Were's the Love?

Chapter 45: A Single Thought and Lying to My Future In-Law

My feet tap quickly against the white tiled floor and I take a deep breath.

I should have made an appointment instead of coming here unannounced. It was silly for me to come at all, especially when Allison is expecting me home with dinner any time now. But I wasn't sure when I would have another chance to speak to her mom without her knowing.

I check the time on my watch for the twentieth time in the last 5 minutes. I still have 15 minutes before our order from the diner will be ready for me to pick up. So, as long as Dr. Black sees me soon and I don't take too long talking to her, I should be fine.

That's if she's willing to see me at all.

Damn it! I check to make sure the painting I brought is secure before I stand and walk over to the receptionist. She's probably already sick of seeing me today, but I can't just sit still.

"Umm," I smile, "Do you know how much longer it will be?"

"As I told you before, Mr. Smith," she sighs. Yep. She's annoyed. "I will let you know as soon as Dr. Black finishes with her last patient and gives me the okay. Please, take a seat. I am sure it won't be long."

I say a quick thanks and sit back down.

Gods! What was I thinking by coming here? Stupid Jason!

You know Allison's parents don't like you! Yet here you are, sitting in the waiting room of her mother's clinic, hoping that she'll be willing to see you! She has no reason to! You're not sick!

Well, maybe sick in the head, but she's a physician, not a therapist!

Fuck! Allison's going to be furious when she finds out I bothered her mom at work! She gets upset when I mention visiting them to her! But here I am, going behind her back to talk to her mom about something she obviously doesn't want me to know about!

I am so screwed!

However, I wouldn't be here if she would just tell me what's going on!

This really is a last resort. I tried looking into owl behavior on the internet and in books, but the answers I got didn't quite make sense. Plus, she's not just an owl. She's part cat. And I can't discount the fact that she's a shifter. Although we share some natural instincts with our animal counterparts, there are still the human ones that we have to factor in. Now, as far as I know, most humans don't store blankets, pillows, and food randomly around the house, especially not under tables or in the bottom of closets. Based on that, her behavior has to be related to her owl or cat side. However, our animal instincts don't usually kick in unless there's a good reason for them to. The problem is, I'm not sure what kicked hers into action.

Think, Jason. Think.

There has to be a way to ask Dr. Black about Allison's behavior without telling her that it's Allison I'm asking about. If I can do that, then Allison won't have to know that I came here. I don't like hiding it from her, but I really don't want her mad at me if I can help it.

Think.... Think... Think...

"Lydia, please help Harold schedule another appointment for next week."

"Of course, Dr. Black. Oh, and Jason Smith is here to see you."

I hear an audible sigh and her figure disappears from the receptionist's window, reappearing in the doorway leading back to the examination rooms. She doesn't look happy to see me. With a shake of her head, she motions for me to join her. I jump from my seat, grab the painting, and follow her to her office.

I didn't pay much attention while I was sitting in the waiting room, but looking around, I'm glad I brought the painting. It was meant to be a sort of bribe to convince her to talk to me, but this place needs color. Everything in the clinic is so sterile and white. The artwork they do have isn't right for the location.