Party of Two

by Tey Holden

  “I’m eager to hear your plan, honey. From your excitement I can tell that you’ve given this a lot of thought.” Addy said reinforcing her daughter’s self-esteem.

  ***

  Addy was not just excited with the weekend visit, but also with Alex’s interest in being involved with a project. Alex’s enthusiasm was reminiscent of own passion when she began any of her projects. Seeing that same drive and energy in her daughter now was beyond wonderful, it was a glorious personal achievement. She had someone who would carry the torch and transform visions into projects, which would culminate into wonderful things. Of course, it was yet to be seen whether Alex’s vision would in fact have potential, or if it would culminate into a successful endeavor, but she had faith in her daughter and was excited with the prospect.

  It was not until they arrived at Alex’s flat that weekend and went out for dinner that Addy told Alex that she wanted to see the bar. Alex raised her eyebrows in horror and immediately objected. “M’Addy, you can’t go in there! Mom looks just like me. They’ll recognize you immediately.”

  “That’s true. And don’t even think for a minute that you are going in there alone, Adriana.” Karen was quick to add.

  “Karen, I’m sixty years old! Do you think somebody is going to try to pick me up at a bar?” Alex laughed, witnessing once again another of her moms love quarrels.

  “You are a gorgeous woman, Adriana Marcos Larsen. I don’t like the idea of you walking alone into a lesbian bar, and that’s that! We don’t need to go looking for trouble.”

  “Oh, for God’s sake woman, get over it! If I don’t go in there, just how do you propose we do this?” Addy replied. “I need to go in there and take a look at this place.”

  “I think we should trust Alex’s instincts. It’s time that you pass the vision and project baton to your daughter. Aren’t you the one always saying that it’s only money?”

  Addy was quiet. “Very well. I brought the check book.” She pulled it out and wrote the check.

  “Just how do you plan to do this without them knowing that this money is coming from you?” Karen asked.

  “I was well taught in the best Ivy League schools, but most importantly I grew up under the tutelage of a business whiz,” she pointed to Addy, who bowed in signal of appreciation, “and one financial whiz,” she pointed to Karen. Karen was not one to be convinced by flattery, and immediately asked for evidence. “Show me the plan.”

  “I’m creating a corporation.” As soon as she finished her statement, Karen smiled and so did Alex when she saw her mother’s reaction. Alex then continued to explain all the financial bells and whistles.

  “Alright. Looks good. Roll the dice.” Karen looked at Addy, who was grinning.

  “I still want to go to the bar,” Addy said.

  “Only when I go. You are not going there alone. I’m putting my foot down!”

  Addy looked at her and spoke. “Seems to me that the ‘foot down’ privilege has been over used more often than not!”

  “Unless you take it back, I plan to continue to use it. Are you taking it back?” Alex seemed momentarily worried. This looked like a serious question.

  Addy looked at the green eyes that had held her captive for so many years. “No.”

  Karen smiled and turned to speak to Alex. “I hope you keep learning, young lady, you always keep an eye on your loved one, no matter what. Not because you don’t trust her. I do trust her. It’s others I don’t trust! Especially when your loved one is a nice person who thinks everybody in the world has good intentions!”

  Alex laughed. “Got ya!”

  After dinner, they walked back to the flat. Alex was still puzzled with the ‘foot down’ matter, and later that night she asked Addy about it, while Karen was in the shower.

  “M’Addy what was that all about?”

  Addy reminded her of the story of her accident at the loch and how Karen dove into the freezing waters to save her, and how since then she had given Karen the right to put her foot down, or interfere, in certain type of situations.

  “That is what that means. But doesn’t it make you mad when she does?”

  Addy smiled. “No. As a matter of fact, I love it when she does, and she knows it. It tells me that she cares enough to make me mad. I also know that she likes it. It makes her feel that she can control me sometimes.” She laughed. “Just sometimes!” She laughed again. “You have to give a little when you get a lot. Good relationships are all about give and take. Keep that in mind.”

  Alex shook her head and smiled.

