Patrick took a few hesitant looks up at the almost complete strangers he had bumped into on the street and tried to contain the mounting anxiety that slowly started to creep up on his face. He hid it with a nervous smile, trying to pass it off as the 'meeting new people' fear, though the pit steadily growing in his stomach said otherwise. He ignored his gut and nodded, giving the two a "Sure, sounds great!"

Henry gave him a reassuring smile while Ruth seemed preoccupied. He didn't seem to want to acknowledge Patrick, which made Henry agitated. He loved his friend but it felt like Rutherford was never quite in the moment. Though Henry couldn't exactly complain, it wasn't like he ever truly lived in the moment either. He was always mostly thinking about the future; of his career, of his life with his girlfriend Abby, of Abby's life. It was the times when he was present at his job, with his girlfriend, with his friends and family that he ever really felt like he was 'in the moment'.

For a moment Henry was lost in his thoughts, though eventually blinked and came back to reality. He looked to Rutherford with annoyance as he gave his fingers a few snaps, discreetly nodding his head towards Patrick. Rutherford gave an inward sigh and begrudgingly forced a smile to their new acquaintance. Ruth really didn't want to see him as anything more.

After the brief awkward pause Patrick piped up with the question Henry knew he was going to ask: "So, where are we going to eat?"

"Well I don't have much money on me at the moment so we were thinking about going somewhere cheap," Henry explained with a shrug.

"I could chip in for something better than cheap," Patrick offered.

Henry seemed hesitant. "That's awfully kind but-"

"Why not?" said Patrick. "It would make the search a lot easier. Most places here are kind of expensive."

Henry gave a thoughtful nod. Everything was expensive so why refuse an offer like that? "Alright," he finally said. "Where to then?"

Patrick pondered for a bit before coming to a decision. "How about the Japanese place down the street?"

Just as Patrick had said, Henry repeated: "Sure, sounds great!"

Rutherford's smile grew. He knew there was a private spot near there where he could eat without being noticed.

Thank god for Henry, he got Rutherford out of the house.

Thank god for Patrick, he picked a good eatery.

And thank god for new acquaintances.