The Man on the Yard

 

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In our profession, we have this ethics we need to embody and practice all through out of our lives as we risked ours to help others. The medical career I supposed to say, it’s quite simple: You have to empathic, tolerable and portray transparency of the entire course of any pathology or disorder you will encounter. They were illogical, absurd and as a woman being a confused millennial I could be, there are factors I have yet to consider that my brain didn’t comprehend my decisions, as they were scattered on the pavement, the inability to pick them up due to loss of direction was a misery to me. At first it was impeccable until that moment of our meeting, I was autoimmune to what it’s effect upon, I was destroying my own morality. I should not sugarcoat him with too much compliments even he deserves more, but he was the catalyst on what I have come to realize at these points of my life. 

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Milkshakes

At a local diner at 37th St minding their own businesses and only looking forward for the next day of repetition, is where we met by chance of uncertainty. He was from Sugar Hill and doctor from Columbia med school while I finished my college and masters at University of Pennsylvania, the only information you need to know for now. By luck there was a rehabilitation center that accepted me as their physical therapist and aside from that, I was still trying to submit my manuscript at any publishing company and being in a contract, there was a requirement of quitting my recent job with the profession I chose, there are no publishers that would accept it for it was rather rubbish or simply trash. I was devastated that day for it accumulated it wanted to release drastic measures in multiple displacements, and in New York, whatever you do, it’s a normal day’s work. On the other hand, he was also in the same boat—because he came back from mongrels on the university with the panel discussion he has been attending for months and that was his last day shenanigans because of his full participation with the Manhattan Psychiatric Society and he accidentally volunteered to represent their society for the whole occasion of thesis presentations, which he didn’t wanted but there it was. I sat down on a stool and he also did upon arriving at the rest room of the diner. The diner was crowded, otherwise no one ever sat at the bar stools near the counter so I sat there, beside him. He had an unequal black washed up tied hair as if he had a tail abundant to the right and few at the left, wearing flannel plaid sleeves all buttoned, a belt that’s giving a shape on his fit trunks, tight brown shaded black pants and Converse shoes that caught my attention, why was he wear the same color as mine.

“Fish and chips.” I said with my displacement to my sitting, everyone looked at me after some noises, and then he was glaring which made do the same thing because it felt intimidating, except I had a frown to portray transparency. “Why are looking at me Miss?”

“Excuse me, sir, were you looking at me first?”

“Why don’t you sit elsewhere? You even chose to sit beside me.”

“That isn’t your problem any longer, I am sitting here because this is where I am comfortable so sit back and please don’t—look, mister, I had a bad day.”

“Ah, a bad day.” His sarcastic voice rose on how best expression he could show and  contributed on my everlasting indignation. Although my reasons needed clarifications to him, it was complicated.

“I just came from work and I don’t want any argu—”

“So you think this is an argument? What a piece of junk is this.”

“Are you trying to annoy me right now?”

“I was just asking about having a bad day! ‘Cause you know what, I had too and I need some time alone, alright? Why don’t you sit a part from me if you will?”

He kept insisting, and I defended my right because it’s a free country which was irrational evidence towards defending my side. Otherwise, I’d be standing along the barricade as we watch our men holding their guns and waving to all of damsel about to board on fighting planes. “I want to sit here! You are not even a regular and you would displace all morbid actions today upon me, the stranger? That’s absurd!”

The waiter pointed out as he was making my drink. “He is.”

“Shut the hell up, don’t you consider me as one too?”

“You’re not even making any sense. What  I’m saying there are other places to sit!”

“Mental, Mister! I want to fucking sit here.”

“God you’re ridiculously persistent.” He mumbled and scooted over at one other sit with his food, he didn’t looked back anymore although it was really intimidating.

“What else do you want?”

“I’m not talking anymore, insensitive bitch.”

“You’re calling me insensitive?” squinted my eyes on his arrogant facial expression, he aggressively insisted. “Yes, you’re being insensitive!”

The guy at the diner startled after handling the drink in front of me, and we ignored his presence after a quick glance. It caused him to hurry back at the kitchen and the diner was silenced by the attention we brought upon ourselves. It was shameful, but we can’t argue less. A movie scene everyone wants a bite from it, a block buster presumably it was. It was childish, but it was a displacement and the realization was concluded. Eventually he apologized on his actions after everyone proceeded on their errands, we are adults, and dealing with adulthood anyway.

