As I peel out of my filthy work clothes Heather draws me that promised bath. After dumping my clothes into the basket I slip into the bathrobe she’d lent me and head back out to the washroom. There I find the room steamy, the moist air smelling like a flowery meadow, with the tub slowly filling. Puffy mounds of cloud like bubbles grow with the rising water. From where I am standing just outside the door I could look into the kit where Heather was standing at the open fridge p what she was going to do for dinner.

  Wheches me looking she smiles. “Mmm. I finally found something yummy.”

  “What?”

  “You!” She chuckles with a wink. “A tasty snack if I ever saw one. Hey. Omelets okay with you?”

  “Uh, yeah. That sounds perfect.”

  “Omelets it is.”

  “Good.” I stand there a sed trying to think of something clever to say back to her, instead I just blunder into saying. “I, um, I think you’re yummy too Heather.”

  She ughs and waves for me to get into the washroom. “Oh, I know you do. I told ya. No more honey!” She giggles. “You’re sweet enough just as you are. Now get in there and close the door before we steam up the whole house.”

  “Uh, yeah. Of course.” I step into the washroom and close the door behind me.

  Fuck. I’d never had much ‘game’ with the women but with a cssy older dy like Heather I felt like an awkward fug virgin all ain. I think you’re yummy? Yeesh! Not only was it painfully me she hadn’t even heard it the way I meant it. To her it sounded as if I was begging for more honey, which I promised her I wouldn’t. With a sigh I pull off the robe and hang it on the back of the door. After a couple more mihe bath is at the perfect level so I turn off the tap and step into the tub.

  “Ohhhh.” I groan as I slowly lower myself into the hot bath. The envelopi of the water soothed my weary muscles like few other things could. Slumping down low in the big tub so that just my head, ned the tops of my shoulders were peeking out of the suds I settle in food long soak. Gradually I feel a subtle yet unmistakable sensation e alive ay submerged flesh. It wasn’t a tingle or a tickle but a sort of pleasant glow, sort of an anti-numbhat was impossible to describe. It wasn’t nearly as pronounced as when I ate it, in fact it would have been easy to miss had I not been mindful of it, but the unique effects of Heather’s honey were clear to feel now that I knew what to feel for. “Oh, that’s nice.”

  I’d only been soaking a couple of minutes when I a light knoes to the door.

  “Are you safely under your bubbles?” es Heather’s voice from through the door.

  “Yes, Ma’am.” I chuckle as the door creaks open and she peeks through. “Though you’ve seen it all before.”

  She grins. “I suppose I have.” Stepping through she quickly closes the door behind her so as not to let in the cool outside air. In her left hand she carried a rge shopping bag which she sets down beside her as she es to sit on the seat of the toilet. The way the tub and the toilet sat meant that she could look down on me face to face. “Don’t you look cozy.”

  “Ohhh! I think I might be in heaven.” I sink a tiny bit lower. “Mmmmm.”

  This gets a little ugh out of her. Leaning in she lightly pets my dusty hair. “My little workin man.” Before I could reply she turns to open the bag at her side. From it she pulls a box. “I got you some gloves and proper work boots like I said.” Opening the box she pulls out a heavy soled browher work boot. “The salesperson said these were the best that they had.” Setting it on her p she runs her hand across the rugged leather, her firag the stitches. “They were a bit pricey but I thought you should have the best. Breathable but moisture resistant, good aability, steel reinforced arch support and good quality leather. Ohey’re broken in I guess you’ll never find more fy boot, and they’ll st you for a few years even if you work them pretty hard. Your feet deserve to be fortable and protected.”

  My smile fades as I stare at the boot.

  “I got a nine and a half, just like you said. They had a wide version but I didn’t think you’d hat. I hope they fit okay.’

  “Heather…I…”

  “What’s wrong, Elliot? Don’t you like them?”

  “They’re great but, um, Heather…” I sit up to look at the boot more closely. It was easy to see the quality that she spoke of. These were ment store brand footwear. “I wish you hadn’t of.”

  “What?”

  “They’re too much.” I say, looking up at her. “You didn’t o spend this on me.”

  “I didn’t spend a thing that I won’t get back.” She sets the boot down beside her then pces her hand on my chest aly pushes me back ying against the back of the tub again. “You don’t have to pay me all at once. Whatever you spare until they’re paid off would be fihis is not charity, Elliot. It is an iment.” She rubs my chest. “I think it’s an iment worth making.”

  “I’ll give you my first check.” I say. “Whatever it is, you have it. It’s yours. For the boots and…everything.”

  “And how are you going to get back to your feet if yiving all your moo me? Hm?”

  “I…I don’t know. I’ll manage.”

  Sitting back up but scoog forward to remain close she offers me her hand. From the water my suds covered hand rises to take hers. “You would really give me every dime you make?”

  “Everything!” I say as I squeeze her hand. “Everything I earn.”

  “I’ve heard this before, Elliot.” She says in a soft bittersweet tone. “I’ve had a man give me everything he had. And now I don’t have him anymore.” Squeezing my hand back she leans clazing into my eyes. “Elliot, I need you to protect yourself. Okay, baby? I hat from you more than anything. If you ’t look after your heart yoing to have to go.” She tilts her head, a smile pying at the edges of her full lips. “And I’d like to keep you around here for a little bit longer, if that’s okay with you.”

  “I don’t…uand.”

  “I think you do.” Her other hand slowly bs through my hair. “I talked to Lily about you today.”

  “Oh?”

  “She’s worried about me. And you too.” She says. “She’s worried that we might fall in love.” She chuckles softly. “She’s a silly girl sometimes.”

  “Yeah. Silly.” I whisper, mesmerized by her brown eyes and teouch. I bring my other hand up to hold hers in both of mine. “Um, why is that silly?”

  She ughs a warm, motherly ugh. “You are a silly boy if you have to ask that.”

  “But…”

  “No more hoalk, now. Okay?”

  “It’s not hoalk!”

  “Elliot.” She whispers. “Please.” Sliding from the seat she settles down onto the bath mat, her side pressed against the tub as she lets me tio hold her hand as she tio pet my hair and gaze into my eyes. “Tell me about your day?”

  I wao push the point. I wao say so much to her. But there was something ione, something pleading and vulnerable, that warned me not to press this right now. Heather was one for the hoy so when she said that I would ‘have to go’ if I didn’t guard my heart I believed her.

  I sigh and rex an inch deeper into the water then tell her all about my day. I tell her about the grueling work, the gruff orders, the heat, the dust, the bawdy bahe teasing, and finally how I felt that I might just have gained a bit of respect by the end of the day. With great i she devours my every word with the st bit bringing another smile to her beautiful face.

  “Respect is earned.” She says. “There’s no other way. You didn’t quit and you did your best, they could see that. You did that. You should be very proud of yourself, Elliot.”

  “Thank you.” I say softly. “Um…are…are you proud of me, Heather?”

  She chuckles then leans close to kiss my head and hug it to her bosom. “Yes, baby. I am SO proud of you.” Pulling her hand from mine she reaches ae to grab a bar of soap. Turning to face the tub she rises to a full kneeling position and grabs a cloth with the other hand. The soap and cloth she dips into the water then starts to rub them together. The hing I knew she was ing my grimy face with the soapy cloth.

  “Um?”

  “Shhh.” She calms me with a soft swipe ay cheek. “Tell me more about your first day at work. I want to hear everything.”