"It's not that. I was looking for ammunition against you. Please, Charlie, forgive me for not acting like a professional with you. I've been an ass and deserve to be fired for the things I've said to you."
"I forgive you, but you didn't even have to ask. I still want to go home though. I don't know why you kept me this long."
"I really thought you were suicidal. But I guess, with your news and all, you decided to get drunk and genuinely made a mistake."
"What news?” Charlie sat up. “I haven't had any news."
"There was a press release that you asked to be released from your contract due to circumstances beyond your control, and that someone else will be playing the lead in that vampire slayer movie."
"Please tell me you are joking."
"I'm sorry. I thought you knew. I figured you set it up."
Charlie groaned and ran her fingers through her hair. Sure I've mentioned a surgery to my agent, but why in the world was I removed from the movie? Has the press trumped up my accidental overdose even more? Does my agent think I'm too risky and wants to dump me? Someone is going to pay for this. Big time.
"Knock, knock.” Doctor Edwards knocked on the door and opened it. He smiled at Charlie as he stepped inside and shut the door. “You really should leave the door open, young man. You wouldn't want to be accused of fooling around with a patient."
"In this case they'd be right.” Charlie laughed.
"Oh, well you should still behave when you're at work."
"No, we're not fooling around. But we were very close in the past.” Charlie winked at her doctor.
"I just wanted the opinion of a doctor who knows her very well. I wanted to be sure that we weren't releasing her too soon. I didn't want her to go home and try to kill herself all over again."
"You don't know Charlie very well if you think she'd kill herself. Why, I don't know anyone tougher than she is. Considering the circumstances, I think she's holding up very well."
Charlie tried to signal Doctor Edwards to warn him to keep his mouth shut about the cancer, but he didn't say anything.
* * * *
Charlie lay in bed thinking about everything that had happened. She couldn't blame Andre for thinking she was suicidal, but she didn't have to like it. Fortunately Doc Edwards gave her a clean bill of health and didn't let her secret slip. Since she had another chemotherapy treatment tomorrow, she wanted to get plenty of sleep, but thoughts of Andre kept invading her dreams.
If she didn't get him out of her head soon, she'd probably go crazy. The phone rang, and Charlie screamed. After she caught her breath she looked at the clock and noticed it was after nine. It couldn't be a telemarketer, so who would be calling me this late?
"Hello?” she asked when curiosity got the best of her.
"Hi, Charlie. It's Andre. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Why do you ask? Do you make a habit of calling all your patients at home to check on them?"
"No."
His deep chuckle vibrated through the line sending familiar shivers up her spine. Dammit. Had clearing the air reawakened those longings she'd thought his leaving had buried?
"I wanted to know if we could get together and talk over old times. I know you had time to heal and move on, but I've held this grudge for so long that I don't know how easy it will be for me. I haven't had a long-term relationship since we split up, and I'm hoping if we can make peace with each other, I'll be able to get over this. I know you already have, but I was hoping, for old times’ sake, that you'd say yes."
"Yes,” Charlie answered, then bit her lip. Why did you say yes? Are you insane? What good will it do to rehash old times with him? And with those feelings stirring to life again, you couldn't be making a bigger mistake.
Feelings stirring to life? Who am I kidding? I've never stopped loving Andre. I've also never found a man to take his place. This is a terrible idea.
"Great. I'll stop by your house tomorrow and we can go out to dinner. Somewhere nice and public so we can chat and get reacquainted."
"You know what. I don't think it's a good idea. You don't need to see me again to move on with your life. All you have to do is forget about that short time period and find a new gal."
"If that's how you really feel, Charlie, I think I need to be more honest with you. I want to see you again, outside of a doctor/patient relationship."
"Andre. It was in the past. I think we should leave it in the past."
"Can't we let bygones be bygones? Now that I know the truth, don't I deserve a chance to make it up to you? Or at least you make it up to me? You left me thinking so many evil things about you and women in general. You owe me."
