by Donna Hill
“I could come—”
“Naw, really, babe, I’m beat. I was in surgery for hours. I’m going to hit the sack early. As a matter of fact I was about to step in the shower when your call came.” He heard her sigh, hoped he hadn’t hurt her feelings. But at the moment a more pressing matter was at hand.
“All right.”
“Can a brotha get a rain check?” he teased.
Her tone lightened. “Of course.”
“Great. I’ll call you…tomorrow,” he added quickly.
“Have a good night, Hutch.”
“You do the same.” He yawned for effect and hung up. He looked down at himself. Not a spark of life. Damn, he was too young to be impotent. He hadn’t been drinking. He stood and walked to the mirror. This was crazy. He sure hadn’t felt like this earlier when he was putting that cast on Kelly’s leg.
Twitch. Thump.
“Damn.” He glanced down and watched the miracle that was the male sex organ spring to life. Kelly Maxwell. He was in real trouble now.
Chapter 15
Kelly studied her meal plan, taking her time to decipher each of the words. Thankfully the relaxing dinner with David and the non-taxing conversation cleared her head. The words weren’t scurrying across the page or turning into symbols that she couldn’t understand. It was still difficult, a fact that she’d had to deal with all her life. Teachers thought she was stupid and children—who can be such unkind creatures—teased and tormented her relentlessly. No one ever understood how inadequate it made her feel, how lonely she was. To comfort herself she ate…and ate. Food was her friend; at least it had been until she realized that the excess weight she carried around with her hampered her ability to escape the torment of the kids in the neighborhood. Fat and stupid, what a combination.
A gentle knock on her door pulled her away from her thoughts. She pushed up from the couch and limped over to the door that separated the suites. She opened the door.
“Uh, just wanted to check on you before I turned in.” David slid his hands in his pockets.
“Thanks, I’m fine. I was getting ready to turn in.”
He looked down at the papers in her hand. “I’ll read those to you tomorrow.”
“I think I can manage—”
He reached for the papers and took them out of her hand. “We’ll go over them in the morning. Don’t trouble yourself.” He smiled and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Get some rest.” He pulled the door close.
For several moments Kelly stood there before locking the door. She turned away and went into her bedroom. Digging through her drawer hidden beneath her lingerie was her second stash.
She pulled out the clear plastic bag filled with sweets. She emptied the contents on the bed and spent the next ten minutes shoving chocolate and chewy candy in her mouth.
“The test results are back,” Ruby said, depositing the file on top of Alex’s cluttered desk.
He glanced up from the images on the computer screen. “Thanks,” he murmured.
Ruby took a seat without asking. “Everything okay?”
“Far as I know,” he quipped, giving her a wink.
“Don’t you want to know the results of the tests?”
He pushed back a bit from the desk, folded his arms across his chest and pursed his mouth. “You want to tell me, so why don’t you?”
Ruby rolled her eyes before speaking. “Ms. Maxwell has some problems.”
He sat up a little straighter.
“She has high contents of acid in the urine, her white count is a bit high and there is definite weakening of the bones.”
He reached across the table and snatched up the file. “Are you sure?” He frowned as he flipped open the chart and carefully studied the results line by line. The crease between his smooth brows deepened. Slowly he shook his head. “Doesn’t make sense. She’s what, twenty-nine?”
Ruby nodded. “Same thing I thought.”
“How much information do we have on her family history?” He flipped through some more pages, running his finger along the intake information.
“Not much as you can see. She knows nothing about her mother other than her name. Father unknown. Raised by her grandmother who is deceased.”
Alex ran his hand across his chin, absently surprised by the stubble. He’d slept badly, tossing and turning most of the night, alternately tormented by accusations of inadequacy from Charisse and uncontrollable desire for Kelly. He’d awakened frustrated and groggy, totally forgetting to shave.
He shut the file and stared at nothing in particular other than the possibilities of deterioration in Kelly that were swimming around in his head.
“What are you thinking?” Ruby interjected.
Slowly he focused on his assistant. “There’s obviously something going on here that we need to know about. I don’t think it’s hereditary.”
“Neither do I.”
They shared a meaningful glance.
“She’s due in tomorrow, right?”
Ruby nodded.
“I’m going to do some reading. I’m hoping it’s not what I think.”
“But if it is, at least it’s treatable.”
“Depends on how long she’s been bingeing and purging and what the root cause is.”
Chapter 16
“Ready?” David asked as Kelly slowly made her way across the smooth wood floors.
“Yep.”
“How’d you sleep?”
“Fine. I’ll just be happy when I can finally get this thing off my leg.”
“Of course you will and so will I.” He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her along the side of his body. “This will all be over soon,” he soothed. “Just be patient.” He kissed the top of her head. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Ms. Maxwell,” Ruby greeted. “How are you today?”
