I knew that word meant no. I’d heard it on some movie. He wasn’t very forthcoming, but then again, I wasn’t here for him to open up to. I felt myself burning up, knowing he was looking at me, yet I didn’t want to meet his intense gaze. Instead, I stood slowly, moving my chair back. “I’ll take these to the sink.” I smiled. “You cooked. The least I can do is clean.” Before he could protest, I quickly took his bowl and walked around the counter. I started rinsing the bowls and pan when I noticed Mr. Hail standing opposite me, watching.

“At least you have a dishwasher,” I said, opening said machine to pile the things in. “I don’t have one in the unit I live in. I wash everything by hand. Not that I mind, it gives me time to think and go over things I’d learned in college that day.”

“What you study?”

Gosh, I loved his accent. “What” sounded like it started with a v instead of a w. But shit, I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to talk about myself—my real life—or make something up. If I did make one up, would I remember what I told him if I came back?

Stuff it. I had to go with the truth. He knew me as Ben anyway, so it wasn’t like he could look me up. “I’m studying medicine. I’m training to be a doctor.” His reply was to hum under his breath. Of course I went on. “It’s hard, but I know it’ll be worth it in the end.”

I picked up a sponge and wiped down the counter. I placed the sponge on the edge of the sink and grinned over at Mr. Hail. “All clean.” What did we do now? I wanted to ask, but I planned to keep my lips sealed this time to see if Mr. Hail said anything.

And he did. “You play chess?”

“I do, Mr. Hail. I’m a master at it, so be ready for me to kick your butt.”

His lips twitched. “We will see.” He turned and ordered over his shoulder. “Come.”

I followed him into the living room, where a chess set sat on the coffee table in the middle of the room. Mr. Hail sat on the couch, and I moved around to the other side. I took off my jacket, placed it on the sofa behind me, and rolled up my sleeves before sitting on the floor instead of the couch. There was just enough room for me. Mr. Hail watched me, something he seemed to like to do. I glanced away and took in the massive television mounted on the wall to my left. Then the bookcases on either side of the screen. There were many books, and I had an urge to see what the man read but didn’t.