There were so many responses she wanted to make to his comments, but she realized he was right. Closure would be good.
"You can start by telling me how you ended up working at my local hospital,” Charlie said after a minute.
"I've always kept an eye on you, and when I saw the job opening, I jumped at the chance. It was pure luck that landed you under my care, though."
"You might say it was luck, my stomach and aching body would disagree.” Charlie laughed.
"I could come over and give you a massage."
"Andre, it sounds like you're flirting with me. Be careful, you wouldn't want me to misinterpret your intentions."
"The hell with misinterpreting my intentions. I love you, Charlie. I've always loved you. I never stopped missing you, wanting you, loving you. Your touch, your smile, your heart. I've loved you all along, Charlie. And now that I know what you went through, I am mad at you for pushing me away, but I understand it. I forgive you. I forgive you for being away from me for so long. I'm not letting you go this time. Don't make me let you go."
Tears slipped down her cheeks at his words. She couldn't doubt the sincerity in his voice, and it increased her guilt. “Don't. Don't do this, Andre."
"Are you crying? Dammit, Charlie. Let me come over now."
"I-I'm sorry, Andre. I-I've always loved you and only you. I'm sorry that my choice affected you so much. I wish you happiness and love with a woman who deserves someone like you."
"Charlie? Don't hang up. Please, Charlie. Give me a chance."
"You shouldn't be begging for a chance, Andre, and I've used up all of mine."
"Charlie!"
She winced as he shouted into the phone. “Good bye, Andre,” she whispered and hung up the phone.
Almost immediately it began to ring again and didn't stop until she yanked the cord out. “Just go away like I told you to.” Charlie burst into tears at the thought of how close she'd been to getting Andre back. But he'd always wanted kids. He'd never stopped hating her for killing their child. He wouldn't want her now that she couldn't have kids. He had to be lying anyway. How could he have loved me and hated me so much?
"There is a fine line between love and hate,” Grace said from the doorway.
Charlie looked up and grimaced. “You have got to stop sneaking up on me."
Grace laughed and floated over to the bed. “Hey, now that you know my secret I can use all my tricks around you. Besides, Abigail was right, you do need me."
"I do not need you."
"Awwwww. If this is what being in love does to you, you need to stay that way."
"I am not in love.” Charlie growled and got out of bed. She pulled on her bathrobe and walked out to the kitchen. Grace followed her, still floating an inch off the floor.
"You are so in love."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Oh just knock it off, Grace."
"Knock it off, Charlie.” Grace mocked her.
Charlie growled and advanced toward her, ready to smack her, vampire or not.
"Chill, sweetheart. I'll stop teasing you. But you need to stop this torture. How long will you make yourself pay for something that wasn't even your fault? You can't help that you got cancer anymore than the next woman can. What you can do is grab this chance by the horns. Remember what Abigail said
. Change. Heal. Make peace with Andre. I swear you will not regret it."
Charlie shook her head. Before she could say anything, a knock sounded on her door.
"Charlie?"
"Andre?” The man had some nerve.
"He loves you. Other men would have moved on or gotten over it. He held onto the hate because it made it easier to be without you. Doesn't it seem odd that he so swiftly got over his anger? Because the anger, once it lost focus, disintegrated. His feelings for you are genuine."
"And you know this how? Because of your vampiric abilities?"
"No. My womanly intuition. You should try listening to yours sometime."
Charlie snorted, then jumped when Andre started to bang on the door.
Grace floated over to the door, opened it, ushered Andre in, then closed it behind her as she left.
"Traitor!” Charlie shouted after her.
"At least tell me why,” Andre said as he walked over to her. “Give me a reason to leave you alone."
"You want a reason?” Charlie snapped. I'll give him a fucking reason. “I have cervical cancer again. This time they are removing my uterus. There will be no children. Now go, find a nice fertile wife to live a long healthy life with."
