Read Online The Seeker A Novel (R. B. Chesterton) by R. B. Chesterton - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: R. B. Chesterton
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Things are just too calm.” My sarcasm was clear.
His grip on my hand tightened. “I’m sorry. Honestly, I haven’t seen her in months. I broke it off with her that night. I haven’t responded to her phone calls, e-mails, or texts. I’ve done everything I know to make it clear I have no interest in seeing her.”
Great, Karla was an obsessive, psycho witch. Then I realized I was being unfair. Hell, my entire family was as irrational and crazy as Karla. That was the pot calling the kettle black. “Don’t worry about it. I can handle myself.”
“Let’s hope Karla stays in my past where she belongs.” He turned my hand over, studying the palm. “I was sweet on her. I admit it. Makes you wonder if you ever really know another person. I mean behind the mask, beneath the public skin that everyone wears. Every single one of us is capable of things we never suspect until the moment is upon us.”
10
I heard nothing from Joe for a week. Thoughts of him interrupted my work. The weather held, crisp and beautiful. Instead of my morning walk around Walden Pond to connect with my muse—I didn’t want to appear to chase after Joe—I stayed in the cabin or wandered the inn’s grounds.
The date had concluded satisfactorily. He brought me home and walked me to the door. He’d kissed my cheek, his lips lingering before they brushed over my lips. And he’d left.
Had I done something wrong? Had I said something to push Joe away? The foolish questions of my insecure inner child niggled in my brain.
Dorothea didn’t help. She asked me every morning at breakfast if Joe and I had plans for the evening.
“He’s smitten with you, that much is clear to see,” she said on the sixth morning as she poured coffee into my cup. “I just wonder why he’s not knocking on your door. That boy has always been a little on the strange side.”
“I have more important things to worry about than my dating life.” I sounded as priggish and stupid as a dime-novel heroine.
“Yeah, I see that.” Dorothea winked at me. “You’re wandering around like a moonstruck teenager. I don’t miss much. And I see how Patrick sniffs after you. He’s a good kid, but he likes to fancy himself a real Don Juan. Don’t hurt him. He’s got it bad for you.”
“He’s a kid.”
“And a fanciful one at that. He thinks playing the great lover would make him a man. He’ll get his heart broken if he isn’t careful. Just be aware he’s built up a fantasy around you. He’s pretty naïve. He’ll swagger and talk big about his conquests, but the reality is he’s inexperienced. And he is sweet on you. First love is always painful.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for letting me know the score.”
“Now Joe, he’s perfect for you. Women today go on and on about career,” she said. “But when push comes to shove, we all want a man we can rely on. The yin to our yang, the fish to our chips, if you get my drift. We desire the other , the essential completion of ourselves into a whole. I look at Joe, and I see the things you lack.” She winked again and went on her way.
After I finished my breakfast, I struck out for town on foot. I needed copy paper, a new ink cartridge for my printer, and a few simple office supplies. My solitary wanderings had begun to yield results. The thesis was taking shape. Once it was outlined, I would turn to finding sources to prove Bonnie’s existence.
The day was brisk and sunny with white clouds scuppering across a deep blue sky. I yearned for Walden Pond, but I had chores to do, and I didn’t want Joe to think I was stalking him. Perhaps I’d end up in a story he told his next date about an avid academician who simply couldn’t bear to let him go.
His comments about Karla were not unkind, but his demeanor had been clear—he didn’t want her and she refused to accept it. Pathetic was a worse label than prude. Karla was pathetic.
All the same, once I invoked Karla’s name, I couldn’t shake the
His grip on my hand tightened. “I’m sorry. Honestly, I haven’t seen her in months. I broke it off with her that night. I haven’t responded to her phone calls, e-mails, or texts. I’ve done everything I know to make it clear I have no interest in seeing her.”
Great, Karla was an obsessive, psycho witch. Then I realized I was being unfair. Hell, my entire family was as irrational and crazy as Karla. That was the pot calling the kettle black. “Don’t worry about it. I can handle myself.”
“Let’s hope Karla stays in my past where she belongs.” He turned my hand over, studying the palm. “I was sweet on her. I admit it. Makes you wonder if you ever really know another person. I mean behind the mask, beneath the public skin that everyone wears. Every single one of us is capable of things we never suspect until the moment is upon us.”
10
I heard nothing from Joe for a week. Thoughts of him interrupted my work. The weather held, crisp and beautiful. Instead of my morning walk around Walden Pond to connect with my muse—I didn’t want to appear to chase after Joe—I stayed in the cabin or wandered the inn’s grounds.
The date had concluded satisfactorily. He brought me home and walked me to the door. He’d kissed my cheek, his lips lingering before they brushed over my lips. And he’d left.
Had I done something wrong? Had I said something to push Joe away? The foolish questions of my insecure inner child niggled in my brain.
Dorothea didn’t help. She asked me every morning at breakfast if Joe and I had plans for the evening.
“He’s smitten with you, that much is clear to see,” she said on the sixth morning as she poured coffee into my cup. “I just wonder why he’s not knocking on your door. That boy has always been a little on the strange side.”
“I have more important things to worry about than my dating life.” I sounded as priggish and stupid as a dime-novel heroine.
“Yeah, I see that.” Dorothea winked at me. “You’re wandering around like a moonstruck teenager. I don’t miss much. And I see how Patrick sniffs after you. He’s a good kid, but he likes to fancy himself a real Don Juan. Don’t hurt him. He’s got it bad for you.”
“He’s a kid.”
“And a fanciful one at that. He thinks playing the great lover would make him a man. He’ll get his heart broken if he isn’t careful. Just be aware he’s built up a fantasy around you. He’s pretty naïve. He’ll swagger and talk big about his conquests, but the reality is he’s inexperienced. And he is sweet on you. First love is always painful.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for letting me know the score.”
“Now Joe, he’s perfect for you. Women today go on and on about career,” she said. “But when push comes to shove, we all want a man we can rely on. The yin to our yang, the fish to our chips, if you get my drift. We desire the other , the essential completion of ourselves into a whole. I look at Joe, and I see the things you lack.” She winked again and went on her way.
After I finished my breakfast, I struck out for town on foot. I needed copy paper, a new ink cartridge for my printer, and a few simple office supplies. My solitary wanderings had begun to yield results. The thesis was taking shape. Once it was outlined, I would turn to finding sources to prove Bonnie’s existence.
The day was brisk and sunny with white clouds scuppering across a deep blue sky. I yearned for Walden Pond, but I had chores to do, and I didn’t want Joe to think I was stalking him. Perhaps I’d end up in a story he told his next date about an avid academician who simply couldn’t bear to let him go.
His comments about Karla were not unkind, but his demeanor had been clear—he didn’t want her and she refused to accept it. Pathetic was a worse label than prude. Karla was pathetic.
All the same, once I invoked Karla’s name, I couldn’t shake the
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