The Source by J B Stilwell Read Free Book Online Page A

sleep and give my conscious mind a rest.  What
usually happens is that I dream about something that seems trivial, but when I
wake up I feel refreshed and my ideas, my thoughts are better, more in focus. 
For me, dreaming is like a decongestant for the brain.”
    Rick chuckles.  “I
think we better call it a day then.  My mind is drawing a blank, too.”
    I nod, “Okay, then I
guess I will see you this evening.”  I begin to walk to the table to get my
notebook and purse.  I hear Rick turn then quickly walk toward me.
    “Do you need me to
walk you to your car?” he asks.
    I twist around giving
him a deadpan glare. I’m confused. Does he want to protect me or is he trying
to court me?
    “Let me re-phrase. 
Would you like some company walking to your car?”
    Mentally kicking myself
for overanalyzing his intentions, I try to approach the question logically. 
Going by myself may not be such a good idea because Tucker may try to catch up
with me.  Walking out with Rick would provide a good shield.  Would I be using
him?  Yes.  But hey, he offered.
    Rick smiles and walks
toward the door.  I put my purse on my shoulder, clutch my notebook and subtly
shake my head.  So many misunderstandings could come of this and I don’t want
to be tempted by any of them.  Then again, I don’t want to NOT be tempted
because that would just mean that I’m not worth the effort.
    The halls of the
facility are pretty much empty.  It seems like we’re the only ones leaving at
this particular time, which makes me reconsider.  “Maybe we should continue
working.  It looks like everyone else is still at it.”
     
    Rick continues
walking down the hallway, “Quantity doesn’t mean quality.  Even if we stayed
here all day, we probably wouldn’t be any further along than we are now. 
Particularly if one of us is mentally exhausted.”
    “Oh, so our research
is dragging because I’m tired, is that it?” I ask as I slow my pace.
    Rick glances back at
me, “No, what I’m saying is that we’re a team.  If either one of us is struggling
in any way, we both need to be aware and do what is needed for the benefit of
the project.  If I’m completely distracted due to hunger, then it would benefit
both of us to take a break or else you’re going to be doing most of the work as
I night-dream about my next meal.”
    We arrive at the
exit.  Rick walks through then turns to hold the door open for me.  I start to
clutch my purse to me in an attempt at extra warmth, but am pleasantly
surprised to find that the night air isn’t as cool as I had expected.  The
surrounding mountains and lush trees are keeping us warmer, guarding us from
the chillier air that sweeps over flatter lands.  I feel safer here.  Probably
one of many reasons why I will never leave my home.  I may not know much about
Rowan yet, but it’s still West-by-God-Virginia and that’s good enough for me.
    I begin walking
toward my car as Rick continues in the same direction.  I get my keys out of my
purse as I step up to the driver’s side door.  Rick slows then says, “Have a
good day.  Try to get plenty of rest so we can make up any lost time that
you’ve caused us.”
    I angrily spin toward
him, “What the hell?  What happened to all things for the benefit of the
project and we’re a team”?
    Rick grins, “I was
joking.  I knew you would get aggravated if I blamed you for any lost time. 
That’s why I said it.”
    I lean against the
door of my car in an attempt to keep from stomping my feet in a childish fit of
frustration.  “Thanks for letting me know that you’re so twisted that you get
joy from causing me stress and raising my blood pressure.”
    He winks at me, “It
makes you smell better.”  He turns and walks farther down the row of parked
vehicles.
    Huh.  Did he just say
that I normally stink?  I turned my keys around in my hand as I watched him
walk away.  What I should really be doing is using my science background