They sat in the coffee shop by the entrance door, shielded from the view of the servers and other patrons by the garbage and tray return bin. The bundle buggy was nestled by the table. Victoria surreptitiously slipped small bits of sausage roll to the opening of the blanket at the top of the buggy. Eager licks and a pair of sparkling brown eyes greeted each hand movement. Victoria enjoyed the attention. A raspy cough drew her awareness to the old man. His hands cradled the mug of hot coffee. "Thank you for your kindness. Panda and I appreciate your generosity. We were getting a little cold and..." his voice trailed off. He looked down and bit his lip. He was dressed in a faded red parka and his red toque lay on the table by his coffee cup. White hair tied back in a pony tale and a neatly trimmed white beard shaped his ruddy face. He pursed his lips into a tense smile. "We've been down on our luck the past little while. Panda and I really appreciate your kindness." He reached out and gently touched her hand as it returned from the corner of the buggy to the almost empty sausage roll plate. The contact sent a shiver through her body. "My name is Kristoff, but most people just call me Kris and you have met Panda." A friendly smile now spread across his face. It warmed her spirit.
"I'm Victoria, but everyone around here just calls me Vicki." Over an hour of conversation followed supplemented by another round of coffee and sausage rolls. When they left the coffee shop, frozen sleet covered the sidewalks. Vicki's spike heeled boots were not designed for those conditions. Kris offered to walk her home. Together they gingerly covered the short distance to her three-storey apartment building. In the foyer, Kris held her large purse while Vicki's cold fingers fumbled with her keys. A blast of wind and sleet against the doors brought an invitation for Kris and Panda to sleep on Vicki's couch. Kris pointed to the signs in the window, "No Solicitors and No Dogs." Vicki just shrugged and pulled the shopping buggy into the lobby while Kris took Panda back out into the blustery winter night to do her business. When he returned to the lobby, Kris found Vicki in a strained conversation with a short, austere woman, who turned out to be the building superintendent.
"I don't give a damn what the weather is like, Ms McCarthy, you know the rules. No dogs allowed!" However, before the conversation could continue, the lights flickered and then went out. "Shit! This is all I need right now! I don't even have a flashlight. How am I to..." sputtered the older woman.
"No worry, ma'am, I have a couple right here in my buggy," came Kris' quick reply. Through the darkness, came the sound of a crinkling garbage bag. After some rummaging, two white beams illuminated the lobby. Kris gently took the older woman by the arm and steered her down the hall. "Vicki and I will guide you back to your apartment." Vicki followed behind pulling the buggy and cradling the dog under her arm. She was amazed at how the crusty demeanor of Mrs. Stultz evaporated in the presence of Kris. At her door, he said softly, "Keep the light. You can give it back another time." As he closed the door behind her, he whispered, "Be safe, and sleep tight."
In the candle lit apartment, Vicki converted the sofa into a bed for Kris and Panda. As she did, she marveled at how clean and tidy the two were, compared to others who lived on the street. While Kris' clothes were not new, neither were they stained or torn. She felt his presence close to her. Vicki straightened, turned, and his hand brushed against her cheek. "You are a gentle angel," he mused. Vicki enjoyed the touch and kissed his finger.
The hot water of the shower beat against her buttocks. Kris' fingers, as they massaged her back, only increased the sensuous, tingling feeling. In the candlelight, he looked handsome and she enjoyed the sensation of his body against hers. While she could not really determine his age, Kris' was older than most of her clients. Yet, he awakened feelings within her that few others had. Vicki nuzzled against his wet chest. Her tongue traced aimless patterns while her fingers ran up and down his crack. His hardness pressed against her stomach.
