Alec
Since the first day that Christopher showed up at the clinic, he hasn't missed a day. Often staying several hours at a time. At least he never showed up in just those shorts again. Sometimes, he arrives in a large, white truck with lifted tires that make my tiny hatchback look like a matchbox car. Other times I don't see how he gets here at all, appearing seemingly from nowhere like a stray cat.
At first, I shooed him out of the office, but he would only lean against the grill of his truck and watched me through one of the large, front windows. After that, I tried to not engage with him. He certainly wasn't here for my vet services and I assumed he'd get bored. So far, he hasn't.
Mostly, he sits there just smiling and watching me. It seems like he knows almost everyone that steps in and has a small word of greeting to say each time. Sometimes, when I'm in between patients, he'll stroll up to the counter and try to chat with me.
I haven't figured out his game yet, but I'm not playing. Ignoring him doesn't seem to bother him at all and the man feels no shame holding one-sided conversations. Against my will, I've learned a lot about him and even some about the town, all about how he grew up in Shady Woods and that most of the people in town end up staying.
He's told me all his favorites: foods, music, hobbies, books, etc. I know that he's an only child and his dad is partially retired while his mother does volunteer work. He grew up with a lot of neighbors that are like family, too.
Honestly, I think I even saw him Sunday, when the clinic was closed. I'd been going through my boxes upstairs and was unpacking my dishes. My gaze had caught out the window in the kitchen, to a fair-haired figure out in the wide expanse of field out back. I had to do a double-take and when I looked again all I saw was the tall, waving grass.
I hadn't wanted to pay movers for my personal belonging, so I only brought whatever furniture I could carry myself and fit in a rental trailer. That left me with mostly boxes filled with clothes, books and medical texts.
Back in Wisconsin, I'd sold my sofa, dining set and bed with its mattress set, just so I didn't have to move it. I have a small dresser, nightstand and two end tables. I've been sitting on the floor and sleeping on a pallet of blankets for two weeks now. It hasn't helped my mood in dealing with the added burden of Christopher Barnes.
Who currently, sits before me, grinning like a jackal.
Slamming my pen down, I look back up at him and slap on a fake smile. His smile only gets wider. "If you don't need anything, why don't you get going?"
"I do need something," he says innocently.
"What?" What could he possibly need that he just comes here to pester me?
"You, cutie." See, it's useless to try with him. His casual tone has me clenching my jaw even harder. Just don't respond.
Getting up, he strolls over to the counter, stopping in front of me. He crosses his arms over the wooden top and leans forward. I manage to fight the urge to push my chair back, but just barely.
"I just like being here with you."
Internal eye rolling. "Look," I begin, "you haven't been disruptive yet, so I didn't want to make a big deal about this, but you can't just hang around here as much as you want."
His face transforms into a pout, but I can tell it's not for real. The teasing glint is visible in his blue eyes. "How long can I hang around here then?"
"Do you have any pets?" I know he doesn't. He definitely would have brought one in by now, or at least talked about it. I watch as his face shifts from confidently teasing to uncomfortable.
"Uh, I'm not one for pets," he admits.
My eyebrows just about reach my hairline. That's even worse. I make a show of looking around, then lean forward. His eyes widen when I come closer and they appear darker. "You do know what I do here, right?"
I have the pleasure of watching a very slim line of red grace his sharply defined cheeks. He even ducks his head slightly. My mood feels lighter, now that I've managed to turn the tables on him. Until he raises his gaze, eyes turned serious, while biting his lip. Puppy eyes. Unfair.
"When can I see you then?"
"You don't need to see me!" I'm snapping at him. I give in to my urges and push my chair farther back. "If you don't have an animal to bring in, you don't need to be here." I decide that I can finish the chart back in my office. Standing up, I start to gather up my things.
"Wait!" Christopher holds out his hand but doesn't make a move to touch me. "What about when you're off work?"
"Busy," is my automatic response.
"Sunday! What about when the clinic is closed?"
"I'm busy." I actually did plan on doing something when I don't need to be at the clinic the day after tomorrow.
"Doing what? I can help you! I can show you around town, or drive you somewhere." I don't understand the tone in his voice that makes his words come out sounding rushed, almost desperate. I give him a withering glance before responding.
"This town has maybe two dozen different streets. Also, I have my own car." At my words, his expression changes to determined.
"Then, I'll just keep coming here, while you're working." I bite back a sigh.
"I really am busy. I need to buy furniture." I thought that would end it, but his eyes light up.
"I know a great place! It's about an hour from here, but the best selection you'll find in town here is ordering through a catalog. Trust me." Pleading eyes stared at me, making my instant rejection fail to be voiced.
"Okay..." I say hesitantly, "but, you can't come in here anymore. You show me a good furniture store on Sunday, and that's it."
Comically, disappointed and excitement battle across his face. Finally, he nods. "Deal."
Abruptly, he turns to look over his shoulder for a few seconds. I look around him but all I see are our two vehicles parked in the lot outside. Turning to face me, his earlier disappointments is gone and he practically blinds me his smile.
"I've got to get to class. I'll see you Sunday, pick you up at seven."
With a wink, he's out the door, climbing into this truck and pulling away. I drop everything back onto the desk and slump in my chair. Somehow, I agreed to meet up with him. I shake my head at my own stupid impulse.
Meanwhile, he heads to class. Ugh! I let my head roll forward and land on the papers in front of me. I already know that he goes to the local university, a couple of towns away, it's one of the things he babbled to me about.
I'm being harassed by a twenty-two-year-old college student, a man almost eight years younger than me. Furthermore, I agreed to see him in two days.
A/N: Not sure why, but I want to have Alec make as many animal references involving Christopher that I can before the big reveal. Up to four if I count "manimal". Which I do.