"I can't believe you came. It's been a while," My dad said as he patted my back.
"Come on, dad, I was here about three weeks ago," I said as we broke apart.
"You're saying three weeks isn't too long to visit your old parents?" My dad asked with a frown.
"Of course not, dad, I've just been busy with work,"
"You should still make time for us. You know you’re all we've got," My dad said with a little smile. And you and mom are all the family I'll ever have, I thought as I remembered that I couldn’t raise a family of my own.
"I know, dad, and I'm sorry," I said apologetically.
"It's fine. You aren't dressed for dinner," My dad said with a frown as he looked at what I was wearing. I had changed from my scrubs at the hospital to a light green T-shirt and jeans.
We've never had to worry about wearing something smart for dinner. Why is my dad bothered about it now?
"That’s what I was thinking. I know what he’s like, so I got him something better to wear earlier today," My mom said as she joined us in the living room. I turned towards her and let out a tiny gasp as I saw the suit she held in her hand. Wow, that’s a great suit. Wait a minute, why does my outfit at dinner matter so much? I thought with a frown as I looked from my mom to my dad with a puzzled expression on my face.
"Can one of you tell me what is going on here? What's the special occasion?" I asked.
"What? There is no special occasion; we only want you to look good," My mom said as she stared at everything thing else in the room except me. Immediately, I knew that she was lying. I turned to face my dad, and the expression on his face confirmed my initial thought about my mom hiding something.
"Are we expecting someone?" I asked. My mom sighed before she replied.
"Okay fine, you got us. We are expecting some people."
"People?" I asked with suspicion.
"Yes, Hannah," My mom said. Aunt Hannah was an old lady and family friend, and we’d all had dinner together on more than one occasion, but none of those times had my parents made so much fuss about what I wore. There is more to this, I thought as I tried to solve the puzzle.
Wait a minute; she said people, but she has only mentioned Aunt Hannah.
"Who else is coming with Aunt Hannah?"
“Someone. Can you forget about all of these questions and go get dressed before they arrive?" My mom asked without looking at me.
"I'm not going to do that until you tell me who we are expecting that is causing so much fuss. Besides, I thought you sent for me because you had something to discuss with me?" I said as I crossed over to one of the sofas and sat down.
"Come on, don't be like that, Alan. We will have a discussion after dinner,” My mom said as she looked at my dad, silently asking him for help. This made me even more intrigued.
"I'm not comfortable with the way you two are acting,"
"Trust us, Alan, we just have a special guest," My dad said as he sat down beside me and wrapped an arm around me. "Talking about guests, they should be here anytime soon," He added as he checked his watch.
"Okay fine, I guess I’ll go get dressed," I said and they both relaxed. Who is this special guest that has them so nervous? I decided not to ask about it anymore and instead wait for the guest to arrive and find out for myself.
"Thank goodness," My mom said and she let out a heavy sigh. "Here you go, you only have a few minutes," She passed the suit to me.
"Thank you," I said. I stood and went to my room. My parents had still left a room for me in their house even after I had gotten married. Their hope was that I would use it with Stella when we came visiting. Now, I used the room when I visited alone and wasn’t able to make it back home that day.
I smiled as I entered the room and inhaled the fresh smell. My mom always ensured that the room was sparkling even when I hadn't used it for weeks. I spent the next few minutes freshening up and thinking about who the special guest could be. I had just run a comb through my hair when I heard the doorbell ring. That must be them, I thought as I heard the front door open and close.
I became more intrigued as I heard a female voice that wasn’t Aunt Hannah. I checked myself in the mirror one more time to ensure everything was in place before I left the bedroom.
"Aunt Hannah," I said as I got to the living room and saw her standing with a young woman beside her.
“My dear boy” Aunt Hannah said as I crossed over and gave her a tight hug.
"Hello dear," She said as she hugged me back.
"Good evening aunt,” I said as I pulled back from the hug.
"You look as handsome as ever. I'm sure Diana will agree with me," She said with a broad smile as she checked out my suit.
"Yes, he is," the woman beside her said. I frowned for a brief moment at her words before returning my attention to Aunt Hannah.
"Thank you, Aunt Hannah, you look gorgeous yourself," I said with a smile.
"Oh, where are my manners? This is my granddaughter, Diana," She said as she turned towards the woman beside her. Oh, that explains it.
"Diana, meet my nephew Alan.”
"Good evening Alan, it's very nice to meet you," The young woman said as she stretched out her hand to shake mine.
"Good evening, it's nice to meet you as well," I said as I shook her hand briefly before allowing her hand to drop. I turned around to find my parents and Aunt Hannah staring at us expectantly. Now, why do they have that look on their faces?
"Ahem," My mom coughed to attract the attention of everyone in the room toward her.
"Dinner is served, please follow me," She said as she led the way to the dining room.
Within minutes we were all seated. I had been sat facing Diana while Aunt Hannah was sitting beside her, and my parents were sitting beside each other.
We had just started digging into the pot roast my mom made when she said, "Diana arrived in Claywell just three days ago."
"Oh, really," I said.
