My Appalachian Alpha

3

"Meoooow, meowwwww!!"
"Okay okay, I'm getting up," I whisper yell as I slide out of bed. I grab my robe and pull it tighter around me. It's beginning to get colder here in the mountains.

I look at the clock and see that it's 10:00AM. How in the world did I sleep so long? I guess a day off was more needed than I thought.

I slip on my house shoes and go to feed Fish who happily starts devouring his food.
"My turn!" I say out loud as I scan what I have in my pantry. Oatmeal and tea it is.

As my oatmeal cooks, I take my tea out on to the deck and look out into the forest behind my cabin. It's a beautiful clear day and the leaves on the trees are starting to change colors spilling vivid colors of red and yellow onto the mountains. I have to say, it's beautiful here.

The wind blows and I take a deep breath as it sweeps over me. Every time the wind blew when we were outside, my mother would always say to "breathe in the wind." And so, every time I feel the wind pick up, I close my eyes and take the deepest breath I can muster as if I'm inhaling magic from the very air.

My timer for my oatmeal goes off and I head back inside but my mind is aching as I almost feel claustrophobic inside my quaint cabin today. I need be out there, I need room to breathe.

Hmm. I don't really have any friends here besides Drew and she's working today. And since I don't know the hiking trails, I shouldn't head out alone. On a scale of 1-10 how weird would it be to call Tom from last night? I could just ask about the trails and happen to inquire if there are any hiking groups or trail guides. As a local, he's bound to know, right?

So, that's actually probably insane. My alternatives, however, are to sit inside and grieve my mother. And I just can't do that. Not today.

"Westbrook Emergency Clinic, how may I help you?"

"Oh good, Drew! It's Emma."

"Why are you calling work when it's your day off?"

"Well, I sort of need a favor."

"And that is?"

"I need Tom O'Malley's phone number. I want to call and check up on him personally," I say trying to sound strictly professional.

"Mhhhm. Right. And this has nothing to do with the sexy beast that was with him?"

"What? No. I mean...no. I just want to see how he's doing and also ask about the local hiking trails. I need to clear my head today."

"I'm sorry. I know today's a hard day. I have his number right here. I'll text it to you. And Emma, if you need a couple more days off, just let me know, okay?"

"You know I'll be back to being a thorn in your side bright and early tomorrow," I say with a smile.

"I look forward to it. See you tomorrow."
We hang up and my phone buzzes with Tom's number. With as small as our town is, I often call patients myself to check on them. This isn't any different. Or I try to convince myself that's it not anyway. I dial his number and half hope he doesn't answer.

"You got Tom!"

"Oh, hi, Mr. O'Malley. This is Emma Alden-Delvaux, the doctor you saw last night at the clinic? I was just calling to check on you and see how your arm is feeling."

"My arm? Oh right, that ogre bite. It's completely healed up like new, thanks to you!"

Healed up? That wound will take weeks to heal but it's apparently feeling better so I'm happy with that.
"I'm so happy to hear that! If you need anything else, just come see us at the clinic."

"Will do! Thanks for checking in on me doc. Really appreciate it."

"You're very welcome....um, Tom....I also was hoping you could help me a bit. I would love to go hiking today and I'm not familiar with the local trails."

"Hiking? As in walking for fun?"

"Well, I suppose so," I say. I smile as I realize that that's exactly what hiking is.

"Tell you what. The pack is having a big cook out today, why don't you come on over! We'll have tons of food. Would be happy to have ya!"

"No, I couldn't. But thank you—"

"Don't tell me you'd rather walk for fun. Come on, I insist."

"Okay, if you're sure I won't be a bother."

"Great! Let me give you some directions. We are a bit off the main road."

After writing down all of the directions, I have to wonder what I've just gotten myself in to. I've never met with a patient outside of the clinic. Besides my dad, I've never met with anyone outside of the clinic. Wow, that's sort of awful. Have I really been so reclusive?

This might be good. No, this is good. I need to make some friends and start creating some sort of life for myself. I'm not completely sold on the idea that having a cook out with a half sane patient is the way to go about it, but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

I text my dad to let him know I'm heading out and that I love him although I know he won't respond today. My father does the same thing on the 23rd of every month. He unplugs from the world and goes fishing. He never fished until moving here and now that's how he has chosen to spend the anniversaries of my mother's death and I respect that. Whatever makes the grief feel bearable.

Showered and dressed, I'm just about ready to head out. It's a decent drive and Tom insisted I be there by noon.

I plug the address into the GPS and nothing comes up. I guess I'll be using my hand written directions after all. For the first time in six months I feel a bit of excitement for what the day could bring. Or who the day could bring.