by Ali Vali
"At first he tried to be nice." She took a deep breath and looked at their hands, which lay on her lap. "Bryon I mean. He talked about playing football in high school and how he gave up any future in the game to help his dad at work."
When Desi paused it took effort on Harry's part not to ask why Byron needed his father and Desi's to arrange a marriage for him. She vaguely remembered him and how he almost preened around campus with that all coveted letterman jacket. He didn't seem the type to need help with women.
"He took my silence as interest in what he was saying, but the whole time I was thinking about you and Rachel. My fear damned all of us."
"Oh, honey," Harry leaned forward and did her best to wrap her arms around her without hurting her leg. "You weren't' even eighteen yet and you did the best with the situation you were dealt."
"Don't make excuses for me, Harry. I think I can handle anything but that." With an almost guilty satisfaction, Desi leaned against Harry and pressed her nose against her neck. The moment's reprieve allowed her to finish what she'd started. "The first time he hit me, I tired to run, and I tried my best to fight back. It was a mistake I quickly learned not to repeat. Byron was then, and still is, a very angry man, and most women figured that out about him before it was too late.
"He's never going to touch you again."
The conviction in Harry's voice was so definite that Desi believed her without a hint of doubt. "Thank you, sweetheart. I don't want you to think it was all bad though. For weeks at a time he'd leave me alone, and that's when I spent time walking around the shops on Magazine or spent time with Rachel and some of her friends. Then I found that if I thought long and hard enough about days like that one in the park with you, when the beatings started again, they weren't that bad. I wanted to survive them if only to find you again so I could apologize."
"There's no need for that."
"Yes there is, and I'm just happy we have a chance at so much more than I realized." Her head finally came up without prompting and Desi gave Harry a relaxed smile.
"What do you mean?"
"I thought you'd be sharing your life with someone wonderful and have a bunch of little cute kids running around by now, and my chance at apologizing would be the last thing we did together. That would be the end of our story and I'd have to face the rest of my life alone with just the satisfaction that I'd said I was sorry for hurting you." She shook her head as if in amazement that wasn't the case. "I don't think I'll ever figure out why you waited all this time, I'm not that…"
She pressed two fingers pressed against Desi's lips not allowing her to finish the sentiment. "You're incredibly special, don't ever think otherwise, and you aren't someone easy to forget."
"But why?"
"Because you were an essential part of my life from so very early on. Do you realize what an honor it's been to share so much of my life with the woman I want to share the rest of it with?" Harry held both of Desi's hands and looked her in the eye. "I'll never be able to change these past years, no matter how much I want to, but I can help you heal those hurts. Just like no one will ever be able to erase the time starting on the day I met a little girl with pig tails and offered her a ride to school. I didn't forget you because to my heart, you were unforgettable.
From the doorway connecting the dining room to the kitchen, Tony wiped his face. He felt like an ass for listening in, but his feet were glued to the floor. As much as he wanted to dislike Desi for causing Harry's pain, she deserved his compassion and friendship. When he heard the backdoor open and close, he did his best to compose himself.
"Are you two at it again?" asked Rachel in a teasing voice. The kiss she'd walked in on seemed charged with something new and for once she wished she'd come in the front.
"Don't you have someone else you could be bothering?" Harry shot back. The doorbell interrupted her from saying anything else. "That must be the guys."
"That must be someone else, sunshine," said Tony as he made his way over to Desi. "You look fabulous and I'm glad to see the tyrant has you up and around. That means you're ready to go shopping with me." He kissed her cheek and winked at her.
"Can I come?" Rachel asked before receiving her own hello kiss from the affectionate man.
"We'd love to have you. Right, Desi?"
Harry kissed Desi quickly on the lips before standing. "I speak from experience when I say, just give in and go with whatever he wants. You'll be a happier person for it."
"Funny, doctor, now get out of here and see who's at the door," ordered Tony.
"It's just us," said Serena walking in on Kenneth's arm. A small rocket streaked past her on his way to Harry.