“Look. I am sorry. Bad errands cause bad moods, it makes us human, you know?”

“Like a hangover in a series maybe?”

“Nerd, but point accepted. You know—you know how things roll.”

Skeptical face was activated due to curiosity. “You’re a stranger. It’s a defense mechanism from a person to not leave traces.”

He offered his hand to introduce “J. You are?” We both shook our hands, now our faces were enlightened by the mood.  “Daisy.”

“Is that your real name? And are we supposed to say our names to one another? Is that even your name?”

“Yes, and probably not?”

“I like that name… Well, there are possibilities you would leave traces.”

“You’re not good at it so why not comply with it to. May I know the reason why you like that name?”

“’Cause it’s also my favorite flower.”

“Are you bisexual?” My randomness sunk in, how my mouth did even babble such nonsensical matter? Because of the protests on television still about LGBTQ and discussions on free time caused all of that. He adjusted his position to face me and gained the questioning face, this time, there’s an accuracy of skepticism and his eyes squinted with a frown. “Why would you accuse such a stra—a person you just knew? That’s being cynical.”

“I’m sorry it’s just, most women like the flower daises, what about you? Any explanation?”

“Unrelated but they’re genuine, Ms. Daisy.”

“Genuine? That’s an assurance not a description or a proper adjective.”

“Is that so?”

“Definitely.”

“Who named you?”

“My father. Oh shit.”

He snapped the empty basket of fish ‘n chips and declared his success upon our argument. As I was looking on his shoes that were in the same hue but older, he looked on mine that had a colorful plaid, with stains of mud and other things you don’t want to know, it hasn’t been washed by weeks when that happened. There was no time to wash it because of my schedules and it has been cold ever since so never mind that gibberish talk. Jaeseop giggled and I hid it although it turned out worst case scenario, turning it as a hilarious insult. “I cannot believe I am defending matters with my point of view with a woman who wears plaid socks, and its rainbows.”

“Excuse me Mr. J, you’re not the only one who can insult such a woman. That is violation of human rights, isn’t?”

“Well, do you know the freedom of speech law? That’s what dominant here! I am embarrassed about your shoes so thank me later! Haven’t you heard about the news? The golden rule they say? That honesty is the best policy.” Insisting that he’s catching my drift, not exactly, although it was defying on how he didn’t had any interest towards my taste in, fashion. “You’re the only one who dissed them and now I know who you are, I despise you!”

“Childish!”

“Bisexual! You still have no right to be rude towards me for the reason of we just knew each other by this—you know what? I am leaving.”

“You have no right to leave we’re arguing, loser.”

“Don’t call me loser, it’s just we’re arguing about something non-sensical.”

“It’s not non-sensical, it is human rights! This is a free country.”

“Non-sensical it is, good stranger.

I tapped his shoulder and insulting faces with my middle finger as the last impression was done, I left the diner with the wrapped in paper fish ‘n chips and the bill sneaked under as for my payment. That smart ass won’t even cross my path say my past self. I didn’t get to finish my shake that day and it was a pretty horrible, first, because of this errand coming from the rehabilitation center, two, the manuscript disapproval, three this man named J whatsoever—did he just dominated my problem list? For the love of Heavens. Journey was hazy as if it was just an occurrence that I should forget by that time, though that day was memorable due to the bad luck that had come across my path in package. Even at the end of the day, my roommate didn’t tidy our apartment that made me feel worst.

“What’s wrong?”

Said my roommate, impulsively, tipsy with her heels brought by her hands that came across to me that she came from a date or a bar, because her smell was all over the place. I lay down at the couch with my laptop watching some random free movie and it was Fight Club, and that was the only indulging moment of my day. Poor milkshake and rainbow socks I always loved.

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D is for Delightful

I was on my rehabilitation center on a daily basis for a living. Wherein I was doing therapy on my patient who was 14 years old and had an injury from his football game and he is on his out-patient intervention. The only accountability was about his mobility and how fast will he walk by now, seeking for discrepancies. Agitated on one thing, it’s me having to do with his sharing of his experiences, like he told me lots of stories, which were entertaining. Similar way he watched the movie I watched the night before that day we had our session and all of his classmates were happy to see him once again after all of what he encountered, as if he was a supreme hero upon his peers. Despite this rollercoaster of happiness, the downward was his hindrance, wherein he had to wear his brace every time in school and whenever his baggy pants were in the laundry, he couldn’t hide it with his shorts or skinny jeans. He received discrimination and quitted the football team because of his coach indirectly talking about his condition and unable to continue anymore with all the hatred. It was a big loss for the team, but there’s go the conscience for the coach. “You know, I had been having therapy sessions at Methodist.”

