Shadows of the Past

Chapter 8

Dez was pissed, to say the least. I was lectured on how I should have brought him with me, and how he's getting pepper spray for my keychain. He ranted on and on about safety and how even during the day it's dangerous for me to be alone in public. Eventually I had finally had enough.

"Dezmond Harris, if you don't stop treating me like a child right now I will not hesitate to call your mother and tell her you're acting like a helicopter parent again!" I threatened, knowing she would absolutely take my side in this particular argument. Patty Harris is one of the loveliest human beings to ever exist, from the moment we met she's always treated me like one of her own children. Her and Mary would probably be the best of friends, but there hasn't ever been an occasion for them to meet and frankly I'm worried they would take over the world so I'm not in any hurry to introduce them.

"You wouldn't dare!" He gasped, placing his hand over his heart like a little old Baptist lady that caught sight of an emo teen with hot pink hair.

"I absolutely would dare! You and I both know that it isn't realistic to believe that you can be by my side every second we're here, and I can handle Luke so you really need to chill. I'm stressed enough as it is, and I really don't need you going all mother hen on me. I get that you're worried, but I'm okay. I have my taser, I just didn't wanna get arrested for assault in the middle of a café." 

"If I may, I could hang out with you when your friend isn't there. If that's okay with him, that is." Evie had been silently watching our debate from the bench, I had almost forgotten she was there. "I've been in self-defense classes since I learned to walk, and I don't have much going on this week, so it'd be nice to have someone to hang with instead of just staying at the house."

"That would be lovely, thank you. At least someone is taking this seriously. I'm Dez, Blake's best friend, I'm guessing you're Evie?" He smiled and held out his fist for a fist bump. He had something against handshakes, and although he's never really explained it, I'd guess that he just doesn't like how formal they are. It's a fight just to get him into a button down and nice jeans, so it's safe to say that formal isn't exactly his strong suit.

"Evie Holt, at your service. It's not a problem, honestly. I may not have known her very long yet, but I like to think that I'm a fairly decent judge of character and Blake is one of my favorite people that I've met while visiting here so far." She reached out and bumped her knuckles against his.

"You don't have to do that if you don't want to, I swear I'll be fine alone. I just have to be a little more aware of who walks into whatever room I happen to be in. It's not a big deal, and I've definitely been in worse situations than the one we were in today so I can definitely handle it myself if needed." I didn't want her to give up time spent with her family or working on her art just to make sure I'm not left unattended. It isn't fair to her in the slightest and I don't want her to end up resenting me for the time lost.

"Blake, hun, I've already said I have nothing else to do and it's more fun to do almost everything when there's another person with you. I happen to be a very social person and need attention constantly, but if you want I can always just go find another new friend to talk to..." she trailed off, turning her face from me, but I could see the slightest hint of a smirk on her lips.

"Listen, you're here to visit family, and I don't want to be the reason you miss out on time you could spend doing just that. I would love to spend the days with you, I just don't want you to feel like you're obligated to keep me company, that's all." I sat down next to her on the bench and reached for her hands.

"How about you let me decide how I spend my time, yeah? Besides, my aunt really doesn't need my help and I'm pretty sure the only reason I'm still here is so she can get my mom off her back about it. I'm not missing out on anything, and I'd be bored out of my mind if left to my own devices, so don't worry your pretty little head about that." She squeezed my hands, twisting to face me. Her eyes met mine and for a moment it seemed like nothing in the world was wrong.

"Ahem," Dez cleared his throat from in front of us, "I'm still here, ya know? You could at least postpone the whole 'staring into each other's eyes dreamily' thing until I'm not around." He said, using air quotes and everything. I had to admire his dramatic flair, even if it was annoying sometimes. "Up, both of you. Now. Blake, you have a doctor's appointment that we really need to get to. Evie, I assume you're coming with us? You seem invested. If not, we can still give you a ride to wherever you need to be, but we do have to go like now."

"I don't mind coming with you, and maybe we can all go out to dinner tonight so you can maybe fill me in on what the plan is for while you guys are in town? Cause it sounds like we need a plan," Evie stood up, pulling me with her. She dropped one of my hands, but intertwined our fingers on the hand she still had in her grasp.

"Dinner sounds great, we can go to the diner again so I can fill Mary and Rick in on the whole Luke thing. Rick is not gonna be happy, and Mary might cry, but I'll deal with that when I have to." We continued making plans for the afternoon in the truck on the way to the doctor's office. Evie's hand stayed firmly in mine until I was called back into the exam room, leaving her and Dez in the waiting room.