Psycho But Not Really

p s y c h o - 24

"Oh, hey Lenny" I said surprised, to even see him in a bookstore, Lenny rubbed his neck, and stared at me,

"How may I help you?" I asked, leaning over the counter, Lenny kind of backed up, "uhmm, I was just here to...", Lenny kept looking up, like he was trying to find answer, his eyes widened when he finally spotted the kids books.

"That! T-The baby books, for M-Manny!" He stuttered, I gave him a confusing look, I followed his fingers, to the children's books. "Uhh, they're not ready to he sold today, but next week, we're having a children's day, where all children can come and read" I said, but of course Manny was still a new born.

Lenny, rubbed his forehead, and sighed, "all goods, I better get going, bye!, love you!" He said quickly and rushed out the door, weird.

" love you !"

What?!, Lenny said love you, that means something is going on, I shrugged my shoulders, and continued my job. Once I was done with all the books, I leaned my elbows on the balcony, looking down at all the people reading, they ranged from different ages, and different books to read. One old lady was reading about the language of French, and one student was reading about the branch, of Forensic Psychology.

My smile held hope for these people. Cathy called me down, and said my time was over, I packed away my things, and left the store.

Being hit by a wave of coldness, I buried my hands into my sides, trying to keep in the warmth, the snow fell smoothly, on the wet road. I hurriedly walked into the same store, where I encountered the nice young man, selling me the movie for a couple of dollars. I still haven't watched it yet. I looked around, and watched all the songs being skipped.

I quickly turned around when I saw a group of men come in, their eyes on me, as I tried to exit the store, one of them caught my wrist.

"Hey, pumpkin, where you off to?" His disgusting voice spoke, I pulled my hand away, and glared at him. "No where with you!", I said, but the guy with tattoos all over his body, and a nose ring piercing, only grabbed onto my waist. But when his other mate stopped him, he looked at me and widened his eyes.

"Shoot!, dude stop, she's with Nate" he mumbled, and the guy let go, they all shared glances at each other, and they walked off, except the one guy that stopped the tatted guy. "Hey, I'm one of Nate's friends, Judas, trust me, Nate wouldn't mind, in fact he told me if I ever see you around, I must escort you to your location" he said, with a bubbly smile.

He too, had tattoos all over his body, but a lip piercing, I wasn't fond, of the dramatic look, only a few tattoos were okay with me. I smiled, "I was just going to the hospital" I whispered, Judas, smiled, and lightly put his arm on my back. We walked to the hospital, talking about Nate, and his weaknesses.

I heard, that he used to collect little pony figurines, but he stopped when he got teased about it, I giggled at the thought of fetus, Nate collecting little ponies.

When we finally made it to the hospital, I asked Judas to wait outside, and I went in my mothers room. But when I walked in, there was no beeping, I walked further into the room, and her bed wasn't there. Panic ran through my blood, and I ran outside, searching for a nurse, Judas, came to me, and tried to calm me down.

When a nurse finally appeared, she said that they have moved my mother to another room, for chemo, and maybe other treatments.

"Oh and miss, Herwok, the treatments are not cheap, they are pretty expensive, but I suggest, we transport your mother to another hospital in, another state, for better medical help, she isn't doing so well" the nurse said and walked away. My knees felt like jelly, Judas stood there, not knowing what to do. I cried on his shoulder.

We sat in the hospital waiting room, I didn't feel like leaving yet, I laid my head on Judas' shoulder, and closed my eyes.

"Thea?", I thought I was going crazy, when I heard Nate's voice, I thought I over stressed myself. Until I was lifted up, I opened my eyes, and the same grey eyes met mine, I was in Nate's arms. Tears riled up in my eyes. "It's okay, I'm here" he paused and looked at Judas.

"Thank you, for calling me, and taking care of her, you're free to go" Nate nodded, and Judas gave me a quick charming smile. Nate carried me to his car, I was surprised to see it was night, i was thankful that Judas stayed with me. Nate placed me in the car seat and buckled me up.

I wept, as I leaned my head against the window, Nate gripping my thigh, I knew he felt bad. "T-They're, going to send h-her to another hospital" I sobbed, Nate's grip tightened, and I sobbed more. "She'll be alright" he whispered, and kissed the side of my head.

The ride back home, was just me sobbing and sniffing, when Nate turned off the car, and stroked my hair. "I'm staying the night with you", he suddenly said, my eyes widened, but I smiled and nodded. Coincidentally Nate had extra close in the back, I mean it's not everyday that you meet a guy, that always had extra clothes in his car.

When I unlocked the door, I felt Nate's hands on my waist, as much as I wanted to melt into him, I wasn't in the mood. We walked to my room, and laid down together, embracing each other. "What's up with Lenny today?" I whispered, not trying to be too loud.

Nate looked at me, "what about him?" He asked, I fiddled with his hair, "he was acting super weird, when he came to the store I was working in, it was like he was trying to hide something from me, he even said I love you to me" I chuckled. Nate groaned, and placed his chin on my head. Slowly but surely, we both fell asleep, I could feel his chest move up and down, and it calmed me.

I love the peaceful Nate. I wish I could always see him like this.

•••

What was Lenny even doing at the bookstore?