Animalistic (Tiger in Her Bed)

“Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to help. Isn’t there an old Chinese proverb that if you save a person’s life, you’re responsible for that person from that moment onward or something like that? I think we met by fate, so I’m here for you whenever you need me.”

She wanted to say “thank you,” but instead she had to focus on holding back her tears again.

~~~

Arielle felt considerably better when she woke up the next morning. Her heart felt lighter, because she didn’t feel quite so alone. She had a friend and a shoulder to cry on. Since she had nothing but the clothes on her back, Trent loaned her some clothes from his brother’s fiancée. Apparently, she was the same size as Vanessa. Trent’s mom was a tall, slim lady. Her clothes wouldn’t fit Arielle, Trent explained.

Arielle met Trent’s mother at the breakfast table. Her name was Savannah and she was a really beautiful woman. She was in her mid-fifties, sported short silver hair and had a youthful appearance. She was also warm and chatty. Arielle knew now where Trent and his brother got their good looks.

“How are you feeling, sweetie?” Savannah hugged and patted Arielle’s back. “How are you holding up? Trent told me all what happened to you. Please don’t be mad at him; I forced him to spill your story. Don’t worry about anything from now on, okay? You can stay here as long as you like. I’ll promise things will start looking up soon.”

Arielle was touched; Savannah reminded her of her own mother. Her mom was gentle, bubbly, and had been her best friend in the entire world. “Thank you for all your help, Mrs. Alexander,” said Arielle in a small voice. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t cry again.

“Please call me Savannah. Have a seat and eat breakfast with us.”

The Alexander’s employed a cook to prepare their meals. Arielle didn’t feel like eating, but she forced herself to clean her plate. God knows she needed the strength to move on and take care of the thousand things that needed to be done now that her apartment was gone.

“Did you call your office to let them know about the fire in your building?” Trent asked. “I’m sure they’d understand why you didn’t go to work today.”

“I emailed my boss and the HR person to let them know my situation. I’m taking two weeks off.” She’d turned off her phone last night and when she checked it this morning, her inbox exploded with messages. Chris left several voicemails begging her to talk to him, but she didn’t feel charitable and turned her phone back off.

“Have you heard anything about the cause of the fire?” asked Savannah.

“They said it’s still under investigation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s faulty wiring. The building was old and wasn’t being maintained properly. Every time we had a problem, the maintenance guy was nowhere to be found.”

“Did you have insurance?”

“We have renter’s insurance, but it can’t replace family photos and mementos.”

“Oh, dear. That’s unfortunate,” said Savannah. “Did you call your parents to let them know what was going on?”

She shook her head. “They passed away. Dad died five years ago and my mom just recently passed on from cancer.”

“I’m so sorry,” Savannah and Trent said at the same time.

Arielle unconsciously gripped her fork harder as she tried not to cry again. No more wallowing in self-pity. “Thank you. I’m all right.”

“Do you have any other family?” asked Savannah.

“My mom’s sister lives in the Bronx but we rarely talk. She’s rather eccentric.”

“Mom’s eccentric,” Trent said with a laugh.

“My aunt is the weird kind of eccentric. She is a hoarder and her house had been taken over by her cats to the point it was almost condemned. She really shouldn’t be living there anymore.”

“Oh, dear. That doesn’t sound good. Has anyone tried to get her some help?”

“I thought I had persuaded her to move out and get some treatment, but she backed out at the last minute.”

“I see.” Savannah had sparkling green eyes just like her sons. The matriarch of the Alexander house studied her with curious intensity. “Let’s discuss it further while we shop today. You know, I’ve been thinking you’ll need new clothing. New shoes. Bags. Oh, there’re so much to do.” Savannah looked excited all of a sudden. “Why don’t you get ready, dear, so we can start early?”

Arielle looked over at Trent for help; she didn’t quite understand what was going on. She’d just lost everything she owned. This wasn’t the time to splurge on clothes. She had to start looking for a new place and buy some basic necessities. Good thing she wasn’t an attorney anymore because all of her work suits had been destroyed in a fire.

Trent only smiled and placed his hand over hers. “Go. Mom will pick the tab. She has more money than she could possibly spend in three lifetimes. Mom always wanted a daughter to take shopping and do girly things with. Three boys didn’t exactly make that easy.”

“Ah, thank you, Mrs. Alexander, but I can’t accept such generosity. It’s too much.”

“Nonsense. It’d be my pleasure. Having boys isn’t always fun. They’re hard to shop for and they always get cranky when I make them go with me to the