  “I will never take away from your mom the ‘foot down’ privilege. She earned it and I love her for it, among many other reasons, and for no reason as well. I love her and I couldn’t tell you specifically why. I’m just fortunate that she loves me just the same. Going to bed now.” She came close and patted her face with one hand and kissed her on the cheek. “Good night, Little Bit.”

  “Good night, M’Addy.” Alex hugged her.

  When Addy went into the guest bedroom, Karen was coming out of the bathroom and found Alex sitting alone on the sofa in a semi-dark living room.

  “What are you doing here all alone? I thought Addy was with you.” Karen sat next to her thinking that Alex may need to talk.

  “She just turned in. You are one lucky dog, you know?”

  Karen smiled. “What’s this about?” She sat next to her daughter.

  “Nothing, I was just thinking. What is it that makes two people worship each other like you two do?”

  Karen got up to leave. Alex looked surprised. “Aren’t you going to answer?”

  “Do I need to?” Alex looked puzzled. Examine your question, and you will find your answer. It’s there. Good night, daughter.” She leaned over and kissed her.

  “Good night, Mommy.”

  Karen smiled. She loved when Alex called her Mommy. Something she would have never been, if it were not for the woman she worshiped.

  Alex remained on the sofa. What was my question? What does it take for two people to worship each other like they do? She was thoughtful. Worship each other? That’s it! They worship each other! That’s what it takes! She shook her head and smiled.

  ***

  Alex began the paperwork to create the corporation. She needed to wait the three months she had mentioned to Pat to allow the bar to operate and develop an accurate cash flow now that it was operating by the book. Once the accountant drew financial statements showing the bar’s profitability and she drew the corresponding business plan, the loan application would be submitted for approval. Once the loan materialized, a payment plan would be developed to repay the loan. The money would be used to make capital investments, which would improve the bar and increase its clientele and revenue.

  During those three months, Alex would draw the business plan for the bar, which would establish the improvements needed and the allocation of funds to cover those improvements. Also, during that time the record keeping would be automated and Megan would get acquainted with the new system. Martin, the accountant who was going to oversee the recordkeeping was a very nice fellow in his early forties. Alex met him while he worked for one of the big accounting firms in the city while working on a case. When he started his own business, Alex began to refer clients to him. In appreciation for Alex’s many referrals, he had agreed to take on this job and to teach Megan to do the record keeping.

  ***

  Blair and Alex had known each other for a few months now. They had gone out several times to the movies, games, and to dinner. And when Blair claimed she had no sense of fashion, Alex even volunteered to go shopping with her. While sharing time, they began to take mental notes of what the other liked or disliked.

  Although the moms had come up in different subjects of conversations, Blair had not yet met them. Alex spoke about them with such love that Blair was secretly eager to meet them, but the idea also frightened her. First there was the matter of not knowing where things were going with Alex, or if they were goin
g anywhere at all. Then, there was also the concern that the moms would object to her, or not like her. After all, Alex was an only child and it appeared that the relationship between the three of them was very tight. Blair was afraid that if she didn’t pass the mom test, she’d be out of the picture for sure. So, she was not pushing for an immediate meeting.

  Alex had similar fears. First, she didn’t know what to do about Blair. She wasn’t sure how she felt about her, and she also feared that if she brought her home, the moms would like her. What was not to like? Blair was a magnificent person. She was a caring, career woman with many moral attributes, and family values. She could already see Addy crazy about her, and Karen would fall right along once she got to know her better. That they would like Blair was not a bad thing, but she thought it was too soon for them to meet considering her own concerns.

  It was already February. The weather was bitter and there were more than five inches of snow on the ground. The streets were constantly plowed but were still impassible. Addy called Alex to talk as she did almost every day. This time when she called, it was not just to talk. The moms were concerned about her safety considering the weather situation. They wanted to make sure that Alex was fine since she was alone in the city,

  “What makes you think she’s alone?”

  “I just know. I’m calling her right now. I’m surprised she hasn’t called. It’s kind of late already.”