Guilt tugged at her heart as Andre's mouth dropped open and he paled. Okay, maybe it would have been better to break it to him gently.
Andre dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist. It was her turn to stare at him in surprise as he turned his head and kissed her abdomen. As tears rolled down his cheeks, she wondered if this was his way of saying goodbye. What the hell?
"Charlie, please. Let me stay with you; let me help you. I love you, uterus or not. With or without children. I never dreamed you'd give me a chance, but now that I have it, I'm not letting you go. You're stuck with me."
"Andre.” She groaned and slid her fingers into his thick curly hair. Desire curled in her belly and she knew it was too late. How can I doubt his sincerity? “Oh, Andre."
He pulled her down to the floor and wrapped his arms around her. “This time, I'm not letting you go. Too long you've been too far away from me. You made a judgment call last time. This time it's my turn. I love you. I need you. Charlie, please marry me. Uterus or not, you are the very breath I take. I need you with every beat of my heart. I—"
"Stop already.” She laughed and pressed a finger to his lips. “You are just so goddamned mushy. I want a second chance with you. I've loved you all along, too. But I let my stubbornness and righteousness keep us apart. I'm sorry for trying to make all the decisions for us."
"I'm sorry that you felt the need to do that. I promise, this time, will be different. This time it's forever."
"Forever,” Charlie echoed, tears falling more freely now as he hugged her tight.
"Forever,” he repeated, then pressed his lips to hers, claiming her heart and soul.
THE MOON
by
Tina Bendoni
Theresa looked around the office she'd spent the last five years of her life in. She loved coming into work every day, and she would miss it if she had to change. Sighing, she closed her door gently.
She wouldn't know what was happening until next week at the earliest. It was time to let it go. If John and Mary couldn't save the company, then she would find another job. She knew she would be able to, and probably one that paid more, but had her doubts about whether she would find one as satisfying.
Knowing it would do no good to brood, Theresa locked the front door of the building as she walked out. A week from Monday they would have all their answers.
When John and Mary had given everyone this upcoming week off, every single one of their employees had protested. But they'd insisted. Everyone had been working eighty-hour weeks for the last three months trying to get things in order for the planned merge. If things didn't go their way, everyone might be looking for new jobs soon enough. John and Mary had told them all to take the week off, spend time with family, sharpen up their resumes, even apply for other jobs if they wanted to. They all knew this might be the end.
Hell, some of them had been so worried they had even visited a fortune teller the other day. Deep down, Theresa had confidence things would be okay, but she was still worried about it. How could she not be, despite what the fortune teller had said.
The woman had given each of them a one card reading in addition to the one she did for them for work. Theresa's card had been the Moon.
"The Moon is very appropriate for you right now. It implies a time of fluctuation and uncertainty.” The woman had smiled at Theresa then. “Which tells you nothing, since we already did the reading for your company. It also stands for intuition, and we both know your intuition tells you that things will work out for the better there, doesn't it?"
Theresa had been a bit surprised the woman would presume to say she knew how Theresa felt, but she had been right.
"This card can mean many different things at different times in our lives; often it is just indicative of being a woman. Or perhaps of someone that we might come across in our lives. It is a symbol of women, animal lovers and artists. In your case, this tells me there is nothing to worry about. Follow your gut instincts. Your instincts will not steer you wrong."
Shaking her head, Theresa forced herself to head home. Her instincts said it was time to get home and relax. She could worry more next week.
* * * *
Theresa was attacked the second she walked through her front door. She didn't even have a second to prepare before she was hit with over one hundred pounds and almost knocked on her ass.
"Damn, Sasha, I'm not that late!"
Sasha stood back and looked at Theresa with a hurt look in her eyes before sitting down and tilting her head with a whine.
