Becky added, “As a matter of fact, he’s getting married this week, so he closed down the office and the staff all received a week’s paid vacation.”
“What kind of physician did you say he was?” Wally asked.
“He’s an internist, a wonderful doctor. All of his patients love him. Donovan Matthews. Maybe you’ve heard of him?”
“Don’t think so. If he had staff privileges at MGH, I might…”
“I believe most of his patients go to Beth Israel.”
“Still a small world, isn’t it?” Wally said. “Now I’m sorry I’m leaving in the morning. We could have spent more time together…might well know some of the same folks.”
“Let’s hope we see each other again,” Becky said.
“That would be nice. Well, I’ve got to pack. I hope you both enjoy your holiday.”
Wally went into her apartment, reflecting on what she had just learned.
So Alisha Morton has had her way, marrying Donovan Matthews.
A fierce argument had erupted between the two roommates when Wally finally had to make it clear that she did not approve of Alisha’s plans.
“You know, Alisha, your deceit in this relationship may someday come back to haunt you. You can’t expect to build a good life on lies.”
Bristling, Alisha fired back, “Look, this is my life, and I know what I want, and I’ll do whatever I need to do to get it! I will not be denied. Don Matthews doesn’t even have an inkling of how happy I will make him, especially after I have our child.”
Wally had risen from her seat in the living room and headed toward the door to her own room down the hall.
“Still don’t know how you can be such a dishonest person…to trick an innocent man…don’t see how you can live with yourself.”
Alisha flipped her hand under her chin at her roommate.
“Very well, my friend, very well. Don is an extremely successful practitioner, and I plan to be living the good life as the wife of a doctor.”
“But to lie to him, make him think…”
Before she could finish her sentence Alisha snapped, “You promised!” she spat out the words. “You promised!”
“And,” Wally said firmly before she walked out of the room, “I’ll keep my promise. Lying has never been my style.”
She went into her own room and made a call to the real estate agent who had sold them the condo. She had to find another place to live.
* * *
Alisha was nervously curious. Don had promised her an extraordinary honeymoon. He had told her, “I’ve closed my office for the week for us to spend together.”
“Oh, where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. I think you’ll like it. At least I hope you will.”
“I know I will!”
“Good, looking forward to it.”
“I can’t wait. Will I need special clothes?”
“Don’t think so, but if you do, we’ll buy them.”
“Don, I love you so much! You’re wonderful!”
“I try to do my best.”
“Oh, I know that. Never doubted that,” she said.
Sitting in the front seat of the car, she snuggled up to him to get as close as possible and squeezed his arm. “I’m so happy.”
“I’m glad,” he said, hoping he sounded that way.
He looked over at her. She seemed to be glowing with good health, seemed happy and relaxed being with him. He felt as if he were on a new adventure…perhaps this situation might work after all. Indeed, he knew he enjoyed sleeping with her. He rather hoped the relationship might be better after the baby came. Suddenly his ego knew no bounds at the thought of the pleasure he derived from being with her. As much as he missed his family, and he did, he was energized by the fact that at fifty he was able to father a child. He could hardly wait. Even with the new technologies in medicine, he knew that there were men in their sixties able to produce healthy children.
He was extremely proud of himself, though he had not expected this outcome. His ego strengthened, he was excited about this new life.
He sensed that Alisha was tiring. They had been on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for about four hours since leaving Pittsburgh.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Doing just fine,” she said. “Might have to make a pit stop down the road, though.”
“Bladder getting full?”
“Well, yes, as a matter of fact.”
“Let me check the GPS and see if we can find the nearest facility for an overnight’s stay. Are you with me on this?”
She rewarded him with a smile.
“Absolutely!”
But disappointment nagged at her. It was apparent that there was not going to be an exotic cruise, a trip to Europe or Hawaii. Don was heading back to Boston.
CHAPTER 19
Gloria Clark kept close watch over Leanne, who had been commuting from the Cape to her office. The strain was beginning to show. Losing weight, dark circles under her eyes, and Gloria could not count the number of times that she heard Leanne exhale long, drawn-out sighs. She could tell that her friend was suffering, and she wanted to help her if she could. The opportunity came sooner than she expected.
The next morning when Leanne drove in from the Cape, Gloria greeted her with an excited smile.
“Leanne, this listing just came in! I think it’s what you’re looking for.”
Leanne took a seat beside Gloria’s desk. Putting on her reading glasses, she said, “Let me see.”
The listing read, Cape house, three bedrooms, two baths, large family room, new kitchen with up-to-date appliances, granite countertops, ceramic tile, hardwood floors, finished basement w/ two-car garage. Fully landscaped 1 acre lot.
“It sounds like something I might want to look at, Gloria.”
“Good. I’ve already called the agent. She will meet us there at ten.”
“Sounds okay to me. Let me get a cup of coffee and catch my breath and then we’ll go.”
