is getting personal. I’m liking hanging around with you. I could get used to it.

They finished packing up and headed to Joe’s car. Hope lived two states away. The drive didn’t seem that long. They talked and sang songs on the radio. It was strange how great they got along. Almost as if they had been friends for a long time. As if they had known each other before.

When Joe dropped her off at the bus stop he said Stay in touch. She nodded yes. I’ll see you soon and with that, she turned and went on her way.

On the drive home, the only thing he could think about was how this was going to change his life. When he parked in front of his house a thought came into his head.

This is a nice house. We will do good here.

It had to be Hope. She was letting me know we were going to be OK.

As he went in he thought, This will work.