"Yes, I have some construction work to do in the area," She said with a shy smile. I had to admit that she looked really good. However, there was no point going any further for me since women were not in my plans for the future. Not anymore.
"Construction? Are you an engineer?" I asked.
"Yes, I am," She said.
"Is this your first time in Claywell?" I asked.
"No, it isn't. I've visited a couple of times in the past. However, this is the first time I’ve been here for work," She replied.
"Nice," I said as I continued to eat.
"Alan works at Claywell Hospital," My mom said.
"Wow, that's a good one. Have you been here for a long time?" Diana asked.
"All my life, except when I went to the army to train and my 2 tours of Afghanistan," I said with a shrug.
"That must mean you know this place very well," She said, looking at me intently.
"You could say that," I replied.
"Yes, he does. I'm sure he wouldn't mind showing you around," My mom said quickly, making me frown. Show her around? Why would mom suggest that when she knows how busy my work schedule is? I gave my mom a bewildered expression. I was even more puzzled when she merely shrugged at me.
"Really, you wouldn't mind that?" Diana asked brightly.
"Well … " I started to say but was cut short by my mom.
"Of course not, I'm sure he could find time to take you around. Right, Alan?" My mom asked as she raised an eyebrow at me, while I could only stare at her, not understanding why she was volunteering me to be a tour guide.
"You would do that for me, right?" Aunt Hannah joined in, kicking me into a corner.
"Of course, Aunt Hannah," I gave in while shooting my mom a look that read, "You have a lot of explanation to do."
"If it isn't going to be convenient for you, then it's no problem if you don’t have time to show me around," Diana said as she watched the interaction between my mom and me with a frown.
"It's fine," I said, still giving my mom a pointed look.
"Than
k you," She said gratefully with a little smile.
"You're welcome," I said with a shrug before we resumed eating.
The rest of the meal passed with either my mom trying to make comments to me about Diana or Aunt Hannah doing the same about me to Diana. My suspicions rose at each passing moment. Soon we were done eating and moved to the living room.
"Hannah, would you like to see the flower beds I told you about?" My mom asked.
"Of course," Aunt Hannah said as she rose from her seat. I frowned as they left but decided not to say anything. They had barely left before my dad also muttered an excuse I couldn’t hear properly.
What on earth is going on with these people? I thought with a frown as I watched my dad leave.
"It's their best attempt to matchmake us," Diana spoke as though she had read my mind.
"What?" I asked as I looked at her, alarmed.
"They are trying to set us up. I thought you would have worked that out by now," Diana said with a smile.
"I heard you the first time, but why would they do that?" I asked, exasperated by my parents’ underhand planning.
"Apparently, they think we would be good together, and we can't get the job done by ourselves," Diana said with a shrug. The missing puzzles started to fit in one after the other. From my parents insisting I change into this suit to the comments they made throughout the dinner. They had been trying to make us like each other and I should have worked it out earlier. Why? Why would they do something like this when I've told them that the dating chapter of my life has closed for good.
"You don’t mind just having a little conversation, right? I'm sure they will be back soon when they think their plan has been successful," Diana said as she watched me.
"It's fine," I said with a shrug. I needed to have a serious conversation with my parents as soon as the guests left. I needed to reinstate my stand about the no woman in my life rule. Maybe that's what it would take for them to realize that I hadn’t been joking when I told them that years ago.
"To be honest, I don't want them to think they've succeeded. They would probably start hatching other plans about us if we do that, and I'm not interested in any of that," I said.
"Wow, that's a clear-cut rejection," Diana said with a chuckle. I hadn’t meant to hurt her, but it seemed that was exactly what my words had done.
"I’m sorry, I just don't like beating around the bush," I said apologetically.
"Is it just me you aren't interested in, or is it my whole gender?" She asked as she studied me.
"More like the second option," I said.
"Wow, the last person you dated must have done a real number on you," She said sympathetically.
"She sure taught me a lesson," I said, trying to stop my mind from running over the hurt Stella had made me go through.
"You want to talk about it?" She asked.
"What?" I said as I gave her a skeptical look. Surely, she didn’t expect me to start spilling my guts about the miseries of my life the first day I met her.
"I just thought you might want to talk about it," She said with a shrug. "I reckon they’ll be back in here in five minutes," She said as she checked her watch.
"How come you know so much about all of this? Their plans and all?" I asked, looking at her suspiciously.
"Let's just say that I've gotten used to things like this. This isn't the first time my family has tried to set me up with someone. Although, usually it’s my mom instead of my Grandma," She said wearily.
"Why is that? I mean, you are really good looking, you could get any man you want. Why do they feel the need to set you up with a man?" I asked as I watched her.
"I'm glad you think I'm good looking. As for the constant matchmaking, let's just assume that I'm not interested in any form of relationship for similar reasons to you," She said with a tight smile.
“I see,” I said.
“Trust me, you haven’t seen the least of it. I've been through so many heartbreaks that the thought of being in another relationship no longer holds any appeal to me," She admitted. "Except today," She added, which caused me to frown.
"Today?" I asked with a puzzled expression.
"Yes, I was intrigued by you immediately. When Aunt Hannah introduced us, for the first time in years, the idea of a relationship no longer seemed abhorrent to me," She said.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but the idea of a relationship still doesn't interest me," I shrugged.
