“I imagine you’re the peak of emotional intelligence, but I could use the practice. Please,” I beg.
He sits down in the chair reluctantly. “You’re lucky I’ve caught up with my chores for today. Do I need to play the role of a kid, or…”
I smile while I take in his deep brown eyes. “Nope. Just be yourself. This is more of a practice thing where I want to exercise the part of me that can be responsive to the random things that people could say.”
An ear-to-ear grin spreads on his face. “Is that a challenge to say anything to see if you can handle it?”
I feel my brows narrow as I stare back at him. “Maybe…”
“Alright, doc. Turns out that I’ve developed a taste for drinking bleach. Is that going to be a problem going forward?”
I can’t help but struggle to hide my smile. “I’m sorry, Alex, but drinking bleach might not be the best way to manage your stress. Is there any chance that you have underlying mommy issues?”
He laughs uncontrollably. “Nice one. I wasn’t expecting that. No mommy issues. She’s been a saint my whole life. She’s easily the kindest person I’ve ever known.”
I join along with his laughter. “So no mommy issues. That means it's daddy.” With that, his face drops quickly. Oh God, I didn’t mean to strike a nerve. I was just playing around. I thought that’s what we were doing. I bury my hand in my face and look at him through my spread fingers. “I’m an idiot. I’m sorry. I knew I was going to say something dumb.”
He looks away and shakes his head, a half-smile on his face like he’s trying to be polite. “Daddy issues is an understatement, but I’d rather not talk about that.”
If this were real therapy, I’d push him a little, but a second ago we were making jokes and now somehow, I’ve stumbled into real-life issues, which wasn’t my intention. He stands from the chair. “I think I’m going to get back to work. It was nice chatting with you, though. Good luck this year.”
When he reaches to grip my hand, my heart sinks. He’s hurt somehow, and now he’s faking a smile and excusing himself. Just a second ago, he didn’t have any other work.
Most people would be surprised at the quick turn of events, but I’m not. Making and losing friends in sixty minutes seems about right for me. I just wish it wasn’t because of my terrible counseling skills. Maybe I’m not ready for this after all.
Chapter Five
Alex
As I walk down the path, I can’t seem to cool down. I didn’t need this in my life. This is what I get for opening up and beingfun. I get a girl who wants to psychoanalyze me.
No thanks.
I spend the afternoon in a haze, wondering how I’m going to avoid the pretty girl who I’ve just made things terribly awkward with. This is the perfect example of why I don’t put myself out there. I guess I should be thankful that the questions came sooner rather than later this time. I should’ve known how she’d be when she told me she was a psychiatrist. Of course, a therapist is going to want you to talk about your baggage. I’m a fucking idiot.
I make my way down the path and back to my cabin. I’ve earned a break for the rest of the day. The lodge has worked me like a dog since I got here, and I’ve hit my limit. If they want me, they know where to find me… in bed, asleep, with the door deadbolted shut.
____________________________________
When I wake up, the first thought in my head is Beth. I overreacted and I know it. I might not have wanted to talk, but she’d asked me to help her, and I left her hanging. Not only that, but I’m sure she feels awful now, and she was already worried about not being good enough.
Fuck. I sit back in the rocking chair by the window and stare out into the night. I slept way too long. It’s probably eleven o’clock. I’m going to have a hell of a time getting back to sleep now. This transition from sleeping during the day while plowing, to my lodge schedule has taken me a month and I might have just restarted the clock.
I pick up a piece of wood and pull my knife from my pocket, scraping at the raw edge to build onto the curve I’ve been working for days. When I started the project, I was hoping for a bear or an eagle, something to set on my mantle back in Rugged Mountain, but it’s starting to look more like a feather or a wave. I toss it onto the bench next to me and rise to my feet. I should go for a walk. Some fresh air and exercise will help to tire me out again. Besides, I could use a nice sit by the lake in peace… and maybe a stroll by Beth’s office to see if she’s still there. I should hope not. She should be in bed resting. She’s got a big day tomorrow. Then again, I hope she is. I don’t know her cabin number and I really want to apologize for what happened earlier.
Outside, crickets chirp amidst the gentle buzz of the sidewalk lights. There’s a different energy at the lodge at night. Quiet, dark, peaceful. Also, there’s no one to grab me and ask for help fixing their cabin door or to fix a burner on the camp stove.
As I make my way around to Beth’s office, the lights are off, and it looks the same as it did earlier. I’m shocked that she hasn’t moved a thing. That’s not normal. Usually, everyone sees a space and needs to make it their own.
Did she leave? God, I hope that isn’t the case. I know I can be a jackass sometimes, but she was acting like she really needed this job. I really hope she didn’t leave.
After exhausting all the common areas, I realize I won’t solve this mystery tonight. If she’s here tomorrow, she’ll be in her office. If not, then I’m a jackass. Seems pretty straightforward to me.
I guess while I wait, I might as well head down to the lake. It’s the one place in this lodge that you can see the sky clearly. Working during the day is nice and all, but seeing that night sky like when I’m plowing, is really my happy place.
I push through the underbrush and make my way to my usual spot. There’s a large rock, probably put here by some historical glacier, where you can sit and see the whole lake. No one comes to this area of the lake because no one clears out all this brush. “It’s almost as though the guy doing all the work around here keeps it wild so that others would stay away,” I say to myself with a smile.
Once I get to my rock and sit down, I’m rewarded with what I came for. There’s a sea of dark blues and waves of lavender creating a masterpiece. It’s heaven on Earth. That is, until I hear someone else.