From her chair, Desi watched and enjoyed the rest of the evening as everyone gathered in Mona's kitchen for a meal of Shrimp Creole. She watched her sister charm Butch into sitting on her lap for most of the night, and the way Serena's eyes would sometimes linger on Harry when she wasn't looking her way.
The one constant through the whole evening was Harry and how she made Desi feel. It was a peaceful sense of belonging, not with the group of old friends, but with Harry. For the first time Desi felt as if she belonged with someone, and from that came the courage to try again. The courage to try living, loving and sharing her life with someone who saw her as someone worth something.
"Who's the cute redhead?" Serena asked Harry when the doctor got up to get Desi's medicine.
Across the kitchen Rachel leaned closer to her sister. "Who's the blonde in love with Harry?"
"Not now," answered Harry and Desi almost together.
"Here you go, baby," Harry dropped two pills in Desi's palm and handed her a glass of water. "One more day and you're done with this part."
"It's this part I'm ready to be done with," Desi pointed to her leg.
"Don't rush it, sweetie," Tony piped up. "Harry doesn't know squat about window treatments or fashion, but bones are another matter. Besides, you'll probably be more comfortable having me wheel you around the stores until you develop some shopping stamina."
"Any more stamina on your part and I'd have to start working double shifts at the hospital to cover the bills," said Kenneth.
"You're complaining about my stamina? Since when?"
The group laughed at the guys' antics as Butch fell asleep on Rachel's lap. It was a little after midnight before everyone was ready to leave, making Harry extremely glad she didn't have an early morning.
"Harry, go on and carry Desi upstairs and I'll help her get ready for bed," offered Mona. "It'll give you a chance to grab a shower."
"I'll help you, Mona." Rachel placed her hands on her sister's shoulders and bent down to kiss the top of her head.
When Harry was done in bathroom, she walked out to find Desi alone. "Do you want me to go and sleep in the guestroom?"
She looked at the object of her desire and for once took a chance and put voice to what she wanted and would make her happy. "Unless you want something else, I don't ever want to spend another night of my life without you, Harry. I love you."
Harry slid into her side of the bed and opened her arms so Desi could snuggle as close as she could. "Then you'll never spend another night alone because I love you just as much."
************************************************************************
Two weeks later, Rachel found herself sitting with Desi in Harry's waiting room after Tony had met them at the house to help Desi downstairs. Harry's private practice was in the clinic building attached to Mercy Hospital and compared to some, was rather impressive in size. Desi and her sister looked around the room taking in the wood paneled walls, dark brown leather furniture, and the long glass case bordering the ceiling full of football helmets and baseball caps that had been autographed by the owners. Obviously people broke a large number of bones in the area and were grateful to the person who'd put them back together.
A nurse came out of the door that led into the exam rooms and wheeled Desi in, inviting Rachel to come along if she wished. "Ca
n I get you ladies anything? Coffee or a soft drink perhaps?" Both sisters shook their heads and smiled. "Then I'll leave you alone. Dr. Basantes should be back from rounds in a minute, so make yourselves comfortable, and ring if you change your minds."
Desi scanned the exam room, noticing that one wall was covered with pictures of Harry, all taken with different people. From the youngest to the oldest, every single person in the pictures had their arm around Harry and was smiling like they had won the lottery. When the next nurse came in to check her vitals, she noticed Rachel and Desi looking at the wall of pictures.
"The wall of fame for the Goddess of the Bones," she commented as she wrapped the blood pressure cuff around Desi's arm.
"Why do people call her that, the Goddess of the Bones, I mean?" asked Desi.
"Because our good doctor has shown a remarkable talent for orthopedic surgery from the moment she picked up a scalpel. Dr. Basantes is known throughout the country for the miracles she's able to perform on a regular basis. All of the people you see up there, and in every room of this office, are old patients that have had their lives salvaged by those talented hands. The nickname came from her professors in medical school, and it just stuck. Ask anyone of those people though," she pointed back to the wall, "and I'm willing to bet they'd agree with the title." The nurse finished up and put Desi's chart in the bin attached to the door.