Theresa sighed. “Okay, okay, so I'm later than usual. Give me three minutes to change my clothes and we'll go for our walk, okay, girl?” Theresa felt guilty at making her beloved golden retriever wait for so long, even though she had a doggy door leading to the fenced backyard. These evening strolls were the highlight of Theresa's day. Sometimes she thought it was the only thing that kept both of them sane.
"Yes, girl. Yes.” Theresa continued talking to her dog as she strode into her bedroom to change into something more appropriate for walking the dog. By the time she was done, Sasha had the leash in her mouth and was waiting at the door impatiently.
Theresa clipped on the leash and opened the door. She had only moved into this house about six months ago, but she loved the neighborhood and the people who lived here. It was a wonderful area for a family. Someday.
They walked for longer than usual, the nice weather inviting them to stay outside, and by the time they were on the home stretch, it was getting dark. They had turned the corner to their street when Sasha started pulling on her leash and barking furiously.
"Sasha, stop that. Sasha! Stop!” Theresa had never seen her dog so excited before. She looked up to see what Sasha was barking at and saw a young couple in the middle of a heated argument. They weren't even aware of the dog barking at them. The boy was grabbing the girl's upper arms and shaking her.
"Sasha, down, girl. Down."
Sasha wasn't listening. Her barking and tugging on the leash became worse as the couple's argument heated up. Theresa had just enough time to realize the girl had turned to walk away and then tripped over something.
That was enough for Sasha. With more force than Theresa thought the dog capable of, she lunged forward, ripping the leash from Theresa's hand as she dashed across the street to get to the girl.
Everything moved in slow motion. Theresa heard the squeal of tires and the thump as she saw Sasha get knocked forward and lay motionless on the ground in front of the tires of the now stopped car.
Heedless of any oncoming traffic, Theresa ran out to her beloved Sasha.
"Sasha!” Theresa reached her side, and fell to the ground as she reached for her dog.
"Ma'am, let me take a look at her, please."
<
br /> Theresa was vaguely aware of a calm, male voice, and hands on her shoulders, trying to pull her back.
"Ma'am, please, I'm a vet. Let me take a look."
Finally the man's words penetrated the fog in Theresa's brain, and she moved back enough to let him get in to see Sasha.
"Luckily I wasn't going very fast. Odds are she isn't hurt badly."
The man's voice was calm, assuring Theresa at the same time he made crooning noises toward the inert dog.
"Her name is Sasha."
"Shhh, Sasha, baby.” He continued crooning at Sasha, calming Theresa in the process as he felt for damage.
"Miss, my practice is just a couple streets down. Let's get her into my car so I can check her over a bit more. Nothing seems to be broken, but I want to make sure there aren't any internal injuries."
Theresa nodded numbly and allowed the man to escort her to his car, and put Sasha in her lap in the back seat before he climbed into the driver's seat and took off.
The entire trip, tears ran down Theresa's face as worst possible scenarios ran through her mind. Sasha's whimpering finally penetrated to Theresa and she realized she was awake and licking her hand.
"Don't worry, miss. I think Sasha is going to be fine. We'll just get her into the office and check her out.” The man was still trying to reassure Theresa as he pulled into the parking lot of the local animal clinic. Some part of Theresa's mind acknowledged it was the new one that her retiring vet had recommended to her. He said the doctors were wonderful with both patients and owners.
The man—doctor unlocked the door, and then carried Sasha back to an examination room. He let Theresa stay there with her dog the entire time. He seemed to be completely thorough, even took x-rays of Sasha.
He asked her questions as he worked. “So what happened? I've seen you guys walking the neighborhood before, but Sasha always looked like a well-behaved dog. What made her run across the street like that?"
"Oh, there was a couple across the street, and they were fighting.” Theresa was babbling, but she couldn't help herself. “I got Sasha from a shelter two years ago. Her previous owner had been killed in a home robbery. She doesn't respond well to some men because of it. I guess when the girl fell down, she lost it."
Tarot Card Anthology: Synchronicity Volume 1 Page 18
