I brush my sleeve across my face, jumping up from the floor and stumbling a little as I glare at the intruder in my new home. I'm disappointed in myself for forgetting he was here, blending into the background like a small chameleon. Hardly giving me a chance to react, he hugs me tightly. "It's okay, don't cry." Pressing my hands against his chest, I push him back in time to see his face lose all color. "I'm fine. Thank you. No need to suffocate me." I stand there, expecting more of his annoyingly bright attitude or his insufferable disregard for personal space, but I receive neither. In fact, he seems frozen to the spot as if he is lost in another world.

Suddenly, he begins to move again after a few minutes of nothing, a broad smile painted across his face as he says something that sounds like he plans to go to the diner for dinner. I can only assume because all of those words escape his mouth at once in a jumble as he moves for the door, swinging it open and running out in a frenzy, leaving confusion in his wake. I peek out of the door, but he's nowhere to be seen. I turn back in, shutting the door behind me and snatching my bags, dragging them up the stairs. 

The master bedroom is so big that I feel empty and misplaced so I opt for one of the smaller bedrooms, choosing the one to the left opposite the two other bedrooms. In this bedroom, the walls are a dark gray, a full sized bed is posted in the corner where a window sets above the side, and a short stack of drawers is on the wall to the left. It is perfect. Dropping all of my stuff to the floor, I pull my favorite bedclothes out and make the bed, falling into the blankets, I bury myself and let the tears fall again, exhaustion taking over.

---

Light is shining through the window and burning my face as I squint, groaning as I stretch. It's finally complete. I step out of bed and pull my socks on, the polished hardwood cool to my feet. As I descend the stairs, I hear clattering in the kitchen. I would be worried or panicked except I have a very good idea of who might be trespassing in my home. 

"Danny! You're awake! I thought today'd be a good day to get started on fixin' this place up. No one's been livin' here for years and years so there's a bit to do."

"Do not call me that. Do not ever call me that." I feel anger already rising in my chest as I watch him dancing around the kitchen, ruining my morning with his awfully fantastic mood. Will I ever get a day to myself?

"I'm sorry, should I just call you Dante, then?"

"How do you even know my name? Have you been studying me or something? Why do you insist on being around me so much?"

I watch him shuffle around, whistling an upbeat tune as he finishes the bacon he's cooking and continues to cook the eggs, the oven beeping as he pulls out a tray of toast. He gracefully transfers everything to the island in front of me, making me realize that I haven't eaten in two days. I begrudgingly build myself a plate and eat until I couldn't possibly take another bite. "Mack told me your name," he mumbles between bites. I make mental note to not trust her with any information as I swallow what last bit of food I have left. "Thank you for making me breakfast, but you don't have to treat me like I'm helpless. I'm quite fine by myself."

I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine. 

It's been my mantra for years. It won't fail me now.

"I don't think you're helpless. You're new in town. You might need a guide to get supplies to fix your house up. Prolly need someone to help you meet the folks in town. Plus, I think it's nice to show you some welcomin'."

I give up arguing with him. I'm stuck with this boy now. Solitude is no longer my goal, just getting him to go home is pushed to the top of my list.

He makes quick work of the dishes, settling everything on a towel as he spins around. " What should we do first?!" It should be a crime to ooze so much excitement at this intensity, but I can't say no to the bright smile that is beaming from his face. I shrug, "I guess we can make a list of things that need to be done to restore this place to it's former glory and take stock of any furniture that needs to be replaced. I have enough in my savings to last a very long time if we budget correctly."

We. I said we. What am I even saying now? I've lost my mind. 

"That's great 'cause I have a list right here!" He drops a folded up sheet of paper on the tabletop, grinning as if he were pleased with himself. 

I open the paper, careful not to tear it as I wonder how long this wrinkled sheet of paper has been crammed in his pocket. I wonder did he wash it in his pants last night or something. When did he have time to make this? As I read through, sure enough, there's everything I mentioned and more on this paper. There's even a small list of parts to repair some of the plumbing and electrical wiring. Getting up from the table, I grab a pen and scribble a few extra things on the list before handing it back. Anthony scans across my extra lines and laughs, "What is this? A box of cookies makes it on the repair list as well? Well, I'll be. If it's a sweet tooth you're looking to satisfy, I have just the place."

