Chapter 90: Visiting the Old Man

Stacy stepped into the room. It was no different than the one she stayed in. Even the furniture setting was similar, one bed and a table beside it. She might think that it was her room if someone brought her over blind folded.

The resident sat on the bed. He was leaning against the headboard with his arms folded and eyes closed. “You are especially quiet today,”  he said, eyes still closed.

“I bring dinner,” Stacy’s voice jolted him from his resting position. His eyes shot open immediately, obviously didn’t anticipate her visit.

“Who do you think it is?” She said as she placed a plate on the table. Without waiting for his response, she sat on the floor and started eating.

“Why are you on the floor?” The man narrowed his eyes on her. “I sit wherever I want,” she replied nonchalantly, “don’t fret. Just stay where you are.”

The room was quiet as she chewed on her food. Hank remained quiet as he watched her from his position on the bed. “Who were you expecting?” She asked again when he didn’t answer her previous question.

“No one,” the man replied. His eyes were still on her. “Only those two were allowed to enter anyway.” She hummed. “Chad and Zalen,” she confirmed.

“Wonder how you could be a gang leader when you are so laid-back,” she started judging him openly, “if it was an enemy walking in the door a moment ago, you might be gone by now.” She shook her head disapprovingly.

“I was supposed to die weeks ago when you pointed a knife at me,” his voice was calm, as if he was discussing the weather. “I did that?” She mumbled, loud enough for him to hear. “Whatever. Maybe I really wished you dead,” she concluded.

Suddenly, she placed the plate she had been holding on the floor beside her. Folding her arms in front of her, she looked up at him. “If it’s so, then I’m the only one allowed to end you. Be more alert from now on. Don’t die before I decide that it’s time,” she narrowed her eyes on him. “Alright,” he agreed readily.

“Why is it you who brought dinner today?” He changed the topic. “Disappointed?” She flashed a crooked smile at the man.

“You know it’s the opposite,” the man remained calm even when she openly challenged him. She shrugged and focused back on her food. “If you don’t start eating, you won’t have dinner tonight,” she said as she scooped another spoonful of rice from her plate. The man remained unmoving.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You’re controlling,” he commented. “No, I’m simply hungry,” she responded without missing a beat. “You can have my share,” he didn’t even hesitate. She was fast to hit the ball back. “Just shut up and eat.” His brow raised. “See, you’re bossy,” he smiled.

She took a quick glance at him before turning her attention back to the plate in front of her. “You’re enjoying this.” The comment only made his smile wider. “Yes, I am.”

A pause. “It’s the first time my daughter visits this old man.”

“Don’t be delusional. You’re not even forty,” she shot back. “It’s true,” he said, still smiling. “Must be the town. Everyone here seems to be older than their actual age.”

“Is that why you meditate in this hole everyday like an old monk?”

“I’ve been leading for longer than I wish,” he said, “it’s time to step down and let you youngsters take over.” She gave him a kind of look before shaking her head.

“I’m happy as long as I know you are well. The rest isn’t important anymore.”

She paused. “What makes you take up the role as a leader?”

“Someone has to do it,” he said as he leaned back against the headboard. “Without a leader, the community will be in chaos.” There was a pause as she took in his response. “So there was no other leader material during that time,” she concluded.

He shook his head. “There was. But if we were to live with a leader with pure evil intention, it might as well be me.”

She shot him a smirk. “It’s mind-blowing what your conscience allows you to say.”

“I know I’m not the best leader,” his tone softened, “but I tried my best to choose the lesser between two evils.”

“I bet you do,” she said. He studied her expression carefully, trying to figure out what she really meant or felt. However, he found no hatred nor understanding. It was more like a nonchalant acceptance of his explanation.

“You’re not fasting, are you?” She scooped up her last grain of rice. “You can have it. I’m used to not eating,” he took the plate from the table and handed it to her.

She eyed the plate in his hand like it was poisoned. “If you don’t need food, then I won’t bring them in the future,” she folded her arms. “It’s better to eat in the kitchen. There was more food and I didn't have to carry these all the way here.”

He paused. She continued staring at him. After a few beats, he pulled the plate back to himself. “Thanks for the food,” he said before taking two big bites.

“You look much more like a human now,” she smiled triumphantly. “You are exactly like your mother,” he shook his head. “Glad to know,” she deadpanned.

“Does Chad know you’re here?” He asked as he chewed on his food. “Maybe,” she shrugged. His eyes widened slightly but he continued eating. “News travels fast in this small community,” she added. “He wasn’t involved with the decision of you coming to see me?” Hank looked like he couldn’t comprehend the new information.

“It’s not a big deal,” she shrugged it off, “I do whatever I want.”

That made him smile. “Wonder where you get that attitude from.”

“From you, obviously,” she leaned back against the wall behind her as she eyed him judgingly. “Maybe,” he said, still chewing on his food.

“It’s delicious, isn’t it?” She sounded unusually proud. “Did you make this?”

“No, a drunken man made this,” she couldn’t stop smiling as she was reminded of the scene. Hank hummed and continued eating. “This is really good,” he said.

“The best food I’ve ever had in years.”