Page 39 of Untouchable

Something’s definitely wrong, and Parker feels like he’s been doused in ice water. It reminds him of interacting with his parents—a sudden misstep, a fatal error he’s made, and suddenly things are bad, but he has no idea how, or what he can do to make up for it.

“Did—did he adjust your SI joint?” Parker asks, following Harp to the door. “I thought it might be out of alignment, but I wasn’t 100% sure.”

Harp stops at the door, blocking it and turning to Parker.

"Not this time," Harp says, after a beat. "Thanks for lunch. Have a good day."

He turns again and pushes out.

Harp’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. Not even close. It’s more of a grimace, actually, but Parker can tell what Harp is trying for.

The door shuts, and suddenly Parker finds himself flinging it open once more and rushing outside.

“Harp—wait—” he says. Harp turns to look back at him, his expression unreadable. “I—I—Thank you for the milkshake.”

It’s not what he means to say at all.

What he means to say is, What did I do wrong? What happened? Why have you gone so far away? What do I have to do for you to let me in?

Parker bites his lip.

He takes the last step towards Harp, and Harp claps him on the arm, as if to dismiss him, to keep him from coming any closer.

"Yep, no problem, buddy."

He spins on his heel and sighs as he strides away.

Buddy? Buddy?

Parker stands on the sidewalk for a moment longer, watching Harp walk back to his car. A distant part of his mind registers that Harp’s gait is much more regular now, after Dr. Breen’s adjustment.

Parker turns and goes inside, realizing that standing and watching Harp leave is about as creepy as it gets. He forgets to hide his expression when he opens the door, and Mindy frowns immediately.

“What just happened?” she demands.

“I don’t know,” Parker mumbles. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

He hides out in the storage room until it’s time to go home.

---