Lesson 26- Always wash your hands after using the bathroom to get rid of yucky germs.

I drop my feet off of my chair so that I can sit properly, no longer feeling comfortable the way I did a second ago. Is that what Torin really thinks? That he OWNS me? I agreed to work for him, I agreed to stay here for HIS peace of mind as well as my own safety. That does not mean that I belong to him!
“Excuse me? What did you just say?” I demand, my tone a warning. Torin freezes and I swear he looks frightened.
“What? No. I didn’t mean it like that. I mean… That came out wrong.” He backtracks, clearly panicking. He’s a lot more expressive when it’s just the two of us. I’m starting to think he holds back a lot around most people, probably because he doesn’t want to risk offending them… Like he just offended me actually.
“You just said you feel like you own me. I’m not your property. I do NOT belong to you.” I state firmly. Torin slumps down in his seat.
“I really didn’t mean that. See this is why I don’t talk to people. I always say the wrong thing. Saying I feel like I own you is wrong. I meant more like you feel like you’re my responsibility. You don’t belong to me, but I feel like you belong HERE. The point is, I don’t feel like you’re intruding on my territory because I’m the one keeping you here.” He reasons. I sigh. I do believe that he didn’t mean anything bad by it. But he needs to be careful what he says. This situation we find ourselves in is balancing on a fine line between protection and prison. We both know that, all it takes is a slight change in attitude from either one of us and I am in a very bad spot. I mean on paper, I saw something I shouldn’t have and now a strange and potentially dangerous man is keeping me locked up, withholding my phone and controlling my life with no end in sight. It sounds REALLY bad. I know that I agreed to it, except for the phone thing, and realistically it only happened because Torin saved my life. But this can’t last forever, The situation is very temporary. Something has to give eventually.
“You should think carefully before you make comments like that. I’m cooperating right now but eventually you are going to have to either let me leave or make me your prisoner for real. I don’t think either of us want that, but it’s inevitable.” I point out quietly. Torin avoids my eyes and clears his throat, but he doesn’t say anything. He might be a scary looking guy, but right now he looks like a kid with his hand caught in a cookie jar. Guilty but also a little defiant. I can tell he isn’t going to give in right now, so I do.
“We don’t need to figure it out right now. I still haven’t worked out who wants to hurt me anyway and I know I’m safer here than at home. But to be clear. I don’t belong to you or anyone other than myself. If you’re comfortable with me being here, then that’s great. But if the reason is because you think you have some kind of claim on me, then you need to rethink that because it is seriously not okay and we are going to have problems if you start thinking that way.” I lecture him. Torin doesn’t answer, but he nods his head and has returned to his usual serious expression so I think he means it, or at least understands my point.
“Alright then.” I nod back at him and let the topic drop.

I spend an hour or so hanging out with Torin. He gives me the tablet again and I do some online shopping and watch videos of people mixing drinks. I end up finding the most over the top ones possible and showing them to Torin. He seems kind of appalled. While I kill time and money, Torin sorts through his papers. I don’t know that he’s actually making any kind of progress though. I swear the room looks messier by the time his phone rings. He answers it, grunts out a response and hangs up.
“Jackson is finished with the bathroom. We need to go check his work.” Torin tells me. I bounce up to my feet, kind of excited. As Torin makes his way around the desk I link my arm with his and ignore how awkward he seems.
“Lead the way.” I declare. He doesn’t argue and leads me out to the hall, it’s a whole ten steps from the office to the bathroom. The hallway is a lot tidier, but I can still see hints of white dust clinging to the edges of the floors and in the cracks of the floorboards. The guys have clearly swept up the mess, but it’s going to need to be full on mopped before it’s totally clean. Probably more than once to be honest. I’m itching to clean up, but I’m also kind of exhausted, I definitely didn’t sleep enough. Jackson steps out of the bathroom.
“Ronny is packing up the van, I just need you to do the final check and then someone needs to sign off on it and we’re good to go.” Jackson says. His tone is cheerful but it seems a little forced and he isn’t making eye contact. Actually, he seems focussed on where Torin and I’s arms are linked. I catch his gaze and roll my eyes. I DO pull away from Torin though. Mostly because I’m eager to check out the bathroom. It’s a lot nicer than it was yesterday. The sink has been moved to one side and a shower has been jammed in. It’s crowded, but tidy. The whole room has been re-tiled with pretty blue tiles and above the tiles the wall has been repainted white. It’s basic, but definitely serviceable.
“It looks good. Is it ready to use?” I ask with a smile. Jackson is standing in the doorway and shakes his head.
“Nah, it needs a few hours for the silicone and stuff to set. Ronny has a bit of magic and did what he could to speed it along, but there’s no substitute for time. You can probably use it in about four hours. Although try to avoid scrubbing at anything or using any harsh cleaning products on it for at least another couple days.” He warns. I nod, disappointed that I can’t try it out now, but relieved I only have to wait a few more hours.
“Is everything acceptable?” Jackson asks Torin. He looks nervous, waiting for his approval. Torin nods.
“Yes.” He answers simply and holds out a handful of cash which Jackson pockets without counting.
“Great, if you can just sign here.” I’m surprised when he offers a clipboard and pen, not to Torin but to me. I make no move to take it and just stare at him in confusion. Why is he giving it to me? Does he want me to hand it to Torin? He’s right next to me, that seems kind of ridiculous.
“Rina? If you could sign please.” Jackson prompts me. Huh? Why would he want ME to be the one who signs for it? I didn’t pay for it. I couldn’t afford something like this anyway. I glance at Torin, expecting him to say something. But he just nods and gestures for me to sign. With a furrowed brow, I take the clipboard and read over what it says. It basically just sums up the work that was done and the payment given (a horrifyingly huge number) then has a statement that all work was completed and payment was received. Jackson has already signed under his spot. I’m supposed to sign under the customer’s spot. Well… I suppose it doesn’t matter. I scribble my name and hand it back to him. Jackson grins.
“Perfect.” He announces. Torin grunts his approval and heads back to his office.
“I’ll walk you out.” I offer and Jackson gives me a warm smile.
“Thanks hon.” He gives me a curious look.
“You and the demon seem… Friendly.” He comments. I raise an eyebrow.
“And what’s wrong with me being friends with Torin?” I ask. Jackson sighs.
“It just seems a little odd.” He answers, clearly reluctant to say more and make me lecture him again.
“He’s really not as scary as you think. I mean, would a scary, evil demon go out of his way to rush order a full bathroom renovation for what is essentially an inconvenient and unwanted houseguest. I saw what it cost and he didn’t cheap out on it.” I point out. Jackson scoffs.
“The ability to throw money at a problem doesn’t make someone a good person.” He argues.
“Neither does sticking your nose into other people’s business but that isn’t stopping you.” I accuse.