He walks me along the road to town, giving me my space, but continuing his talking. He tells me about the history of the town, how to navigate the woods if I ever get lost, and what I might need to know about Eureka Springs to help me thrive. Much to my surprise, he even makes me smile a few times, very much against my will. And as we enter town, I wonder if he's really this nice or if he has something in mind as a form of payment. My mouth runs dry as I feel my palms begin to sweat. I breathe deeply, trying to slow my heart and my mind, focusing instead on all of the information that I might actually need to learn from him.

The more that I walk, the more calm that I feel. And as we approach town, I feel like this is where I'll stay for a long while.

We stop by the hardware store to meet Mr. Guffrees, who gives us almost everything on our list. As I pull out my card to pay, I see Anthony lean forward over the counter and slide cash to the gentleman, smiling his million dollar smile as he says something that I don't quite hear. I try to argue that I'll pay, but Mr. Guffrees refuses to take it back, although I'm sure that what Anthony gave him was hardly half of what our total was. As we walk out, the gentleman smiles and waves, welcoming me to town. Once we make it outside, I glare at Anthony, "What was that about? I had the money to pay for it myself, I told you that!" He only smiles, carting all of the items out of the store as he goes, pulling them in a new wagon that he had added to the ticket without my approval. I can feel my face turn red as I feel the frustration crawling through my gut. "He and I are real great friends. Consider it a welcomin' gift."

He leads us to the next store to pick up the small items to decorate with, filling our basket yet again. As I run to the counter before Anthony can even bring the items to the front, the clerk greets me with a smile, introducing herself as Marianne. Her personality is that of a loving grandmother, from her soft smile and the wrinkles scattered around the edges of her eyes to the way her voice sounds nurturing and kind. "Sweetie, your tab today is clear. You have the pick of the store, sugar." Her kindness is like a wave of comfort, but I feel as if I'm stealing. I insist on paying, but she politely refuses, handing me a phone number to call if I ever need anything. "A friend of Anthony is a friend to me, dear. Don't hesitate to ask for anything." I thank her profusely as I stumble out of the store. 

As soon as we get outside, I stare at Anthony. "What's on your mind, Dann-uh Dante?"

"Why are all of these people treating me like this? What did you do?"

"I didn' do nothing. This is a nice town and you're new. You bought the oldest house in town and you're plannin' on restorin' it. Everyone is excited to see you here."

I don't believe him, but I stumble on. As we make it to the bakery, I run to the counter, quickly ordering a box of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies and paying for them before Anthony has any chance to undermine me. 

"Josh! Sally! How're you doin'?" They both turn their heads as Anthony beams at them and leans against the counter. His casual greeting is lost in the wind as they immediately begin to catch up on current events. 

Everyone here seems to love him. They treat him so kindly that I'm impressed at his reputation and I feel a little less suspicious of his motives. I'm lost in thought until I realize that everyone is eyeing me as if waiting for a response. "I'm sorry . . . I didn't realize . . . " 

"Look, buddy, this boy here is the son of everyone in our town. If I find out you hurt him, it'll be a lot you have to explain to me." The look that this Josh guy is giving me makes me shift in my spot, my tongue glued to the roof of my mouth as Anthony pulls me by my shoulders, crushing me under the weight of his arm as he assures Josh that I've been an amazing host. I feel guilty as I know that may not be entirely true. Sally puts her hand on Josh's shoulder and helps diffuse the situation as Anthony explains we have to leave and I shuffle out with him. 

"Hey, don' mind what he said. He's just a little protective of the people in our town. He's a nice guy, just needs a lil' warmin' up."

I smile somewhat halfhearted as I look at the giant pile of things on the giant wagon that Anthony is effortlessly pulling behind us. There's no way I could pull that. I'm suddenly thankful that he came with me today. I would have had to make so many trips by foot, not to mention how smoothly he helped the shopping go. Just as I'm about to turn to thank him, he mumbles something under his breath. I hardly catch it, but I hear him say thank you. 

"What are you thanking me for?" 

"I know you don' much like me right now and you rather have me gone. I know I'm a nuisance, but I wanna help you."

The guilt that had been pooling in my gut suddenly rises like wildfire and I can hardly say anything. Against all of my better judgement, I reach out and hold his free hand, only panicking after realizing the mistake I've made.