by Rinyu, Beth
“Go ahead Kat, go with the girls,” he said with a very boyish smile.
“Oh, no I don’t play baseball,” I said, laughing.
“It’s not baseball, its wiffle ball,” he said as if it made a difference. “Come on, the teams will be uneven if you don’t play.” He sounded like a little kid trying to convince me.
“Fine, but don’t get mad when the girls beat the boys,” I said, grabbing the bat from his hand.
I hadn’t played wiffle ball since grammar school gym class. Aside from dancing and running I was far from athletic. I felt compelled to show this group of little girls that they could do anything the boys could do. I gained my confidence in that thought. I handed the bat to the first little girl in line. The boy who had been working as Julian’s translator was the pitcher. The little girl swung and missed the first pitch. All of the boys began to cheer. She fouled off the second pitch and pummeled the ball as the third pitch crossed over the plate.
“Run, Run,” I screamed as she rounded the bases with a huge smile on her face. The girls began to jump up and down, screaming with excitement as she crossed the makeshift home plate.
It was finally the last inning and the boys were winning 12 to 10. The girls had two runners on base and it was my turn to bat. Julian took the ball from the boy who had been pitching. He grinned as I swung and missed his first pitch.
“Come on, Kat, I gave that to you,” he yelled.
The second pitch was another swing and a miss. Julian shook his head, finding much delight in my poor wiffle ball skills. As I waited for him to throw the third pitch I repeated over and over, you can do it, keep your eye on the ball. At least that’s what I thought you were supposed to do. As the third pitch came over the plate I followed my advice and heard the crack of the bat hitting the ball. I stopped to watch the ball as it flew past everyone’s head. I gave Julian a great big teasing smile when I finally crossed home plate. Final score: girl’s 13 - boys 12.
“What’s the final score Julian?” I teased.
“That was luck,” he said, handing the ball to one of the boys.
I was approached by a little girl who spoke pretty good English. “Thank you, pretty lady,” she said with a huge smile.
My heart melted seeing how appreciative these kids were. I sat with the group of girls while Julian continued on his quest to find Rapula and Tau’s mother. The little girls flocked around me, making me feel like royalty. The little girl who had spoken some English sat down beside me.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Saada,” she said, smiling.
“How old are you?” I asked.
“Twelve,” she replied. “Are you a doctor?”
“Yup,” I answered.
She looked at me with admiration. “Can I braid your hair?”
“Sure,” I answered.
I sat quietly relaxing and taking in the warm sun until she finished. I handed her the elastic ponytail holder that was on my wrist to hold the braid in place. I touched the back of my head trying to get an idea of what my new hairdo was. It felt like a very loose French braid. It felt good to have my hair off my neck.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Saada asked, giggling as Julian appeared.
“No, just a friend,” I answered.
“He’s cute,” she whispered.
“I know,” I whispered back.
“I think he’s cute too,” Saada said, pointing to a boy who looked to be about her age standing off by himself.
“Well, I think you should go tell him,” I said confidently.
She began to laugh nervously and bashfully shrugged her shoulders.
“You’ll never know if you don’t try,” I said convincingly.
She looked at me without saying a word and marched over to where the boy was standing. I watched intently, ignoring Julian as he came over to ask if I was ready. He quickly became interested in what was going on as well. I admired the confidence that she displayed as she whispered in the boy’s ear. I actually felt myself getting nervous for her wondering how he would respond. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him hug her before he went running off with a group of boys. Her smile was a mile wide as she ran back to me. My smile must have been just as big as hers. I couldn’t believe how excited I was over watching this first crush unfold.
“I told you he would like you,” I said.
“Thank you, pretty lady,” she said giving me a great big hug.
“You’re welcome Saada.” I hugged her her back.
“You should tell him,” she said, pointing to Julian.
“Tell me what?” Julian asked inquisitively.
“She thinks you’re cute,” Saada blurted out as she began giggling.
“No, well I didn’t…” I couldn’t get the words out and felt myself turning red.
Julian began laughing hysterically at my reaction.
“Aww Kat, you think I’m cute?” he teased.
I finally regained my composure. “Well, actually, Saada said you were cute and I just went along with it,” I said smiling.
“Oh, look at you, blaming it on a little girl,” he said, still teasing me.
I shook my head and began to laugh. I knew I was busted and wasn’t going to deny it anymore. I actually thought he was more than just cute, but he didn’t have to know that. I decided to make an exit not waiting for Julian’s lead. I waved goodbye to Saada, who was still smiling.
I jumped into the Jeep immediately and angled the rearview mirror to see what she had done to my hair. I was surprisingly impressed with the perfect French braid that she had created. Julian was finally done loading everything in the back. He hopped in, handing me a bottle of water and a protein bar.
“Thanks,” I said, taking a sip of the water.
He laughed when I told him that Tricia and I rationed our power bars and how I was in a panic this morning over eating my last one. “Well, I’ll share mine with you, since you think I’m cute,” he said grinning. I shook my head smiling back, knowing that he wasn’t going to let that go.
