We’re gathering a little knot of people: me and the doctor and the two women. They seem nice enough, but I wish it were just him and me so we could walk around together and look at things, maybe go get something to eat and talk. But he keeps looking at me with those warm blue eyes, and he is making an effort to keep me in the conversation, which I really appreciate.
The woman whose name I think is Glass asks me why I’ve come here after she shakes my hand. Don’t how to answer that except to shrug and say, “It was next on the road.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, though, I can hear them out loud like everyone else must have, sounding plain and stupid. If I were a gentleman, I could have said the same thing but in a way that sounded clever and mysterious. Suddenly its very important to me not to make a fool out of myself in front of the doctor.
The words are already out, though, but the doctor’s talking now about the quilt he’s got and what he was looking for. He looks as embarrassed as I feel, and I’m not sure why. I don’t think Miao, if I caught the name right, could be his wife. Think she’s the lady in charge of the brothel, not just the madam but a proper lady and not anyone’s wife, from what I’ve heard.
He changes the subject quickly, though, laughing with Glass about Wednesdays and telling me she makes them interesting. He has a nice laugh, and his face changes completely when he smiles. I can’t stare at him too much, but I do want to say something back. Can’t think of anything exciting that’s happened to me the past few Wednesdays, but I can think to say, “We had an interesting Thursday last week. Hope that never happens again.” And I catch his eye, feeling good to be saying ‘we.’ I’ll let him explain what happened if he wants, to Glass and the other woman who’s started talking to her. Think I remember her from the bakery, but I could be mistaken.
no subject
The woman whose name I think is Glass asks me why I’ve come here after she shakes my hand. Don’t how to answer that except to shrug and say, “It was next on the road.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, though, I can hear them out loud like everyone else must have, sounding plain and stupid. If I were a gentleman, I could have said the same thing but in a way that sounded clever and mysterious. Suddenly its very important to me not to make a fool out of myself in front of the doctor.
The words are already out, though, but the doctor’s talking now about the quilt he’s got and what he was looking for. He looks as embarrassed as I feel, and I’m not sure why. I don’t think Miao, if I caught the name right, could be his wife. Think she’s the lady in charge of the brothel, not just the madam but a proper lady and not anyone’s wife, from what I’ve heard.
He changes the subject quickly, though, laughing with Glass about Wednesdays and telling me she makes them interesting. He has a nice laugh, and his face changes completely when he smiles. I can’t stare at him too much, but I do want to say something back. Can’t think of anything exciting that’s happened to me the past few Wednesdays, but I can think to say, “We had an interesting Thursday last week. Hope that never happens again.” And I catch his eye, feeling good to be saying ‘we.’ I’ll let him explain what happened if he wants, to Glass and the other woman who’s started talking to her. Think I remember her from the bakery, but I could be mistaken.