Page 53 of The Sidekick

It was a great session after she looked up the app and verified what he had told her. She apologized for making me feel like my words were getting twisted and struggled valiantly to get us back on the right track.

For some reason, I double-checked to make sure she would call in refills for my medication if I was out of town. She assured me she would with a soft smile, pleased again, and told me that she offered video meetings if I was planning a trip.

When we walk out, she crooks a finger at Shade, who is staring at the secretary as she shifts nervously in her seat.

“Have you verified her references?” He looks at Dr. Robinson as he stands. “She seems really off.”

“It couldn’t possibly be because you’re staring at her with your laser judgy eyes,” I frown at him as I walk up to pay. The secretary seems soothed at my response and gives me a grateful look.

“Cash again, Ms. Evans?”

I glance back at Shade as he disappears into Dr. Robinson’s office. “It’s too late. I might as well use the card.”

Whatever they talk about in there leaves Shade silent and contemplative all the way to the restaurant I decide to take him to. I had to order him a drink because he wasn’t responding to the friendly waitress.

I’m content to leave him stewing in his emotions. My first session with her was rough, too. He needs a little time to sort things out in his own head. Although, he didn’t have to pay. At least he got a freebie, even if he is a jerk.

“Tell me what it takes to be a main character,” he says suddenly, and I glance up from my menu.

“Why do you ask?” I respond suspiciously.

He hesitates and says, “I want that advice, and I feel like I need to move things up a level so it’ll work for me.”

Shade sounds deadpan, but his cheeks are flushed with embarrassment, so I let it go.

“Well,” I frown in contemplation as I drop my menu back to the table. “A main character is always good-looking. You have that going for you. And some people are into the whole grumpy jerk thing, so I guess that’s ok.”

He gives me a glare that I ignore as the waitress returns for our order. Once I’ve secured the cheeseburger I’m going to pretend I can eat, I turn back to him.

“How do you tell the good-looking sidekicks from the good-looking main characters?”

“Oh, it’s obvious,” I wave that away. “Mains are super good-looking. Sides are kind of average, unnoticeable.”

“Uh-huh,” he sounds doubtful as his eyes narrow on me.

“I knew Andi was a main right away, there was just something about her. Then all this stuff started happening, and it was confirmed.”

“To be a ‘main,’ you have to get stalked for months, terrorized, and beaten up,” he tries to verify with no tone to his voice.

“Not necessarily,” I roll my eyes. “Andi was a kind of romantic main with a side of suspense. There are all types out there. Romantic comedy, horror, you name it.”

Shade rubs his stubbled chin thoughtfully as our food arrives. I pretend to eat as he continues thinking and tries to pay when we’re done. I smack his hand and tell him he needs to watch his spending since he’s broke. He and the twins basically deserve each other. I’m wondering if all three share a brain. We’re back in the car when he starts up again.

“Every main character has an arc, right?” He asks as if we never had a lull in the conversation.

“Of course,” I nod.

“In a story, you get introduced to characters, and then something happens to shake things up.”

“You’re getting it,” I smile as I keep nodding.

“There’s a lot of misunderstandings, bad guys, and then everyone gets together to solve the problem. Bam, happy ending.”

“I don’t think there are villains in every story,” I frown as I think about it.

“Maybe not super villains,” he agrees. “Maybe the bad guy is actually an emotion or someone running away from emotions. A bunch of bullies harassing a main character.”

“Yeah, some of Andi’s guys bullied her before they got with the program.”

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