“Pretty good.” She stepped into the treatment room that already had three other patients working out on the various machines. She looked around. “Busy today.”
Ruby chuckled. “This is a slow day.”
“Um, where’s Dr. Hutchinson?”
“He’s in surgery this morning. If he’s done in time, I’m sure he’ll stop in. He wants to talk to you.”
Her heart jumped. “Talk to me? About?”
“He’ll discuss it with you when he comes in. Why don’t you get changed and we can get started.”
Kelly nodded, picked up the set of blue scrubs and hopped, walked to the dressing room. Ruby was waiting for her when she got out.
“Let’s start with the light machines. You need to build your strength.”
An hour and a half later, she was exhausted but strangely exhilarated. She felt good. It had been so long since she’d been able to do anything physical. To her, exercise and running were like drugs. She needed them.
“How are you feeling?” Ruby asked after Kelly returned from changing back into her gray sweatsuit.
“Wonderful.” She grinned. “Achy a little bit, but in a good way.”
“Well, we are going to start slow, let you build your muscles back up without overtaxing them. And a lot will depend on how well and how quickly that ankle continues to heal.”
“Good afternoon, ladies.”
They both turned at the sound of Alex’s voice. He stood in the doorway and took in Kelly with one long look, wondering how a woman could look that tempting in a gray sweatsuit. Inwardly he smiled. He knew because his fertile mind had already imagined what it looked like beneath.
Kelly felt a warm flush move like a gentle massage over her body at the sight of him. This was crazy. She barely knew the man. Maybe it was the white coat—the image of authority. Or maybe it was the glint
of something hot and tempting that lingered in his eyes and the corners of his mouth. He was her doctor, nothing more.
He strode into the room, a chart beneath his right arm. “How did it go today?”
“Good,” Kelly said. “I think,” she added with a smile and turned to Ruby for confirmation.
Ruby nodded in agreement. “She’s a good patient.”
“If you’re all done, I wanted to talk to you for a moment. Go over a few things.”
Kelly swallowed. “Okay.”
Alex looked briefly around. “No bodyguard today?” The right side of his mouth inched upward mischievously.
“He’s in the waiting room—waiting.”
“Good. I won’t keep you long. Come with me.”
“See you on Friday,” Ruby said.
Kelly waved goodbye to Ruby, followed Alex out of the treatment room and down the corridor to his office. Every staff member they passed offered a smile or a warm greeting to him. There were even a few shouts and waves from patients. He seemed to be well liked. He opened the door for her and held it as she stepped past him then went in.
Alex closed the door behind him, hurried inside and pulled out a chair for her.
“Thanks.”
He held her arm as she sat down, placing her crutches between her legs. When she was settled he walked behind his desk and sat down. He linked his fingers together on the short stack of file folders. He cleared his throat and flipped open her chart to keep from staring at her.
“I wanted to go over your test results and some concerns that I have.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Concerns?”
“Yes. Your family history is very sketchy…pretty much non-existent. Do you remember anything at all about your parents, perhaps something that your grandmother told you.”
“No.” She glanced away then focused on her long fingers, linked tightly together on her lap.
“Hmm.” He rubbed his chin stubble—and was reminded again of another sleepless night. He shifted a bit in his seat. “The reason why I’m asking—”
“There’s nothing that I can tell you. My mother was dead before I could even say ‘mama.’ Didn’t know what a father was until I got to first grade.” She drew in a breath. “My grandmother only had advice, no information.” She stared into his eyes almost daring him to pursue the subject.
“I see.” He closed the folder then pressed his lips together in thought. “How is your current diet?”
“What?” Caught off guard by the change in subject her eyes flashed for an instant.
“Your diet. What do you normally eat?”
“I…eat a lot of pasta, um, chicken and fish.”
“Are you able to keep it down…when you eat?”
She frowned, glanced away then looked back at him. “That’s a silly question.”
“I don’t think so, Kelly…Ms. Maxwell. There are indications that your body is under severe strain and it’s not maintaining the nutrients that it should. Your electrolytes are very low. And for someone your age and apparent good physical condition your bones are weakening.”
Her heart thudded, once, twice. The pulse in her neck beat against her skin. “I feel fine.”
“Do you?”
“Are we finished? David is waiting for me.”
“In order for you to recover you need to be honest with me so that I can put together the best program for you.”
“I am being honest. I eat. Don’t I look healthy?”
“Looks can be deceiving. Especially when people have become very skilled in hiding their behavior.” He gave her a long, meaningful look.
Kelly remained silent.
“I want you to meet with the nutritionist once per week along with your two days here in therapy. She will be monitoring your diet that we’ve set up. Does that work for you?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No. Not if you want to get well.”
She pushed up on her crutches and stood. “I want to run again. Whatever that takes to make it happen, I’ll do it. It’s my life.” She paused a moment. “What are the chances of that happening?”