We were about twenty minutes into the ride when he pulled over on the side of the narrow dirt road.
“What are you doing?” I asked, confused as he jumped out of the Jeep.
“Come here,” he said as he began walking into a wooded area.
He made me walk ahead of him. He followed close behind, giving me instructions on which way to go. The forest was filled with lush greenery which provided an immense amount of shade blocking out the sun. Up ahead looked to be brighter and I knew that there must have been some type of clearing. We came out of the forest into what reminded me of a valley. I was starting to become a little nervous, hoping that I didn’t come face to face with any wild animals or snakes.
“Eeew,” I screeched and grabbed Julian’s arm in a state of panic as something small and fast ran past my feet.
He laughed. “It was just a lizard.”
“Well, I hate any type of little creatures like that. Can you please tell me where the heck we are going?” Julian was now walking alongside me.
He shook his head. “It’s a surprise.”
We headed up a steep hill and I could hear the sound of running water. When we finally reached the top I was in absolute awe. There was a beautiful waterfall that didn’t even look real. The water fell in sheets and descended in terraces creating a steady pattern of endless rhythm. It wasn’t a deafening sound but more of a soft trickle. The splashing water collided with the rays of sun creating a beautiful rainbow. The cool mist coming off the crystal clear water was invigorating. I actually felt tears forming in my eyes; it was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen in my life.
“This is absolutely breathtaking,” I said, trying to take it all in. “How on earth did you find this?”
He told me that the last time he was here, he and two other doctors stayed a few extra days. They took up an offer from one of the locals to go backpacking and this was one of the places they stumbled upon. He said that the fal
ls consisted of seven streams, each cascading off steep cliffs, one being more beautiful than the other. I couldn’t imagine anything being more beautiful than this.
We found a grassy area and sat down. I listened to Julian talk about his backpacking experience, unable to take my eyes off of the magnificence in front of me. We talked for hours. I found myself so relaxed by the warm sun and the sound of the trickling water. I imagined that this had to be pretty close to what heaven was like. I found it ironic that something so beautiful existed in a place that seemed more like hell.
“I just had to prove to you that this place isn’t all that bad,” he said.
“Actually I was beginning to change my mind about that, after this morning and being with those children.”
“How were you so sure that boy was going to be so accepting of that little girl?” he asked as if he were impressed.
“I just did, I could sense those types of things. I’m very good at reading people just by first impressions,” I boasted.
I went on to tell him about my love of old romantic movies. “My favorite thing to do is rate the kisses,” I said.
“Really and how do you do that?” he asked, amused.
“Oh, there are lots of things you have to consider,” I said. “The timing, the setting and the background.”
“Wow, that sounds like a lot of work,” he laughed.
I shrugged my shoulders. “How’s your arm?” I asked as I grabbed it to examine the wound. “It looks much better - I do good work,” I joked.
I was still holding on to his arm when I felt his lips begin to touch mine, forming the most perfect kiss ever. At first I was a little shocked but it only took a second before I began to kiss him back. It was soft and passionate at the same time. We slowly came to a finish, staring into one another’s eyes. My heart was quickly winning the battle with my head.
“How would you rate that?” he asked.
I tried to catch my breath. “9.5,” I finally answered. He smiled as if proud of himself. “Well, you know this beautiful setting was worth nine points alone,” I teased.
The sun was beginning to shift, signaling that the afternoon was starting to fade. We got up to make our way back. I turned around taking in one last glimpse of the beauty surrounding me. Unsure if I would ever return to this majestic place, I quickly etched a photo of the beautiful waterfall in my mind and the most absolute perfect kiss in my heart. I wanted to always remember them both.
Chapter 8
The weeks were flying by at a rapid pace. My days were jam-packed with seeing patients. By the time my twelve-hour shifts were over I was exhausted. I was still checking on my dad weekly. I meticulously gauged the tone of his voice during each conversation to see if I could pick up on any sign of something being wrong, health-wise. If there was, he was hiding it well. He certainly wasn’t offering any information to me. He immediately caught on to me when Charles’s wife, Claire, paid him a visit.
I was seeing Tricia a lot more since we were working the same schedule, which made me happy. I hadn’t seen Julian quite as much. He was spending almost every day at the other village. Which I had to confess, made me a little sad. Rapula and Tau still hadn’t had their surgeries. Julian didn’t feel that it was safe to do so yet. The few times that I did encounter him, he acted normal, as if there was never a kiss exchanged between the two of us. I was happy for that. I didn’t want to feel uncomfortable around him. He was his usual carefree self, teasing me and joking around like normal. I was mad at myself for even letting that kiss happen, reminding myself that Julian was not for me.
I was also seeing less of Charles and James, as they too were spending most of their time at the other village with Julian. I had noticed that Julian and James were becoming fast friends. After getting to know Julian over these past few months, it was apparent why. They both had the same sense of humor and the same strong career drive.
I felt like a robot with the same routine every day. It was very monotonous, but it helped me from over-thinking things too much, which I always had a tendency to do.
