“Rob, it’s okay. I know people go to the gym.”
He gives me a sympathetic glare. Then his face brightens. “Hey, who knows? Maybe one of these days you’ll end up with the heart of an athlete.”
“I’m sure,” I say. “And maybe I’ll end up being an Olympic Gold Medalist, too.”
“Maybe.” He plays along. “How’s everything going with that, anyway? With your heart, I mean. Do you think you’ll be coming back to school anytime soon? People have been asking about you.” He pulls a stool out from under the counter and straddles his leg over it.
“What people?” I ask curiously.
“Your friends. Especially that noisy one, Claire.”
“Claire is probably looking for an excuse to talk to you. She already knows my business.” Rob leans on the kitchen counter and stares back at me. “I’m not supposed to go back – not for a while, anyway. Probably not until after my,” I hesitate a moment, “transplant,” I finish, forcing a smile.
He looks at me with deep concern in his eyes. “So, let me get this straight.” He holds up a finger. “Are you telling me that Claire Nelson has a thing for me?” He raises his brow with a smirk, and I burst out laughing.
“That’s what you took away from all of this?” I push lightly at his shoulder. “Yes, okay. I know she has a little crush on you, so don’t be surprised if she hangs around asking questions about me that she already knows the answers to.”
“In all seriousness, Elle, I really think you’ll have your transplant soon.” He reaches across the counter and touches my hand, then quickly pulls away, glancing at me.
“Well, I did hear some good news about my transplant.” I wonder what Rob would think of Jocelyn’s prediction. “A psychic told me yesterday that I’m going to get a transplant within the month – and it’s going to be successful.” This is the first time I’ve said it out loud, and I realize how ridiculous it sounds. Rob looks at me for a moment, dumbfounded.
“That’s good. I hope they’re right.” His voice trails off and he almost looks disappointed.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s nothing, really. I just thought for a second that you were going to tell me something that the doctor said… you know, someone who really knows what they’re talking about.”
“I think this person does know what she’s talking about. She’s a very smart and talented clairvoyant.” I’m not sure why I’m defending her to Rob. A few hours ago, I was thinking of her as a quack. “Also, she’s my doctor’s mother.” I twist my lip and avoid his stare. I know what he will think.
“Oh, I understand. Well, she must be the real deal if she’s his mother.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I say, putting my hand on my hip.
“Believe me, I hope she is right and you have your transplant and it’s successful.” Rob steps off the stool and turns back to the living room, and I get the impression he doesn’t want to face me. I follow him to the couch.
“What are you trying to say?”
“Elle, I’m joking. It’s just that you’re always telling me how great Doctor Carmichael is. Doesn’t he have like a million IQ or something? He probably has a smart mom, too. That’s all I meant.”
As I am about to tell Rob Scott’s correct IQ, my mother walks through the front door.
“Oh, hi Scott. Elle.”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hey, Mrs. Collins.” Rob gives my mother a weak wave. “Elle, I’m going to head out now. I just remembered my aunt asked me to pick up some more Coffee-mate. If she doesn’t have her coffee, she’s a real…” He looks at my mom and smiles. “Well, you know.”
“I know,” my mom says.
“Are things weird between us now?” I whisper as I walk Rob to the door.
“No. Why?”
“I dunno, the whole Doctor Carmichael thing. I just want to be sure.”
“We’re cool, Elle. We’ll always be cool, right?” He lifts my chin with his hand, forcing me to look in his eyes. I immediately get a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach – something I never felt before with Rob. Something I never let myself feel.
“We’re cool,” I answer.
“Listen, Elle…” He touches my arm and then turns to the door. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later,” I say, closing the door behind him. I walk back into the living room and find my mom sprawled out on the couch, rubbing her feet.
“Those heels are a killer.” She looks over and gives a sympathetic smile. “Elle, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” I lie back down on the couch and wiggle my fingers in an attempt to get Scooter’s attention.
“I think it’s really sweet how Rob stops in to check on you.”
“He’s not checking on me – we like to hang out.”
“I see. Well, then it’s nice the two of you hang out.”
“Mom, please don’t even pretend that you would be okay with him stopping by while I’m home alone, if you thought we had something going on.”
“Hey, what’s the matter with you? Are you looking to start an argument? I may end up surprising you. I’m a very progressive thinker, you know.”
“Of course. When I think of progressive thinkers, Kate Collins is the very first name to come to mind.” I roll my eyes.
“Don’t be a smart guy.” She swings her legs off the chaise. “How are you feeling? You took all your medicine today, exactly as Dr. Carmichael prescribed, right?”
“Mom, I’ve been taking medication for the past seventeen years. Are you ever going to stop asking me if I remembered to take it?”
She turns to face me. “I’ve been worrying about you since before you were born, and I don’t ever plan on stopping.” I watch as water suddenly pools her eyes like a puddle.
“I know you have, Mom.” I lean over and reach out for a hug. She takes the cue and embraces me.
“I just know you’re going to be okay,” she cries. “You know it too, right?”
“I know. I know I’m going to be fine,” I say, trying to comfort her and ignoring the sudden pain that shoots through my chest.
