If At First

Part 6 - Chapter 5

Doug started rambling on about...well, I don't know, because I wasn't listening. I was acutely aware of his hands not-so-subtly drifting downward, however. I couldn't help but think how much I wished this song would end. And then I heard him mention something about Townsend.

"Townsend?" I interrupted his monologue "My grandmother lives there. – I'm staying with her for a little while."

"No kidding, what's her name?"

"Rose Theodore." I answered automatically and then wished I kept my mouth shut.

"Haven's family has a place there. He never goes anymore but I usually head up for the summer. I'm surprised I've never seen you. The nightlife is a bit deficient, but we can usually find something to do." He paused for a moment, gazing at me starry-eyed again, "-Actually... I'm pretty sure I'll be there again this year." He smirked.

"There's life in Townsend?" I asked, distracted, straining to remember there being other people at all. "...I was just a kid when we visited... – I don't think she's close to anything, so I'm sure you wouldn't know of her." I was trying to produce a memory of anything except how much I never wanted to be there. It probably had something to do with the fact that we were never very welcome.

"Maybe I'll see you in town and I can show you around a little." Doug said. I instantly kicked myself for having spoken. Wasn't I trying to avoid talking about me? Why am I a moron?

"Um, I really don't think so Doug. I appreciate the offer but I don't think I'll be getting out much." I lied. That would never work. I would suffocate being trapped in a house with that woman.

"Oh come on. There's the docks, sailing, the beach, fireworks..." he continued while I tried to think of a reason not to have him come looking for me. Why did I have to open my stupid mouth? I should have listened to Danni. This was horrible. Now I had to find a way of avoiding my grandmother.

The song finished, and I tugged myself out of his overly-friendly grip as soon as courtesy allowed. "Thank you so much, it was nice seeing you again Doug." I lied, again, smiling and walking quickly away.

"Wait, ya gotta give me your number...or email!" He called after me. I escaped, weaving my way through the other dancing couples, nearly bumping into Thumper and Dirk, as the next song began.

I passed a waiter where Justin was lying in wait. "Tabby, I need to talk to you!" He said urgently.

"Not right now, Justin."

He followed. "It's important."

"Not to me," I sped up, leaving him behind and mentally giving myself a little pat on the back.

I almost reached the corridor, sensing freedom, when a tall man with light-ish hair stepped into my path. He held his hand out as I approached and I just barely stopped before crashing into him.

"Tabitha Bridian?" he asked, looking directly at me.

Was there someone else here by that name? "Yyyes," I answered and, perplexed, looked into a face I'd never seen before.

"Would you like to dance with me?"

"N- Actually, I...." He didn't wait for a reply. His hand took mine and guided me back to the floor I'd just escaped. This, is so, bizarre.

"I'm Fitch Malory." He said once we were among the other dancers whose partners were all more willing than I.

"It's nice to meet you, uh, -Fitch. Do-...do we know each other?" I tried my best to remain polite while narrowing my eyes to examine his face for some sign of familiarity.