Chapter 6 Douglas
DOUGLAS
I knew she’d be trouble.
* * *
Except for a walk with her this afternoon, I’m spending the day reading to prepare for whatever she has planned starting Monday. I am looking forward to the walk.
* * *
What was I thinking, agreeing to this ludicrous scheme? Why does she even want to do it?
Maybe she really is only looking for a challenge.
What is she going to expect me to do?
She won’t tell me what she has planned for tomorrow.
* * *
Maybe it won’t be bad. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed spending time with someone the way I did on our walk yesterday. She’s nothing I could have expected.
I wish her parents did better at valuing her skill and intellect and creativity and talent. They might love her, but they should appreciate her better.
She’s such an inexplicable contrast of confidence and vulnerability, bright resilience and secret sensitivity. I’d like to better understand what makes her her.
She has the most adorable laugh.
I keep wanting to make her laugh more.
* * *
Only December.
I can do this for the rest of the month. With clear parameters and a definite end point, it shouldn’t be complicated or messy.
I’m not sure why I even agreed.
Our walk this afternoon was just as stimulating and gratifying as our walk yesterday.
Maybe she’s right. Maybe I do need a holiday from my life.