by Lexy Timms
Anything. Really? Charity grinned, a silly tear sneaking down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. “I’m so glad you came to visit.”
Margaret stood and moved to sit beside Charity. She hugged Charity tight. “I’m glad too. It’s hard trying to manage everything. I don’t know how you or Elijah do it.”
“I don’t know how he does it either. Personally I feel like a floundering fish. I had a great job, then decided I wanted to go back and finish my residency. It was hard while I was pregnant with Jamie, but I really thought I could manage it. I loved being in the hospital. I think,” she lowered her voice as she spoke honestly about her feelings. “I think I was lost when my mom died. I nursed her and blamed my father for my grieving. Not stopping to think he was dealing with the same thing. I dropped out of school because I wanted to help my mom as much as I could. That too I used as an excuse to blame my father. So I ran. I got a great job, but purposely stayed connected to the hospital scene. Then I met Elijah.” She smiled at Margaret. “And all these good things started to happen.”
Margaret raised her eyebrows. “Didn’t you get shot? And Elijah was stalked and then sued for sexual harassment, dragging you, your father and the hospital nearly through the mud?” She started laughing, catching Charity off guard.
Charity began to giggle. “Don’t forget my father had a heart attack after my wedding. Then I got knocked down to bring on complications with Jamie’s delivery. I never have a dull moment in my life.”
They both started laughing.
“And you set those little birds free at my husband’s memorial,” Margaret added.
Charity smiled. “Hey! I was really trying to do something nice.”
“I know.” Margaret hugged her. “I was too lost in grief to say thanks. I’m sorry I didn’t. I’ll make up for it with this party.” She winked.
“So what do you think is in store for this year for me? I can’t really think of anything worse happening than what has.”
Margaret crossed her legs and settled back into her chair. “There’s been a lot of beautiful, joyous moments. Don’t get caught up on the bad moments or the overwhelming ones. They will drag you down. You’ll get everything sorted. I don’t doubt it at all.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“What were you thinking in terms of celebration?”
Charity appreciated Margaret taking over and still letting her feel like she was a part of it. “My father’s birthday is July first, which is a Sunday. I think having it on the Friday or Saturday prior is our best bet. I can get with the people he works with and make sure his schedule is cleared. Maxine in his office will come in handy. Will your friend Haunch be in town for the event?” She wanted to surprise her dad, not give him another heart attack.
“I’ve been here three days and it’s taken you this long to ask me about my boyfriend.” Margaret smiled. It was a different smile than before. Charity sensed a touch of nervousness behind the confidence of it.
“You refer to him as your boyfriend so things must be getting serious.” She wasn’t trying to pry without sounding like she was itching for information for her father.
“Haunch wants it to be serious, but I’m on the fence, Charity. My sojourn in the States is more than about spending time with my family. I’m using this time to figure out what I want. I’m a wealthy widow and I don’t need a man for his money, so I want to make sure he’s a damn good companion. I’m not doing this again.”
“Companion?” Her use of words surprised Charity. “What about love, Margaret? Don’t you want love?”
“Love at my age?” She coughed. “That’s a rather complicated issue.”
“Why can’t you find love again? The heart wants what the heart wants.”
Margaret stared at Charity, her eyes vulnerable in a way Charity had never seen. “I’m afraid to love too deeply,” Margaret whispered.
Charity took a deep breath. “Margaret, there’s an enormous elephant in the room and I’m going to address it.” She tilted her head. “Does my father have something to do with your hesitation? Do you love my father?”
Margaret nearly spit out her tea. She set the mug down and sighed. “There is so much wrong with Dr. Scott Thompson, but so much terribly right. When we’re apart I feel like our lives are completely different. When I’m here, it seems like we are young adults one moment and then we’re an old married couple sharing grand-parenting duties the next. We like the same foods, similar travel destinations, sense of humor and so much more. We share so much in common.” Margaret paused.
Please don’t mention you share the same bed.
“Sex also matters as you know, and your father is an excellent lover. He’s generous and creative. He probably gets that from being a surgeon all these years. The man knows a woman’s body.”
I think I just threw up in my mouth! How does one respond to such a comment? Charity wished she were invisible or that she had decided to remain in her office. That they never had the conversation. She felt like screaming. Help, get me out of here! Charity was hoping that Jamie would wake up and cry for her help. The elephant in the room had just become hers. She took a gulp of her tea.
Margaret seemed oblivious to Charity’s inner torture. “I hope you’re able to get some work done while I’m here.”
“M-Me too.” Charity stood quickly, grateful for the sudden escape. Maybe Margaret regretted telling her the details now as well. “Do you mind if I start now, while Jamie’s sleeping?”
“Go! I’ll go over everything you have here for your father and let you know if I have any questions.”
Charity raced back to her office and closed the door. Her cell phone rang. It was Pinnacle, but she let it go to voicemail because she was mentally not ready to deal with work.
She dialed Elijah’s number after checking the message from Pinnacle.
Thankfully he picked up after the third ring. “Hello, wife.”