“Hospital? Ah… I sometimes go there.”

“You do? Maybe you know Mr. Kim!”

“Mr. Kim?” Kim is an abundant surname you know, as for Korean’s culture said my diligent roommate. Either you are a fortunate one to have it or destined to. Mesmerized on thought of the surname, I was brought back when a word was stated. “Yes, He is my psychologist.”

“I see… maybe Dr. Clarinet knows him, because they negotiate on conditions and reconsiderations of the patients who need them. Who admitted you for therapy?”

While he tried to walk from the support of the parallel bars, observing what will happen if he lets go of his self. “You said I need some because of my emotional breakdowns…”

“Ah…yes.” Comfortable towards his part, it had been months being with him, and I got used of answering back, and he liked how I make business towards his part and cheering him up was the best thing to do. The Physical Therapy Assistant announced my presence at Dr. Clarinet’s office urgently, I left the boy hanging on the task that was supposed to done, luckily someone who was my co-worker guided him to finish his session and I proceeded to the office with my stethoscope hanging on my neck, sweating and in a rush because the announcer called me thrice already. The facility is humongous and if you want to get into the other side on where I came from, you would take a 2 minute sprint. When I entered the room, there were two people sitting, of course, Dr. Clarinet who was flashed by the blinds and her blonde hair flaunted and it made me envious, shame on all debonair damsels. Apart from that, we’re entirely friends. The other person was familiarly recognized, and he was the man who I met at the diner! Due to my surprise, I didn’t let out my word and found the couch which was more comfortable to sit at, indirectly saying I don’t want to see you in this place. My position was my left foot was lying down on my right knee and it gave bad signals and backing up myself, before she could speak, I said. “Clare, what’s the matter.” Another look from him, yet with more of a hell, and returned the favor upon that response, maybe he was enlightened and received my non-verbalism.

“Sorry for the misbehavior of my therapist, she’s having issues since this week.” Trying to cool down the hostility, she was begging for my reconsideration and verified my professionalism. He remained parched on his seat and the pause was remarkable, the one we all didn’t want to hear. Vaguely, I cleared my throat for her to start the conversation. Our hostile environment was intense it even made my palm sweat that time.

“You have the patient…” She flips the paper records on her desk said “Alexander Hellen…whom you have admitted into a psychiatric therapy after his therapy within our service, and here today is Dr. Jaeseop Kim who would love to interview you about Mr. Hellen and your therapy processes, mostly likely the reports. Do you have them?”

“Affirmative.” Then he was looking at his hands and wiped it as well with his handkerchief on his pocket, sweaty palms was also his thing. “When does he need it? Now?”

He first looked at Clare with a cheerful bliss and excruciated emotion upon me, as if the burden is on me and he is glad about it. Sarcastically commanding me “Later on? You’re so tenacious.”

It bothered me as I was leaving the room, slamming the door and rushed to the records sections, gone ballistic when my co-worker walked in the scene and horrified on what she witnessed on the records on the metal cabinet that caused me a paper cut. “Are you all right? Are you still in…distress?” As he held my fingers, and starts to find the records while I put an antidote and Band-Aid at my left ring finger, from the emergency kit, in such luck they had it nearly that I didn’t need any assistance. “I am still in distress! I met someone on the diner who is definitely the most annoying person and coincidentally at Clare’s office as the psychologist of Alexander!”

“You’re so unprofessional, if that man’s unattractive we have to—” caught on his speech, his face froze and handed me the records forthwith to leave the room immediately. When I glanced at my back, it was him on stark, you never knew what was his emotions will be, as if the words he heard took into the verge. Unexpectedly, he held my hand with the Band-Aid and said “Paper cut—”

“What a coincidence, isn’t Dr. Jaeseop Kim. Are you happy?”

Looking at him suspiciously on why he was holding my hand. I yanked his hands with my hands and protected it by holding my hands together. “Alexander had mentioned me about you, and wow…I never knew you were the Daisy he was happily telling about.”

