by Lia London
“If we walk slow, I should be all right.”
“No worries. We’ll stay on the slow side of the street so no little hooligans run you over.”
Parker chuckled. “At my speed, I’m watching out for little old ladies with walkers.”
“I’ll get you a bright orange triangle flag to hang off your butt.”
Parker’s comical cackle echoed in the van making Booster bark. “Sorry, boy. Didn’t mean to scare you.” She covered her smile. “I usually try not to laugh in public because it affirms what everyone says about me behind my back.”
“And what would that be?”
“Something along the lines of I’m a total witch.”
He scrunched his face with mock concentration. “That’s hard to believe. You’ve only been witchy to me …”
“Don’t count the times!” she shrieked.
Guy suppressed a grin. For now—until she left him for her real life—he felt safe and happy sitting in the van with Booster and Parker. As they chatted about current events, he gleaned insights into her core values, and hope insisted on taking a seat in the corner of his mind and watching. They shared many things in common, many interests and wishes for society. But she had reached for her aspirations while he cowered away from his.
When the ferry docked, Guy followed the other vehicles off the ramp and into town.
“This is so charming!” Parker cheered.
Guy tried to perceive the town through her eyes, and found he could admire the picturesque buildings hugging the slope up from the ferry. Bay windows winked with shafts of sunlight, and old-fashioned storefronts beckoned him to step back in time.
After a few blocks, he pulled onto a side street and parked beside a boutique. He hopped out and rounded the front of the van to open her door for her.
“You truly are a gentleman, Guy.”
He smiled and leaned across the seat to hook up Booster’s leash. “And you are a lady. I noticed you even let me call you Daisy earlier without growling.”
“It’s my Orcas Island alter-ego, I guess.”
“It suits you.” He clucked his tongue to urge Booster out onto the curb, holding the leash tightly.
“So, this is the bustling metropolis of Friday Harbor,” said Parker, stretching her hip with an arching lean to the right.
“All one square mile of it, yes.”
“Seriously?” Parker stood up straight, waving at a pedestrian who had observed her odd move.
“That’s all there is.” Booster stood alert at his side, focused and ready.
“How are we going to check out the shops and galleries with Booster? Will they let him in?”
Guy frowned. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“It’s okay. We can window shop,” said Parker. “I don’t actually need anything. I’m just enjoying seeing something new.” She glanced at him sideways. “And the company. Thanks again for bringing me.”
They strolled down the sidewalk in companionable silence, occasionally stopping to point at something of interest in a window. Guy noted very few people out walking, but those who passed all smiled. Still, he kept Booster close. As Parker grew visibly more relaxed, he felt courage bloom within him.
He’d tell her. The right moment would come.
Two hours passed with more playful banter. When lunchtime rolled around, he stayed outside with Booster while she ordered take-out on her company’s dime. In no hurry, Parker seemed content to wander every lonely side street, commenting on the architecture and sharing more of her ideas for the feature films.
Gradually, they worked their way back to towards the van.
“Are you ever going to tell me what your second degree was in?” she asked after they’d meandered for several blocks. “I don’t think the weather’s going to let us skip rocks tonight.”
Guy frowned with mock consternation. “I don’t know. I think you should have to guess.”
“Don’t make me toss you into the Sound.”
“I wouldn’t skip.”
“Oh, come on, you could leap across the water, perfect as you are.”
“Not perfect.” He lowered his head.
Parker stopped directly in front of him and folded her arms. “What’s your other major? You do not want to see me exasperated about this. I’ve been known to pummel people with a clipboard for less.”
Guy made a show of looking her over. “I see no clipboard. I’m safe.”
“Gaaah!” Parker flailed her arms with mock fury, and then relaxed into a chuckle. “Why won’t you just tell me?”
He twisted his mustache between his thumb and forefinger like a cartoon villain. “Dramatic tension.”
Parker harrumphed and resumed walking, her arms folded again. “Is it useful?”
“To some.”
“Would I think so?”
“I would hope so.”
“Okay …” She tapped her chin with her knuckles. “Is it considered prestigious?” She held her hands out to stop him from saying anything. “Not that it needs to be to impress me, it just helps me narrow the options down.”
Guy wrinkled his nose. “Not so much. Not unless you’re ultra-successful.”
“Is it gross?”
Guy burst out laughing. “What do you mean? Blood and guts gross?”
“Yeah.”
“Nope.”
“Okay, so I’m ruling out all things to do with veterinary science or criminal justice.”
“I look like a vet or a detective to you?”
“You love animals, and you’re Sherlock Holmes, remember?” She winked. “Does it require the use of a computer—since you studied online and you’re a computer genius, apparently?”
“Yes.”
She paused in front of a movie theater advertising a matinee. “Numbers or words?”
Guy stopped, his eyes bright. “Words. You’re about to guess right.”
“Journalism. You have a degree in journalism, probably inspired by all the interesting people who come to the island from around the world.”
He couldn’t hide his pleasure, and she clearly interpreted his expression in an instant. Bouncing on her heels, she grabbed the front of his coat. “I bet you specialize in feature stories. That’s why you ask so many questions all the time.”
