The Stranger Who Became My Guardian

The world outside was a blur as I stared blankly at the grayness of the cityscape, my mind consumed by the memory of her. Not so much her as the bright white stick she had been holding out in front of her, the determination in her gait as she navigated the crowded sidewalk. It was as if she had been oblivious to the chaos around her, focused solely on her destination. And then, in a moment of sheer brutality, the world had changed. A careless shove, a loss of balance, and she had fallen, her stick flying from her grasp.

I recalled the sensation of my heart racing as I watched her struggle to her feet, her hand patting the ground around her as if searching for something. It was a gesture of desperation, of vulnerability, and it had struck a chord within me. I couldn’t explain why, but I had felt a sudden urge to protect her, to shield her from the cruel indifference of the world.

As I stood there, frozen in indecision, the taxi driver’s voice had cut through the tension. “Is she alright?” he had asked, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity. I had nodded, my mind racing, and leaned down beside her. Her hood had been pulled down across her face, but as soon as I touched her skin, she had jerked in surprise.

“Miss,” I had whispered, trying to reassure her, “Miss, are you okay?” Her voice had been clear, pure, and had a hint of Irishness to it. “I think so,” she had said, her words barely above a whisper. “My stick.” I had frowned, trying to process what was happening, and gently reached under her to lift her to her feet.

She had twisted slightly, as if trying to regain her balance, and I had felt a surge of protectiveness. I had held her against me, my left arm under her knees, my right supporting her upper body. It was a fleeting moment of intimacy, a moment that had left me feeling…off. I had stepped back, feeling embarrassed, and watched as she checked her clothing, brushed down her raincoat, and took her stick from the taxi driver.

As I stood there, trying to make sense of what had just happened, she had turned to me, a smile on her face. And in that moment, everything had changed. The world had shifted, and I had felt a jolt of electricity run through me. It was as if I had been awakened from a long slumber, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life was about to take a dramatic turn.

I had muttered an apology, trying to play it cool, but she had simply smiled again, and I had felt my heart stumble. It was as if I had been caught in a trap, a trap of my own making. I had let her go, watching as she disappeared into the crowd, her presence leaving an indelible mark on me.

As I stood at my office window, staring out at the city, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had stumbled upon something much bigger than myself. Something that would change me, that would challenge me, and that would leave me breathless. And it all started with a blind girl in the rain, and a simple act of kindness.

As I sat at my desk, lost in thought, the sound of my data assistant Jimmy’s voice brought me back to reality.

“Good time?” he asked, popping his head through the door.

I motioned him in, taking a seat behind my desk and switching on my computer. “Sure,” I replied, “Bring me up to speed.”

Jimmy sat in front of the desk, reading from his tablet as he spoke. I began to drift, my mind wandering back to the woman from the day before. I had no idea why I was still thinking about her, but the memory of her haunted me.

“.. and there are six new girls starting this morning in the secretarial and audio department,” Jimmy said, his voice barely registering in my mind.

I blinked, focusing on Jimmy as he waited for my response. “Sorry, what?” I asked, trying to play it cool.

He laughed and got to his feet. “New girls. In the pool, Boss,” he said, walking to the whiteboard on the wall to our right. The numbers one to twenty-two were scrawled across the top, with seventeen of them crossed out. Jimmy began to write out his notes for the day, guiding me through the gameplan and highlighting key meetings and areas of focus.

As he worked, my mind continued to wander. What was it about this woman that had captured my attention? I had no idea, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to know more about her.

“New girls?” I repeated, trying to keep up with Jimmy’s explanation.

He put down his marker and picked up his iPad. “It’s the last Monday in November, remember? Six-month recruitment took place last week. The new intake starts today.”

I made a face, feeling a little embarrassed that I had been so caught up in my own thoughts. Jimmy knew me well enough to understand that I was a bit of a player, and he probably knew about my extracurricular activities with the pool.

“Anything I should know?” I asked him, trying to sound casual as I got to my feet and walked over to the whiteboard.

He opened the glass door and paused. “No idea. Haven’t seen them yet, but company grapevine says one of them is a bit special. Charlie in the mailroom has already met them and texted me. Says this girl is something else. Later, Boss.”

As he left, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of curiosity. “Something else,” I muttered, picking up the red marker and crossing out numbers eighteen and nineteen.

