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You're standing in the park at dusk talking to Jackson -- You met him at Ethan's housewarming party a week ago and were pleasantly surprised to run into him tonight. Jackson had asked you where you knew Ethan from, so you are talking about the freelance work you do for Lifeline, where Ethan used to work.

But he can't really connect, you get the feeling he can't really hear what you're saying. He keeps glancing from side to side nervously, he can't believe you are really interested in talking to him and that's keeping him from paying attention to you. Well, what do you do in a case like that? It's frustrating but you're working to bring him back.

Now he's looking at you at least. Eye contact is still a few steps further down the road but... The creeping, lengthening shadows have caught his eye as they cross your shoulders and neck. The blankness of his awkward gaze makes you uncomfortable.

The redness of the leaves on an evening like that one -- it was only September and still warm, but you could feel Autumn in the air -- catches light in a unique way as the setting sun starts to redden -- Jackson felt like he could see each leaf, each twig in uncanny burning clarity. Melissa was asking him if he'd like to meet for coffee sometime soon, and he was feeling guilty and asinine about his lack of presence. So even though he didn't really trust her he replied Sure, he'd love to -- but again there was a false quality in his response, it seemed rushed and careless. He likes her and is flattered she asked him out -- if only he doen't blow it with his strangeness!

You're getting annoyed, which blends in with your initial feelings of warmth for him -- you try and force the issue. "Are you doing anything after work on Thursday?"

But the moment is past, he's already spacing out again. Melissa went home that evening restless and in a bad humor.