22 Winter, Year 3
Training Buddy
So Alex ended up asking me to come to the spa at 2 today to help him with the weights. After that, I go to the clinic. As it's after 3 pm, there's no one behind the counter, and I go up the stairs.
Normally Harvey reacts pleasantly when I come in, but this time is different.
"Good afternoon," I greet.
"Hello, Evan," he answers, his tone serious.
"What's up? Is something wrong?"
Harvey lets out a deep sigh.
"It's not something you could do anything about, I guess," he starts. "But I'm... uncomfortable with the notion that Penny would come looking for you here. And that Maru would tell people you're spending so much time here."
I hesitate a moment, then sit down on the chair opposite his at the table.
"Why? I mean... is there an identifiable reason for that?"
"It's mainly a feeling that that's wrong. This is not your house."
"Alright. Well. Anyone who comes looking for you will still come directly to the clinic –"
"That's not the point."
"– that's the thing you're always worried about," I go on doggedly, "and I am mainly spending so much time here right now because it's winter and I have a lot of time to spend. Beyond that, there's not much I can change about this. I mean... Whenever I go to Sam's house, the place tends to be empty. When Jodi isn't cleaning she'll be at the general store, or talking to Caroline at the square, Kent will be watching Vincent or standing somewhere looking off into the distance, and Sam is just impossible to find. He can be at Sebastian's, or hanging out with Penny, or he'll be at the beach... This is a normal thing people do. Leave their houses and spend time with other people. I don't stay on the farm all the time anyway. Before we got together, I'd hang out with Leah in the forest, or talk with Demetrius about bees and stuff, or hang out on the beach... It's just that, right now, you are always the one I want to spend my time with. Do you want me to... stay away...?"
"No, that's not... I don't. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."
"If something bothers you, you can always bring it up. It's better to work it out than to keep it bottled up inside. Even if it's something that can't be solved... it's better if we're both aware of things that bother the other person. In a week it'll be spring, we'll be gone for a few days, and after that I'm going to be very busy with the farm and everything, so if people need me, they'll have to go looking for me there."