When the door opened again, Harry walked in wearing the whitest, most pressed lab coat Desi had ever seen. "Remember I told you how sexy you looked in green?" asked Desi.
"Yes, I believe I recall that conversation." The skin around Harry's eyes crinkled from the size of her smile as she answered.
Rachel looked from one to the other, thrilled to see their playful personalities had returned. Harry was good for her sister, and if there was one person who deserved some good luck for a change it was Desi. All she had to do now was provide some more helpful nudges to get the flame between them up to a roar.
"I've changed my mind, I'm thinking white's your color, doctor," said Desi.
"Once you're on your feet you'll have to take me shopping for things in the colors you like. Are you ready for those stitches to come out?"
"Kiss me first then you can do whatever you like." The request proved that some of Desi's shyness and skittishness was disappearing and Harry loved it.
She walked to the exam table and kissed Desi like she hadn't seen her in months. They hadn't taken it any further than the kissing and hand holding stage, due to Desi's injury and marital status, but they were still enjoying themselves. Rachel smiled watching her sister act like a teenager again and could see from the movement through the coat where her hands were located on Harry's body.
"Tell me, Dr. Basantes, is this how you treat all your patients? Because if it is, I might just fling myself down the stairs just to get an office visit," said Rachel as she arched a brow when their mouths finally came apart.
"This is an experimental treatment I'm trying on a test group of one, actually. Next time, you'll have to notify me in advance if you're interested in my work," teased Harry before she gave Desi another small kiss.
Harry kidded around with them while she removed the numerous stitches she'd put in Desi's leg. She cut through the small, precisely placed, black sutures, pleased with the results left behind. There would be hardly a scar left, and if Desi wanted, Harry would recommend a plastic surgeon to remove what there was of one. After checking Desi's latest x-rays, she informed her patient that everything was healing nicely.
"In another week or so, I'll take you out of the brace and put you in a cast, so you can move around easier. For now let's leave you like this so your incision can heal up. You want to be past the itchy stage before I encase it, trust me. See, all that forced bed rest is paying off for you and you're ahead of schedule on your healing process. You should kiss your doctor for being so smart." Not one to ignore her requests Desi leaned over and kissed the top of Harry's head.
"Can I take you lovely ladies out to lunch?" Harry asked, taking off the lab coat and draping it over her arm.
"You have time?" asked Desi.
"Barring any medical disasters, I'm all yours for the next couple of hours."
"Just for the next couple of hours?" asked Desi.
"For as long as you want me in this lifetime, but I do have to work this afternoon. We're teaching the residents some new surgical techniques, so I have to be there."
She put Desi back in her wheelchair and escorted her and Rachel out to the parking lot. Her staff had made reservations for lunch at Commander's Palace uptown. When they were young, Harry's parents would take Harry and Desi there for Sunday brunch in the second floor garden room at least once a month, and it was one of Desi's favorite memories.
Harry was doing her best to bring back those happy times whenever she had the opportunity. She couldn't make up for the life Desi had endured without her, but Harry would do everything within her power so Desi wouldn't have another painful day for the rest of her life.
When Harry parked in front of the restaurant and turned to face the back seat, she knew it had been worth the effort of rearranging her schedule. Desi's eyes were misted over, telling Harry she remembered their times spent here. The valet opened the door and greeted Harry by name.
"Hello, Charlie, how's school?" asked Harry.
"Okay, Dr. Harry, I could use some extra tutoring sessions in chemistry but besides that, it's going all right." He opened the back door as he answered, surprised to find a reclining blonde.
"Charlie, could you or one of the guys carry the chair that's in the back upstairs for me?"
"Sure, but who's gonna carry the person who needs it?"
"Don't worry about that, I can use the workout."
