Julie stared at the key in my hand, unmoving, not knowing what to do or say. She was overcome by relief, shame, fear, guilt, love, and a dozen other emotions suddenly running through her. Tears came to her eyes as she reached out to take the key from my hand and looked up into my eyes, uncertain if she was actually believing what was happening. The key to solving all her problems, quite literally, lay in the palm of my hand.
I smiled at her as she took the key and held my arms out to her. Julie turned, threw her arms around me and began crying uncontrollably. I didn't think she would have any tears left in her after what she'd been through and I hugged her and caressed her as she cried and emptied her emotions on my shoulder.
After Julie calmed, I reached over to grab a tissue from the box on the table and she dabbed her eyes, looked up at me and sniffed, "I'm so sorry, can you ever forgive me?"
"I wouldn't have given you the key to my apartment if I hadn't forgiven you, Little One," I replied, smiling and stroking her cheek with the back of my hand.
Julie held the key out and looked at it, contemplating whether she should keep it.
"I want to, I really do, but I can't," she finally said, placing the key on the coffee table. "I'm already paying rent and I still have two months left on the lease. I can't stay here."
"Sweetie, you can go back to your apartment if you want," I said, picking up the key and holding it out to her. "To a place you hate, to a place you live in fear. Or you can stay here where you're wanted, where you're safe and comfortable. Don't worry about your lease, or your apartment, we'll work around that."
Julie sat there, looking at the key in my hand and contemplating her decision.
"That key comes with a price," I added.
Julie nodded.
"You share my home, you share my bed, and we share expenses," I said, as she nodded again. "But we are completely open and honest with each other. No secrets, I mean, none. Understand?"
"I promise," Julie smiled, taking the key and putting her hand on top of mine.
I scooted a little closer to her and drew a lock of her hair behind an ear. "And whatever money situation you're in we get it fixed, okay Little One?"
"Lori, I won't be able to pay rent here until my lease is up," Julie said, and looked around my apartment. "And, I'm not sure if I can afford to stay here."
"Pay your rent, then give your landlord 30 days' notice. Don't worry about the rent here for the next couple months, ok?" I smiled. "When my old roommate moved out, I realized I could afford the place by myself, it was tight, but that was months ago. We'll be okay. How much is your rent?"
Julie told me, and I did a quick math calculation. By splitting the rent with me plus her electricity she was actually paying less and was in a much nicer apartment that was cleaner, and safer.
"We can move you out tomorrow if you want and you can move in here," I added, reaching out to stroke her arm.
"Lori," Julie began, and sighed. "One thing I've been thinking a lot about is we're moving really fast. This is a big step."
"I know," I replied, nodding. "I've been thinking about that a lot, too, ever since we met actually."
Julie nodded with a wry smile.
"But I think the past couple days has shown us now that we're moving in the right direction. There's the spare bedroom and you can sleep there if you think that would make you more comfortable, we don't have to rush it. This at least gets you out of that shit hole."
Julie smiled at that.
"To be honest," I continued, stroking her arm and looking in her eyes, "I had a feeling in me from the first time we met that the direction we're going is right.
"Julie, Sweetie, you're a very special person and have come into my life for a very special reason. I may not be sure what that reason is now, but I know I want to explore what we have."
Julie smiled and nodded, closed the key in her fist and reached over to hug me again.
"What are we going to tell people," she asked, kissing my cheek and laying her forehead on mine. "I'm not ashamed of our relationship but this isn't something I want spread to the world. Not right now."
"I know, me either," I said, pressing my forehead against hers. I looked up at her, "People know I have a two-bedroom apartment. They'll find out sooner or later anyway but for right now, as far as anyone knows were just roommates, right?
"My closet is full," I smiled. "All of your stuff will be in the other bedroom anyway, a whole closet and dresser to your own. People who come in here will assume we have separate bedrooms."
"Okay," Julie replied, with a smile. "Lori, I can't help but love this idea, this is more than I thought would happen when we first met"
"Me too," I smiled back at her, stroking her arm. "Is there anything you need from your place tonight? We can make a quick trip over there if you want to."
"No! Please!" Julie exclaimed, and I saw the fear returning to her pretty, brown eyes.
"Hey, okay," I said gently, calming her and stroking her cheek with my thumb. "I'm sure I have anything you would need right here."
"I have nothing to wear and I'm dirty," Julie said in a dejected voice and looking down at her dirty jeans.
"We're the same size, I have clothes you can wear. Are you hungry? Did you have dinner tonight?"