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Maynia -- Day Eleven -- 1,647 words
“Jack! What are you doing here?” I asked, not even bothering to answer his snide question. He held the door as his gaze flitted between me and Luke.
“I was actually planning to invite you somewhere.” Jack meaningfully looked at Luke before he settled his gaze on me, “It's a private event two nights from now, I was wondering if you'd like to come with me?”
I looked questioningly at Jack for a moment before I glanced up at Luke and saw him nodding to himself as if in understanding, “What kind of an event is it?” I asked as I focused back on Jack.
“It's my parents' wedding anniversary-- I'd really appreciate it if you come as my date..?” Jack replied, now almost looking unsure of himself as he leaned on my doorway, sliding a hand through his dark hair.
“Riiight.. this is the part where I leave and get back to packing my stuff..” Just as Luke turned his back to leave, I heard another voice come from behind Jack by the door. “Looks like you actually found our Shiela here, Sheriff!” Ms. Chip cheerily exclaimed as she peeked from behind Jack, before spotting Luke and calling out to him. “Oh! Dr. Luke you're here! I heard about what happened to Dr. Bliant, how is he doing?”
Luke turned back around and gently smiled at Ms. Chip, “He'll be discharged in a day or two, but I'll need to check on him every once in a while so maybe I'll be there more often than here.”
“Is that why you said you'll be packing some stuff? What about your clinic?” I asked Luke, suddenly feeling sad at the thought that he'd be gone for some time.
“I still have a schedule for the clinic, I can always drop by then. Think you'll miss me?” Luke smiled charmingly as he leaned on the porch railings.
I heard someone clear his throat before I could answer Luke, then realized it was Jack trying to get my attention, possibly waiting for my answer to his invitation. Did I really have to do this now? Right in front of Luke? I had every ounce of me ready to turn down Jack, yet again, but then his father's signet ring flashed in my mind's eye; The way something about it felt off. Could the Mayor be the one who messed with the rift? I needed to find out.
Taking a deep breath before smiling gently back at Jack, “I’ll accept, but only because I’m doing business with your father.” I didn’t want to get Jack’s hopes up, but I knew I had failed in that aspect when I saw a huge grin split his face.
He made the last few steps towards me, almost making me think he’d kiss me right there, before he stopped and hesitated for a second as he looked deep into my eyes, surprising me as he reached for my hand and raised it to his lips, giving it a tender kiss. “I promise, it’ll be a night you won’t forget.”
I tried to swallow through my now dry throat and kept my gaze forward, even as he stepped away from me and now greeted Luke, “Since when did you get a motorcycle?”
“It’s Z’s actually, saw him fixing it up in the garage, just thought to give it a go..” I heard Luke trail off as Jack seemed to be leading him away. I turned around then to see Luke glancing back at me, an almost sad look in his eyes, just as Jack slung an arm around his shoulders.
Ms. Chip chose that time to come near me as we watch both guys ride the motorcycle, Jack must have walked here since his pickup was nowhere in sight in my driveway. “You sure about what you’re doing there Shiela?” Ms. Chip placed a comforting hand on my arm as she asked.
I pulled my gaze away from the two men driving away, a part of me wishing things could have gone differently, before I looked solemnly at Ms. Chip. “I know what I need to do.”
Wandering around at the second floor of Dr. Alfred’s clinic as I looked for Luke, I passed by a room briefly glancing Luke’s grampa struggling with something. Backtracking as I poked my head in the door that was left slightly ajar, I spotted Dr. Bliant trying to fix a bunch of papers. “You need help there, doc?”
He seemed startled at my presence as he shuffled the papers back into place, “Oh, Zephyr! You’re there! I thought you were with Luke!” He tried greeting me cheerily as he just stuffed the papers in an old leather satchel, just as I spotted a picture of what looked like a water tower. “Yeah.. I was actually wondering where he was—you sure you don’t want me to help with that?” I gestured at the bag as well as his bandaged left wrist.
