Watership Down was something of a depressing tale. As Lisa sat on a nearby bench, she gingerly turned the crumpled pages of her new book, remembering how saddened she'd been upon first reading the story. It was, and still remained, one of her favourite books.
The trailing breeze lifted loose strands of her pale hair, irritating the teen, who had to keep tucking them repeatedly behind her ears. Though she wasn't exactly cold, her soft flesh began to tremble beneath the creeping wind.
Already halfway through the novel, the intern began to wonder whether Kaufman was ever going to show. It was almost two, and so far she'd not seen even a glimpse of the mysterious doctor. It worried the nurse, who began to fret that she was being stood up.
Impatiently tapping her foot, the girl put the book away, unable to concentrate on the mass of words any longer. Many people came and went as she perched on the wooden seat, lining up to watch the performance that was due to start.
It occurred to Lisa that she and Kaufman had never actually agreed on where to meet. Being his usual blase self, the intern began to wonder whether it was natural for him to treat all of his appointments this way. He certainly wasn't punctual.
Subconsciously running a hand across her lower lip, she traced the layer of lipstick she had recently applied, fighting the urge to slide her tongue across the surface. It was a difficult task to accomplish without a mirror, and she prayed no remnants remained on her teeth.
A mass of knots formed in her stomach, twisting her insides like the angry writhing of a viper's nest. Palms suddenly moist, she felt her cheeks burn as couples came and went, feeling rather out of place amongst the jovial atmosphere.
She recognized this feeling. It was jealousy. A nagging, biting envy which she hadn't felt for such a long time. It almost seemed alien to her.
Lisa wanted to be like those carefree girls, laughing as they embraced the arm of their dates, blissfully unaware of the world that flowed around them. She wanted to hold someone close, and be held in return. It was a persistent yearning which thumped irritably against her chest.
Was he the sort of man she could do that with?
As her thoughts began to wander, the familiar figure of a suit clad man appeared on the horizon, Stiff and solid, with arms swinging firmly at his sides. Though far away, the intern knew it was him simply from the way he carried himself.
Wiping damp palms on the side of her dress, the teen fought the urge to bite her nails, finding it to be an unusually neurotic act which she wasn't prone to performing. Nervous, she began to fidget with her hands, trying to find a comfortable stance.
Placing them behind her back felt awkward, so she cocked her hip, resting one hand on her purse and the other on the slant of her pelvis. It was a stance which felt odd to the nurse, who wasn't at all used to slouching.
For a brief moment she considered waving to him, then promptly caught herself in the act, quickly lowering her hand. Not wanting to appear eager, she instead settled for a warm smile, hoping that he'd notice the colour decorating her lips.
The director stopped before her, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt as he paid little attention the woman standing before him. As she waited, Lisa's eyes examined the grey suit he was wearing, crease free and expensive, much like the mans taste.
Even now, he's dressed like a professional.
The intern grew slightly annoyed that he was paying her no heed, preoccupied with plucking specks of dust and lint from his pristine clothing.
It had taken her hours to select the perfect outfit. He'd merely chosen the first thing he found hanging in his closet. Hours wasted before the mirror accounted to nothing, and suddenly, the girl felt overdressed.
'It appears I'm a little late.' He spoke, rumbling voice ragged like the sound of rocks. 'Forgive me, I had some errands to run.'
The teen felt a wave of tension leave her the body as their eyes met, her knees going weak as gravity suddenly came crashing down. Her pulse thrummed as she stood in silence, waiting for him to react. Everything seemed to slow down, except for her speeding heart rate.
'You were waiting long?'
She shook her head. 'It's alright, I had a book to keep me company.'
The man's gaze shifted from her face to the bag, billowing slightly in the passing breeze. Once again, Lisa felt slightly vexed that he hadn't made a single comment about her appearance, wondering if she had misinterpreted his intentions.
'May I?' The man asked, reaching behind her to grab the bag sitting solemnly on the wooden bench. The girl didn't try to stop him.
Removing the weathered book, he scrutinized it's cover, tilting it this way and that, as though it were something he had never seen before. Clearly unimpressed, the man handed the novel back, throwing his employee a curious look.
'Watership Down?' He questioned, fumbling with his tie. 'Isn't a children's book slightly below your reading level?'
Lisa was taken aback by his comment, unsure of how to react to such a statement. It wasn't a children's book, and she grew irritated by his ignorance. Irked, she scowled disapprovingly at him, snatching up the bag from where it lay.
Feeling sheepish all of a sudden, the nurse wished she'd have chosen something which didn't have rabbits on the front cover. A Charles Dickens novel, or something by Stephen King.
If she'd have known he was going to mock her, the intern would surely have picked a story so unpredictable, that even he would be shocked to find her reading it. Instead, she'd made herself look more like the very child she was trying to outgrow.
Exasperated, Lisa turned away from the man, pouting as she slipped the bag under her arm. 'The show's about to start, we'd better hurry.'
Lining up at the ticket booth, the nurse reluctantly opened her purse to retrieve what little change she had left, dejectedly sighing as she rummaged through a selection of coins. Upon seeing her struggle, Kaufman placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
'What are you doing?'
Initially confused, the girl blinked at him. 'I'm paying for my ticket.'