Chapter Four
The next morning, I walk into the kitchen and find my mother standing at the kitchen counter, a piece of toast in her hand.
“Good morning, sweetheart.” She’s wearing her pink silk blouse and brown suede skirt. Her hair is pulled back from her face. I can tell she’s ready to go into arbitrage.
“You’re going to work?” I ask, sounding a bit frantic.
“Yup. I got an email late last night, asking if I can show the Benjamin house. You know that massive colonial on Brentwood?” She takes a slurp of coffee. “The commission on that house is huge.”
“But I have my session with Jocelyn this morning!”
“Oh honey, I completely forgot. Couldn’t you just change the time?” She walks to the other side of the counter and steps on the pedal to open the garbage can.
“I’ll have to call and see. She might not be able to.” I probably sound more annoyed than is necessary.
“Just ask her if you can make the appointment for this afternoon.” Kate scrapes the toast crumbs into the garbage and takes one last sip of coffee.
“Why can’t I just drive myself over there?”
“Elle, we’ve been through this before. I don’t feel comfortable with you driving right now.”
“I’m a grown woman and I know what I can handle,” I snap.
“You are a grown woman, but right now you are acting like a child. I really don’t want to go through this again. You can call Mrs. Carmichael and reschedule. It’s really not a big deal. Now, I have to go. I love you.” Kate grabs her handbag from the entry table and shoots out the door.
I’m surprised she doesn’t leave me with a babysitter. She may not think it’s a big deal if I miss my session, but she doesn’t know what I do. When I made the appointment, Jocelyn mentioned that Scott would be home from work today. I think about my mother for a moment
, and then Scott’s face floats through my mind. My car is parked right downstairs, in the garage beneath our condo. It only takes a moment for me to make up my mind.
When I pull up to the Carmichaels’, Jocelyn is outside, stretching in a red leotard. Her thin, flexible frame looks like a piece of licorice.
“Good morning!” Jocelyn shouts.
I roll down my window and call, “Good morning!”
“What are you doing out here?” I ask as I walk across the lawn.
“It’s such a beautiful day that I thought we’d have our session outside, if that’s okay with you? Scott is inside, doing some work on the house. You’d be surprised how much TLC an old house like this requires. Anyway, I wouldn’t want all that tapping and banging to disturb you.”
“I wouldn’t mind,” I say. I hadn’t thought that Scott would be handy around the house. I would love to catch a glimpse of him fixing a toilet.
“Come, have a seat on the mat.” Jocelyn reaches for my hand. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m feeling well. I’ve been doing some of the exercises you taught me.”
“I’m glad. Soon those exercises will become a part of your regular routine and you’ll wonder how you got along without them.” Jocelyn crosses her ankles and places the backs of her hands over her knees. “We are going to start with some deep breathing. Close your eyes and place your right hand over your abdomen. Now, take in a long, deep breath through your nose and then exhale out your mouth.”
I close my eyes and follow Jocelyn’s instructions. My long, deep breath is filled with the sweet scent of flowers and freshly mowed grass. I’m surprised at how relaxed I suddenly feel, but my contentment is put on hold when I hear a familiar voice.
“Good morning, Elle.”
I open one eye.
“Scott! I mean, Doctor Carmichael!” I stammer, noticing how different he looks without his white lab coat.
“You can call him Scott,” Jocelyn interjects as she stretches her arms over her head.
I cup my hand over my forehead to block out the rays of the sun. He’s wearing deconstructed blue jeans and a Simms Memorial Tee. I can tell he has been working outside – there are beads of sweat on his forehead and his hair is tousled. But he’s standing directly in front of the sun, so I can barely see his face.
Scott smiles. “I’ve told her before that it’s fine to call me by my first name. Most of my older patients do. I think people have a hard time referring to someone as ‘Doctor’ when what they see is someone who could be their child.”
“I forget sometimes that I must be your youngest patient,” I say shyly.
“Well, you break up the monotony of my day.” He smiles, I think. “Anyway, I’m glad to see that you’re taking it easy and you look well.”
“Yes. You should know by now that I’m a very good patient. I follow doctor’s orders.” I brush the hair from my eyes and smile.
“Yes, I know.” Scott laughs. He places his hand on his hip and shifts his weight to his back leg. “Well, I don’t want to interrupt your session. I was just heading out to the barn to get some more plywood.”
“I didn’t realize that you were so handy,” I say, trying to delay his departure.
He smiles shyly. “I taught myself a few things online. It’s not a big deal.” I love how he’s still so modest, even with all he’s accomplished.
“He’s good at anything he tries.” Jocelyn gives me a wink, and then begins to sway her arms through the air like she’s at a concert. “Comes with being a genius, I guess.” She sighs dramatically.
“As you can tell, my mother is a little bit biased.” He darts his eyes toward Jocelyn in a way that says, “Knock it off.”
“Your home, especially the property – it’s just magnificent,” I continue.
“Thanks. I really love it here.” He takes a look around.
“It kind of reminds me of a Kincaid painting.” I make eye contact with Scott and give a closed lip smile. What is coming over me? Why do I keep talking? “I would love to bring my easel and paint some of this scenery.” I need to stop before he takes me up on my offer. It wouldn’t be long before he’d discover I paint like a toddler.
