The fog settled thick over the town.

It wasn't troubling to Esra, though he did wear his glasses for good measure. He wouldn't even need to be driving in the misty weather if he had driven straight home from the shop. But, as usual, he had to make some kind of detour. Today, he had the honor of fixing Mrs. McGregore's kitchen pipes. She had stopped him at the grocer's and mentioned that they could use some mending. Naturally, he had to volunteer himself. Normally, Mr. McGregore would take care of the leaky pipes, loose floorboards,or rickety leg chairs. However, Mr. McGregore had passed a year ago, leaving Wilhelmina all to herself. Esra just couldn't imagine short, frail, Wilhelmina on her back, and stuck up in the cabinets. No, that just wouldn't be chivalrous of him. Besides, Wilhelmina was always pleasant, although she did tend to blabber on and on about just about anything. He understood though, being cooped up at home probably had her a little lonesome. That business was done and over with now and he was going home with a fresh plate of homemade cookies. The time was worth it.

Rain was beginning to pelt his windshield and Esra was glad that he was nearly home. But he enjoyed driving. It gave him time to think. Like right now in fact, he was wondering how many supplies he was going to have to order from his vendors. He was running low on screws, nails, and wood glue (kind of important things to have in a hardware store). He would have to stay late tomorrow and do a full inventory and find out just how much of everything had to be ordered. "Otherwise I'm going to be out of commission." He said to himself.

The rain was staring to bear down harder, and after pulling into his driveway, Esra was happy to see his house peeking out at him. The house was small, a little cabin in the woods, still standing despite years of rain, dirt, and snow. He had a yard in the front and back, but apart from the grass, and a used tire, there wasn't anything of interest. There wasn't much to his place, but it was home, and it had been for nearly 6 years.

He parked his beat up, red, rusted pickup truck, and stepped out of the vehicle (cookies in hand), heading to the door. He kicked off his mud caked boots and left them on the front porch before heading inside and out of the rain. He shivered, setting down his dessert and hanging his coat up. Esra flicked on the light, and surveyed his living space. It was just as it always was - sparse, and humble. He walked to the fireplace, and added two fresh logs that he had chopped down not too long ago. He opened the damper, primed the flue, poked and prodded the ash bed. He put down two fresh logs and kindling. Finally he lit the wood and the flame. It started off small, eventually eating the wood. Soon the fire stack was blazing - popping and crackling. Esra dropped down into his old, worn, armchair, and propped his feet on top of a footstool,. He let out a groan, stretching out tight joints and muscles.

"This is the life." He thought, as he thought every night.

This was Esra's daily routine after coming home from work. There was nothing he enjoyed more than a good fire...well maybe perhaps a good woman. However, he would have to be content with a fire. Esra closed his eyes, wanting to void his mind of any and all thoughts. With the heat coming from the fireplace and the lulling sound of rain hitting the windows, Esra soon drew drowsy. His meditation time quickly became nap time. His chin fell to his chest and his breathing deepened and slowed. All was calm and quiet - until a sharp, rapping sound came from the door.

Esra's eyes opened. He had heard the sound, but certain that he had imagined it, let his eyelids touch once more. An even harsher knocking had him jerking fully awake and bounding out of his chair. The knocking continued incessantly and Esra was at the door in no time, curious as to whom could be looking for him. He peered out the peephole and saw someone standing outside on his porch. The face was obscured by the hood that was pulled over the person's head. Esra quirked an eyebrow. This person wasn't recognizable to him and he was certain that he hadn't invited anyone over recently.

Apparently, he was waiting too long because the mysterious figure began walking off the porch. Esra opened the door and called out.

"Hello." He said, confusedly.

The person turned around slowly and stepped forward. The stranger pushed the hood back completely. With the light flooding out onto the porch, he got an unhindered view.

"Are you Esra Asif?" The female said (more like demanded).

Esra was flabbergasted for a moment, but managed to pick his jaw up from off the floor. He looked into the brown eyes that were staring him down.

"That 's me. Who wants to know?" He replied.

"Me. I'm Helen. Helen Brunn." She held out her hand, and Esra automatically took it feeling the rough hand, matching his own calloused one.

"What can I do for you, Ms. Brunn?" Esra questioned, leaning against the frame of his door.

"I'm here because of this."

She ruffled through the messenger bag that was slung across her shoulders. She pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper and smoothed it out to the best of her ability.

"Says here that you're looking for someone to work in your shop. You're willing to offer room and board, too?"

Esra looked at her dumbly until realization hit him. A couple of weeks ago he indeed had put up flyers around in a couple of nearby towns. He had been running the shop all on his lonesome for quite a while, but it was dawning on him that he could use an extra set of eyes and hands to help him with all the duties he was responsible for.

