Page 11 of Mountain Man Crush
It’s not long before the whole table is covered in taco fixings, bowls full of lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cheese, refried beans, and olives.
“I know, I’m a weirdo for liking olives on my tacos, but trust me. It’s worth it.”
There’s a container between us full of warm tortillas and she takes off the lid and takes one for herself, holding the lid up so I can take one too. I do and then we go about fixing up our tacos just the way we want them. I take a little of everything, I’ve never been a picky eater. I roll up the taco and take a big bite, savoring the delicious taste I haven’t had in a long time.
“Good, right?’ she asks, smiling and nodding.
I laugh at her face and nod in agreement. I wash my bite down with a sip of margarita. “This is really good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she says around a mouthful, making us both laugh.
“So, what is it that you do anyway?”
“I’m an online therapist.”
I frown. “How does that work exactly?”
“A lot of people need help or just someone to talk to, but they can’t or don’t want to leave their house. That’s where I come in. I offer all the same services that any therapist would, just without a public office.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing."
She laughs. “Yeah, but you’ve also been a hermit for the last several years. I’m surprised you know what the internet is.”
“The what?”
Her eyes widen as she looks at me and all emotion on her face falls away.
I laugh. “I’m just joking. I know what the internet is,” I tell her, taking another bite.
She laughs and rolls her eyes, slightly shaking her head a little. “So, what really made you show up here today with your bag on your shoulder?”
I chew my food. “I told you. I was worried about you being up here all alone.”
“You’ve never been worried before,” she points out.
“That’s true, but I didn’t know you before. You kept your distance, so I kept mine.”
“Why do you live up here all by yourself?”
I swallow and take a sip, not knowing if I want to open up to her this way. “I didn’t used to. I was married, but she passed away. I love my home and don’t ever plan on leaving.”
“I’m sorry,” she says quietly.
“Why do you live all the way up here?”
She shrugs. “I’ve always wanted a quiet life, a simple life.”
“Do you like it, living up here all alone?”
She nods. “Most of the time, I don’t feel alone. I talk to so many people on a daily basis that it feels like working in the middle of town. But on days like this, where I have no means of communication and no working TV, it’s nice to have a neighbor.” She smiles before dipping a chip into salsa and putting it into her mouth.
Somehow, the conversation is easy even though I’ve gone out of my way not to talk to her throughout the day. Maybe it’s the alcohol or maybe it’s because I know she’s a therapist and they’re supposed to be easy to talk to? That’s why you open up to them and tell them all your secrets. Instead of ignoring her questions, I find myself answering them.
“What kind of side jobs do you do?”
I shrug as I eat. “I plow driveways in the winter. I help older folks out by mowing their yards in the summer. I rake leaves in the fall. Help out with gardens and landscaping. I’ve worked on ATV’s and dirt bikes before. Sometimes vehicles if the job is simple enough. All sorts of things.”
“And that stuff provides you with enough money to pay bills and live?”
