I'm just having one of those days where I can't stop thinking about Chloe and it's frustrating the hell out of me. I can't concentrate on anything, even though the mound of paper work on my desk is very unsettling and my tie seems to be cutting off my air supply, I still only think of her. I stand up and pull the tie from my collar and throw it down on the floor. I look out the large glass window and dammit everything reminds me of her.
It's been a week since we've opened the blind facilities to the public and there is such a great response, we barely have enough staff to keep up with demands. I'm swamped with paperwork and worse yet have been too busy to see Chloe.
I walk into the blind facility with every intention of going straight to my office, but when I come through the door a small figure catches my eye. I approached the small boy with caution. He turned to face me as I put a hand on his shoulder. It was obvious he was a patient as I looked into his blank dark brown eyes. "Hey buddy," I say. "What'cha doing?" I kneel beside him.
He shrugs his shoulders and my heart goes out to him. I see myself years back, so lonely and confused, feeling like I would never fit in and most of the time I didn't.
"Justin!?" A short, dark haired woman calls frantically.
"Right here mommy." He answers weakly and in a second is swallowed up in his mothers arms.
"Don't ever do that again! Why did you do that?"
"I don't want anymore tests." He tells her innocently. As if suddenly noticing my presence the woman puts Justin back on the ground.
"Hi, I'm Brady Black." I offer and hold out my hand.
She looks back at me and takes my hand in hers. "Molly Henderson and this is my son, Justin."
"It's nice to meet you. Do you have an appointment with Dr. Wilson?"
"Yes, just a consultation. I know Justin hates this." She tells me and looks over her shoulder where Justin has wandered, feeling his way around. "He's just so...so distant." She explains and I can see the pain and fear for her son in her eyes.
"I understand, I've been there. Maybe you should talk to one of our counsellors." I suggest.
"He wasn't always like this. Since his father...there was a fire and he didn't make it. They were so close and now that he doesn't have him, he's just so alone." There are tears in her eyes and I feel my chest tighten.
I nod my head and look past her at the tiny child. "We'll do everything we can. I want you to stay here a few days, I'll put you up at the Salem Inn."
"Oh no, we couldn't possibly."
"Please. I insist. I'll make the arrangements."
"Thank you." She tells me humbly.
After work I go to the Brady pub and after everyone has fawned over me for half an hour, I'm finally left by myself. I take a bite of my cheeseburger and nearly choke when Philip and Chloe walk in hand in hand. Chloe immediately spots me and rushes over.
"Brady!" She squeals and sits down across from me. Philip follows and sees me and seems less than enthusiastic as he sits down beside Chloe. "You don't mind if we sit with Brady do you?"
Philip grumbles and rather loudly says. "No, it's okay with you Brady isn't it?"
I nod my head. "No it's fine Philip and you don't need to shout."
Chloe finds this funny but when Philip glares at her, she is quiet.
Philip calls over the waiter and orders himself a plate of fries and a hamburger, and orders Chloe a salad.
We're eating and there is virtual silence for the entire meal. I can't look in their direction and I realize I lost my appetite the moment they walked in together. I more or less shuffle the fries on my plate and sip my milkshake until Philip stands to pay their bill.
"I'll be back in a minute." Philip tells us and I don't care if he ever comes back. In fact, I hope he slips and knocks himself unconscious.
"You've been busy." Chloe tells me evenly.
"Yeah, I have a lot of work to do."
"Did your secretary tell you I've called a few times this week?" She asks and looks up from her untouched food.
"Yeah, I was just too busy, I meant to get back to you, I really did, but things just kept coming up." It's the truth more or less. I know I can't tell her that I can't stand to see her because it only makes me think of what I've already lost. I'd come back for her and she wasn't going to be with me and the honest truth was it hurt.
"I get it. Maybe we could just hang out one night next week. Philip's going away on business and I just get so bored sitting home all alone."
I smile and it's the first real smile I've given all evening. "I think that can be arranged." We exchange a pleasant smile and then she gets up and is by Philip's side.
I leave money on the table, grab my suit jacket from the back of the chair and then leave.
When I get home, I'm suddenly looking forward to next week.
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