“And Leanne, guess what? It’s not far from your old neighborhood. It’s about five or six streets away. You may even recognize it when you see it. The seller’s name is Griffin…”
“I know that house, Gloria. A Mr. and Mrs. Archer Griffin…” Leanne interrupted Gloria. “The Griffin children went to high school with my two kids. I’ve been inside once or twice. As I recall, it was fairly nice, but they may have made changes to it.”
“It would be nice if you could find a house you’re somewhat familiar with. Make it easier for you to make the adjustment to a new place.”
“That’s true. There’s been quite enough of an upheaval in my life,” Leanne sighed.
She finished her coffee and picked up her purse and car keys.
“Well, let’s go see what there is to see. I really want to have a home for the children to come home to, whenever they choose. I hate the idea of this divorce disrupting their lives.”
“I know you do. I understand perfectly. Well, let’s have good vibes! ‘Nothing beats a trial but a failure,’ my mother always said.”
* * *
By the time Don and Alisha reached a motel with a vacancy sign on the turnpike, both were bone tired. Don from driving almost five hours, and Alisha, angry and disappointed when she learned Don’s plans for their honeymoon.
“Why are we on this turnpike, Don?” she had asked. He heard the anger in her voice but realized he had to tell her the truth. So he answered her question.
“I’m sorry, Alisha, but the truth of the matter is the divorce and our marriage have cost me plenty. We will have to be thrifty until I can recoup some of the money I had to spend. I’m sure you understand…”
“Oh, I do, I do!” But the frown on her face told him otherwise.
Indeed, she was very angry, but she knew that now was not the time to reveal her true feelings. She dared not let him know that she had learned from a former colleague of Don’s magnanimous gesture in giving his staff a paid vacation. That, in itsel
f, would surely have paid for the overseas honeymoon she wanted.
The motel they finally chose was one of a large chain. The parking facilities were adequate, attractive, and the well-maintained landscaping lessened her disappointment a little. She decided to get all she could out of it, use all the amenities she could.
As soon as the bellhop had shown them to their room, Don tipped him, turning to Alisha, who was sitting in one of the armchairs. He said, “Look, hon, it’s been quite a day for both of us. I’ll order up something for us to eat, so why don’t you relax. I’ll draw a bath for you that’ll make some of the weariness go away.”
“I guess so…” Her voice trailed off in her attempt to garner more sympathy from him.
He wagged his finger at her. “Now, none of that!” he said and smiled. “These are doctor’s orders. Now, what would you like to have for your supper?”
“Since I’m ‘eating for two,’ ” she reminded him, “I’d like a sirloin steak, medium rare, a small baked potato, garden salad with ranch dressing, and fat-free milk.”
“That sounds good. I’ll order the same, except I’ll have coffee. Should be here by the time your bath is done.”
As Alisha slid into the tub of warm water that Don had prepared for her, she realized that she would have to make some serious behavior adjustments to maintain her husband’s loyalty. She had to avoid any slipups and focus on him, be sure to meet his needs.
Her sexual talents were what she had used to snare him, and she was bound and determined to use all skills necessary to keep him enthralled with her. Using any wiles she could dream up, she intended to bind him ever closer to her. And, she decided, she would begin tonight. She would be as attractive to him tonight as she was before her pregnancy began.
Swirling the warm, scented water around her abdomen, she promised her baby, “Your turn will come later. Don’t you worry, Mommy’s going to see to that.”
CHAPTER 20
They had reached the Massachusetts Pike when Alisha finally questioned her husband.
“Don, where are we going to live? You know my roommate and I have put our condominium up for sale. I do have some furniture in storage that maybe we can use, but…”
“I know you are anxious to know, Alisha, and I hope you’ll be pleased when we do get home.”
“So,” she prodded, “where is home?”
“It’s a brand new house, built on what was once a naval air station.”
“A new house? Oh, Don, I forgive you for not taking me on a honeymoon! A new house, never been lived in, brand spanking new?”
Her joyous excitement pleased him. He was glad that she was so happy. He hoped that becoming involved in the new house would keep her occupied. Don hated to admit, even to himself, that the increased sexual activity Alisha wanted was beginning to wear him down.
She cried, sobbing in his arms. “You don’t want to love me because I’m fat and…pregnant! Don, you know you made me this way! Now I’m no longer attractive to you?”
With Leanne it had been like a soft-shoe dance. But with Alisha it was like a rip-roaring, hard-stepping tap dance. Even he noticed his racing heartbeat and breathless pants.
He had also felt the baby’s movements and had used a borrowed fetoscope from a colleague to check the baby’s heartbeat. In doing so, he discovered the baby was lying in a transverse position in the uterus. He said nothing to Alisha, but did call her obstetrician.
“Don’t mean to be a fuddy-duddy,” he told him, “but I noticed that Alisha’s baby is lying in a transverse position.”
“Oh, yes, Don, I’m aware of that. As you know, babies often change positions in utero, almost like bobbing up and down, changing positions. And quite often they will get into the head down position just before delivery…and at times we are able to manipulate them into the right position.”
“I see.”
“Not to worry, Don. And if we have to do a C-section, we will. But we’ll worry about that when the time comes. So far, everything is fine.”