“You guessed.”
Parker stifled a squeal. Speaking through her fingers, she spoke in a rapid stream of thought. “Oh my gosh, with your writing and camera skills, you’re the perfect partner to do my show. We could produce everything in-house with the right equipment instead of having to hire out writers and bring along some stupid cameraman. And you compose music. You could even create original scores for some of the montages, and—” She threw her arms around him. “We could be the most amazing team ever!”
“I told you I would have an offer to help with your wildest dreams.” He laughed. “What do you think if I say I’m yours for the project? Is it a deal?”
Next to them, the theater’s double doors banged open and moviegoers spilled out onto the sidewalk in a loud, happy throng, flowing past and around them as if they were a boulder in the middle of a stream. Parker felt Guy tense in her arms, and suddenly he clutched her waist tightly, his face buried in her hair.
“Guy, what’s wrong?”
Laughter dissolved into labored breathing. He trembled, whimpering.
“Guy!” She clasped the side of his face between her hands, but he squeezed his eyes shut, tears streaming down. “Guy, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
When he didn’t answer, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders tightly, as she watched the innocent crowd dispersing around them, willing them to move faster so she could hear Guy’s rapid whispers. Booster nuzzled up to the back of Guy’s legs, and Guy crumpled to the ground, shaking as he hooked Booster under one arm.
Booster bathed him in soothing licks.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” Guy’s tears flowed so heavily it scared Parker.
“It’s okay, Guy. It�
�s all right.” She stared at the man dissolving emotionally in front of her.
“Are they gone?” His eyes remained closed, his shoulders hunched.
“Everyone’s gone. Guy, what’s wrong?” Curling her arms over his shoulders, she tucked him into her chest like a mother protecting a child. “It’s okay. I’m here. Booster’s here. We’ve got you. It’s okay.” She stroked his hair, kissing the top of his head. A few people stopped and stared, but she flicked them away with her fingers.
At last they were alone again, and Booster shifted to nuzzle between them. Guy’s hands went to Booster’s coat, and he hid his face in the fur. “I’m so sorry. It took me by surprise. I …”
Parker rubbed circles on Guy’s back as he sat on the pavement and hugged his dog. “It’s okay.” They stayed huddled together for a few minutes, and when at last they both stood, she watched his face closely through her own tear-filled eyes. “Guy, it’s okay. We can go back home.” She held his hands.
“No, I’ll be all right now.” His face betrayed a sadness that tore at Parker’s composure. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just tell me what happened.” She racked her brain for an explanation. “Is it PTSD or something? A flashback?”
He shook his head, crushing her fingers in his grip.
“What? What is it?”
“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.”
“Guy!” Her voice sharpened. “Stop apologizing and tell me what happened.”
“This … I …” He drew a shuddering breath, still unable to look up at her. “Social anxiety. I mentioned it the other night.”
“What? When?”
“Enochlophobia. Fear of crowds. Pretty bad.”
Parker landed on her rear with a thunk, staring at him crying into her hands. “Fear of crowds.” She shook her head, trying rattle some sense into what he’d said. “But you’re awesome with people.”
“One-on-one. In small groups, maybe. But big crowds …” He looked up into her eyes, a desperate sadness darkening his whole countenance. “This is a deal-breaker, isn’t it?” He sniffed. “I’m useless to you now.”
“What? No!” Parker scoffed, but even as she did, she shuddered to think such a small crowd— had it been more than thirty people?— could bring him literally to his knees in fear. Rising, she kissed the top of his head. “Come on. Let’s go see the whales.”
“Okay.” He clutched Booster’s leash with both hands, walking with his head down. Parker could read the shame he felt on his face.
Back at the van, Guy paused at the passenger door. As he sank the key into the lock, he whispered, “That was the deal breaker, wasn’t it?”
“Guy, stop it.” A thought occurred to her. “We met on the ferry from Anacortes. It’s a city. Lots of people. How did you manage?”
Guy’s grim expression hinted she’d hit a raw nerve. “I place a large grocery order online and then go around behind the store and pick it up in the cargo area. We’ve been doing it that way for ten years. Plus, Booster’s trained to help me if I melt down.” He opened the door for her, and she and Booster climbed in.
When he came around to the driver’s side, she asked, “How often does it happen?”
With a shudder, Guy gripped the steering wheel. “It’s been a few months.”
“And this one was worse or less severe?”
Guy’s brow knit with obvious concentration. “I … I guess it hit me harder because of the surprise, but then …” His eyes flickered to her for an instant before returning to a study of his own knuckles. “It subsided faster. Usually it takes me almost half an hour to settle down.”
“Why do you think it was different?”
His voice came out in a husky whisper. “It helped to have you with me. You’re like a safe person. Comforting. You and Booster.”
Parker sat back and chewed on this idea. No one had ever called her comforting before, but she wasn’t opposed to the idea. Her mind raced to the restaurant where he’d taken her. It hadn’t been crowded, but he had opted to sit at the far edge. No signs of anxiety. With a hiccup, she remembered his recent bravery. “The recital.”
