That smile. Sweet, simple and sorry. Henry wanted to respond but would a smile from him be welcome or creep her out? He did not want to make her afraid of him anymore than she might be, Penny seemed nice and he did not want to leave the kitchen. They would likely send him to work with Jack or worse, to the cleaning crews down in the hangars. The heavy, hot work of cleaning the mining equipment that was the work of strong men, men that had been athletes or perhaps had done time and built up their bulk there. It was not a place he wanted to be, he was made to do quick work not heavy. He polished off the floor quickly as Jack departed. He sighed inwardly, the man was quirky and confident and clearly he had asked out Penny and she agreed to ‘step’ with him.
Her sweet smile was of pity, not interest. Henry knew this and he kept his head down as he read the short message from Dr. Park. How was he doing? A loaded question that. Henry typed out a generic answer, “Fine, I guess, Dr. Park. They know about it now.”
Henry was short with him but he knew the doctor was likely a shrink and checking in on him. He would likely set up an appointment soon and that was to be expected. He tapped his tablet again. “So when did you want to see me?”
He put it away, waiting for the doctor’s answer and he watched Penny go about hunting cookie making ingredients and his stomach rumbled. He was the type of skinny guy that could shovel away food and not gain an ounce. He supposed it was his nervous energy but he had always been that way. Growing up there were many times of feast or famine and he would have to force himself to eat in case there was nothing later.
Once Jack was gone, Josey went over to Penny and cleared his throat, speaking to her in a low rumbling voice that was gentle, “Cupcake, how you feeling? I’m sorry I put you on the spot but I didn't want you to not know or feel uncomfortable. Alright? You feel any bit uncomfortable or threatened, you let me know and I’ll fix it.”
He pat her on the shoulder and said in a loud, boisterous voice, “I sure do look forward to them cookies, I got a sweet tooth that would make the Sugar Plum Fairy blush.”
The big man winked at her and cast a harder glance at Henry who was putting away his tablet. He walked over to him, “That from the higher ups?”
“Yes, sir,” he said automatically. “Dr. Park. I think he’s the ship’s shrink. Probably wants me to visit.”
“Good,” Josey crossed his arms, the thick dark muscles clenching, “Be on your best behavior, treat Penny like a queen, you hear me?”
Henry swallowed and nodded, dropping his gaze, “Yes, sir.”
The chef huffed and turned, going back to his prep work for the lunch time crowd. He sang under his breath, a sonorous but musical voice. Henry glanced at Penny again, at her shining red hair and pale skin and those dimpled hands that moved so deftly as she began making her cookies. He chewed his lower lip. No chance in Hell. The silence between them seemed to weigh heavy and he finally moved over towards her, keeping a respectable distance and he spoke up.
“Cookies sound great,” he said, his voice soft and his gaze on her hands mixing the ingredients. “Chocolate chip is my favorite though oatmeal raisin is pretty good too.”
He felt like slipping through the floor, speaking to her felt awkward after what he had just told her. Maybe he should have just kept quiet. “Anyway, I’m sure they’ll be great.”
He ducked his head and turned to continue his cleaning until called by Dr. Park.
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