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

yes, it is definitely worth all the trouble and a whole lot more.
    Zeke is sitting in a metal chair, and though to an average size person the chair would have looked normal, Zeke makes it appear as if it was built for a toddler. His massive hands hold a magazine and, on closer inspection, I see that it is a about crocheting. Since living in the mental hospital I’ve learned not to questions things, not even about the staff. I figure we all have to cope somehow and if crocheting is Zeke’s thing then more power to him.
    “Hey Zeke,” I say, and realize too late that I sound a tad manic.
    “Oh, hey Tally.” He looks up from his magazine with a warm smile and then his eyes land on the figure behind me.
    Before he can say anything more I blurt out, “This is Trey and we are just going to sit outside and talk. You know how Aunt Candy doesn’t like me to leave during the day, even though I come and visit her every day. We aren’t going any further than the bench there.” I point to the wooden bench across from the doors. Zeke’s eyes keep jumping from my face to Trey’s. I’m pleading with my eyes for him to just go along with my story. I guess my face must have conveyed my desperation because he finally answers, “Alright, if Candy, or anyone else, happens to ask for you I’ll just let them know that you haven’t left for the day just yet.”
    I let out a quiet sigh of relief and mouth, “Thank you.”
    Zeke gives me a slight nod of his head and then turns back to his magazine and as I push out of the door I can’t help but notice the slight smile on his lips.

Ch apter 6
    “Have you ever wished you could fast fo rward? As I stare into her blue-grey eyes, all I can think is how I wish we were beyond the awkward phase and to the part where I have the right, the privilege to hold her, to kiss her, to call her mine.” ~Trey
     
    I know that I must be making her feel uncomfortable as I stare at her, but all I can think is how I want to memorize every feature, every facial expression, so that I can bring her perfectly to mind later when she is no longer before me. Creepy much, Trey , I think to myself.
    “So you just moved here?” She asks me as she sits down next to me on the wooden bench.
    “Yes, we moved here from Arizona.”
    “You like it?”
    I smile slightly as I look into her eyes. “More and more each day.” I love the flush on her skin. I love how she isn’t sure how to take compliments, no matter how subtle.
    “You don’t beat around the bush do you?” She asks coyly.
    I even love how she calls me out. Yes, I have it bad and it’s only the second time I’ve talked with her.
    “Not when I see something I want. Life is too short, and too unpredictable, to leave things to chance.” I watch her closely, needing to see her reaction to my words, wondering if I’m pushing to fast and too hard.
    “I guess I can understand that,” she finally answers.
    “So what’s your story, Tally,” I let my words trail off as I hope that she will give me her full name.
    “Baker, Tally Baker.”
    I notice her voice shake just a bit and watch as she twists her hands in her lap. Have I asked the wrong question? I wasn’t trying to pry, but I desperately wanted to know more about her.
    “I’m not trying to be nosy,” I tell her hoping she will hear the sincerity in my voice.
    “It’s alright. I…well,” she stops and takes a breath letting it out slowly. “I’m seventeen and will be a senior this year.”
    Okay, vague, but at least it’s something.
    “Do you have any hobbies or a job?”
    She grins. “I use to be an assistant pet photographer.”
    She must see the question on my face as she lets out a small laugh.
    “Basically I dressed the dogs, or cats, up in cute little outfits and then posed them for the photographer to take pictures of them.”
    “People really brought their pets to you for these kinds of pictures?”
    She nods her head. “Yep. Mostly really rich people with no