"Have you already filled that position?" She said. Her shoulders slumped and she stood dejected.

Esra cleared his throat.

"No, I haven't...um, no one really took me up on the offer."

"Oh!" She brightened up at that statement. "So, if you're still searching, I'd like to give in my resume and hopefully interview for the position. I know the flyer said to call, but I decided to come in person."

"Ah." Esra began. "Well, um, Helen, I appreciate the time you took to come here and all, but I don't think you're aware of the kind of work I'm expecting to have done."

She quirked an eyebrow at him.

"The flyer says you work at a hardware store. I have worked in a fair share of retail places, and I have tons of experience in money handling."

"That's all well and good but.." Esra scratched the back of his neck, sheepishly. He wasn't sure how to word what he was trying to vocalize. "How does this small young thing expect to work with me?"

"But what? I mean you haven't even allowed me an interview and you're already writing me off? I deserve a chance to say my piece."

"Listen little lady, no need to get your feathers ruffled. You were just not the person I had in mind for this position. I expected well...some other type of person to apply."

"Ah." She gave a humorless chuckle. "Let me guess? 5' 10 or maybe 6' 2"? Brawny and well weathered chump who can brave the wilderness. So, you weren't looking just a qualified individual. No you wanted a man's man, right? Typical." She scoffed.

"That's not really how I would put it."

"Well, then maybe you should have been clearer on your flyer here and stipulated whom exactly you were searching for. Obviously this was a waste of my time." She shook her head, and without another word, turned from him and walked right off the porch and into the rain.

Esra stood up straight and walked off after her, disregarding the fact that he was going to get thoroughly soaked. Though she was a brisk walker, she was no match for his long legs and stride.

"Just hold on one minute." He sputtered, getting in front of her and stopping her in her tracks.

"What?" She spit out.

"You can't just go walking in this. You'll drown. Is there somewhere I can take you?"

"No. I have no business here."

She tried to sidestep him but it was futile.

"Then come on in the house."

"No, thank you. I don't think I have the right genitalia to be staying there."

Esra rolled his eyes. He was going to have to negotiate.

"If I give you an interview, will you come?"

Helen was silent for just a moment, before nodding her head, begrudgingly.

"Okay. Come on now. Lets get out of this mess."

They both scurried out of the yard and up the stairs and into the warmth of the cabin. aEsra closed the door behind him.

"Wait right here." He said to the damsel before heading off to climb up to his second floor. He left her there to inspect her surroundings - a sofa, arm chair, bookshelf, and dilapidated TV (he was lucky to get one channel some days). Moments later he was back down with two large towels that he had taken from his linen closet. Esra held one out for the woman who was currently causing a large puddle to form on his wooden floors. She took the proffered cloth with a thank you. Esra just grunted and began to thoroughly dry himself. When he deemed himself sufficiently patted down, he took both their towels and placed them in front of the fireplace.

"You didn't have any shoes on." Helen remarked.

"Huh?" Esra looked down at his mud covered feet. "No, I didn't. Wouldn't have had to run out there if you hadn't pulled that stunt."

"You didn't have to come after me." She rebutted.

"You obviously ain't from around here. These dirt roads will turn into quick sand on you in minutes. Not gonna have your injury on my conscience. Least you can say is thank you.."

Esra looked at her expectantly and she muttered a soft note of gratitude.

"Follow me." He commanded, and walked over to his kitchen. His kitchen, much like the rest of his house wasn't much. He had all the basics and not much else. He pulled out a chair for his guest and sat down across from her. He got comfortable on the plush chair cover, letting silence draw out before them. He was just inspecting her. She seemed normal enough from the outside - no devil horns or nothing. Nothing stuck out about her, actually. She was sorta plain and normal, like someone who should be graduating and heading off into the real world, and not sequestered here in the woods. "So what is she doing here?"

"Where you from?" He began.

"Here and there." She answered, vaguely.

"Gonna need a little more than that."

"Originally from West Virginia."

"Then how did you end up here in Maine?"

"I like to travel."

"Fair enough. Where have you traveled to?"

"All over the East Coast."

"Don't you go to school?"

"I graduated from high-school, but I dropped out of college during my second year. Been on the road since then."

"Ever plan on going back?"

"No. Not anytime soon. May I ask what this has to do with getting the job?"

"Ever heard of background information? Just trying to make sure you're not some loony on the lamb."

"I'm not." She exclaimed.

"Mmhmm." Esra leaned back in his chair. "So where were you when you found out about this job?"