Monday was turning into a chaotic day, with the share price spiking and me trying to keep up with the drama. I sat at my desk, directing traffic as people came and went, and Jimmy worked hard to keep up with the action.

“He’ll be fine,” said a voice to my front.

It was Janet, one of the senior secretaries from the pool. She was assigned to me for the day, and I valued her experience and professionalism.

“I just want him to keep calm,” I replied, looking at Jimmy as he worked. “Not to panic as the needle goes up and down like it is today.”

Janet smiled at me. “You have a heart of gold, Mike. Not many of us see that side of you.”

I felt a little embarrassed, but Janet just chuckled and changed the subject. “How were eighteen and nineteen?” she asked, glancing at the whiteboard.

I shook my head. “Janet, drop it.”

She held up her hands, laughing. “Alright, alright. Just curious. That’s quite the scorecard you have there. I’m impressed.”

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a little self-conscious. “How are the new girls?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

Janet blushed, looking at me with a strange expression. “Each as innocent as the morning dew, you cad. At least let them get settled in. The rest of the girls will show them the ropes and how this place works in the coming days.”

I nodded, feeling a little guilty. “Anything interesting?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

Janet leaned in, a conspiratorial look on her face. “Hmmm, there is one girl. Very different. The department had to make one or two special arrangements for her to make sure she’d fit in. I spent a couple of hours with her this morning helping her settle in. She’s a very impressive young lady. Everyone loves her already.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Special arrangements?” I asked, feeling a spark of curiosity.

Janet’s expression turned serious. “Because she’s blind.”

As the day went on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had to meet this girl. I wanted to know more about her, to learn about her experiences and her life. And as I sat in the canteen waiting for her to arrive, I felt a sense of anticipation that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Don’t often see the wolf amongst the sheep,” Janet said, sitting down next to me with her coffee.

I grinned, feeling a little self-conscious. “I think I’m lost,” I replied, trying to play it cool.

Janet smiled back at me. “Curiosity has killed many a cat over the years. You should be careful.”

I looked at her, feeling a spark of connection. “How long have I known you?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

Janet’s expression turned serious. “Ten years? Give or take. From the first moment you started as a trainee in this place wet behind the ears and twice as scared. I’ve seen a lot of men like you come and go over the years. All spunk, bravado, and nonsense. But you, you I’ve always considered different.”

I felt a little embarrassed, but Janet just smiled and took another sip of her coffee. “I know you, Mike. And I think I know why you’re so interested in this girl.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Do you?” I asked, feeling a spark of curiosity.

Janet leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes. I think you’re interested because you feel sorry for her. You want to help her, to make her feel safe and protected. And I think that’s something you’ve been missing in your life for a long time.”

I felt a little stunned, but also a little grateful. Janet knew me better than anyone, and she was right. I did feel a sense of responsibility towards this girl, a desire to help her and make her feel safe. And as I looked over at the group of women chatting in the canteen, I knew that I had to meet her.

As I stood in the canteen, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that my life was about to take a dramatic turn. Janet’s knowing smile only added to my unease, and I found myself wondering what she knew that I didn’t.

“Do you want to meet her?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. Meet her? Here? Now? In the canteen? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my heart skip a beat. I knew I had to see her, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what was to come.

Janet just sat there, her smile growing wider as she waited for my response.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Mr. Sloane,” Janet announced, her voice loud and clear. She had her arm through mine, and we stood at the far end of the table where the six new recruits sat enjoying a morning coffee and a good gossip.

Five of the women turned to me and smiled as they glanced at each other before saying hello. Only one girl sat still, and she was the only one that mattered.

Janet made introductions, and I nodded to each of them in turn. Their names simply faded away like early morning mist, for my attention was on the curly, chestnut-haired figure who sat in the middle of the three to my left.

Janet had left her introduction till last, and I had no doubt she had done it deliberately.

“And this is Heather,” she said, indicating the young woman who had sat forward and was listening intently, “Heather McCallister. Heather, meet Mr. Sloane. He runs the tenth floor.” She lifted her face and hesitantly smiled at us. She was obviously aware that there were other people around her watching.

“Uh, hi, hello,” she said carefully, “Nice to meet you.” She then held out her hand for me to take as the other women glanced at each other with increasing curiosity.

I looked at Janet, who raised her eyebrows with amusement.