He nodded.
“It isn’t stage fright because of performing. It’s the people.”
Guy cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’d probably be fine performing live on radio or TV minus the studio audience.”
“Interesting.” Parker felt her mind racing quickly through possible scenarios and found herself bouncing over unexpected emotions along the way: sympathy for his suffering, with a little empathy mixed in after her plane ride; gratitude and humility that he risked a meltdown to perform at the recital for her, or to take her to Friday Harbor; anger that he hadn’t told her earlier, but also that so much of her world was crowded, thus shutting him out; fear he would lose out on so many opportunities despite his great talents, and fear she would lose him, and surprise that losing him would hurt so much. He was a part of her that she had never known existed, but now needed … a part of her that could explode at any minute and send shockwaves through the rest of her life.
“I’m so sorry.”
She held up a finger, preparing to scold, but then softened her face. No point in terrorizing him further. “How do you usually handle the ferry?”
“I walk the deck with Booster, mostly avoiding people.” His face reddened.
Parker took his hand. “Well, I’m glad you and Booster didn’t avoid me that day.”
Guy’s eyes deepened in an instant, and Parker wanted to dive into them. “Me, too.”
She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. “Let’s go see those whales.”
Disaster #12 ~ The Urgent Call
Guy felt the press of Parker’s hands on his cheeks. The fear had faded from her eyes, and he hoped his meltdown would not scare her away.
Oh, who was he kidding? Of course, it would. His fear of social gatherings had crushed every romantic relationship he’d ever tried to have. After all, the girlfriends wanted to go out for fun sometimes. They wanted dinner in restaurants, dancing, movies, parties—something, anything that didn’t mean being alone with Guy 100% of the time. What started out for them as lavished attention transformed into suffocating isolation, and they wanted more. He couldn’t be enough for any of them. He was only one man. The romantic movies where couples swore they only needed love to survive mocked him because no woman could ever feel that way. Not really. Not after time.
But none of them were Daisy Parker. Even being a big-city woman, she had responded to their solitary moments differently. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but maybe she needed those quiet moments as much as he did.
Or was it wishful thinking?
He studied her expression as she buckled her seatbelt. She was clearly deep in thought, the tiny crease between her brows deepening. Was this her How do I get out of this mess? face?
“Ready?” she asked, turning to him with an almost maternal smile.
He cringed inwardly. She felt sorry for him. She pitied him, and that inevitably lowered him in her esteem. He could never be her rescuer again. He could never be a strength to her. He was a child, not a man.
With a deep breath, he resigned himself to more years of loneliness. “Ready.”
Parker felt the phone in her pocket. “I forgot to take any photos.” She pulled it out. “Hey, there’s much better reception here.” A flurry of beeps sounded, and she saw all her missed calls and texts. Four calls from Sandy? Frowning, she dialed in for her voicemail. “I’d better check these messages super quick. Do you mind?”
Red-eyed, but otherwise stoic, Guy gestured for her to proceed, and he began driving out of town.
“Geez, she gave me her personal number. This must be serious.” Parker tried to fathom why Sandy would be so urgent to get in touch with her. Dialing the private cell, she winced. “I hope nobody died.”
“Parker, oh my gosh, where have you been?!” Sandy spoke in a rush of high-pitched words. “We’ve been trying to reach you for
two days!”
“I was on an island. You sent me here, remember?” Parker’s attempt at levity flopped. Sandy sounded completely distraught. “What happened?”
“Didn’t you listen to your messages?”
“I just got reception, Sandy. There were half a dozen messages. I figured it’d be easier to call. For the love of first responders, what’s the emergency?”
“Haven’t you seen the news? The trending headlines?”
Parker rubbed her forehead with two fingers and tried to remain polite. “Sandy. Island. No internet or TV. You sent me here!”
“Couldn’t you go to an internet café?”
With a shy smile at Guy, Parker shook her head. “I was otherwise occupied. I … didn’t need the internet.” She caught the hint of a blush on Guy’s cheeks before returning her focus to the call. “What happened? Slow down and give me the details.”
She could hear Sandy draw a deep breath. “Charles W. Wynn-Schumann III is embroiled in a huge scandal. The studio had to fire him!”
“What?!” Parker failed to stifle a laugh. “What’d he do?”
“What didn’t he do is more like it. Totally sexually harassing the contestants, male and female!”
Parker felt her ears burn with rage. “Did he get my team? Jill or Antonio?”
“I don’t know. The story broke after they were voted off. They haven’t come forward, though.”
“Wow.” Parker leaned back, rubbing her neck to release the tension that had formed in an instant. “So now what happens?”
“Like I said in all those messages. The producers want you to take his place to finish out the season and take us into the next! Parker, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime for a female director. They’re offering you a five-figure bonus if you’ll rescue the show this season, but you’ve got to come yesterday.”
Parker’s tongue felt heavy. “Five-figure bonus?”
Beside her, Guy snapped his head to look at her with wide, questioning eyes. She answered with a bewildered, overwhelmed grunt. “Sandy, this is crazy.”