Tricia had left early not feeling well. I foolishly agreed to take on her patients in addition to mine. It had been a long day and my head was pounding. I was so happy to finally be wrapping up, checking on one of Tricia’s last patients. Before I could even look at the chart, I was approached by a very familiar looking young male doctor. I could tell before he even spoke that he was one of those arrogant doctors that I despised. He grabbed the chart from my hand abruptly.
I looked at him in disbelief over his rudeness. “Excuse me,” I said showing my displeasure on my face.
“This is not your patient, it’s mine,” he said, not lifting his head from the chart.
As soon as I heard him speak in a thick British accent, I was able to place how I knew him. He was the doctor that Julian had been to talking to a few weeks ago, along with the two French doctors.
“And why on earth would you prescribe an antibiotic for her when clearly she has a virus?” he asked. “I honestly think some people must sleep through medical school,” he mumbled lightly.
The total exhaustion that I felt was now overcome with complete anger. “First of all, Dr……” I said, waiting for him to fill in his last name.
“Dr. Reeves. I’m a pediatrician at one of London’s finest children’s hospitals,” he answered, never making eye contact.
“Well, Dr. Reeves, I don’t know if that’s how you treat people over in your fine hospital. But you will not talk to me that way,” I said sharply. “Oh, and maybe if you had bothered to check the chart when you so rudely ripped it out of my hand, you would have noticed she has a strep infection, so that is why she needs an antibiotic,” I added. I was so angry I could feel the blood rushing to my head. I didn’t even acknowledge Julian, who had just walked in and witnessed my entire wrath. He stood there stunned as I packed up my stuff not saying a word. I had every intention of ending it there, and leaving.
“This is why they shouldn’t allow women to be doctors, they are much too emotional,” Dr. Reeves said to Julian.
My anger had now turned to pure rage. I slammed my bag down on the table, whisking past Julian, who just stood there as if entertained by the whole event.
I approached Dr. Reeves, getting right in his face screaming, “The same could be said about arrogant men like you that think they know everything – go to hell.” I shouted.
He took a step back, looking stunned that anyone dare speak to him that way. I flung my bag over my shoulder, slamming the door on the way out. Doctors like him were the one thing that turned me off about this profession. They clearly were in it for the money and the prestige of putting MD after their name, not because they truly cared about people. My head was spinning. I couldn’t believe that I had let such an egotistical man like him get to me.
I walked quickly once I got outside, just wanting to get some food, get to bed, get anywhere as long as it was far away from Dr. Reeves and the scene I had just made.
“Kat, slow down!” Julian shouted.
“What?” I answered, sounding a little abrupt as I came to a quick halt.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“Nothing, this was just a very fitting end to a horrible day!” I said a little calmer.
He stood alongside me with his hands in his pockets. “That was pretty funny – the look on his face,” he said, unable to control his laughter.
He finally removed his hands from his pockets and took my hand in his. “I like a girl who’s not afraid to speak her mind,” he said. The look in his eyes became more serious. Oh God, he’s going to kiss me again. I took a deep breath and followed my heart once again. He gently moved my hair out of the way, touching my face softly. His lips tenderly grazed mine. The butterflies in my stomach were unleashed as he began to kiss me with more intensity. I kissed him back just as eagerly. He moved his hands up and down my back and through my hair. I felt the stress of the day melting away instantly.
�
��Kat!” James’ voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard at that particular moment. I reluctantly released myself from Julian’s embrace as we both tried to regain our composure.
“Yeah,” I said, sounding somewhat annoyed.
“Oh, I’m sorry; did I interrupt something?” James asked with a grin, clearly witnessing what had just taken place.
“No, nothing at all, I was just talking to Julian,” I answered, playing along with his game.
“Right,” he said, smirking at both of us.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I just heard you laid into Reeves,” he said with great satisfaction.
“Where did you hear that?” It was amazing how quickly the word had spread.
“Two of the nurses were just reveling in it,” he answered.
I was quickly learning that I wasn’t the only one who had a problem with this man, making me feel somewhat better about the situation.
“Geez, word travels fast around here,” I said, surprised.
“Wow, who would’ve thought that quiet little Kat would have the guts to tell him what we were all thinking?” James put out his hand to give me a high-five. I just shook my head refusing to give him one back. I was feeling a little embarrassed now at how I had handled that situation.
“What the heck got into you?” James asked, still in amazement.
“I don’t know; I got a lot on my mind,” I said, trying not to look at Julian but not being able to help myself.
“I just went and checked on Tricia, she’s feeling much better,” James said. He continued giving me an update on her condition. I was distracted. I just wanted him to leave so I could be alone with Julian. Even if he did leave now, we would never get back to that moment. I was deep in thought over our kiss.
“Hello? Kat, would you mind?” James waved his hand in front of my face to break me from my daydreaming.
“Huh?” I had no clue what he had just asked.
“Would you mind getting Tricia some soup?” He was looking at me strangely.
“No problem,” I answered.