I stared at her hand for a second before reaching out to take it. I carefully slipped it into mine, making sure there was no fumbling of fingers this time. She was warm and smooth to the touch, and as I gave her hand a slight squeeze, I saw her raise her head towards me now that she had some measure of where I was standing.

Those sea-green eyes again, looking directly at me, and I swear to God, I felt something change within me.

It also suddenly occurred to me that she was wearing spectacles.

“Nice to meet you too, Heather,” I grinned as we shook hands, “Welcome to the insane asylum.”

The storm outside was getting worse, and I stood at my office window, watching the snow swirl around me. It was a Thursday, and work was still hell-bent on being a pain in the ass. I had a meeting with Ted, and I knew he’d want to discuss the latest numbers.

“Ted on two,” Janet said, holding the mobile to her impressive chest. She gave me a pained expression and winced as her other mobile beeped in her other hand.

I shook my head and drew a finger across my throat. Oh, fuck that. Fuck Ted and his “Do me a favor, bud. Have a word with so and so about this and that and how we’re going to sort it out either today or tomorrow” bullshit.

Janet knew the drill. “Mr. Sloane says go away, Ted. He’s busy.” She then disconnected the call and answered the other mobile as she picked up various folders full of paperwork.

I jumped up and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Where were you when I was eighteen?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Janet squirmed out of my grip. “When you were eighteen, I was giving birth to my second child. That’s where I was. Don’t you worry, someone will come along. Maybe someone already has.”

She disappeared, and I was left standing there, wondering what the hell all that was about. Before I knew it, Jimmy was interrupting me, asking me to sign off some more documents before they were sent down to the mailroom.

Today was shaping up to be one of those days.

And, as ever, she was always there at the back of my mind, ever since our first proper introduction.

Outside, the storm closed in as Winter settled in for the season.

“Are you sick?” Brad asked, his voice slurred as he leaned across the bar. The place was packed and throbbing as Friday night got into full swing.

“No, why’d you ask?” I replied, trying to keep my cool.

Brad snorted and nudged Jerry, who was mumbling into his beer. “Listen to this schmuck here,” he grunted. “Because you and your over-long dick are usually stuffed up the snatch of one the pool gals by this time on a Friday night.

“Some of the guys in retention are getting nervous. People have placed bets that you’ll work your way through the new intake in less than a month,” Jerry said, raising his half-empty glass. “I mean, remember a couple of years ago? You did four in one week. Talk about pounding pussy to go. You have your reputation to uphold.”

I blinked and stared at him. “Weird one?” I asked, trying to keep my cool.

He nodded. “The blind chick. Have you seen her?”

“Maybe,” I replied defensively, unsure of what to say.

Jerry looked at me surprised. “Dude, are you kidding? If it has tits and a pussy, you’re in there like the eager beaver. Hell, all the guys know you’ve shagged nearly all of the pool this time around.”

I turned back to the bar and contemplated my drink. The asshole was only repeating what most people thought, and it was usually something I just shrugged off with a laugh.

Not this time.

She would be a challenge, alright. But that wasn’t the kind of challenge I wanted.

As I stood outside my parents’ property, looking out across the flatlands, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Up State looked like the perfect Christmas card, with the snow-covered trees and the frozen lake sparkling in the sunlight.

“Want to talk about it?” my mom asked, trudging towards me wrapped up like a little Eskimo.

“No, I’m fine,” I said with a slow smile. “You’ll find out soon enough if things change.”

She stopped beside me and raised her hand to shield her eyes against the low morning sun. “Is it a girl?” she asked, her voice full of hope.

I didn’t reply, just shrugged my shoulders. I needed to clear my head, to get my thoughts in order.

This past week had turned many certainties in my life upside down. Things that were my bedrock and which my life revolved around. A good life that had taken an immense amount of effort to attain.

The reward you get out is only worth the effort you put in. A good life with good living and a lot of sex without consequences.

I felt my mom snuggle up to me and slip her arm through mine. “Of all my children, you were the one I worried about the most growing up. Not because you were the youngest but because I’ve always felt you were the loneliest. The sort who would find it the hardest to settle down.”

She let go of my arm and looked up at me. “The only thing that matters in this life is to be happy. More than anything, it is the one thing you should be looking for. Before time takes it away from you.”

She turned and walked away, leaving me to my thoughts.

I watched her go and realized I didn’t need to go looking for anything.

I had already found it.