“Oh…so what then?” I replied, then he held my hand although I kept yanking his chest, no one could’ve touched me except myself.

 “Let me look at your hand!” Insisting the action to be done, I continued refusing.

“It’s already nothing! It doesn’t matter!” I gave him the records by slapping his chest which pushed him backwards and said “Here are your records, if you need interview, why don’t you ask Dr. Clarinet?”

His voice loudened to insist his intention.

“You are the assigned therapist for her, not Clare!”

I deeply sighed, taking in the insight. “Allright! For the love of Heavens!”

Alexander Hellen, my dear boy, I wished you were just assigned to another therapist which I didn’t knew about at all, not in the most delicious fish and chip diner in the city, could’ve been Clare’s boyfriend.  We sat on my office table at the in-patient’s consultation office and the assistant gave us a cup of tea, which was my favorite and his? Definitely, because he drank as soon as it arrived. “Now, what?”

“How was he on the first weeks?” He browsed the reports and by looking at it, I think he was in heed of an answer. Despite that, my apathetic projection was visible because his concerns were already mentioned on the paper. He tried to get my attention once again. “Daisy? I thought you wanted to be done.”

“Ah…yeah…yes? Pardon, what was it again?”

“How was he on the first weeks…? Was he pre-occupied by his friends or lonely?”

“Both, he was…confused…or incoherent that time. You don’t know how he will feel at the moment.”

Escalating to another topic, he surely likes these interrogation matters. He should have been a lawyer instead. “Was he desperate?”

“To get treated and walk? Sure. Luckily he wasn’t that old enough for the label of paralyzed.”

Skeptical and he is actually wearing a white robe, with crumbles, now my feature observation had deepened because of this. “Was he deeply attached to anyone beside you here?”

“He was attached…with Dr. Clare Clarinet and some kids around here.”

“Moreover, does he mention this person named Jerry?”

“He always visits him on Fridays, I think it’s his father. Jerry Hellen is his name and he always asks me about his condition in discreet...”

“Oh… Jerry…noted. So…who else does visit him?”

“According to my memory, which you can just dig up on the paper, his friends in school, mother father and yeah…that.”

“I see…”

“What else…”

“Suicidal…tendencies?”

“Uhhh…there were many. This one, I was with him. He was watching his old sports games and thought of not being able to walk once again, the feeling of hopelessness triggered the button that he almost killed his self when I entered his room that day to return, accompanying him. To admit, I cannot tend to him unless it’s my time for work. My concerns doubled since and you know, there. Bang.”

“I see.”

“Will you stop…”

“No…shut up…hmm…”

“…”

“…”

We were quiet for a while. The silence was felt even if the consultation office was in chaos that day. He was still trying to jot down notes on his tablet while I try to fix the papers on my table one by one, and flipping them if I missed something, for me to be occupied on the situation.

“That’s it. That’s what I need to know.” What a concluding sentence, he offers his hands for a thankful handshake, and I obliged, because it’s a formal meeting. Then someone entered the room who was little short and shouted both of our names “Ms. Daisy and Dr. Kim!”

“Hey!” We both said, and looked at each other after we were hugged by Alex. He was amazed by how he approached the both of us in the same matter. “Dr. Jae, what are you doing here?”

“I was talking with Ms. Daisy about your treatments lately.”

“Ah, she has been great!” Then he hugged him as if they are both related in blood, sentimentally attached with each other. “Ms. Daisy, he is Dr. Jae, my therapist.”

“How was he towards you?” Said myself then he glared at me and looked back at him as if nothing ever happened once again. Terror up in here. “He’s like my father, who listens, and mentions what is supposed to be done. Though he doesn’t get mad at all you know.”

To simple change the vibe into a funny state, I tried to pull out my weapon. “Am I as well?”

Both of them looked at me in portent, upon realization of Jaeseop, he was flustered trying to hide his laughter by drawing back his lips. I was just trying to cope up. Alexander saw his face and suddenly defended me, with his late realization. “No, no no! Don’t laugh at her Dr. Jae, she’s a kind person and smells like my mother!”

“I know, I know… alright calm yourself.” Then he stopped and gave his whole attention towards me. He stood up to get his things. “I have to go, hospital needs me, Alexander.”