  “Yeah, that’s right. She always calls earlier.” In a way, Karen was glad that Addy was always checking on Alex since that relieved her of the duty, and because that way she could assume her ‘in control’ attitude even though she was worried just as well.

  When Alex picked up the phone, Addy immediately knew something was wrong.

  “What’s wrong, honey?”

  Karen immediately looked at her and came closer. She looked outside, already worried when she saw the snow falling heavily.

  “I don’t know, M’Addy. I’m throwing up nonstop. I can’t even get up from the bed.”

  “Do you think it was something you ate?”

  “M’Addy can’t talk—.” Addy could hear her throwing up.

  “Honey, why don’t you call Blair? She’s a doctor.”

  “No, I don’t want her to see me like this, M’Addy.”

  Addy told her what to do, what to take, drink and what not to do. But Alex didn’t do anything because she was so sick, she couldn’t get up from the bed. When Addy hung up, she looked worried. “I’ll drive if you want to go.” Karen immediately told her. Addy smiled, but she looked outside and thought that it would be treacherous to drive in such weather. The conditions were terrible. She knew Karen was good on her word, but she was not going to ask her on a perilous mission when there was another option.

  “Thank you, baby. But I think I’m going to call Blair and see what she says. I don’t care what Alex says.” She had Blair’s phone number because Alex had given it to her in case of an emergency. She thought that this was an emergency and dialed the number. Karen didn’t object because she was also concerned, and when it came to anything involving Alex there were never questions asked.

  It was midnight, but she was still at the hospital when her phone rang. Blair didn’t recognize the number but picked up anyway. “Blair Reilley.”

  “Blair, I’m so glad you answered.” Blair didn’t have a clue of who this was. “Blair, you don’t know me yet, I’m Alex’s mom.”

  Blair freaked out. Her adrenaline immediately went into over drive. “Is something wrong? Is Alex okay?” This was very unusual and she was already thinking the worse.

  “I don’t know, and that is why I’m calling you. I need your help.”

  “Sure, what is it? Is something wrong with Alex?”

  “Yes, I just talked to her, and she’s sick. She is vomiting non-stop. We cannot get there because we are in Altee and there’s a lot of snow on the roads. Do you think you can check on her for us?”

  “Sure, I’m right here at the hospital, and I’m done with my shift. She’s only two blocks away. I’m on my way there already. Why didn’t she call me? How will I get in? Will she be able to open the door?”

  “Yes, the door, we need to—. Addy signaled to Karen, and Karen was already on her phone. “Karen’s calling the doorman at her building to let him know that you are on your way. He’ll be expecting you. I really don’t know why she didn’t call you.”

  “I’m almost there.”

  “What? Already?”

  “Yeah, I can walk fast, and her flat is almost next door to the hospital.”

  Addy could almost hear her panting. She suspected Blair was running.

  Addy closed her eyes. “Please watch your step! Don’t fall.”

  “No. I’m already here, the doorman is coming to open the door I can see him through the glass door.”

  The doorman was still on the phone talking to Karen.

  “I’m in. He just gave me the key.” The doorman had called the elevator, and Blair was on her way up in no time.

  “Can I call you back once I assess the situation and determine what needs to be done?”

  “Sure, honey, thank you so much.”

  “Okay, I’m opening the door to the flat. I’ll call you as soon as I check her.” She hung up without any further comment.

  Addy glanced at Karen, and Karen came closer and hugged her. “I trust Blair. I think she will take care of our Little Bit,” Addy commented with a very worried face.

  “Baby, you did all you could. Blair is there, and she’s a doctor. She’ll know what to do better than us if we were there. Alex is fortunate.” Karen’s words were always comforting.

  ***

  “Alex?” The flat was dark and quiet. The kitchen counter was covered with all sorts of over the counter stomach medications. A jacket, a sweater, and shoes were scattered in the living room. Blair walked straight to the bedroom. The bedroom was also dark, and she could hardly make out the figure on the bed.

