Stay With Me // H.S

Chapter: 16

Chapter 16

We found ourselves sitting on a bench beside a marble fountain eating pepperoni pizza that we bought only a few minutes ago. We kept the conversation light and simple until Harry took it upon himself to narrate the lives of people around us.

"Bethany, listen to me, I'm an avid people watcher. It's not like I go out of my way to stalk them but being an up and coming psychologist I have to start somewhere looking into the minds of people. I like creating stories around things that are really happening in front of you." Harry looked around the small park we were situated in, "you see that couple sitting on the grass with their child not too far away?"

I craned my head and nodded once I spotted them. The mother was on her mobile phone and the father was playing with their little girl.

Harry cracked his knuckles and his neck, "get ready to be amazed."

Harry's narration went as follows:

"Merrill for the love of god will you get off your phone." Harry made gestures with his hands and deepened his voice.

The dark haired man actually turned to his wife at Harry's words and the red haired woman turned to look at him while covering the mouth piece.

"Hold on Susan, Jimmy finds the need to cut into our conversation. Will you hold on a second," Harry said in a nasally voice to portray the woman.

"We decided to take Emma to the park for one last family outing before she starts school and you're ignoring us." The man was currently shaking his head while holding the little girl in his lap.

"Well I promised Susan we would discuss baby names; you know she's about to burst any minute." Harry stopped for a second before continuing in an apologetic voice, "Susan I didn't mean burst literally. Now don't start crying on me! Stephen didn't leave you, he just took his bags and left; there is a difference."

"There is no difference Merrill," the man or 'Jimmy' stood up with his daughter, "I'm going over to the playground with Emma to try and salvage some of this horrid day," the man pointed to the playground near us before walking our way.

Harry looked at me with a wide cocky grin to which I only rolled my eyes. Harry gathered our trash and grabbed my wrist before pulling us quickly towards the trashcans and then to the playground. I followed behind Harry as he kicked some mulch with his foot while approaching the man. "Uh hey mate," he rubbed the back of his neck anxiously, "this may sound a bit strange but I'm a sophomore studying psychology over at Boston College and I could help but watch you and your wife from afar."

I wanted to slap my forehead at Harry's word choice and by looking at this man's face he was probably debating on calling the cops.

"I don't mean afar in a creepy way," Harry held is hands out to stop the guy from grabbing his kid and leaving, "I like to observe people and watch their mannerisms. It's almost like free college classes because you are kind of working in the field. I take what I learn from class and apply it to what I see on a daily bases in the real world. My names Harry," he held his hand out for the man to take.

"Jason," the man said shaking Harry's hand, "and this is Emily." I smiled and looked down at the little girl who sported freckles and pigtails. She stood behind her father's leg and held onto the fabric of his jeans like it was her lifeline.

I slowly walked towards her and crouched down, "Hey there Emily my names Bethany. How are you today?" I gave her a sincere smile to try and coax her out of hiding.