Harry greeted the maitre' d with Desi in her arms and asked to go up the stairwell located in the kitchen. The famous restaurant had another set of stairs in the main dining room but they were steep and narrow, and Harry didn't want to take any chances with her passenger. Going through the kitchen they had to stop and talk with the staff for a minute since they all knew and loved Harry especially when she brought Butch with her. They also greeted Desi, and promised to send up some special treats in honor of her return to the New Orleans landmark.
"It is so beautiful up here," said Desi as she gazed out the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the courtyard outside. Harry had requested a corner table so Desi would be out of the passing traffic of service staff. They were surprised to find Serena arriving as well to have lunch, accompanied by a beautiful young woman.
"Harry, Desi…what a pleasant surprise." Serena felt the brunette she was with press her hand into the small of her back as if to remind her she was still there. "I'd like you to meet Brenda Bourgeois. Brenda is a local law student at Loyola."
"Student? Helping her brush up on torts and what not?" The question was asked in jest, and Serena could tell Harry was just warming up from the mischievous glint in her eyes.
"She's surviving quite nicely without my help in the academic arena," Serena fought the urge to walk to her table. This was a new relationship and she was hesitant to expose Brenda to Harry's brand of teasing just yet.
"I see," said Harry, getting a pinch under the table from Desi as a warning. "Brenda, it's really nice to meet you. This is Desi and her sister Rachel," she then stuck her hand out. "I'm Harry by the way, an old friend of Serena's."
"Oh yes, I've heard all about you from Albert. Can't seem to get him on any other subject but perfect Uncle Harry when I'm around," said Brenda sharply as she shook Harry's hand.
"Perhaps Albert thinks she's perfect because Harry treats him like the special little guy he is," added Rachel. "I had the pleasure of meeting him the other night and thought he was adorable." Rachel looked Brenda up and down, and from her expression, found her lacking. "Maybe he's figured out you really don't like kids."
"How special for you, Dr. Spock." Brenda turned her displeasure on Rachel.
"Maybe i
f you stop looking at his mother's…"
"Desi, have you heard from Byron or his family since the hearing a couple of weeks ago? I understand he's still in central lockup so you shouldn't have any problems." Serena interrupted before Rachel could finish or anyone else could chime in after the biting sarcasm her date had uttered.
"No, they haven't bothered me, but that could be because they don't know where I am. Harry introduced me to a good attorney who started divorce proceedings for me, so I'll at least know where to find Byron when it comes time to serve him with the papers," said Desi smiling up at Harry's friend.
"Call me if you need anything or if you have any problems. Harry and Rachel, it was nice seeing you both again," said Serena as Brenda took her hand and they continued on to their table. Harry had to laugh a little when they departed, thinking that maybe Serena had found someone worthy of her, since Brenda seemed somewhat possessive.
"You're bad, Dr. Basantes," said Desi. She had noticed the mirth playing in Harry's eyes and the panic in Serena's when she'd walked up.
Knowing Harry had shared a relationship with her caused a streak of jealousy to course through Desi every time she saw Serena, but Harry was always good about reassuring her. The comforting hand over hers was doing wonders for her insecurities.
"I'm only bad when provoked, sweetheart, don't ever forget that. And I'm thinking I'm no where close to being in Rachel's league."
"Duly noted, doctor."
They enjoyed the lunch served with the usual Commander's flare and the atmosphere of the restaurant. Desi was amused by the number of people who came to their table and thanked Harry for fixing some ailment or another. She had never seen so many pantomimed golf strokes or tennis serves in her life. Harry took it all in stride, listening to what they were saying, all the while holding Desi's hand.
Desi couldn't remember ever being the center of so much attention, or being regarded with such respect as Harry gave her whenever she introduced her. Harry was proud to have her sitting there, she could tell by every single action and word. In the total of their married life together Byron had never shown this much interest in her. To him she was the person who kept his house clean, cooked his food and was the body he could use for sex whenever the urge hit him.
