Mr. Big Read Free Page A

road, she turned around to look.
    He was still watching, and grinning, like a child who had gotten the attention he was after.
    â€œNelson Hart,” said Nicole. “Dean is actually helping him move today. He’s moving upstairs from building number three. They’ve been at it for the past couple of hours.
    â€œTo be honest, Jennifer, I’m not sure what his story is. I believe there are some sort of health issues with him,” explained Nicole. “I know he does have a home care worker over there. I think he gets a lot of help from his mother as well. He pops over from time to time for a chat.”
    â€œWell, he’s awfully strange,” said Jennifer. “He’s blocked my path at least half a dozen times now. He doesn’t say anything, just stands there and laughs. What’s even stranger is that he doesn’t do anything when there’s someone with me.
    â€œSusan and I have passed by him a number of times now. He doesn’t speak or anything. Just watches us,” said Jennifer. “But when I’m alone, he blocks my way and laughs. To be honest, I’m a little scared of him.”
    â€œOh, don’t worry,” said Nicole. “He’s a little strange, but once you get to know him, he’s no different than the rest of us, I suppose.”
    Nicole was pouring up another cup of coffee when her boyfriend burst through the door.
    â€œHe’s dying,” screamed Dean, who could barely catch his breath.
    â€œWhat the hell are you talking about?” shrieked Nicole. She could see the panic in his eyes.
    â€œIt’s Nelson,” he gasped. “Upstairs. He’s dying on the floor.”
    With that, Jennifer and Nicole ran up the stairs and into Nelson’s apartment. He was on the floor, his entire body shaking intensely, and his mouth was foaming.
    â€œOut of the way,” said Jennifer as she made her way over to him.
    This wasn’t the first time Jennifer had seen this type of seizure. She had seen it many times with her own sister. She quickly put a pillow under his head and called the ambulance.
    After a few minutes, he came around, but was slightly confused. She could see he was also exhausted from the seizure. They helped him up onto the couch. Jennifer looked around at the stunned faces of her neighbours, and she was glad she was there to help.
    6
    The next time she saw Nelson Hart, they were both at Nicole’s apartment, and there was no mention of either his seizure or their awkward encounters in the parking lot.
    But the more they chatted, the more she saw him as a decent guy. He spoke confidently, but he was also humble. Even a bit shy, she observed.
    Slowly she began to relax in his company as they continued to drink coffee and share the local gossip. Finally, it was time to go home.
    â€œHe seemed kind of normal,” laughed Susan as they made their way down the path. “After the stories you told me about him, I was expecting a monster. To be honest, Jennifer, he was looking at you like he was interested in more than just playing tag in the parking lot.”
    â€œWell, he’s not as odd as I first thought, but I’m still not sure I’d want to go out with him,” said Jennifer.
    But Nelson Hart was starting to grow on Jennifer. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something oddly attractive about him.
    The next time Jennifer dropped by for a visit with her neighbours, an eager Nelson showed up within minutes. With no job, there was plenty of time for Nelson to kill during a day.
    This time he sat next to Jennifer.
    â€œAre you working today?” he asked her.
    â€œNo, it’s my day off. I just finished eight days straight,” she said. “I need to ask you something, Nelson. Why have you been blocking my path every time we see each other in the parking lot? I don’t understand.”
    Nelson lowered his head and suddenly took on a very boyish