Lester Billings… what a misunderstood character, you thought. He was just some ordinary guy who lived across the street, until he lost his entire family. His kids were taken in horrible accidents, and his wife had left him after being unable to deal with all that grief. For a while you wouldn’t see him, but on the rare occasion you spot him across the street, he was coming home late… super drunk. Your concern for the poor man grew with every passing day, until one day you knocked on his door and introduced yourself.

He had a kind, likes to keep-to-himself sort demeanor, and he was very pleasant company. After spending most days keeping him company, and just being there with him- at his lonely house, you started to notice the nights of him coming home late drunk… lessen. But one particular night, you were hanging out at a bar with your friends, and then you spotted him across the bar. He was absolutely wasted. You told your friends not to wait up for you as you decided to take him home. When getting him through the front door of his home, he couldn’t stop apologizing.

“I’m sso sorry-“ he spoke softly, his speech slightly slurred. “I’m- I really am so sorry.” He was quiet, as you helped him to the couch. He looked up at you with these big sad puppy dog eyes, and he huffed gentle as ever, as if he was afraid he would cause a disturbance in the air if he huffed too loudly. He looked off, with slightly raised brows. He had this look, like he was thinking about things that caused him pain. You wanted to take his mind off those things, you wanted to rid him of all those things that caused him hurt and anguish… but little did you know, your presence- just the mere fact that you were here with him now… was really all he needed.