Pseudosapien

Appointments

"It's been awhile, Garth. How are you?" Browning asked as the man walked in with a different air about him. He felt light on his feet.

"I think it's safe to say that for awhile now I've been...happy."

"Oh? Find a stable relationship?"

"Yes, with Dr. Young. This change means that not only have I started dating again but she's nothing like the one's I usually toss myself into bed with. She's financially independent, no father issues to speak of as far as I know, and I doubt that there's an insecure bone in her body." Images from their first morning in bed together swam through his mind as he spoke.

"Well, congrats, Garth. That's quite the break from the cycle you've been weaving for yourself."

"I was moving through the cycle because I was I was worried about actually getting close to those women from before."

"Go on."

"I didn't think it was possible for me to be in a stable...anything. I'm a coroner with wonky, unpredictable hours and I could get called in at any time day or night. Annie knows that and she understands because her hours are rather similar. She's the first person I've actually opened up to without paying to see them, so to speak."

"Have you mentioned to her, your...starter feelings?"

"About the first time I saw her? Yeah, it was one of the first things we talked about the day we-" He chuckled.

"You know, I still don't know how we even got there."

"Where?"

"How we ended up flirting like that and talking about sex...to the actual act. I mean, first I'm in the friend zone as she openly tells me about her relationships, you know, when I ask and then I'm out of the friend zone and in bed with her."

"After her relationship?"

"Yes. After it failed. She didn't see it working out anyways. I met the guy and I know why too."

"Mind me asking?"

"Not at all. He intimidated her."

"Physically?"

"You would think but no it was financially." Garth explained.

"I don't think I understand."

"She's fond of fast food and on their first date he took her somewhere really pricey."

"I can see how that would be out of her comfort zone. So you're really happy, then?"

"Yes, very."

"Have you talked to her about your mom?" That seemed to change tunes in the man and he sighed, gazing up at Browning, the guy that had subtly helped him stay intact with his humanity rather than letting him be all about his job.

"I need to talk to you about my mom." From there Garth told him about the phone call he had with his mother a few days ago while Anemone had been over.

"Well, this is new. Talk away." Garth had never spoken about his parents before as most of the appointments consisted of conversation about his job or relationship.

"My mother is all I have left and she's been around long enough to where you would think I would know her. If you'd asked me about my mom a month ago, I would've told you that she's a generous woman that frequently forgets her own husband has passed on. But the day I start a real relationship, she calls me up to let me know that not only has she finally started dating again but she's dating younger men. On top of that she sounded and acted like a completely different person and I don't know how to translate it all. Did she change or has she always been this way? That is the question that has been on my mind most whenever I think about her. I'm glad she at least calls me before she goes out on dates so that I know some basic information, but are her and I...switching rolls?"