“The day I go under your knife is the day I’m on the coroner’s slab, buddy, trust me on that.”
I laugh for a second and then an image of Laura in the morgue jumps to mind and my humor disappears completely. I was at the hospital when she was brought in, but didn’t find out about her injuries until she had succumbed to them. Jeremy had a breakdown after seeing her on that gurney. That was easily the worst day of my life.
“Listen, I have a meeting starting five minutes ago. Talk to you soon?”
“Yeah,” I say softly. “Talk soon.” I hang up before he can respond, and drop the phone to the couch. I should probably get up, but I can’t. My legs aren’t functioning. All I can do is sit and stare at the floor.
Images play in my head like a movie montage. Things I don’t even remember seeing are there for me to enjoy, whether I like it or not.
Jeremy in his tux on his wedding day.
Laura in her bridal gown, holding a bouquet of wild flowers.
Jana crying with both happiness and extreme sadness, holding a brand new baby Cassie in the hospital, just hours after her mother is declared dead.
Jeremy trashing the house in Brooklyn that he and his wife had spent so much time remodeling together.
The ring, sailing through the night air and splashing water as it landed in the fountain.
A fake rapper named Shay Dee going to ridiculous lengths to do the right thing by me and return my property.
Taking the step of removing Jeremy’s parenting privileges and bestowing them on a girl who wanted to wait before becoming a mom.
A future that’s so dim, I can’t see any further than thirty seconds from now…
Chapter Fifty-One
FRIDAY USED TO BE A day I celebrated. I’ve always worked seven days a week, using late weekend mornings to do rounds at the hospitals where I have patients, but Friday night is the one time I allow myself to indulge. Today, however, I can’t think of anything I want to do other than get in my car, start driving, and never look back. It may have something to do with the fact that I’m about to become a temporary single father in about three hours.
“Got any big plans this weekend?” Veronica asks me, standing in my doorway.
“Just taking care of my niece.” My stomach flutters like I’m about to take my licensing exams all over again.
“Your niece? Isn’t she a baby?”
“Yes, she is.” I keep my eyes on the lab results in front of me, hoping she’ll take the hint that I’m not interested in casual conversation right now. Veronica’s attitude has been getting on my nerves all week and today is no exception. I don’t have the fortitude to remain calm if she pushes the wrong button.
“Have you ever taken care of a baby before?”
“No, I haven’t. But I went to medical school and I’ve saved countless lives, so I think I’ll manage.”
She snorts. “You obviously have no idea what you’re doing if you think that qualifies you.”
I literally bite my tongue to keep from saying what I want to say. Lucky for me, the door buzzes and saves me from drawing blood.
Veronica goes to her desk and touches the intercom button. She’s left my door open, so I can hear what she’s saying, but I can’t see her.
“Can I help you?” Veronica asks.
“Delivery,” says a male voice. “For Doctor Oliver.”
Veronica’s voice comes over my phone’s speaker. “Are we expecting a delivery?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” I stand and go out to her desk. There’s a man in a brown uniform standing in the hallway.
“That’s not our regular UPS guy,” she says before pressing the button to speak with him. “We weren’t expecting a delivery. Who’s it from?”
The guy looks behind him, like he’s expecting a sneak-attack. Then he reaches up and pats the top of his head.
I stare at him, sure I’ve seen him somewhere before. It’s that hair… it looks like a plastic cap stuck to the top of his head.
“I don’t know who it’s from,” he says, not even looking at the box.
“Hold on a moment,” Veronica says.
She looks up at me. “What do you think? Should I let him in?”
Alarm bells are going off in my head. I know this guy from somewhere, and that box he’s holding doesn’t even have a label on it that I can see.
“Just one second,” I say, grabbing her phone and hitting the speed dial that will connect me to the building’s security staff located in the lobby.
“Security,” comes the voice through the line.
“This is Doctor Oliver. We have a delivery guy at our door right now that we don’t recognize.”
“Yeah, he’s here with some lady. Saw him go up. You having a problem?”
“No, not exactly.” He’s here with a lady? I look at our security monitor again and see the box. It’s too small to be drug samples or any other supplies we order on a regular basis. “Is this lady in a brown uniform too?”
“No, sir. She’s wearing a skirt. A colorful one. Not brown at all.”
My pulse quickens. “Does she by any chance have frizzy blond hair, kind of looks like a flower child?”
“I suppose you could say that.”
“Thanks.” I disconnect the call.
Veronica’s looking at me like I’m crazy, but I ignore her.
I press the intercom button. “I know who you are, and I know you’re working with that woman. I’ve already told her, I’m not interested.”
The guy who was previously shifting his weight back and forth between his two feet suddenly freezes. “What woman?” he asks. “I don’t know anything about a woman.”
“I called down to the lobby. They described her to me, and they said you came in with her. Leave or we’ll call security and have you escorted out.”
The guy leaves without a word and Veronica turns her chair around to stare at me.
“What in the hell was that all about?”
I back away and then turn to go in my office. “Nothing.”