Don exhaled. “Glad to hear that, Joe. And I know we are all safe in your very capable hands. Thank you.”
“No problem,” his friend replied.
He said nothing of his concern to Alisha, but was quietly relieved when she began to slow down on her sexual demands.
Soon, however, another pressing issue came to his attention. One Monday morning, soon after his telephone conversation with Alisha’s doctor, Becky Long tapped on his office door a few minutes before he was to see his scheduled patient.
“Yes, Becky, what can I do for you?”
Immediately noticing the sober look on her face, he offered her a chair. She sat down, a brown folder in her hand. Her sober look alerted him.
“What is it, Becky?”
“I’m very sorry, sir, but…”
“Becky, I’ve never seen you so upset!”
She handed him a folder. “These came in over the weekend.”
He took the folder from her, opened it and began to read several e-mails.
Sorry, I have gone to another doctor. I can’t believe in a doctor who commits adultery. I will no longer be your patient. I trusted you, Dr. Matthews, but my trust is gone.
He looked at Becky as more than a dozen e-mails and letters fell from his grasp.
“What? What’s happening?” His eyes widened, his face flushed, he stared at his secretary.
“How many?”
“Sorry, doctor. About twenty so far. Even Mrs. Baskerville and Mr. Alexander, two of your most faithful…”
“I know, I know. But, Becky, I didn’t expect this kind of reaction. My personal life should have nothing to do with my professional ability…”
“I agree, but you must consider your clientele. African-Americans are usually deeply grounded in their religious beliefs, particularly the senior citizens we most often see.”
“I recognize that, but to make judgments on personal matters, not professional…”
“I know, I know, and I’m sorry. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know, Becky. I don’t really know.”
Leaving the office, she told him that his first patient had arrived.
“Give me a few minutes, Becky. I’ll be right along.”
With his head in his hands, Don worried about his future. True, many of his patients attended the same church. He himself had attended St. Barnabas with his former wife and children. Some of his patients worshipped there, too. But now that he was married to Alisha, he no longer worshipped at the Episcopal church.
He placed the troubling file in a lower drawer of his desk and went into his lavatory to wash his hands. He then went out to the first examining room door, selected the patient’s file and with a forced cheerful smile greeted his first patient of the day.
“Hello, Mr. Grant,” he said, shaking the patient’s hand.
Don was a physician, had always put his patients first. And on that Monday morning, despite his worries, he determined to do just that for this next patient. He opened the patient’s chart.
* * *
Leanne bought the Griffin house, and both Curtis and Jane were happy with their new home. Jane was happy at the idea of a new room that she could decorate any way she wanted.
Curtis told his mother that he certainly did not miss their old house, and since there were no reminders of his father, the new house was just fine with him.
His mother chastised him. “Curtis, remember, he is your father. The only one you’ll ever have. Don’t allow yourself to be bitter. If you do, it will take away who you are…and I don’t want that. I want only good things for you and Jane. And despite what’s happened, I know your father does, too.”
Curtis walked away from his mother, grumbling something under his breath, but Leanne said nothing more. She knew exactly how her son felt. She felt the same heartbreaking betrayal, but knew that if she focused on that, her life would be ruined, and she was determined not let that happen.
The house had all that
she wanted. It was well-constructed, passed the inspection easily, and other than changing the paint color in the bedrooms, it had been “move-in” ready.
She was happy with the crown moldings in the living and dining rooms. The kitchen, as stated in the listing, was very well-appointed. Even Jane had decided that maybe she would try her hand at cooking.
“Be my guest,” her mother said when she saw, to her relieved delight, that her daughter was happy.
Leanne knew that both of her children loved and missed their father, but she hoped the new house would help them to move on to successful lives.
CHAPTER 21
Don and Alisha had settled into a somewhat reasonably comfortable relationship. It was no longer “bells and whistles,” and Alisha was entering into a nesting mode in her pregnancy. She went shopping for baby clothing, baby bath articles. For the crib, she and Don shopped for sheets and blankets.
Don was glad that she was involved in this activity, and relieved that she seldom asked about his day. He did not want to tell her about his declining practice, hoping that the worst was behind him. However, when one of his nurses left on maternity leave, he did not replace her, making no explanation to the remaining staff. Becky had assumed the role of nurse manager, running the office quite smoothly. He realized that she had become his most valuable employee.
He told her, “Becky, you have been a godsend to me and I intend to raise your salary just as soon as things stabilize around here.”
“No need for that,” she said. “I’m happy that you are pleased.”
“Well, I want you to know this office could not run without your expert help. I will never, ever be able to forget your loyalty and help.”
* * *
In the weeks leading up to her due date, Alisha began to complain to Don about her discomfort. She felt that she was unattractive to him despite his attempts to reassure her otherwise. However, he found himself comparing her with his former wife. Leanne had been joyous and excited during her pregnancies, and accepted discomfort as part of the eventful process. At every new change in her body, she would say to Don, “Look what our love has done! We’re creating a new person not like anyone else on earth, Don!”
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