Shaking his head, the doctor slid his hand into a pocket, retrieving his leather wallet and removing a note from within. With the slightest smile, he turned and bought two tickets, handing one to the teenager, who hesitantly accepted.
'Th...thanks.' She stammered, not expecting any sort of generosity.
Making their way towards the main stage, Lisa could feel the older man's gaze lingering in her peripheral vision, his eyes analysing her entire body as she moved. Hiding behind her lashes, the teenager pretended not to notice.
He held the door open for her, and the nurse stepped into the large auditorium, seeing the room for the first time in many years. Memories came flooding back, striking her heart with pangs of welcomed nostalgia.
She trailed her fingertips along the seats as she passed, recalling each and every one she had ever sat in. The flowing red curtain obscured the stage, separating reality from fiction. The air smelt fresh, carrying the scent of childhood.
Nothing had changed. Not a single thing. It was as though she was still that little girl, perched on the edge of her chair as the ongoing show mesmerized her. Sights and sounds surrounded her tiny frame as she became completely immersed in the play.
It felt good to be back in her special place.
Traversing row after row of chatting customers, the pair finally found their seats, stumbling down the aisle as they headed for the correct chairs. Snuggling down into the cozy fabric, Lisa rolled her shoulders back, releasing a satisfied sigh as she was finally able to relax.
If I don't make it to Heaven, this is as close to Paradise as I am ever going to get.
'You look different.'
Kaufman's voice broke her from her stupor, causing the nurse to sit upright. Peering at the man from the corners of her eyes, she tried to make sense of what he'd said.
'Different?'
He nodded, 'It's the first time I've seen you out of uniform. I must admit, I'm rather impressed.' He ran a finger down the sleeve of her dress. 'That colour suits you well.'
Without warning, he placed one hand on her chin, holding her head firmly in place whilst he used his free hand to wipe a sliver of smudged lipstick from her jaw. Rubbing the substance between his fingers, the director gave her a soft smirk.
'You really have surprised me, Miss Garland.'
Lisa was more confused than she'd ever been, twisting the strap of her handbag as she tensed beneath his touch. It was a pleasant sensation, though it also filled her with caution. Once again the man had returned to being somewhat charming, catching her off guard.
Head swimming with a flurry of contradictory thoughts, the teen found herself unable to decipher the man's mixed messages. One minute he was deriding her, the next he was showering her with unexpected compliments. It was all so complicated.
'Can I ask you something?' She quivered, swallowing the lump in her throat. 'Why are we here? Why did you ask me to come here with you?'
He seemed thoughtful, almost as though she were stupid for not realizing the answer. 'It's not unusual for a man and woman to attend a show together, is it?'
'Um, no but..'
'I don't know anyone who enjoys the theatre quite as much as I do.' He replied, angling his body towards the girl. Tenderly petting her hand, the man grinned. 'Besides, I find your company to be quite pleasant.'
His rough hands massaged her soft flesh, kneading the bones of her knuckles as she stared absently at the slow circle his thumb was making. Was this a date, or wasn't it? His actions were so complex that they placed doubt on the teen.
Lisa was nowhere near brazen enough to ask him, and even if she did, the intern doubted she'd get a straight answer. The doctor spoke in white lies and riddles, never truly saying what he intended to be said.
Sitting back, she allowed him to caress her fingers. It filled her with a contrasting sense of both pleasure and pain, lulling her into a sense of security whilst also putting her on edge.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice the man trying to clamber over her feet. As his shoe caught hers, he fell forward, spilling his drink over Kaufman's hand. Jolting upright, she yanked back her legs, wincing at the sprinkle of water that splashed onto her dress.
The man apologized profously, wavering back and forth between continuing on his way and begging for forgiveness. The doctor responded with an irritated grunt, assuring the man that everything was fine despite his burning eyes betraying such words.
Gathering up his almost empty cup, the embarrassed man scuttled off. Lisa was left wondering what to do, afraid that Kaufman would get angry and storm out. Watching him shake his hand free of water, she suddenly remembered the handkerchief in her possession.
Rummaging through her bag, she removed the neatly folded square and unravelled it, carefully placing it atop her boss' hand. The man eyed her intently, watching as she gently wiped away the remaining specks of liquid.
'Here,' She said, handing him the soggy hanky. 'I did clean it, but now it's all damp.'
The man let out a low laugh, 'I'd forgotten about this. It seems you kept your promise afterall.'
The girl nodded, placing both hands in her lap. 'Yes. I would have returned it sooner, but I forgot I had it.'
'Slightly discoloured, however.' He replied, examining the faint mark that marred the material.
'Sorry,' The teen swallowed, feeling foolish. She'd assured him that it wouldn't be permanently stained. 'I didn't think that coffee would be quite so difficult to get out.'
Kaufman glanced at her for a moment, sunken eyes carrying little more than a casual curiosity, before neatly tucking the square of fabric away inside his pocket.
'Nevermind,' He said, attention now on the rising curtain. 'I suppose it can't be helped.'
Without another word from his lips, the intern sat back and curled her fingers into her palms, trying to keep her breath steady as she sucked air through her nostrils. Though she was eager to watch the performance, Lisa didn't think she'd be able to keep her concentration.
She wanted him to touch her again.