Call Me Crazy by Quinn Loftis, M Bagley Designs Read Free Book Online Page A

found.”
    ~Unknown.
     
    Trey
     
    I open the door to MPF and I’m hit with a refreshing blast of cool air. It’s a nice break from the summer heat pulsing at my back.
    I walk over to the Information Desk and sign in; just as I had the first time I visited. Mildred is once again planted in the chair on the other side of the desk and she smiles up at me.
    “Hello dear; she’s in the rec room.”
    “Thank you,” I tell her.
    It’s been three days since I came to visit her for the first time. My grandmother has visited every day this week and it makes me feel like a jerk for not coming with her. I had somewhat of a good reason; I had been looking for a job. Though my grandmother gets some government help, it’s not enough to take care of everything, so it falls to me to pick up the slack. After searching through the classifieds, I came across an ad for a ranch hand. The job is located a few minutes out of town, but it is hard physical labor, just what I need to keep my mind off of things.
    Just as I’m rounding the corner to head towards the rec room, I’m jolted back as a small body crashes into mine. I look down and see a head full of pink streaked hair. I put my hands on her shoulders to steady her and I’m surprised to feel how petite she is.
    “Crap, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t look…,” She looks up at me after straightening her shirt and her words freeze in her throat. I’m frozen where I stand as well. My eyes land on the most expressive face I have ever seen. Her eyes are wide and sparkle with surprise, and her dainty nose fits perfectly with her small bone structure and high cheeks. Her generous lips are spread just enough that I can see the straight, white teeth behind them.
    To cover my reaction to her, I let out a chuckle. “Are you alright?”
    The sound seems to catch her attention and she frowns at me. I’m struck by how utterly adorable it is and feel my pulse speed up.
    “Are you laughing at me?” She asks indignantly.
    “Well, you did kind of look a little shocked.”
    “I wasn’t expecting to walk into a moving mountain, so I think shocked is an acceptable response.” She folds her arms across her chest and lifts her chin defiantly. Her adorableness goes up another notch.
    I don’t realize that I’m still grinning at her until she points it out.
    “You can wipe that grin off your face at any time.”
    I rub my hand across my chin in an attempt to straighten out the smile. Judging by the single eyebrow raised at me, I haven’t fooled her.
    “I’m Trey,” I finally say and hold out my hand to her. She looks at my hand and then back up at me. For a brief minute I think she isn’t going to take it, but then she slips her small hand into mine. Her skin is so soft and warm that I find I don’t want to release her.
    “I’m Tally.”
    The name totally fits her. Cute, and to the point, and I like it. I really don’t want to embarrass her any more, but at the same time I find that I really like seeing her with her feathers ruffled, so I give into my curiosity.
    “Was that you I saw the other day ducking under a table?” I watch as her face slowly blooms a lovely shade of red.
    “I, it was, there was…,” she stumbles over her words.
    I can see the wheels turning in her mind as she tries to come up with an excuse and to my surprise she suddenly clamps her mouth closed.
    I chuckle. “It’s okay, Tally. I think we all have moments when it’s just necessary to look for nothing in particular under a table.”
    She grins at me and quickly looks down at her feet. I’m struggling for what to say next because I’m not ready for her to walk away just yet. She beats me to it.
    “I’m not really sure what the protocol is for talking to someone in a mental health hospital without it becoming more awkward.”
    I watch as she nervously shuffles her feet and I have to cram my hands into my front pockets to keep from reaching out and lifting her chin so that I can see her eyes again. I