She’s not so easily dissuaded. When I look up from my desk, she’s already in my doorway.
“Seriously. Is this something I should be worried about?”
“No, why would it be?”
“Because, someone is trying to deliver packages you don’t want, some woman is involved … maybe stalking you? Is that what’s going on here?”
“No. There’s no one stalking anyone. It’s nothing.”
Veronica folds her arms over her chest. “I don’t believe you. Is this about Hilary? Did you cheat on her? Is that who that woman is?”
The last thing I need is Hilary thinking I screwed around on her. She’s been known to break things, but if she ever thought I’d done something like that, I could probably say goodbye to my vehicle and any glass item within ten feet of it. Clearly, I need to shut this line of thinking down fast before it turns my life upside down.
“Just … give me a couple hours to catch up with my work and then we can discuss it.”
“Fine. I’ll give you until four o’clock.”
I grit my teeth hard to keep from firing her on the spot. I hate the happy gleam in her eye and the idea that she really believes she can make a call like that in my office. She’s way too much like Hilary for me to deal with anymore. I really need to find another secretary, asap.
Chapter Fifty-Two
FOUR O’CLOCK IS LOOMING. I never hated a time before like I hate this time of day now. Veronica is expecting me to — no, demanding that I — tell her about this ring, about this person Leah Betty or whoever she is. And why do I feel the need to tell her anything? I’m the boss, and she’s the employee. I’m the one who’s supposed to be calling the shots.
I get all riled up just thinking about it, but then I realize it doesn’t matter. The job of being my assistant isn’t difficult, but it is critical. I’m too busy taking care of patients and performing surgeries to man the telephones and keep track of my schedule. I thought payi
ng a more than fair salary would ensure I wouldn’t have to deal with bullshit, and yet, here I am, dealing with bullshit, once again. This time it’s a demanding employee who has way too close of a relationship with my ex. Before this it was someone drinking on the job, and before that a girl with a hot-headed boyfriend making her miserable, harassing her at work.
Where are all the normal people without bags of issues being dragged behind them is what I want to know. Maybe there just aren’t any. Or maybe I’m not in a position to judge that anymore.
Regardless, I can’t have Veronica disappearing on me before I can find a replacement, so I need to do what I can to keep her happy for just a little while longer. Maybe after Cassie’s guardianship situation is figured out and my sister’s had more sleep I’ll be in a position to start interviewing candidates — candidates who can be more discreet than Veronica has turned out to be.
Hilary’s last phone call comes to mind. How did she find out about that ring? The only one who knows about it is Veronica and my family, and no way in hell would anyone I care about tell her anything. Jana and Jeremy never liked Hilary. They were never outwardly rude about it, but they didn’t need to be. She didn’t belong in our circle; it was obvious from the start.
I wish I knew why I ignored all the signs. Was I that desperate for companionship? I hate to think I was. Or that I still am. Laura’s death has changed everything for our entire family.
It was Veronica who opened her big mouth about the ring. And I’m supposed to believe she and Hilary aren’t friends anymore? Right. I realize now that I definitely can’t keep an employee who shares my personal business with her girlfriends. It’s time to cut the cord. My hands stray over to my computer keyboard, ready to type in the name of the recruiting company I’ve used in the past to find employees.
“James, there’s a charity on the line for you.” Veronica sounds bored.
I frown at the phone. “A sales call? Get rid of it.”
“No, it’s not a sales call. At least, I don’t think it is.”
“What do you mean, you don’t think it is? Didn’t you ask for the purpose of the call?”
“Uh, no, obviously I didn’t. But she said it was a charitable donation. Maybe. I can’t remember.”
I take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Patience. Don’t bite her head off. You need her, at least for now.
“Could you please?”
“Could I please what?”
“Confirm the reason for the call.”
“Can’t you do it?”
Her annoyed tone makes something snap inside me. “Are you kidding me?!” I shout.
“No, I’m not kidding you. What, are you too good to talk to charities now?” Her tone is acidic.
“Too good? … What…?” I can’t even wrap my head around that comment. None of this is making sense. Does she want me to fire her now?
“Are you my secretary or not?!”
“Not anymore,” she says, just before disconnecting the intercom.
I sit there for a few seconds absorbing what just happened. Before I can decide whether to be happy or angry about this turn of events, my office door opens and Veronica is standing there in the entrance.
She gives me a two-second, bitter smile. “Just so you know, you’re an asshole.”
“I’m the asshole.” I laugh, leaning back in my chair. This is some kind of crazy alternate universe I’m in right now, obviously. “Okay. Thanks for the information.”
“I’m quitting.”
“Yeah, I got that.” I hear a roaring in my ears. It might be from my blood pressure jacking up to dangerous levels. “Leave your keys to the office on the counter.” I don’t know whether to celebrate or panic right now. There are at least five surgeries that I can remember off the top of my head scheduled for next week.
“You’re not going to survive without me,” she says, her chin going up in the air.