“Maybe you can show her around the property one day,” Jocelyn chimes in. “You know, show her the pond and the horses.”
Ignoring his mother’s comment, Scott locks eyes with me. “You can paint here any time. You could put your easel right up there on the porch.” The sweat on Scott’s face and neck glistens in the sun.
“Thank you.” I try to hold his stare.
“Ouch!” Jocelyn suddenly yells.
“What’s the matter?” Scott bends down beside her.
“I got a cramp in my calf.” Jocelyn props herself up using her opposite leg. “Scott, help me into the house – I’m going to have to put some heat on it.”
Scott puts his mother’s arm around his neck and acts as a pillar while Jocelyn hops up the porch stairs. I quickly walk past so I can hold the door as they pass.
“Let me look at your leg,” Scott says as they step inside. He bends down and tries to examine her calf.
“Would you get off me? I’ll be fine. I know what to do,” Jocelyn snaps.
“You know, it’s funny, Mother,” Scott says. “I can’t remember the last time you’ve complained about a leg cramp.”
“I don’t tell you about every ache and pain. Now, why don’t you just show Elle around a bit while I recuperate? I’m sure I’ll be better in a little while.” Jocelyn sits down on an oversized sofa, lifts her leg onto the couch, and starts rubbing vigorously at her calf.
“Wasn’t she just limping on the opposite leg?” I whisper to Scott.
“Trust me. Things will go a lot smoother if we just do what she says,” Scott jokes. He opens the front door. “So, I guess we’re taking a quick tour of the property.” He holds out his arm, motioning for me to pass.
“I don’t think we have a choice.” I laugh. “Your mother is really something.”
“She’s something else.” Scott grins and I notice a small dimple on his left cheek. “So, do you like horses?”
“I love horses,” I say, sounding more excited than I wanted. “I’ve never actually had the chance to ride, but I would love to… someday.” Someday is a word I often use.
Scott turns his face to mine. “You are going to be able to do all the things you want to do, believe me,” he says. A pang of sadness rips through my middle.
“I know,” I say, trying to mask my sadness. I turn away from Scott and look at the property from another angle. It’s beautiful, no matter where I look.
“So, tell me,” Scott says in a silly tone. “What do you really think of Jocelyn?” I smile, grateful for his effort.
“You were right about her. She definitely is a character.”
“That she is.” Scott laughs.
“The other day, when I was here, she told me about her ability.” I cringe, immediately regretting the revelation.
“So she told you about that, did she?” Scott avoids my eye and looks around the property as if seeing it for the first time. “I know this must sound crazy to you.”
“Not to me – I’ve always been a believer in the supernatural. I think that just because we don’t fully know about something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Actually, I would think that, being a man of science, all this must sound crazy to you.”
Scott shrugs. “My mother raised me alone, and I grew up believing in what she does. She’s proven her ability to me many times over the years.” He runs his hand over a couple of small shrubs we pass and pulls out a handful of leaves, tearing them while he talks.
“I know she must help a lot of people, doing what she does.” I walk closer to Scott to avoid a large puddle.
“Are you okay? Do you want to walk a little slower?” Scott asks.
“I’m okay,” I reply, a bit annoyed by the question. For just a little while, I’d like not to feel like his patient.
&nbs
p; “You’ve been taking all your medicine as prescribed, right?”
“Yes, Doctor,” I say. “I’ve been following orders.” He nods and smiles through tight lips.
“So, do any of your co-workers know about your mom’s ability?” I hope I don’t appear too nosey.
“You mean do any of the other doctors think my mom is a flake?” He laughs. “Here, let me help you.” He takes my hand and helps me over another small mud puddle.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I was just thinking that it must be hard for people who are in the medical profession to believe in things they can’t see and feel.” I watch his face as he continues to walk, shuffling his feet with each step.
“It’s funny, Elle. I actually believe in more things because I’m a doctor. I’ve witnessed so many miracles in my career. And I hear patients praying to God on a daily basis.” He turns to face me. “Did you know there are over two billion Christians in this world praying to a god they can’t see or hear? Some of them are doctors, too.”
“I never thought of it that way.” I keep my eyes on the property and off of Scott. I can’t let him know how much I want to gaze into his beautiful brown eyes. “I know I’ve done a lot of praying over the years,” I say, suddenly pensive.
“Elle, you are going to be okay.”
“Did your mother tell you that?” I ask.
“I don’t need my mother to tell me that. I’m your doctor, remember?”
“What’s it like for you? I mean, to be so smart? People must look to you all the time for answers.”
“Well, I don’t know everything.” Scott is quiet for a moment. “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it’s stupid.”
“That’s Albert Einstein, right? A fellow genius.” I’m suddenly thankful to Ms. Higgins, my third grade teacher, for the poster she’d hung with that quotation on it.
“That one was always one of my favorites. I’m impressed you knew it.” He turns to look at me and must have noted the expression on my face. “Of course, you always seem to be very cognizant.”
Cognizant? It is not the way I would hope he thinks of me, but I’ll take it.
The Divine Heart Page 4
