Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
“You are very welcome,” Malachi said, somewhat perplexed by such an exuberant response. He felt like something was going on in Mr Berry’s head. He just wasn’t sure what.
Mr Berry wasn’t behaving like a man with prejudices against sirens. Perhaps it was just human or city manners that Malachi still hadn’t grown fully accustomed to. Malachi stared at their joined hands.
When was the last time someone touched me?
The air left his lungs as the question hit Malachi in the chest.
Not since I left the ocean. Not since Forathia.
Had it really been so long? Malachi stepped back, and Mr Berry released his hand. In the store it was never required to physically touch customers. Had he really gone over ten years without touching someone?
He felt a sudden urge to wrap his arms around himself. But he could not do that with a customer present. “Well, goodbye, Mr Berry. I will see you tomorrow.”
Mr Berry hesitated. “Goodbye.” Then he turned to the door and took three steps. And stopped.
He took a deep breath. His shoulders rose and straightened. He turned back and faced Malachi, his mouth set. Mr Berry took a step towards him.
“Mr Marin, do you have an interest in going to the Christmas markets?” Mr Berry asked.
Malachi blinked, confused at the unexpected question.
He had no idea why Mr Berry had a sudden curiosity as to whether Malachi had an interest in going to the Christmas markets. Why would he care about such a thing? And why would he ask so abruptly?
“Honestly, no. Not really,” Malachi said.
Mr Berry’s smile faltered. His hands dropped. “Oh.” His gaze fell. “I see.”
The poor boy looked as though Malachi had verbally insulted him.
What did I say?
Why did it matter to Mr Berry if Malachi had an interest in visiting the Christmas markets or not? After all, it had no impact on Mr Berry whatsoever.
Perhaps Mr Berry really loved them and hated the idea that others didn’t. He did work at the Christmas markets. Perhaps he felt a strange loyalty to them. Or perhaps he had been employed to promote them.
Still, Mr Berry’s dejected response really seemed an overreaction.
Wanting to calm the overwrought young man, Malachi tried to explain. “The idea just has no real appeal to me.”
Christmas markets seemed so full of light and life. And people. So many people. Malachi wasn’t a fan of crowds. He’d never been. And his grief had not made him more so. Individuals like Malachi didn’t belong at Christmas markets. “I just cannot imagine enjoying myself in such a situation.”
Mr Berry’s whole body seemed to curl in on itself. “I see.” He took a step back. And then another. He blinked rapidly.
“I’m a…sorry,” Malachi said even though he did not understand Mr Berry’s perplexing behaviour.
“No. It’s fine. You’re just being honest.” He gave a weak, strained laugh. He lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry for inviting you. Of course you wouldn’t want to go to the Christmas markets with me?”
Then he turned and dashed to the door. He shoved it open and ran out into the darkness, as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.
Malachi stared at the closed door.
“Inviting you”? Had Mr Berry been inviting him to go to the Christmas markets with Mr Berry?
Cold realisation washed over him. “What?”
He thought over the interaction, of Mr Berry asking if Malachi had an interest in going to the Christmas markets. But it hadn’t been clear that he was inviting Malachi to go with him!
Had it? He’d not explicitly stated it, at least. But clearly Mr Berry had meant to imply they go together.
And Malachi had turned him down. Bluntly. “Oh no.”
But he’d thought he was being asked if he wanted to go to the Christmas markets in general! He’d not thought for a second that the young man would be suggesting they go together!
After all, why would Mr Berry want to go to the Christmas markets with Malachi? Malachi was boring. He spent all his time in the Aquatic Horticultural Emporium, except for when he went to the lake. He wasn’t fit for company.
But then he thought through all their interactions. Of Mr Berry’s blushes. His fumbling nervousness. His somewhat clumsy behaviour. The way he stammered and stuttered and got confused when he spoke.
Perhaps the young man didn’t make friends easily. Perhaps he struggled to fit in. Perhaps he was just as friendless and lonely as Malachi. And today Mr Berry had extended the offer of friendship to Malachi.
And Malachi had rudely refused him.
“The idea just has no real appeal to me. I just cannot imagine enjoying myself in such a situation.”
Malachi took off his glasses and rubbed at his temples. “Aylla!” he cursed, using the goddess of the sea’s name.
The poor young man. No wonder he looked so upset.
Malachi walked to the door and opened it. He stepped out onto the sidewalk. He looked around. But of course Mr Berry was nowhere to be seen. He’d probably sprinted off as soon as he got outside, desperate to be away from Malachi and his cruel rejection.
He’d have to wait until tomorrow to see him again and to try to fix things. But would he come back tomorrow to get the elothea seeds? Or had Malachi scared him off so badly that he’d ask one of his siblings to come instead?
Malachi would have to wait until tomorrow to find out.