He thought of Leigh. She couldn’t face not being who she once was and ended her life to end that pain. What would Kelly do if she could not run again? He wouldn’t have her on his conscience, too. He reached into his desk and took out a prescription pad and scribbled on it. He handed it to her.
She took it and asked, “What is this?”
“A script for some vitamins and glucosamine for your bones. He stood up then came from behind his desk. “Make sure you take them as directed.” He walked to the door and opened it for her. “I’ll walk you out.”
Kelly got to the door and stopped just as he was opening it. They were very close to each other. She could see the pores in his chocolate-brown skin. “You…didn’t answer my question.” He was so close she held her breath in anticipation—of something.
Alex wanted to tell her that she would be fine, as good as new, better in fact. But he wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“I don’t know,” he said simply.
Her lips tightened. He saw the short intake of breath. She nodded her head and they walked out.
When they arrived at the front desk David was there waiting. He came over to Kelly. “How’d it go?” he asked, ignoring Alex.
“Fine.”
“What’s that?” he asked, indicating the paper in her hand with a lift of his chin.
“A prescription for some vitamins.”
“I’ll take it and get it filled for you.”
“I can—”
He took the papers from her hand and gave her a placating smile. “Didn’t I say I would handle things? I don’t want you to worry about anything except getting better and back on the track.” He patted her shoulder. She lowered her head and nodded in compliance.
Alex watched the exchange with interest. The dynamics between the two of them was much more than coach and athlete. David treated Kelly as if she was helpless, unable to think and act on her own without his input and direction. And she treated him with an odd deference.
David looked at Alex. “Anything that I should know?”
“I’m sure Ms. Maxwell can bring you up to speed.” He reached into his smock pocket and pulled out a business card then handed it to Kelly. “You call me if you need to,” he said, lowering his voice to an intimate level, looking deep in her eyes. He took a second card and gave it to David. “And here’s one for you. I don’t want you to feel left out.” He gave David a smug grin.
David snatched the card and shoved it into his pocket.
“Make sure you eat what’s on the plan and take the medicine as prescribed. Take care.” He turned and walked down the hall.
Kelly watched as Alex was stopped by a sexy-looking nurse with a too-short white uniform and dancer’s legs, who seemed determined to hold him in place with a hand on his arm. He smiled down at her and she actually batted her eyes. Kelly rolled hers in disgust.
“Come on let’s get out of here,” David said, stepping into her line of vision.
She accepted the hand on her arm and left the hospital with David close at her side.
While nurse whatshername chatted inanely about something he couldn’t care less about, Alex subtly monitored Kelly’s departure. It wasn’t right whatever it was between those two. It just wasn’t right.
David and Kelly stopped off at the pharmacy around the corner from the hotel and had Kelly’s prescriptions filled.
David took the three bottles out of the sealed pharmacy bag and read the labels.
“Vitamins and glucosamine. Hmm.” He stuck them back in the bag.
“Can I have my stuff, please?” She held out h
er hand.
He snatched a glance at her. “What’s the big deal? I’ll give them to you when we get upstairs. I’ll explain to you how to take them.”
Something let loose inside her. The lid covering the boiling pot shot off and the words came bubbling out.
“I’m not a fucking invalid. I’m not a moron. I’m not a child and I’m not your child! I’m sick of you treating me as if I don’t have a thought in my head that’s not put in there by you.”
His face froze. His mouth opened but no words came out.
Several customers turned in their direction at the outburst.
“You’re causing a scene,” he said from between his teeth, his eyes darting around at the onlookers. “Lower your voice.”
She grabbed the bag from his hand. “If I don’t know what they say, I’ll figure it out.” She turned with as much grace and speed as she could muster and ambled out.
Back in her hotel room, she locked her bedroom door and turned on the music as loud as she could stand it. She wanted to block out David on several fronts.
Staring at her reflection in the dresser’s mirror, she saw that the fiery light in her midnight eyes still shone brightly. Her chest rapidly rose and fell. She’d never spoken to David that way. Never. A part of her, the part that clung to his nurturing, deeply regretted her outburst. But this other part, the part that had been dying to be released for so long, was thrilled. She felt as if the doors that had kept her shut in and barred from the rest of the world had been kicked open, setting her free.
She knew that David only wanted what was best for her. She didn’t doubt that. But in his desire to do so, he’d put on a choke hold that had been strangling her for years.
It had been so easy to allow him to manage things for her, fix things for her, take care of her. She turned away from the mirror, still unimpressed with what she saw there. It seemed like she’d been growing up on her own for as long as she could remember. Sure Grandma Stella cooked meals and kept hand-me-down clothes on her back, but that was the extent of any nurturing or offering the kind of love and guidance that a young girl growing up without her parents needed.