“I will have to leave too! My mother has been finding me for about an hour now.” Alexander declares, and waved goodbye upon us. As we were the only two left at the office, he immediately asked. “Are you bisexual?”

“It was a joke.”

“Okay then…you win.” Then his smirked widened and started laughing loudly. It didn’t felt as much as annoying as what happened on the office, or even at the diner and it felt comfortable, and amazing.

* * *

My co-worker was with me at the cafeteria that day, and Clare as well for it was time for lunch and the special today was our favorite (still is): T-Bone steak with savoring taste of herbs by our canteen cook. Aside from that, when Clare comes along he would always prepare some Greek salad which is a double treat for such cheat day, and that started our cheat day, usually on Wednesdays when the T-Bone is special for us to not feel any guilt towards our meal. My skin complexion had its stage of fairness once in for all and this is what I was thankful for, my lovely skin getting it’s nourishing glow. Clare smiled cheerfully with the cook as he was putting the big bowl on our table. “Here you go ladies, enjoy the guilt.”

I said. “Never the guilt, sweet pea.”

“My pleasure, Daisy.” With a wink, that had been a nature.

My co-worker, Sylvester immediately caught my attention. “Are you still flirting with that man?” then Clare was choked on her first bite, and continued laughing.

“For fucksake Sylvester would you stop assuming things?” She said after drinking water to relieve the choking.

“You know what, you should also be sensitive about us and your employees, yeah?”

“Whatever, wanker.”

“You’re the wanker.” They are both British and the only thing you can comprehend in the situation is to adapt on this kind of talking, also thanks to Rose for more information about this, and her boyfriend—oh that… she had lots, that time I don’t know whether who was the legitimate one. The only way to stop their conversation was my speech. “Please…yeah?”

“Alright, Daisy.”

Clare changes the topic, a sudden shit of the gear to the dirt road. “Ms. Daisy, how was your interview with Jae?”

“It was a horse ride, and pardons for my demeanor lately, the publishing companies kept insisting me quitting my current work.”

“Then why don’t you?”

Sylvester points the fork on his hand while he brings the point. “Contracts mate. You’ve got to deal with those bonkers just to have lots of money then if they don’t need you anymore or you’re not popular any longer then you’re fucked.”

“Practicality is within your blood stream, yeah?”

“You reckon.” Said myself in thought.

“Definitely… you still stay on this job, same house and the diet, wow.”

“Wow, yeah, whatever Dr. Clare.” I shrugged then she pats my back then Sylvester imposes a judgment or either a compliment on my part. “The thing that will make you lose is within the world of luuuurv.” Is that even a word or was he trying to imply my weakness is love? Incoherency to the message, he gets a slap from the one who only understood. “Shut up! Let her be!” Then that made me think of the last time I was in a relationship, a couple of years before that there was a man who was a civil engineer at the municipal office of the city and we met there when I was paying Clare’s extra fees. He was wonderful and we actually lived for a couple of years after my first job, and there goes the third party and his commitment issues that ruined the relationship. Simply, he was not even ready. Let alone not being ready, by that time, my mind also thought of not minding any errands about love because it causes distractions, or disruptions on my routines. Then when I was about to eat the last bite of my steak, the lobby wants me to answer a phone call. Either it’s my mother who needed financial assistance on her bakeshop which is growing nonetheless on a process of improvement, or my uncle who wanted to invite me on a football game this weekend once more. The only thing that came on my mind that time is the fact that why do I need to answer the call on the lobby and not on my phone at all. “Hello?”

“Ms. Daisy Springfield?”

“Yes, you’re speaking with her, how may I—”

“Ms. Daisy—Hi Ms. Daisy! It’s Alex! What’s rolling?”

“Oh, Alex, I am okay…why did you call?”

“Cause…I told Dr. Jaeseop to call you about the proof that I never had a girlfriend.”

“Yes, you had.” To tease him, he has never mentioned anything about it actually so it’s good call. “No, I haven’t—Dr. Jaeseop may I—do you have a boyfriend?”

A noise on the line was heard. “Boyfriend? No, and currently working right now so could you please…”

Then a deep voice suddenly spoke at the line. “Sorry, Ms. Daisy if he was interrupting your…errands. On my behalf as well.”

“No it’s all good. What’s the matter?” Professionalism, in need.

