Juliet is walking in the park, waiting for James. She spent a week figuring out his daily schedule and now she's quite sure that soon he will be here with Enos.
What a funny name. Who would have thought that he would give his puppy the same name he called Miles? She laughed, imagining the expressions on their faces when they discussed such a strange choice of a nickname. James probably smirked and Miles tried to pounce on James. In Dharma times she and Jin would be the ones who eventually would have to separate them. Jin, where is he? What happened to him? Did he meet Sun?
Lost in thoughts, she nearly misses them, but Enos runs toward her, happily barking and wagging his tail.
-Hi boy -she bends over to stroke him.-Where's your master? Did you run away from him? -
As if understanding her words, the puppy turns back and rushes to James who appears from behind the trees. He jumps around, vigorously wagging his tail and trying to get a stick from James' hand. Juliet watches their comic struggle with a smile. Finally Enos gets the stick and runs towards her, as if asking to play with him.
- Traitor! You left me for the beautiful lady. - She hears James' grumblings, but the puppy is already enthusiastically running after the stick, without paying any attention to his owner.
-Good evening, Mrs. Shepard! We meet again. I hope this time you are not plagued by Enos. -
-No. He is very cute. For me it is a pleasure to play with him. If you do not mind, of course- she adds, taking the stick again and looking at James.
-Of course not, enjoy yourself. – He waves his hand and sits on the nearest bench.- I'll rest a little.-
Juliet throws the stick over and over again, trying to throw it as far as possible, so she can have time to talk with James, but the puppy, encouraged by active play, does not give her a moment of peace. Enos runs for it with a joyful bark and a minute later the stick is again in her hand, while James stretches out on the bench, closes his eyes and basks in the glow of the setting sun.
Half an hour later Juliet begins to wonder how much more unspent energy Enos has. However, seeing her confusion, James immediately stops the game.
-Enough- He gets up and takes puppy by the collar.-Looks like you've already tired out the lady. So let's go home-He says decisively, paying no attention to the pitiful glances the puppy gives him.
-It's fine, I'm not tired- Juliet tries to intervene, but stops under his derisive look.
-Maybe Enos could just run on his own for a while - She tries to come up with another suggestion- After all it's his only active time.-
-Can't argue with that-James sighs.-I have a work to do and he would be better off living on a farm where there are a lot of places to run. Maybe even on some deserted island -he laughs and Juliet shudders.
Memory? Or just coincidence?
-And what about his owner? Where would you most like to be, in town or on a farm? -
James thought for a while before answering.
-Don't get me wrong, Mrs. Shepard, I love my job and sometimes it is the only meaning I have in my life- Juliet sees in his eyes a brief gleam of old pain. -But if you ask me where I'm comfortable, I would prefer to live on a farm. I spent my childhood there. On a farm everything is simple and clear. You don't have to pretend to be someone else. Your actions are the only thing that matters. -
-I never thought that I'd hear such words from a cop- Juliet grins, but immediately realizes how bad it sounded, so she adds – Unfortunately it's the same in the hospital, you should have think about every word you say.-
He nods, and Juliet is trying hard to think about what else they can talk about. With Rachel it seemed so easy to communicate with him, and now they are both sitting in silence and it is not the same comfortable silence to which she was accustomed.
-Attention! Here and now! – James says quietly.
He is deep on his thoughts, and most likely these words aren't addressed to her, but she still asks -What? –
-"Attention! Here and now!" -He repeats louder, turning to her.- From "Island" by Aldous Huxley. We often forget about what's really important, and we need a reminder from the other side. We should be more careful about every thing around us, and this means the here and now.-
She nods, puzzled by his words, not quite understanding what to say in response.
-I haven't read it-
-Try it, it could be interesting for you. Sometimes, I imagine what it's like to live on an island where there are no laws of civilization, no money, no politics ... -
Juliet listens attentively to him, because now he is talking about their life in the Dharma Initiative. Maybe he doesn't remember, but he unconsciously seeks to return to it.
-Guess I got carried away. Sorry, you probably came to the park to relax and not to talk about books. - He rises from the bench.
-You apologize again, and there is nothing to apologize for. You have told me so many interesting things and I'll definitely read the book. And by the way, I've never thanked you for so quickly finding our belongings. - She smiles.
-Frankly, this was pure coincidence. You are a lucky woman, Mrs. Shepard.-
-Oh yeah?-She laughs.- You are the only one who thinks so-
-Then the rest should change their point of view- he shrugs.-Because this is first time in my life a car full of stolen items crashed right into a police car .-
-Really? I thought crooks would be more cautious.-
-Well, to be fair, this car was hijacked not long before.-
-Somebody stole the car from the thief?-
Juliet says and they both laugh. She feels so good at this moment, because everything is just like before. They discuss the previous day and laugh at little things.
-Well, happy to see you again Mrs. Shepard. Give your husband my regards. – James says, suddenly becoming more serious, as if remembering that they are not in Dharma, and she isn't his wife.
-Surely - she mutters, looking after him.