  As she entered the room, she turned on the light switch on the wall, and a lamp on a side table turned on. Alex was belly down on the bed. On the floor, near her head, there was a bucket, which she was apparently using to vomit. There was a box of tissue paper on the bed and a bunch of tissues everywhere. She was wearing a big sweatshirt and underwear.

  Blair rushed to her. “Alex!” Alex was faint and in a daze. Blair turned her over and held her in her arms. She first checked her pulse, and then felt her forehead and neck for fever.

  “Bla…is that you?”

  “Yes, it's me.”

  “How? I'm sick. Wha—.”

  “Sssh! I know. I’m going to take care of you. Tell me what you feel. What hurts?”

  “My stomach.” Alex bent over in pain.

  Blair picked up her phone and dialed. “Yes, I need a unit at this address. This is Dr. Blair Reilley, Edinburgh General. Patient is dehydrated possible food poisoning, or stomach viral infection.”

  While she waited for the paramedics to arrive, Blair found a pair of sweat pants in a drawer, and she dressed Alex. She didn’t want the paramedics to find Alex in her underwear. Blair had also noticed that Alex was not wearing a bra, however, the sweatshirt was huge and covered her upper half well. When the paramedics arrived, Blair ordered immediate hydration and Alex began to get the medical attention needed. Blair rode with her in the ambulance holding her hand the whole time.

  At the hospital, Blair dialed the last received call on her phone, “Mrs. Larsen, I got her. She’s fine. Don’t be concerned. We are at the hospital. Her symptoms appear to be indicative of a stomach virus, but I need to run some tests to rule out bacterial infection of any kind. After I do, we’ll know better what’s going on. She’s a bit dehydrated from throwing up, but I’m already taking care of that, and I’ve also given her something for the nausea.

  “Is she awake?” Addy asked.

  “Yes, but I don’t think she’s feeling up to talking.”

  “Okay, dear. Thank you so very much. Plea
se, look out for her, and if you can, call me later.”

  “I will, I promise. I’ll make sure that she’s fine, and I’ll call you when I know more. Please, rest assured that she’s in good hands.”

  “I know. Thank you so much, Blair. We really appreciate your intervention.”

  “I’m glad to help. Thanks for calling me,” Blair replied

  Alex was awake and already feeling better. “Were you talking to my mother earlier?”

  “Yes, she called me. Why didn’t you?”

  “Sorry. I’m an idiot. Please, don’t be upset.” She pouted.

  “Alex, I couldn’t be mad at you for more than ten seconds even if I wanted to, but you should have called me. I can’t understand why you didn’t!”

  Alex closed her eyes thinking that sometimes Blair sounded just like her mom. She had heard that same expression from her mother when Addy thought she was mad at her for some reason. She opened her eyes and found Blair regulating the IV, and then looking at the computer in front of her. Blair had Alex in her peripheral vision and knew that she was being closely scrutinized. Even when Blair looked at her, Alex didn’t waver and remained with her eyes fixed on her, except that then she smiled. “Thanks for coming to my rescue. You are my knight in shining armor.”

  Blair liked the comment and smiled. “You are very welcome, my lady.” Then she bowed and took Alex’s free hand and kissed it. Alex was still hooked up to the heart-rate monitor, and Blair noticed how her heart rate went up considerably when she kissed her hand. She smiled satisfied with the effect of her kiss. Blair held her gaze and the heart-rate monitor continued to show an increased heart rate.

  At that moment, a nurse came into the room. “Oh! Dr. Reilley, you are still here.”

  “Yes, Ms. Larsen is a friend.” She smiled wanting to put Alex at ease.

  “The results of the tests came back negative for bacterial infection, and the final diagnosis is that she has a stomach virus.” Blair had stepped outside of the patient area to call Addy. “So, I’m releasing her. I know some of the paramedics working this shift and I’m going to ask them to take her back to her flat. I’d like your permission to stay there with her. I don’t want to leave her alone. She’s still weak from all the vomiting. I really would like to stay with her overnight, if it is okay with you, of course.”