I smile. It’s a warm emotion filling me up now, generated by the idea that I’m almost free of this lunatic, thank God. There’s no question now; that roaring sound in my ears is the sound of relief.
“I survived a long time before you got here, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine.”
She reaches into her purse, pulls her hand out, and throws something at my desk. A key bounces off my phone and lands in my lap.
“Good luck with your shit life,” she says. Her hair flies out behind her as she spins around.
I say nothing, but only because I want to avoid being sued. I’m not entirely convinced she won’t try it anyway, but the last thing I want to do is give her a good reason. Bitch.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel pretty damn good right now. My problem just took care of itself. I’m sure there’s a temp agency that could hook me up with someone in the short term until I can recruit someone more qualified, someone who’s not friends with Hilary, who’s not a high-maintenance bitch … someone who can be discreet and respectful, and normal.
Does such a woman exist in Manhattan? I want to think so, but I’m starting to wonder. Veronica was supposed to be that person. She sure came across that way in the interview.
The blinking light on my phone distracts me.
“Oh shit. The charity call.”
Clearing my throat and sitting up straighter, I pick up the handset and push the blinking button. “This is Doctor Oliver. I understand one of my patients is donating in my name. May I ask which one?”
An older woman’s voice answers. “Actually, I didn’t say she was a patient. I believe she’s your girlfriend. Or maybe an ex?”
My girlfriend? Hilary? An ex? A donation?
Thoughts are whirling around and around in my skull, making me feel almost dizzy.
And half a second later that UPS man and the girl with the skirt pops up in my mind.
I shake my head in disbelief. She wouldn’t dare…
“Don’t tell me … let me guess. The donation is a ring?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.” The woman sounds surprised at my clairvoyance.
I put the phone back down on the cradle without another word and lean back far in my seat. Once I start laughing, I can’t stop. Picturing Leah Betty’s face and the frustration that must be there is killing me. Maybe it’s the stress from the past few months or the fact that I’m about to be a single father for two days, but whatever the cause, I’m coming undone over getting one over on her. Man, is she persistent. But I still beat her. I still won. And winning feels good when I’ve lost so much recently. Great, even.
By the time I finally get my shit back together and can breathe normally again, I feel like I’ve done a thousand crunches at the gym. My abs are aching with the workout. Goddamn that feels good. I can’t stop smiling. I almost hope I bump into her again on my way home.
Standing up, I grab my keys, including the one that was thrown at me a half hour ago and leave the office. It’s time for me to go pick up my niece and start my weekend off with a bang. My smile falters just the smallest bit.
Chapter Fifty-Three
MY BROTHER’S HOUSE HAS A window in the front door. Through that window I can see a stack of bags and other things, making me think for a few seconds that my sister is planning to move out permanently. As I open the door, it pushes on one of the bags, causing it to slide across the wood floor towards the bottom of the stairs.
“Oh, you’re here! Good!” Jana comes out of the kitchen and down the hall towards me, Cassie in her arms.
“What’s going on here?” I point to the mess.
“It’s Cassie’s stuff.” She holds the baby out at me.
“But … she’s not moving in with me, is she?” The panic is back.
“For two days, yes.” She pats me on the arm. “Don’t worry. I promise to come get her Sunday night.”
I try to smile back, but my mouth won’t cooperate.
Jana bends over and grabs three of the bags and goes out the door.
“You in some kind of hurry?” I watch her r
un down the stairs to my car.
“Yep! Leslie will be here any minute!”
I look down at the sleeping baby to study her face. “What are the chances you’re going to stay asleep for the ride to Uncle James’s place, eh?”
Jana comes back through the door for her second load. “Did you go shopping for her like I told you to?”
“Oh yeah, sure I did.” That’s a lie. Truth is, I completely forgot about it, and apparently Veronica dropped the ball. I’m tempted to take my phone out of my pocket to do a quick search for store hours, but I don’t want Jana to catch me.
“You got a crib, I hope!” She throws more stuff in my trunk.
“Of course.”
A crib? I need to buy a crib? Is she just screwing with me? She looks serious.
“What about a pumpkin seat? Did you get one of those?” Her smile slips a little. “Seriously, James, don’t screw this up for me.”
I give her my best guilt-inducing smile. “Come on, where’s your faith?”
“I’m running low on that stuff lately.” She takes the last bag and hooks it over her shoulder. “Her car seat is in my car. After I transfer it over, you’re all set.”
“I’m not sure what she eats,” I say. “Formula, but what else?”
Jana pauses and slowly turns. “Are you serious?”
I grin really hard. “Just kidding. Go on, hurry up. Put the car seat in. I have a date with my niece.”
As soon as Jana can’t see my face anymore, I let out a stream of silent swear words. Cassie frowns in her sleep, as if she’s somehow picked up on my distress.
I’m sweating through my shirt by the time Jana’s done outfitting my car — car that’s woefully under-engineered for the use it’s being put to right now. The entire back seat is filled with junk colored either pink, purple, or yellow. It’s hurting my eyes to see my man-car looking like this.
“My god, you’ve turned my Porche into a mini-van.”