“Elijah! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” she whispered, paranoid his mother was listening on the other side of the door. “Your mother just filled me in on her sex life—WITH MY FATHER! Details of images I’ll never be able to erase from my mind.” She shivered and then giggled. “Apparently, my father is a great lover. Who knew? She’s dating Haunch but she’s not sure where that’s going. Thankfully she didn’t fill me in on how he performed in bed, but I’m sure she would have if I asked.”
Elijah burst out laughing. “When we’re their age, I hope we spend all our time in bed. Perhaps more because we won’t have the responsibility of having kids around.”
“Kids? Did you just say plural? Don’t get ahead of yourself Doctor Elijah Bennet! You know I’m up for more kiddies, but I’m still figuring out how to parent Jamie Lynn.”
“You are doing a great job. I wish I was around more to help.” He coughed. “I guess this makes it a bad time to drop some news on you.”
“What Elijah? This had better be good.” Charity glanced in the mirror and realized she had yet to take a shower. It was not a good day in the Bennet house.
“It’s Simon. He and Julie are looking at houses and I agreed to go check out some real estate with him and then grab a beer after.”
That was his worry? She didn’t see the big deal in it. “It’s fine, sweetie. You’ve been hanging with him after work quite a bit.” She hadn’t spent much time with Julie since giving up working at the hospital. “Everything good with them?”
“Yup, fine.”
“O.k. While you hang with Simon, your mom and I can swap sex stories.” Charity laughed as Elijah went silent.
“On that note,” he finally said chuckling, “I’ll catchya later.” Then he hung up.
Charity stared down at her cell and counted. Three, two, one. She picked up her ringing phone again. “I love you too, Elijah.”
“I love you and Jamie. I have to stop forgetting to tell you that.”
“No worries. I think it’s cute.”
Chapter 7
As she pulled into the drive, Charity could not get her father and Margaret off her mind. The sex talk with her mother-in-law left her wondering about her father’s take on things. She checked her make-up in the rearview mirror and as she stepped out of the car, she straightened the black jersey dress she wore. It had a cowl-neck and no sleeves. She glanced down once more to make sure it had the right amount of professionalism. She found herself caring what she wore when she went out with her father. She hated how judgmental she became of herself, like she needed to impress him with everything she did. He was proud of her, she knew he loved her, and their relationship had gotten so much better since the wedding and then Jamie’s birth. Still, she wanted to be as good as her mother had been. She knew she wasn’t even close.
She walked in to find her father reclining on the chaise. An image of him and Margaret snuggling there came to her mind. She physically shook her head to clear the thought. “Hello, Dad. I brought some fresh spinach from the farmer’s market. I thought I would whip up a salad. I wasn’t sure what you had planned but I thought some leafy greens would be a nice addition.” Charity bent over and gave her father a peck on the cheek.
“Enough with the crazy health food. I happen to know a thing or two about what fat and cholesterol will do to my coronary artery. I should have my numbers tattooed to my forehead so you stop making such a fuss. My lipid profile is done more often than you change Jamie’s diaper.” He displayed hyperbole at its best. “My LDL is getting down to near normal, although it’s not there yet and I’m faithfully taking my statins. I am fine.” He cleared his throat. “Let me remind you of that again; I am fine.”
She headed to the kitchen and set the spinach on the counter before heading back into the living room. “Just because you’re thin and fit on the outside doesn’t mean you’re the same on the inside.”
“My insides are in fine form.”
She sighed. “It’s the stress I’m most concerned with, Dad. I’m aware how it affects you. I have the same issues. My blood pressure has been high lately, so I can just imagine what yours is doing.” Charity collapsed on the couch and wiped her brow.
“Stress is not the problem. It’s funny that you of all people mention stress because you have none. You left that behind when you stopped practicing medicine.” He waved his hand. “Sorry. That didn’t come out the way I meant.” The corners of his mouth rose slightly. “Margaret’s been helping with my stress.”
Please don’t start telling me about the various sex positions you two have tried. When do you two even have time? “Is that so,” she said calmly. Charity purposely ignored the comment about her taking a leave of practicing medicine.
“Margaret’s spent time in Nepal and India studying ancient yoga and meditation. In addition to keeping her very limber.”
Do NOT tell me how you know that? Charity thought.
“It’s allowed her to free her mind of clutter.”
Here was the perfect opportunity to press him about what was going on. “You’ve come to rely on Elijah’s mother. The two of you seem to be getting close.” Charity was curious to see how far the relationship had progressed. She hoped her father would spill the beans.
“We’ve been pushed together because she stays here part of the time she’s in town.” His doctor voice clicked in and Charity couldn’t read anything from his comment.
“It’s not like you don’t have the space Dad, and if she wanted she could certainly afford to stay elsewhere. I think it’s more than being pushed together.” She said the words gently, knowing he might balk if he felt like he was getting pushed.
“What you’re hinting at is irrelevant Charity. Margaret has Haunch. I’m sick of hearing about the guy. Haunch is so athletic. Haunch should be a comic. Haunch is a great cook. I’m sure the guy has no flaws and Margaret will eventually marry the Adonis.” Charity’s dad was frustrated, which indicated he cared.
