Out of Place- Episode 3: 'Mr. David Standard and Dell Izlo on the Road'

I sat in my garden under the summer sun. The first signs of fall floated along in the breeze, it flowed through my hair and the leaves. My garden isn't much of a garden at all, I never really learned how to take care of anything there, so anything that does grow is purely coincidence. It is lovely though. Wildflowers and onions bloom in the spring and, somehow, a rose bush that was planted years before I had arrived, still grows gorgeous white roses. I usually like to come out here to read, or unfortunately, scroll on my phone. I looked up and watched the clouds pass overhead as I thought of what I could possibly say to Dell tonight. This was the first time I had ever been anxious to see him, but I needed to tell him about this. 

“Look, I just- I don’t know…” I confided to Dell

It was evening, outside was just starting to dim as the sun and traffic wound down. We sat across from each other in a booth next to the window in Eyegore’s Diner. 

“Well, it’s- I’m just a bit surprised you’re thinking of leaving, is all.” He responded solemnly 

“I- it’s random, I know, but it’s not like it’s forever! Just travel.” But my voice dragged on that, when I leave like this, it always feels so daunting to come back.

“Hey, uh, what if… I came with you?” He asked, his eyes brightening up the smallest amount “I- well if I’m not intruding.” 

I was stunned. “Of course you can come! I would love that!”

“I mean, we would have to figure out a time for me to leave. I do still have patients after all but I think it’d be great.”

We talked about it a bit more, we both decided that we couldn’t decide on where to go, so we would just get on the first flight available. Cars flew past the diner, the headlights and taillights glowed like fire against the dim night. I honestly didn't think he'd go along with me but sure enough he got a week off.

The week came. The few weeks of waiting seemed to drag on like a year, but the day was finally here. We met at his house to take his car. We packed for any destination we could possibly arrive at. Our things were ready and we were filled with such a sense of freedom for something so small, Dell had packed my bag into his car and was about to add his when suddenly my watch beeped. Dell looked over my shoulder.

“Didjya set a timer?” He asked

I stared mortified at the watch. It hadn't done that in four years.