“No need, my boy, this old man’s still got it!” He just waved me off and continued, “Luke’s downstairs, I even think he’s got a lovely guest with him.”
That got my attention, thinking that maybe Shiela came to visit. Muttering a quick excuse, I hurriedly tried to trudge down the stairs without jostling my right arm still in cast, only to see Luke had just closed the door on someone leaving. “That anyone I know?” I asked as I peeked out the window, not really spotting a beautiful brunette.
“It was just Diana, dropping off some stuff for gramps.” I stepped away from the window then and saw him gesture to the basket of fruits on the reception table.
“That chick’s seriously got the hots for you.” I gave him a dead stare, mostly just disappointed at finding out it wasn’t Shiela, until an idea hit me—
“Not gonna happen, bro. Diana is Jack's younger cousin, which makes her like a little sister to me—” Luke started as he began to take the basket through the door leading upstairs.
“Hey Luke, do mind driving me back to the house for a little while? I think I left some stuff.” I tried to muster an innocent look but Luke only glanced back at me and gave me a look that said he wasn’t buying my shit.
“Have I told you enough how grateful I am to have you as my friend?” I grinned at Luke as he drove up to our house. It was a good thing we got to borrow a car from Mike’s, now I actually owe the guy.
“Have I told you that maybe I just forgot your meds so that’s why we’re taking this drive?” I saw him try for an irritated look but only ended up shaking his head as I saw the laughter in his eyes. Yeah, nobody can get that annoyed look better than Jack.. I thought with a shake of my head as I glanced back out the windshield, narrowing my eyes as I saw a man standing just by our driveway.
Parking our car next to what I presumed to be the unknown guy’s car, I was surprised when Luke proceeded to greet him with familiarity, “Mr. Matthews, it’s been a while.”
“You’re saying you felt that same fear you had whenever you felt like you were drowning?” I asked again as I sat inside my clinic, watching Mr. Matthew’s reactions. I left Z to do his business, whatever that is, as I decided to have an impromptu session. Mr. Matthews went on and on about a black shadow that seemingly followed him and wanted to drown him in its ‘eternal blackness’, and I quote.
“That’s right! And the first time it happened was when I was driving down the road the other day, making me crash into a tree!” I tried to gently advice him to lay back down as I saw him start to rise up on his good elbow. Guess that explains the bandages, and the heightened sense of anxiety, possibly due to post-concussion.. Which I noted down—
“I’m not going crazy again, am I doc?” I stopped writing then and glanced up to look at him, “Nobody’s calling you crazy, Mr. Matthews.” I calmly told him but in my mind, I knew it would always be the stigma this town had of its residents getting help from a psychiatrist. They’ll never really understand..
“Tell me Mr. Matthews, when did you come back up here in Samheinrock?” I remembered him saying he was going to find greener pasture in the next town over.
“I actually just got back a couple of days before that incident. I really need to get better soon ‘cuz I got accepted in this new job, and I’m only really back to get all my things packed and—” Alright, increased anxiety not just due to post-concussion, but could also relate to being in a completely new environment soon..
“Mr. Matthews, you’re really doing great but I think it’ll only be troublesome for you in the future if you plan to drive from the next town over to here just for us to have these sessions. How’d you like me to recommend you another specialist in your new area?” I turned to the next page on my clipboard as I continued jotting down, I hope Z is doing something productive of his time..
Man! That guy can be a saint sometimes! I thought as I kicked a small rock in front of me, I just kept on walking while I impatiently waited for Luke to finish.
Without me even consciously knowing it, I found myself now standing just outside Shiela’s driveway. Hearing a loud ‘thunk!’ from behind her house, that signaled someone was home, I couldn’t help the grin forming on my face.
Maybe I could do something productive of my time, after all..
to be continued...
Image from Pixabay, by Phan Minh Cuong An: https://pixabay.com/users/minanfotos-9565064/ (edited with dreamscopeapp)