“You should tell Margaret.”
Dr. Thompson shook his head. “Leave it alone Charity. It’s none of your business.”
Before Charity could reply or apologize, her dad began speaking again. “I would rather talk about your new job. I can’t help but think you’re being a turncoat. I hope you’re aware every penny that goes to St. Luke’s means one less for Thompson Hospital. Are you comfortable with that?” He had put on his doctor’s cap. The brusque side of Charity’s father began to emerge.
“I shouldn’t have to school you on the differences between Thompson and St. Luke’s. They’re apples and oranges Dad and you know that. St. Luke’s is a research hospital with a huge emphasis on finding a cure for cancer. The Jaworski Cancer Institute has a chance to be one of the best in the country and I’m proud that they asked Pinnacle to spearhead the fundraising campaign. Thompson is a stellar trauma center and I would never work against your efforts. Give me some credit for once Dad, I’m sure I’ve earned it.” Charity proved she could be just as brusque as her father could.
“How’s Jamie Lynn?” Charity’s father changed the subject. He always did that when he was going to lose a disagreement.
She had won the battle. Charity wished the ongoing war between her and her father would end for good. Unfortunately, it was in his nature to find flaws in his daughter.
“Spectacular. She is like opening up a present every morning. I think of her all day long and dream of her at night. She is hitting all the milestones on time or early. I’m a little lax when it comes to potty training but I’m sure she’ll breeze through that with no problem.”
“Where does Elijah fit into the equation?” Scott asked. “He works hard at the hospital. I hope you’re not leaving him with nothing when he gets home from a long day at work.”
Did her father have to question every aspect of her life?
“We’re solid. Our marriage has never been stronger. We have our absolute love for Jamie in common which strengthens our bond. Did you have any doubts?”
“Not exactly. I remember when you came along it changed the dynamics of the marriage. Love gets diluted when it’s spread over three people instead of two.”
“I disagree Dad. Must everything be debated between us? I wish you could be happy for me and proud instead of questioning everything I do personally and professionally. I love you, but it’s not always easy being your daughter.” She couldn’t believe she’d told him how she felt.
“I understand what you’re saying, but it’s hard to change my ways. I’m almost a septuagenarian and it makes me a cranky old man. I hope my birthday comes and goes without much fuss this year. If I make it to 100 we can have a big party.”
Charity almost choked on her asparagus. Too late for that, she thought.
Charity and her father managed to get through dinner with no more arguments. She walked outside to a full moon, which was always an indicator that things would go crazy at the hospital. The horrible night she was shot occurred under a full moon. She was too busy trying to survive to notice, but she’d looked it up later. She could call Elijah but he was out with Simon so she decided to do the next best thing and call Julie. With a phone built into her console, she could chat hands free and not be distracted from the road.
“Hey Julie. It feels like it’s been forever. Is now a good time to chat?”
“Works for me. Our husbands are out doing whatever, which they have been doing quite often. I was surprised to hear you were looking to move. I thought the remodel above the garage made your place complete.”
“Oh, yeah. Just looking.” Charity’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as she wondered if Elijah was lying to her. “How’s the hospital?”
“Busy, busy as always. I had a strangula
ted hernia tonight on a morbidly obese patient. Finding my way around the insides of someone with so much excess fat is a nightmare. Full moon as you remember makes the ER chaotic. It makes people forget how to drive and many people feel the urge to beat the shit out of their domestic partners. How’s my goddaughter?” Julie asked.
“That’s a hell of a transition.” Charity laughed as she pulled into her driveway. “Couldn’t be better. Jamie is spectacular and I’m loving the toddler years. She’s getting so big. You and Simon will have to make it over for dinner soon before she starts driving a car. I would love to talk more but I just pulled in my driveway. The lights indicate that Margaret and Jamie are asleep so I have time to pour some wine and put my feet up.”
“You do that, I’m going to do the same. A little alone time before Simon gets home is divine.”
“How’s house hunting going?”
“House hunting? What do you mean?”
Charity shook her head. “Nothing. I-I meant, how’s the maid hunting going? Have you found someone to clean the place weekly like that.”
Julie didn’t catch Charity’s comment.
Charity walked up the steps in disbelief that Elijah would lie to her. They weren’t moving.
Something was up.
Chapter 8
“How was house hunting with Simon last night?” Charity turned over in bed toward her bleary-eyed husband.
“You know Simon.” Elijah rubbed his eyes and face. “He talked more than looking at properties.” After a long yawn, he added, “I think we’re going to hit the links some evening this week if our schedules match up.”
“Elijah, I…Yeah it’s fine.” She looked over at her barely clothed husband. He was the perfect specimen from head to toe. He oozed sexuality and she would be naïve to think she was the only one who noticed.
He pulled her in by her oversized cotton t-shirt for a good morning kiss. She returned his affection but Elijah knew her well enough to realize that something was wrong. “Jamie hasn’t stirred yet and Mom is at your dad’s house. What’s up, Charity?”
