Second Sight (Lucas)

Lucas was trying to start fresh here in this new town, and he couldn't have someone interfering with his efforts. Not already. Samantha seemed sweet somehow, but he couldn't afford to trust a total stranger.

He fidgeted with his napkin and stared at her again, unaware that each time he did her voice tapered off.

She was pretty, or maybe cute was a better word...but he couldn't let himself lose focus. She had asked him point blank about wolves. How could she have known?

He was inclined to believe her about the visions, he had heard of someone like that back three homes ago. Inwardly he cringed.

Would he be doomed for his whole life to be nomadic?

In some wilder moments he enjoyed his freedom, but sometimes he yearned for a pack life he had no memory of. A loner, but not by preference.

He saw fear and concern mingled in Samantha's eyes, but he didn't know what to say anymore.

"Wolves are my spirit animal," he said gruffly. "They are a major guiding force in my philosophy of life and I have always been drawn to wolves." He cleared his throat and saw she only waited patiently for him to continue. "In most ways, it's the biggest blessing. But when wolves are drawn to me in real life, sometimes it causes...trouble...for me."

Samantha blinked and then a small smile crept over her face starting in her eyes.

"This is extraordinary. This may be the first time in my life that a vision is explained to me!" She sounded almost giddy, though she was clearly trying to contain herself. "I have so many questions, but I don't even know where to start."

Lucas was a little surprised, not only because she took the wolf thing in stride, but also because she seemed so happy.

She became quiet and thoughtful.

Lucas was worried she was sorting through a litany of questions to ask him so he seized the moment. "It was nice to meet you, Samantha, was it? I hope to run into you again soon..."

She was dismayed.

"Wait, can't we talk more? I mean we barely scratched the surface..." his eyes were boring into hers again, with that worry crease etched in his forehead.

Lucas awkwardly thrust out his hand across the table in an effort to close the conversation. Samantha stared down at his hand for a moment. Then she finished her martini and fished the last olive out since it had fallen off the toothpick.

She somehow wanted to extend her conversation with this wolf-man, but was at a loss as to how.

As she sat, she heard him say "Are you available this weekend?"

Lucas looked almost as surprised to find himself saying that as she was to hear it, but she was pleased, and the color rose in her cheeks as she nodded.

She took his hand which was still outstretched, shaking it felt funny.

"Shall we meet here?" It sounded lame, as soon as she said it she wished she could retract it.  To her surprise he seemed relieved at the suggestion.

"Yes, how's noon on Saturday?"

"Ok."

Samantha stood up unsure whether she was a bit tipsy or in a daze from the conversation or the second sight, but she drifted out to her car slowly wondering why it was still only Thursday...