perfectly fine but there are those who have the ability to go above and beyond that either from an accident or for some other reason. You’ve heard of idiot savant? They can do things that you can’t although their ability to function in other ways is limited. That is the closest that I can get to explaining why I can smell better than you. The blood is essentially a marker for someone like Dawn or myself who can smell it and might mean you harm. It means to not mess with you because you belong to someone else, someone like us. Usually you would know that you are being fed it and what it means because it should be a choice. It’s rare that you don’t which is why you are so curious to me.” Jack looked strained trying to find words to explain without explaining everything. “What can you tell me about this Mauve person? Does she give you the vitamins or anxiety pills?”
“Mauve is my therapist. I started seeing her a few years ago. My school thought I had a problem fitting in and my parents sent me to Mauve to remove all of the drama with school officials. She’s an older lady, maybe in her 50s. Her office is in Austin where I live although closer to North Austin than downtown. My prescription gets filled at her office.” Norah searched her memory for anything that would be pertinent information.
“What about her office? What’s it like? Describe the interior to me,” Jack propped his head on his hands in deep thought.
“It’s fairly large with modern décor. The couch is very comfortable. She sits across from me when we talk. She has a lot of plants. I don’t know how they stay alive though because there aren’t any windows in the room. I asked once about it because I don’t like being in a windowless room but Mauve said that she chose not to have any windows because she doesn’t like her patients getting distracted by looking out the window. Sometimes when we are having a session, she listens to me while she waters the plants. Even without the windows, the office is very bright. She has big overhead lights and wall sconces so there isn’t a dark corner.” Stumped at what else to say, Norah went quiet.
“Is there any way I can see what the pills that she gives you are?” Jack asked, wheels turning and working inside of his head.
“I suppose. I could bring the bottle tomorrow after school. Should I stop taking them?” Concern for her well-being bubbled up. She hadn’t been sick yet from the pills but what if she became sick? She’d read that some poisons didn’t do a lot of damage while you were taking them but once you stopped, you became violently ill.
“No, keep taking them. If my suspicions are right, they won’t hurt you. If anything, it’s a guarantee for safe-keeping if you come into any trouble. Also, before we can verify where the source of the blood is coming from, it wouldn’t be wise to act suspicious. I’ll be in town, in Austin, on Friday. I’m going with Dawn and Summer to some club opening. Would you like to meet me there? You only need to bring one pill. I can tell what it is from that alone.”
“I’m not exactly a club-goer but I guess I can make an exception. I’m not thrilled to have a run in with Dawn again though.” Norah stated her qualms with going to meet them. She wasn’t keen about being in close quarters with Dawn again.
“He will be on his best behavior, I promise. I will explain to him why it is in his best interest to leave you alone. Would you like me to walk you back to your car?” Jack offered. Norah hadn’t even realized she was done eating. She had to admit their conversation fascinated her even if she still thought Jack might be bullshitting her.
“No, that’s alright. I’m sure you’re going in a different direction. It’s not far. I can make it. How will I meet up with you on Friday? Do you have a cell phone?” She questioned, not wanting to go somewhere she wasn’t familiar with and be alone the whole time until they actually met