Someone to Love by Lucy Scala

others and it’s disorientated me. I don’t know how to explain it to you…” I tried to maintain a stern expression, masking a weak smile. Without wanting to, I even let out a slight sigh. “Different in what way?” I challenged him.
    â€œI’ve never been good with words. You mystify me, there… With the others this doesn’t happen to me.” Diego bent his head slightly to the side.
    â€œAre you making a fool of me? Listen to me, you can’t come and tell me I’m different and then treat me exactly like all the others.”
    â€œSee, I’m right? My presence makes you uncomfortable just because you’re obliged to confront a man. I can read it in your face, you’re just fighting against yourself.”
    I mumbled something, shocked.
    â€œWhat’s up?”
    â€œIt’s late, I think it’s better if you leave.”
    â€œBullshit.”
    â€œNo, I’m telling you myself.” I smiled, satisfied.
    â€œAre we arguing?”
    Diego stared at me for a few seconds and, seeing no afterthought on my behalf, he stood up.
    I started to open the front door, but he stopped me. His eyes were staring into mine. “Please, come on, don’t be like that.”
    â€œWhat do you want, Diego? We’re good. You wanted to apologize, and you did. I thank you for the flowers and for the company, but that’s it.”
    â€œI don’t understand why you always have to be so controlled,” he insisted, stubbornly.
    I glanced around nervously.
    â€œI don’t want to continue this conversation. You’re not the type of man I plan to date, or get to know better. Neither today, nor ever. However, if you want, we can be friends. It might be a good compromise for our jobs,” I said, trying to convey a serious tone.
    â€œI’m sorry, I thought that…”
    â€œOk, it doesn’t matter,” I interrupted.
    â€œAll clear. Good night,” and he slammed the door, hard. It was evidently a habit of his.
    A few seconds later I heard shouting outside. “I forgot my jacket.”
    â€œFresh air will help you think better.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
    *
    I was about to go to bed when I noticed the display of my phone blinking.
    I grabbed the phone, slipped under the sheets, covering my head and curled up on one side as I did as a child, whenever someone knocked on the door and I wanted to hide away from the light.
    I touched the screen. Wow, it was Alberto, just as I had hoped.
    I’m a little out of practice with these things.
    I wondered if you wanted to go out for dinner with me, just you and me.
    I stared at that message for a long time, convinced that it was the beginning of something. What was most enjoyable; knowing that I had a knight ready to court me or getting back that carefree feeling that I hadn’t felt for so long? Less than two minutes later, he sent me another text. I decided that the wait could end and began tapping on the screen to reply.
    His answer was not long in coming.
    How about Friday at eight?
    I’ll surprise you.
    Alberto was a charming man, poised and with a responsible job. He had all the right attributes, he could give me the security I needed. And I was looking for stability, and I wanted to fall in love again.
    I tried to follow Fiamma’s advice and go back to trusting the male gender.
    At that moment, however, the memory of Diego and his expression resurfaced in my mind. He seemed sincere and sorry. But he was just a distraction that had nothing to do with my life.
    I lay still, cradled by the silence of my house, and closed my eyes.
    Soon, I fell asleep.
    *
    The afternoon turned out to be more tedious and time consuming than I had expected. I had too many things on my mind and my concentration was poor.
    I left all the more challenging tasks to my colleagues and devoted myself to the dogs and cats seeking adoption.
    Our clinic, as well as rescuing mistreated animals,