Before Me, Him

Chapter 32

     It's Tuesday today and I'm still trying to embrace the fact that I will be hanging out with Phillip today, on a date, just the two of us. As usual in the morning I went to help Robert and sadly I haven't been able to make any more progress with Autumn. It is very demotivating and I'm starting to lose hope but I will do my best until the day I have to leave back to my house.

     I got Phillip's number yesterday and he told me to meet up with him at the library after lunch and to take all my horse books. I don't understand him very well and I truly don't know what he is thinking I mean, since when is going to the library even considered a date? We are literally by the sea and he chose to go to a library. My head was thinking about a lot of things, unimportant things that, honestly, didn't matter that much.

     It was around three o'clock when I arrive at the library to see Philip standing in front of it, waiting for me. He had a white shirt covered by a dark green polo and some beige jeans while, in my hand, I was normal with some shorts and a t-shirt. I didn't think he would actually come prepared as if he was going on a date.

     - Don't tell me this is how you usually go on dates, June? – he asks me frowning his eyebrows.

     - Well, I don't consider being at the library a "date" and, like I said before, I'm no trophy so this is not a date. – I shrug my shoulders and open the library door.

     Lisa greets us with her charming smile and we head our way upstairs. Today the library was a bit crowded, there were a handful of people inside and, half of those were focused on their readings. We sit on the only free table on the second floor and a weird silence appears on the surface.

     - So, why a library? – I question him.

      - Did you ever had a date in a library? – he looks at me smiling happily.

     - No... - I answer confused.

     - Me neither. – he stretches his hand. – There's always a first time for everything! Now hand me one of the books you rented.

     I was confused with everything that was happening, this was not normal. I end up doing as he asked and remove one of the books from my really heavy backpack. Phillip grabbed it and turned it to him and, in a couple of seconds, opened the book to show the index.

     - So tell me June... - Philip lifts up his face from the book and looks at me. – What is the thematic you've been trying so hard to find?

     - What do you mean? – I question him. I mean, why did he want to know that?

     - Well you rented five books about horses. If you just wanted some information you could just rent one or search online but you didn't so you're searching for something specific. I want to know what it is.

     - Horse deceases and their cures. – my eyes look into his trying to figure out whatever was going on inside his charming mind.

     - So Robert has a sick horse. – He says while flipping the pages to the section of the several deceases more usual on horses.

     - How did you know about Robert? – I ask him bluntly while placing my hand on top of the book to prevent him from reading and forcing him to stare into my eyes.

     - Polly told me and from what I've heard Emily told her. – he places his hand on top of mine and smiles. His hand was warm but colder than mine so it had a weird feeling attached to it. His dark brown eyes were looking deeply into mine. – I just want to help you. I don't think you'll be able to read all of this before you go right?

     So that's it. Philip must have seen me with the books when I left the library that day and he just started to place the pieces together. He was using his "date card" to help me find a cure to Autumn just because I wouldn't have enough time before I go back to Hollum.

     - Thank you, Philip. – I say giving him a warm smile and, afterward, his hand tightens its grip on mine.

     - June, I... - he starts to say but ends up giving up on that thought. I guess he wanted to say something really private and most likely really hurtful because, as he spoke, I could see the hurtful expression he was wearing and the tremendous pain in his eyes. I've seen that look before. I am very familiar with those feelings.

     - It's alright Philip. – I lean forward and poke his forehead with my free hand, letting out a chuckle. – I don't know what is weighing you down but you'll be fine.

     He loosens his grip on my hand and smiles kindly at me. Afterward, a silence grew and since I still felt the environment kind of heavy I end up returning to the subject we were originally talking about.

     - The horse's name is Autumn, he was a wild horse but he arrived at Robert's and never wanted to leave again. He is sick but refuses to eat the hay with medicine provided by him, so he doesn't get better. – I let out a sigh. – I'm trying to find ways that could allow him to take the medicine but it's really complicated since the books don't approach that situation a lot.

     - I understand. – Phillip focuses his eyes on the book, reading quickly its pages. – Let's try to find something useful to him them!

     After several hours the sun was setting and the majority of people that once stood here, reading their books have already left. Now there was only me, Phillip and Lisa. I lift my head from the book and end up looking downwards to see the orange sun rays entering the building and making all the dust particles sparkle. Out of a sudden, my stomach decides to show his presence.

     - We should eat something. – Philip lifts up his head and looks at me. – Where would you like to eat?

     I shrug, honestly, it didn't really matter the place, I just needed to eat something.

     - Alright then let's go to a restaurant that I know, they have really good food there I'm sure you'll like it.

     We both get up and I end up delivering three books to Lisa leaving only two to return. With Philip's help, I managed to get one extra book read and a new way to try to make Autumn take his meds: place the meds in the water. I don't know if this could be done with his specific medication but it wouldn't hurt to ask Robert about it.

     As Lisa wishes us farewell we both head out towards the beach. The sun was sending out his last rays wishing us all a good night.