Page 114 of As They Are
“Shouldn’t we wait for it to be quieter?”
“Jude’s also filming something,” she said. “The mic packs should filter out what we need.”
I gritted my teeth. How was I supposed to focus on what I was being asked when I had to listen to the slamming of a hammer, the drill of machinery, and feel Wren standing close when I wasn’t sure if she wanted that?
Madison said something else, but I wasn’t able to take it in.
All I could hear wasclang.
Clang.
Clang.
“Henry?” Madison asked with a groan. “Come on.”
Clang.
“No,” I finally snapped. My head had already been pounding from the noise, but now my heart was racing too. I needed it tostop,andnow. “I can’t be interviewed while listening to Jude hammer the same thing over and over. Does he even know what he’s doing if he’s still trying to get the same fucking nail in?”
Everyone was silent for two seconds. It gave me a second to realize that I had just raised my voice and cursed in front of people, which is something I never wanted to do.
Then Jude hit the fucking nail again, and I was right back where I started. My ears rang, and I knew I needed to get out of here.
“If you can provide a decent environment for an interview, then we’ll talk. But this is ridiculous.”
“It’s justsound,”Madison hissed.
“Henry,” Wren said softly. “Are you okay?”
I pulled away, but she followed. Why was she doing that? She should hate me.
“We’ll do this later. I can’t right now.”
It was tempting to drive home, but I didn’t want to be behind the wheel of a car. I made it to the clinic, slammed the door, and went to my tiny office to try to cool down.
The second the sounds had stopped, I knew I’d messed up. While it might have been overwhelming, most people didn’t completely shut down and lose it like I had. I’d finally snapped.
Just like I never wanted to.
Who had been there? Who all did I need to smooth things over with?
Wren, for sure. I’d already messed up with her yesterday. I was sure her view of me was decimated, and I didn’t know if an apology would fix this.
I also had to say sorry to Madison and Jude, which would be next to impossible considering I was still so frustrated with theirlack of care for how Wren felt. But I would if I had to. After all these years, I couldn’t lose how people saw me. I’d done so much work to show the better side of myself.
Closing my eyes, I tried to remember if anyone in town had been watching the filming. Now that the newness of the cameras had faded, most people didn’t watch the day-to-day anymore. I was pretty sure the square had been empty.
And thank God for that.
The door to my office opened and the lights shut off. I looked up and found Wren.
I couldn’t even look at her.
“Misophonia,” she said softly. “Is that what it’s called when noises can make you tense and angry?” I blinked. How did she even know the word? “I won’t bother you for long, but I wanted you to have something.” She slid a case across the desk. “They’re my ear protection for loud noises. If you have to go outside or anything, you’re welcome to use them.”
She turned to leave, but I managed to speak before she could. “Why are you giving me these?”
“If Google was right and sounds make you upset, I want you to have something to help.”