“Our time’s up and he said that he would only leave if I call…you…exactly…”

He didn’t know him well. Quirkiness and mischievous acts are his superlatives. That’s where he is best at, and hope now he is enlightened. Welcome to wild world, Dr. Jaeseop. “No wonder. Get used with it.”

“You never said—will you come back next week?—Alexander please—shit hey nurse—goodbye, yes—still there Ms. Daisy?”

“Yes. Mr. Shit.”

“Sorry. And you never mentioned about that at all.”

“Because you never ask common questions, you only asked about his tendencies of suicide and people around him for the past few months, not his own experiences. You are a psychologist, figure it out on your own information.”

Then breathe came across the line, shorter than a sigh with a light vibe towards the delivery of it. “Thanks, Daisy. Pardon for interferences, it won’t happen again.”

“You wish.”

“What?”

“Mr. Alexander’s journey will be never ending, the abilities of the young man is off the boundaries and unpredictable.”

He sighed this time and there was a long pause before he spoke once again. “Keep in touch then.”

“Likewise?”

“Goodbye, Ms. Daisy. Think of it as a professional approach.”

“You too.”

After that, Clare and Sylvester were waiting for me at the door of the patient we needed to tend for that day. As if the only one needed was me, which was right. Bollocks. “Ms. Daisy, who you were talking to?”

“You told her to let her be.” While he checks the vital signs of the patient and I rearranged her position, for her muscles won’t be immobilized. “No, I am just concern because it took longer than expected and you were suddenly flustered.”

“Flustered? Of course it is—shit…”

She hits me with her elbow on my waist and said “No cussing.”

The patient stared at me for a moment, suddenly she smiled and said “That’s a first, continue.”

“What?” Continuing my profanity will make Dr. Clare insane, because the reputation of the rehabilitation should be maintained by being good moral models of motivation towards wealth. “Go on, tell your story profanity whore.”

I held the handle of the hospital bed to elevate the patient’s position for reflexology of Sylvester after medications.

“That was Dr. Jaeseop Kim with Alexander.”

He exclaimed and spilled a little amount of medicine from a spoon to the blanket wrapped to the patient and she kept laughing at us on how we were acting that time. “What does he need with you?”

“Alexander’s tendencies are unpredictable, yeah?”

Clare kept on hold of the patient’s arms patiently waiting for me to continue my story. “Will you move your elbow?” asking her after she didn’t receive want she wanted from me on a snap. She moved it as if there was no problem for her to do so, our faces lightened by the amount of amusement. Alas, she moved her elbow freely with no guidance. All of us were celebrating by glancing to each other with smiles in our faces and when she spoke “I guess your profanity works with patients, right?” it was hilarious.

* * *

“Will you stop asking me, it was just a phone call from Dr. Jaeseop.” I defended on terms associated with our interactions while walking with Sylvester to Times Square because he needed to meet with his agent about his photography career. “No, it is a big deal. Why were you flustered?”

“I don’t know? What do you want? Alexander is important to me and there are no other things rather than my family, friends and myself as more important than his.”

“Well, you could add Dr. Jaeseop if you want.” He responded after drinking his coffee and giving an indifferent face.

“We are associated with each other because of Alexander, and that’s all. Or maybe because of Dr. Clarinet. But that’s it.”

“Bummer, you could have actually have a boyfriend that is a doctor.”

“Why don’t you flirt with him? He’s bisexual.”

“C’mon now.” I pushed him because the green light was already blinking at the pedestrian lane.

“Daisy, even he is which perhaps the only personal thing you have talked about because God knows what you argued about at the diner but look, this is your chance!”

“I never wanted it anything that’s distracting my groove. And also, having a relationship within the vicinity of work is not my jam, okay?”

“Jam? So you are fucking with butters?”

“What?” He was mentioning a metaphoric moment there. Contrasting makes more sense as if it was meant that the peanut butter and jelly fits with each other, while if you put butter on the peanut butter, it doesn’t. “Nothing, literary smart arse.”

“A blocke won’t even understand your shenianigans, yeah?”

“You’re intimidating me. We have got to compose ourselves towards this.”

When we arrived at the restaurant for his agent, the agent was grouching at the waitress complaining about their persistent asking. As soon as he saw him, his face lightened and disregarded their situation. “Hello, Mr. Big Star, and who is this with you? Your girlfriend?”

I cleared my throat which surprised him and answered without foresight. “No, just my co-worker.”

