(Untitled)

[off_the_hookah]

Who: Neil McLaughlin (the Caterpillar); Elisa Miller
When: Friday, February 15 - Late afternoon
Where: Elisa's car, on I-190 to Niagra
What: Neil and Elisa clear the air
Rated: R for language and adult situations

Comments

[fairestone]

[off_the_hookah]

The sound of her voice was strange and unfamiliar to his ears - he was much more accustomed to hearing a confident Elisa speaking, not this timid creature. Another pang tore into him, the emotions so jumbled in the pit of his stomach that he couldn't properly identify them. Turning his head and blowing a stream of smoke out the crack in the window, Neil took his Caterpillar time answering her question in a shockingly calm manner.

"Sure. If you'd like. I could use a cup of coffee."

[fairestone]

[off_the_hookah]

"Naw," Neil said, similarly opening his door. "I'll come in." He had the same idea about stretching his legs, too. Stepping out of the car, he dropped his cigarette on the blacktop and crushed it out with the tip of his shoe. The wind was brisk, so he buttoned up his coat and slid his hands into his pockets.

Strolling around to the other side of the car, he stood looking sheepishly at Elisa, waiting for her to join him so they could walk to the rest stop, side by side.

[fairestone]

[off_the_hookah]

Subconscious warning bells went off in Neil's mind. He liked Elisa, he enjoyed her company, but the way she spoke about being alone made him nervous. He felt sympathetic toward her, but he didn't want to fall into a trap, building a relationship upon pity and the desire to help her feel better. He'd seen relationships like that before - hell, he'd been in relationships like that. And it would be easy to slip into that role, trying to fix things.

"I'm sorry to hear you had such horrible experiences," he muttered, and then sighed, trying to think of the words to say that could comfort her without being trite. It would be easier if he had a cigarette, or better yet, a joint. "Look at it this way. It would be a lot worse if you didn't feel any remorse. If instead you felt nothing, or even glad you did it. It means you have the potential to change what you don't like about yourself. Who do you go to for therapy? A-non Tale

[fairestone]

"Well.. it would be worse for other people if I didn't feel remorse. Those sorts of people don't know what it's like.. even if they usually end up in the electric chair or whatever.." she answered, nodding her head. "Yeah, non-Tale. They said it might help. You know? I'm not positive but I think once I saw Freud.." then she trailed off and finally shrugged a little. She shut up then, and listened to him

[off_the_hookah]

"I'll be outside," Neil told her as they separated. Once on the other side of the doors, he lit up a cigarette and started smoking, considering what had been said. He wondered if speaking to a Tale therapist, like Anne, would help Elisa. Hell, there were times when he considered seeing her, himself. Elisa mentioned she was tired, maybe he would suggest taking a little nap in the car before heading out again. He'd offer to drive, but it was risky, what with him not having a driver's license. Once they were at the hotel it would be better. They could stretch out on the bed, maybe sit in a jacuzzi, make an appointment to get a massage in the morning...

What's taking Elisa so long in that bathroom?

Finishing up his cigarette, he peered through the glass pane of the door toward the direction of the bathrooms, but saw no sign of Elisa. Frowning, he went inside, and after a quick scan of the place to make sure she wasn't somewhere else, he walked over and slowly peeked through the door of the lady's room.