[center]Just as Alyssa had expected, Mansfield had travelled quite a bit - to places she could have only wondered about. It was true, she hadn’t ventured far from the city or even her hometown -- her father had done a wonderful job in turning himself into the burden that would keep her grounded for years upon years. That burden had only grown heavier and heavier with the passing time, until her back had inevitably broken and her patience had finally snapped. Even now that he was gone for the time being, she still couldn’t fully escape. She was left with his bills and the fact that she would have to help him along once he was finally out -- just to make sure he didn’t relapse. She absolutely had her doubts, but for now, she could at least find her escape in her new job. She could keep herself busy here, and truthfully, entertained with Mansfield as long as he continued to have things to say to her. 

Each time the man opened his mouth, Alyssa had become terribly interested. His eccentricity was wonderful- a colorful contrast to the grey shade of her usual surroundings, no matter how exhausting it was to keep up with him. He had lived a life she could only imagine - full of wealth and travels and she had almost wondered about all of the adventure he might have stumbled upon throughout the years. 

As he spoke to her, Alyssa had smiled as she picked timidly at her meal - which had been, quite frankly, one of the best meals she had had in a very, very long time. She at least wanted to savor it, all the while wanting to pay attention to everything Mansfield had said. Her nerves had begun to melt away the more he spoke, and she didn’t quite feel too out of place as the time passed them by. However, his next question had given her pause. 

Alyssa had bit the inside of her cheek for a moment and she glanced down at her plate. Well, she couldn’t very well tell him the truth. It was almost shameful to have to tell someone that her father had been an abusive drunk who had finally crossed the line and was forced into rehab in lieu of jail time. The fact that most of the tiny little town knew exactly who she was and nearly pitied her every time she’d walk by looking exhausted, wearing long-sleeves when it was warm out just to hide the bruises, having to stop at the hardware store every week or so to try and figure out how to patch a hole in a wall or fix a broken door hinge… 

She swallowed lightly and offered a small shrug of her shoulders. “My mother died a long time ago -- which is why we left the city. She’d been very sick and, I think she didn’t want to put us through it all so she didn’t fight it. The cancer took her quickly -- so, my father and I moved from the city and into town.” Alyssa explained and glanced to him for only a moment before she looked back at her food. “My father just moved out recently, so, I figured it was time to find something new to do - keep myself busy now that he isn’t around. And, I'm an only child - so, no siblings around either.” It wasn’t technically a lie, but it was quite the softer version of the truth. [/center]