“Okay no problem, so sit down both of you. Would you like to eat?”

They ordered for a meal so they won’t eat dinner any longer while reserving my cheat day for my Netflix marathon tonight. My order was a 19.99 dollar Oolong Tea, which is fancier than expected. Absurdly, they demanded on how special it was and freshly picked which was ironic because the whole city is surrounded by concrete. Apparently there was nothing else to do than watching the people pass by us,the billboards and flashing screens that made my time less productive, still with a purpose: to be entertained. By that time, my phone vibrated and it came to me that I could just use my phone. A missed call from an unknown number, then again it rang as my buttons open to my downloaded apps, recently there has been quite of hypocrisy towards my admiration of not having games with my vodafone, yet unlike browsing through my social media, it’s the better choice. Then again, and again, until I excused myself to the washroom to answer the call. I missed it a couple of times while taking a piss. After washing my hands, there it was the good timing. “Hello? Who the hell is this?”

“Ms. Daisy, it’s me, Jaeseop.”

I was enthralled until my consciousness asked why did he needed to call me, is there any problem? “Pardon, you seem in a rush that you even needed to ring me several times.”

“Definitely, just wanted to tell you that we should meet at the diner where we first met, just to discuss about things…you know.”

“Sure. When?”

“Right now, where you at?”

“No name restaurant, most expensive place near the Times Square, supposedly.”

“Come quick, in 15.” The call ended and excitement showed a flustered visage onto the mirror. Either this is business related or any sort of relationship development strategy of his, what a professional is he. Using this to every woman he’d encounter? Smart. I grabbed my bag and give a peck on Sylvester and rushed to sidewalk to ride a cab to the diner, it was pretty far from where I was so it was the quickest thing that could’ve been done. While on the taxi, my phone rang with his number, so I answered. “Are you there?”

“Fish and chips?”

“No, salad…I just had tea.”

“Tea? Where?”

“No name restaurant resto, yeah? It’s fucking expensive.”

“Why were you there anyway?”

Ease the mood by mentioning vicinity description. “My co-worker Sylvester needed company for his agent work on discussing of his insane career choice.”

“What does he do?” Description accepted.

“Fashion, apparently. Appearances on social media will be abundant after this, if he gets the deal right.”

“I see… So…see you then.”

“Wait!” He hanged up as soon as I was about to ask on what is going on. However, there was a notion it was for Alexander’s sake, and guess what, it was right. “What’s the matter?” As I ate my salad and he does for his chips, he flashed out his plan. “I want to visit his father.”

“Why?”

He grabbed, chewed and swallowed chips then his sipped on his shake. “I want to know things about him because there is limited information recorded along my sources at hand, your rehabilitation center and ours specifically. Insufficient enough to know the case background, it’s lacking something.” I tried not to speak to let him say everything, so after a little pause and a glance to the outside, he added it with gestures, making it look like he was delivering a speech. “You see, there are tendencies of suicide and his abilities are out of the boundaries, does this mean it’s only because of how he grew up in school or friends?”

“No…perhaps?” The only answer I gave.

“His mother never mentioned anything about his tendencies at all, even if she cared, most of the interview, she was sulking.”

“You reckon you would at least try to figure it out with the method you’re trying to propose? It’s their lives just to point out, you cannot interfere with confidential matters unless they mention about it.”

“It’s not invading their confidentiality. They entered the world of safety of it, so there’s a need to know.”

“Aren’t you not allowed to do this?”

“Ms. Daisy.” He looks into me with his eyes. “I am a medical doctor generally speaking. Before concluding, your obligation is decisive and intact evidence for your conclusion which will bring you to any interventions you’ll propose, then prognosis would be good. Aren’t you a physiotherapist who does the same thing?”

“No doubt.”

“Then so we need this.”

“We do? I thought you are—”

“You care for Alexander right?”

“Yeah… I do…but what is it had to involve me?”

He sighed including his face who wanted to smash the glass in front of him but he couldn’t, he was simply grabbing my attention and either the painting in front of us or the interior design of this place, it’s fantastic even if the retro vibe had fled from its nest, then he drew back his lips before answering my question, and back to my face, or eyes. Alluring yet confusing. “Do you remember when you said that I should try to figure things out?”

“Yeah?”

“That’s what I am doing.”

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J is for Jaeger

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