"I was in two towns over, in Griffin. I used to work all kinds of odd jobs, but I have had some trouble recently. I was living in a shelter and helping out with some tasks to earn my keep. When I saw your flyer, I thought it was a godsend."

"I see. Guess the thought of a room to your own is appealing."

"Yes. And I haven't worked in a hardware store, but I've done most nearly everything. I've been a cashier, a gardener. I've worked on fishing boats and construction sites. You name it, I've probably done it. I've amassed a handful of skills from Virginia to here."

"Goodness. All that, huh?"

"That and more. I am a strong asset. I'm a good worker. I've got recommendations from my past bosses just to prove that. You can call them and everything." She reached into her sack and pulled out a manila folder and placed it on the table.

"That's nice to hear. You do seem like a strong candidate, not that you have any competition."

Despite his approval, Esra scratched at his beard, looking at her perplexed.

"What?" Helen asked, confused by his gaze.

"I mean, you do have a vast number of jobs under your belt, but I question your loyalty to these positions. I mean I don't want to hire you and in three months time I will have to be hanging up new ads."

"I understand your concern. I don't stay in very many places for long, but I can give you a year. You'll have my full allegiance for a year. That I can guarantee."

"And after that?"

"No offense, sir, but I don't intend to remain here for longer than that."

"Fair enough. I don't blame you. I would definitely question your sanity if a young woman like you wanted to make this your home for good."

"What makes you think I'm young?"

"Well, am I wrong?"

"How old do I look?"

"You've got to be 20...21 at the most."

"21 + 3."

"Oh. Told you."

"Ha. And you?."

"Guess?"

She squinted her eyes and assessed him silently. Her steady gaze caused goosebumps all over his skin.

"You're not much older than me. 30 at the most. That's with the beard."

Esra laughed.

"Close. I'm twenty nine. So, the beards adds a year I suppose."

"Score for me." She smiled, warmly. The gesture did her good and Esra had to still himself from telling her to smile more often. Last he needed was to be sued for any sexual harassment.

"Got any contact information?"

"I don't have a cell phone."

"That's why you came in person...how about home phone?"

She shook her head home.

"Family...relatives I can get in contact with?"

"I'm estranged from my family. Just me, myself, and I."

He remained silent as he took in the information. The quiet was deafening and Helen sought to break it.

"Anything else I can answer?"

"Nope. Can't think of much else. Except..."

She cocked her head.

"Answer me this:" He leaned forward, both hands on the table. "What are you running from?"

"Excuse me?"

"Twenty-four-years old? You should be backpacking Europe. Tanning in California. Why come here to Middle-of-no-where, Maine. You're hiding something, and I don't want that trouble brought here."

"I-I'm not running from anything. It's just that...we're born into this world and from birth I'm told to go to school, college, meet a man, get married and bear children. As nice as that all sounds, I just wanted something different."

"So you're searching for something, is it?"

"No. I'm exploring. This way of life isn't for everyone, but it's for me." She said with a shrug.

"Well I believe you. Just...I assume it must've been hard for you as a female..."

"Oh, I see what you're getting at. Yes, I've encountered some unscrupulous individuals, and I've gotten myself in a couple of scrapes. I've always managed to escape intact."

"What's your secret?"

"Don't go out past nine. Avoid alleyways. Never take the same route more than twice."

"Smart."

"Oh, and always carry a knife."

"Always?"

"Always." She said, "So don't try any funny business. I know how to take care of my own."

Esra raised his palms in an act of surrender.

"I would never think of it."

"That's what they all say."

"Promise. My mother raised me better. You will be treated with respect under my roof."

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

"You Ms. Helen Brunn, have got the job. Congratulations."

They shook hands in agreement.

"Great."

"There's just a couple of things that have to be taken care of before I send you on your way."

Esra stood up, opened a cabinet drawer, and took some sheets of paper that he had stapled together.

"You're not the only one prepared." He said, placing the documents on the table.

"What do you got there?"

"A contract that states everything that I can expect from you, and you from me."

"Are you going to give me the run down?"

"Yes. To begin, the first place provides a description of what you're going to be doing, in return for the room you'll be placed in. I open the shop at 8 am. I leave here at, typically, at 6:30 am. So, I will expect you ready to go at 6:30am and work until 5pm, closing. Lunch is at 12pm. You can either eat something of your own, or eat in town. Speaking of meals, it's rare that I cook in the morning and when I do it's nothing more than toast and coffee at the most. So, you'll probably be better off stocking the fridge with your own groceries and preparing food for yourself."

"How do you get your nutrition?"