"I understand that. However, can we at least be friends?" She asked.
"I don't make friends," I said matter-of-factly.
"I see. How about acquaintances?" She asked hopefully.
"Would you stop trying? I only do myself. I don't do friends or acquaintances or whatever label you want to use," I said as I rolled my eyes.
"You said you’d be my tour guide remember, it would be better if we start out as friends," She suggested.
"You’re still interested in having me as your tour guide when you know the reason it was suggested?" I said as I gave her a bewildered look.
"I don't care about the motive behind it; all I'm interested in is being given a tour by a very handsome man. That's all that matters," She said as she crossed her legs and relaxed against the sofa.
"I see," I said.
"Yes, so when is it going to be?" She asked.
"Listen, I'm a very busy man. I don't know why my parents suggested that plan in the first place. I know it was an attempted set up, but it doesn't change the fact that I don't have the time. I would rather be at the hospital trying to save lives than being a tour guide," I said.
"I … " She started to reply but stopped when she heard the voices of Aunt Hannah and my mom returning from the garden. Soon, the front door also opened, and my dad stepped in. Everything looked so planned.
"Oh, I'm sure you didn't notice our absence for too long," My mom said as they entered the living room.
"Not, at all, ma'am. In fact, we were just discussing the tour Alan promised me earlier," Diana said as she gave me a knowing look. Oh no, you don't, I thought as I saw what she was trying to do, clear as daylight.
"Really, that's good. Have you picked a date yet?" My mom asked excitedly. She clearly thought their plan was working. If only you knew how far your plans are from working. I gave Diana a dead glare, but she just smirked at me.
"Not yet, ma'am, Alan was just trying to work out which date would be most convenient for him,” She said.
“Really, dear, why don’t you pick a Saturday?” My mom asked.
“You know I work on Saturdays, mom," I said, trying to keep my temper.
"You work every day. That doesn't mean you can’t make time to take Diana on a tour," My mom said. I groaned inwardly at the turn of events, but I knew if I didn't pick a day soon, Aunt Hannah was going to butt in, and I would have no choice but to end up picking a date.
"I'll think about a date," I said.
"That's good, I'll give Diana your contact details," Aunt Hannah said and I almost let out a groan in frustration.
"That would … " I started to say but was cut short by my mom saying, "Be a good idea!"
I gave my mom a look that told her that we needed to have a serious conversation later.
"Perfect, we'll be on our way now. I need to take my medication," Aunt Hannah said.
"That's true, how are your legs now?" I asked. Aunt Hannah had arthritis.
"They don't ache like they used to before I started using the medication you prescribed for me," She said with a smile.
"That’s good. Be sure to remember to take them as instructed and you’ll be fine," I said.
"Yes, dear, I'll definitely do that," She said with a smile.
"Okay," I said as I stood to say goodbye.
"Thank you for such a wonderful dinner, Vivian," Aunt Hannah said.
"Oh, it's nothing," My mom said with a broad smile.
"Thank you very much. That was a delicious meal," Diana said warmly.
"Alan makes better pot
roasts," My mom said and I looked at her in alarm. Why would she say that when she knows she makes the best pot roast around? But of course, I now knew the reason for all her actions that evening.
I decided not to comment on that because I wanted Aunt Hannah and Diana to leave so I could have a serious conversation with my parents.
"Oh, really? I can't imagine how good his must be if he makes it better than yours," Diana said with a smirk, clearly enjoying herself.
"Oh, aren’t you sweet," My mom said. I let out a quiet sigh of relief, I had thought my mom would suggest that I make a pot roast for Diana.
"Goodnight," Aunt Hannah said.
"Goodnight," we all chorused.
"Goodnight," Diana said with a grin, and they finally left. I let out a sigh and returned to my seat.
"Now, do you both mind telling me what happened here tonight?" I asked as they both returned to their seats.
"What are you talking about, dear?" My mom said, an innocent expression on her face while she pretended she had no idea what I was talking about.
"Mom, dad, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. The question is, why would you try to do that when you both know my feelings about this?" I said as I gave them an exasperated look.
"Okay, fine, you caught us. What do you expect us to do? Watch you wither away without having someone to care for you?" My mom sighed.
"First of, I'm not withering away, mom. And secondly, I'm not complaining about the way I'm living right now. I don't need anyone in my life, definitely not someone to care for me," I stared at her, still amazed that they had pulled this stunt.
"Yes, you do, dear. Marcus and Stella were scumbags, but that doesn't mean you should put your life on a standstill because of their actions. There are better women out there," My mom said.
"Let me guess, one of these better women is Diana?" I asked with raised eyebrows.
"Well, she is a good woman," My mom said defiantly.
"Oh, I see. Well let's imagine your dreams become reality, which I'm sure isn't going to happen. What do you do think she would do when she realizes I can't give her children?" I said bluntly.
"If she truly loves you, then I'm sure she will stand by your side despite that," My mom said while I gave her an incredulous look.
Dr. Rock (Healing Hands Book 5): A Steamy Workplace Romance Page 3
