Red Rock

Chapter 2: The Weight of the World (Part 1)

Chapter 2 The Weight of the World  (Part 1) 

Daire woke up feeling rather energetic and confident which was unusual for him at 6:30 in the morning. Without hesitation, he popped out of bed landing on the balls of his feet and hastily checked his drawer for clothes. 'No luck,' he thought, resorting to picking up his worn clothes that lay on the floor and smelling them to judge which were truly 'dirty'. He tossed through them until he found enough to survive the workday, and more importantly, talk to Anna.

He entered the kitchen flamboyantly, catching Doctor O'Connor's attention. "It seems that you have kept your word on being fully clothed!" Doctor O'Connor joked. "Today is truly a special day!"

Daire gave a wide grin. "I'm going to leave a bit early today," Daire said, getting a bowl of cereal. "I want to get a good head start at work."

Doctor O'Connor lit up at hearing Daire's enthusiasm. "I think that's a great idea, Daire".

Daire opened the fridge to get some milk but was once again met with disappointment. "You forgot the milk!" Daire exclaimed sounding a little frustrated.

"Well I'm sorry dear boy, but I am afraid you will have to do without," Doctor O'Connor replied, paying no attention to Daire's tone.

*

Daire arrived at work well before any of his colleagues, pacing indoors thinking of what he was going to say to Anna when she arrived. He suddenly felt disappointed. "Hello Daire! My buddy ole pal!" Kurtis yelled in his usual sarcastic voice. "Why are you here so early?"

Daire exhaled deeply, knowing that he was going to tell Kurtis of his intentions. "I'm waiting for Anna to come in," he muttered.

"You're what?" Kurtis said putting extra emphasis on the 'h'.

"I'm asking Anna on a date!" Daire replied louder.

Kurtis gave a devilish grin. "Are you telling me, that this is the day that you finally become a man? Bravo! Where are you going to take her?!"

"I am going to ask her to go on a walk with me."

Kurtis made a farting noise with his mouth. "You're going take her for a walk? Are you living in medieval times? 'Why hello there Anna, I was wondering if you would like to take a gander into the woods with me this afternoon? I hear the horse trails are quite lovely this time of year!'"

Kurtis' imitation made Daire nervous. "You don't think she'll say yes?" Daire asked, sounding concerned.

"Nope! But it's too late now." Just as Kurtis closed his mouth, Anna walked through the door. "I will be watching the whole thing," Kurtis said smugly and backing away slowly.

Daire started to panic and second guessed at going through with his plan. "Oh, Hey Daire!" Anna exclaimed sounding excited.

'It's too late now, you have to go through with it,' Daire thought. "Hey Anna! How are you?"

"I'm doing pretty well. There was insane traffic on the way here which isn't too uncommon but...." Daire felt his focus leave Anna's voice and his wandering eyes fell above her right shoulder where Kurtis was dancing comically with his broom, mostly consisting of pelvic thrusts. The businessmen and businesswomen around him looked at him in disgust, but Kurtis was shameless. Daire felt himself blush and tried to focus on what Anna was saying, "...anyway, how are you doing?" Daire felt relieved he tuned in at the perfect time.

"Well I can't complain, you know, I'm just dicking around," Daire said immediately regretting his choice of words.

"Oh," Anna said nodding with a pause. "That's cool I guess." A moment of awkward silence ensued and Daire felt himself in a similar predicament as the day prior. "Well I guess I'll see you around," Anna said, exiting the uncomfortable conversation.

"Do you want to go for a walk or something after work?!" Daire blurted out without thinking.

Anna smiled and took a couple of slow steps back toward Daire. "Are you asking me on a date?" she asked in disbelief.

Daire felt his legs quivering beneath him. "I mean it can be if you want. I have ice cream at my place and you can meet my uncle..." Daire cut himself off before he could say anything more stupid.

Anna giggled at his actions. "Sure," she said. "I would love to have some ice cream and meet your uncle." Anna turned around slowly, spraying her tangerine scent all over Daire. "See you soon."

Daire stood in bewilderment. 'I did it,' he thought. 'I actually did it!' He looked up at Kurtis who was just as surprised as he was. Caught in mid thrust, Kurtis' eyes were stuck open in disbelief and his jaw hung open. Daire smiled victoriously and walked triumphantly towards him. "Guess who is walking the horse trails with me after work?" he said mockingly.

"I don't believe it, I don't bloody believe it! She said 'yes!'" Kurtis gaped.

Daire pointed his chin straight in the air. "I was there, I know!" he said, still mocking Kurtis. "I would love to stay and chat but I have work to do," he finished, walking away gallantly.

"You little knob!" Kurtis whispered, jealous of Daire's feat.

*

Daire waited anxiously by the front doors for Anna to finish her shift and accompany him on a walk. His palms were sweating from the nervous thoughts that were filling his head. 'She's going to have a terrible time, what were you thinking! You have nothing planned for conversation and what if you walk too fast for her? Just think of things that you shouldn't do...' Daire could only think of one thing before he spotted Anna. 'Don't fart!'

"Hey, ready to go?" Anna asked with her heavenly smile.

"Yeah! Let's go!"

Daire bundled up his tall coat and watched Anna do the same with her tight red cotton jacket and her black scarf. Daire casually swung open the front door and held it there. Anna walked through the door way brushing against Daire on her way out. "Thank you," she said softly. Daire felt a fuzzy feeling crawl up to his head. 'You're doing great so far!'

*