"Well, I do some odds and ends around for the people in the community and they always cook or bake goods for me. Keeps me fed."

"Thank goodness."

"Yep. You can use the fridge here. Not much space, but there's also a ice box in the cellar if you want to store meats and things. Work is Monday - Saturday. Sundays are off. I'll provide you with a monthly stipend of 150 dollars. Can't spare much else. I will give you the money, cash, the first of every month, so conserve where you can. I make just enough to live on."

"Free living space is compensation enough."

"Glad you think so. Now, with you around, perhaps I'll be making more income. I'm a wood-smith by trade, however I don't get that much time to work on anything since I'm always busy full time at the store. Hopefully, you can man the deck while I'm back doing some orders. Think you can handle it?"

"Shouldn't be a problem. What exactly will I'll be doing?"

"Much of what you mentioned. No fishing, I'm afraid. But, managing the funds, bookkeeping, inventory. Things of that nature. I'll give you more of an orientation tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow?" Helen asked, surprised.

"Tomorrow. Bright and early. No rest for the weary. That won't be a problem will it?"

"No, I'll be fine." She waved a hand, brushing away his question.

"Good. Now, that's it for work. Now, let's talk about home sweet home shall we. The second page of these papers here are basically some house rules that I expect you to obey. Your bedroom and bathroom are your private spaces, however the rest of the house is not. We will be sharing the space. I expect that you take care not to damage or disrespect my living space. If there's an accident that occurs, I can understand. Just treat this home how you would want your home to be treated. You have no curfew so come and go as you like, but please don't go making a ruckus. I would go into more detail, but you can read the rest on your own time."

She nodded her assent.

"Now, last thing: I'll be giving you a set of keys. One goes to the main house, another to the garage. You can store whatever items you want, and there's some useful tools and appliances there. Just don't copy them or give them to anyone else. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Anything that you expect of me? As I said, you will be respected, and I am no slave driver here. I understand if you need a day off or two."

"You're being more than obliging. I don't have anything to bring up. I'll let you know if anything comes up in the future."

"Wonderful. Now, I'll just have you sign the bottom of these pages, stating that you acknowledge what is expected of you."

"It's all so official." She remarked, taking the pen that he held out to her and signing her signature on the sheets.

"I want to be thorough. Never been a landlord before."

"You're doing a good job."

"Good to know."

"All done." She pushed the packet towards him and he took it.

"I'll photocopy this and give you a copy soon. I'll show you to your room. Do you have any luggage you want me to bring up?" Esra stood up from his chair and signaled for Helen to do the same.

"No. I just have the shirts on my back and what I have in my bag."

"Do you need a ride to town tomorrow after work so that you can pick up some things?"

"That would be nice, thank you."

"Alright."

Esra led her up his rickety stairs and up to the second floor hallway. His home wasn't big and that never bothered him before, but for some reason he wished that he had more to his name to show his new housemate. He shook his head, unhappy with his concerns. "She gets a room. That's impressive enough." He said, inwardly. He led her to the door at the end of the hallway. He paused.

"This will be your room. There's a bathroom attached so you'll get all the privacy you desire." He pushed open the door to reveal the decent sized bedroom. It was quaint and cozy; furnished with a twin bed, a desk, chair, and a wardrobe. Apart from a window, nothing adorned the walls. It was a blank canvas.

"It's not much, but you'll be warm in the winter."

"It's perfect." Helen marveled. He looked at her to see if she was joking, but there was a glimmer in her eyes, and Esra realized that she was being heartfelt. It made his worry lessen.

"The bathroom is just through that door. Got a sink, tub, and shower."

"Sounds good."

"Yep. Well, feel free to make this place comfortable. It is your home now, afterall."

"Thank you." She said genuinely, looking up at Esra happily. It was a far cry from the standoffish woman that had been at his doorsteps moments ago.

"You're welcome. Well, I'll leave you to it then. As I said, tomorrow morning at 6:30 sharp. There should be an alarm clock in one of the drawers."

"Thank you."

"Yep. Goodnight, Helen."

"Goodnight, Esra." She said.

He exited the room.

"The day has taken an interesting turn of events." He thought as he made his way to his bedroom for a well needed rest.


Note: So I have chosen Pakistani male model, Abbas Jafri. Half Swedish/ Half African female plus size model, Sabina Karlsson plays Helen. They are very true to the images I have in my head - esp. Helen who is not your stereotypical I have 5' 10", "luscious locks, heaving bosom, supermodel" type that seem to be oh so frequently written about on Wattpad and other fiction sites. She's more relatable. I chose names that (hopefully) pay homage to their ethnic roots.

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