by T A Ford
“Hi there?” a man said.
Someone touched her shoulder. She turned to see Cue smiling down at her. He wore coffee colored lenses in his sunglasses and a scarf around his neck. In plain clothes he looked chivalrous and handsome as always. Not like any doctor she’d ever known.
“Hey,” she smiled. “I thought you weren’t coming?”
“Traffic is terrible over here on a Friday afternoon. Had a hard time parking. Plus, the walk was a bit much... it’s cold in this park today.”
Dina got up and hugged him. She could feel him tense when she did, but she still hugged him tighter and didn’t let go until he returned the hug. Their embrace ended and they both sat down on the bench.
“How was today?” he asked.
“Much better. I called for you. I went to Emory, but they wouldn’t tell you I was there.”
“You can’t do that, Dina. Not when I’m working.”
“I know. I just felt bad about last night. How you found me. And I wanted to thank you.” She reached over to her Gucci bag that Rodney had given her for her birthday, and pulled out a thank you card. “My mother always believed in thank you cards. Christmas cards were her favorite too.”
“This is nice,” he said. He opened the card and read the cute note she had scribbled. “Care to tell me what happened?”
“Sure. I went to Rodney and explained everything. How we met, how I decided to start therapy. I showed him my diagnosis. He was so proud of me.”
“Was?”
“Rodney is leaving for Paris.”
“You told me.”
“Well, he didn’t ask me to go with him. One time he tried to take me on a trip. It was to Vegas to see Janet Jackson. I drank some wine in the Delta Sky Club with him and ate peanuts. Wine usually worked for short flights. But Vegas is almost four hours from Atlanta. It’s a long flight. I got agitated. I started having trouble breathing. Rodney tried to calm me down. It didn’t work. I couldn’t be calm for him like I was for you in the elevator.” She looked at the ducks meandering around. She got out a piece of bread and tossed it to them. “I started screaming. The passengers got upset. Rodney was angry with the flight attendant, and the pilot had him restrained as we did a forced landing. We had to deal with TSA and the police. It was the first time I heard Rodney call me crazy to strangers. He never used that word until that day. When everyone was coming at me, he couldn’t explain my behavior any other way.”
“I’m sorry that happened,” Cue said.
“Anyways, we drove back from New Mexico to Atlanta. He told me he’d never call me that word again. I promised him I would get stronger and we had a good trip. No Janet Jackson though. Its why he won’t take me to Paris. I understand. I do. The thing is, he’s taking Sheila. And he wants to marry her. He knows she hates me, and he wants to marry her. She is always complaining about my books and making fun of my notes, and everything. When he talks to Sheila about me he calls me crazy. I realized then Rodney never stopped calling me crazy. He just stopped saying it in front of me.”
“Sheila is his girlfriend?”
“He has more than one. But Sheila has put voodoo on him with her voodoo pussy.” She threw bread at the ducks. “He can’t stop messing with her. She has a fake booty. Not professional like Kim Kardashian. No, her booty is just inflated like an overstuffed panty. I don’t know how she wipes with a butt that big and those long fingernails—”
“What happened last night?” he cut in.
“Sheila moved in. I told you. She’s going to Paris too. I pretended I didn’t care, but I said something mean. I didn’t intend to. It just happened. She got upset and Rodney threw her out. He was mad at me. He then told me to leave. It’s like he’s tired of me. Tired of being responsible for me. That’s why this has to work, Doc. I love Rodney. I know he loves me, but Rodney needs his own life. Do you think this medicine will be the cure? Rodney asked me if I can be cured. Asperger’s is for life. And my other stuff, it’s not going to go away. Is it?”
“No Dina, there is no cure. You just process things differently.”
“But I heard a lot of the symptoms can be treated. I can fake being normal,” Dina said.
“You are normal, Dina.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“I say what I mean and I mean what—”
“What you say,” she finished his sentence.
“Some people do gain better control over their behavior. Not all. And life is always going to have disappointment and stress, you can’t take a pill to fix that,” he reminded her.
“I kissed you,” she said.
Cue froze. She looked over at him. He stared at her and didn’t speak. She didn’t know what that meant, but she kept going. “I’m sorry if that was a bad thing.”
“It wasn’t a bad thing,” he said. He removed his sunglasses. “It just can’t happen again. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Have you eaten?”
“No,” she smiled.
“I know a restaurant up on Peachtree Street. Happy hour is great there. Karaoke is fun.”
“Really?” she chuckled.
“You up for it?”
“Let’s go!” she said.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely!” she said. “Can I hold your hand?”
“Can I hold yours?” he replied.
She smiled. She took his hand. The moment they left the bench the birds moved in to attack the bread she had left behind. She glanced back and smiled. “They should be gone for winter, it’s a good sign that they are still around. Maybe winter won’t come so soon.”
“Winter is here, they stayed because of you. And that bread, no one can turn down a good meal from a pretty lady.”
She laughed. “Are you flirting with me?”
“Huh? No. I’m just stating facts.”
“Right,” she smiled and dropped her head on his arm. The walk out of Piedmont Park was such a nice one. She’d never done so on a date, or with a man who she was interested in dating. It felt nice. The weather wasn’t as cold at his side. And he was so strikingly handsome. A few female joggers passed them and gave her and him a look. She didn’t understand why he didn’t have a girlfriend. But she knew that he had a money management problem. He had to file bankruptcy for his bad choices once. She saw the records of the debt. Maybe it was the real reason he moved to Atlanta.
Dina blinked in surprise. All of her thoughts had passed through her head, and she didn’t say any of them aloud. Was that just a coincidence, or was it the medicine working much faster than expected? She wished she knew for sure.
Halfway to Peachtree Street her phone rang in her purse. “Hello?”
“Hi Baby-girl,” Rodney said.
“Rodney!” Dina smiled. “Hi!”
“I’m so sorry for what happened yesterday. I’m really sorry.”
“No. It’s totally fine. I’m fine.”
“You sure? Because what I did—”
“Yeah, I’m with my doctor,” said Dina.
“Wait? You’re what?”
“Dr. Cue... ah Dr. Clinton Walsh. We talked about everything, and I’m fine.”
“Oh? Yea? Okay. How about we go to the movies tonight? My treat.”
“Ah, well, I can’t. We’re going to dinner.”
“Who is we?”
“Me and my doctor, silly.”
“Dinner, huh? That’s weird.”
“No, it’s not like that Rodney. You have to meet him. It was totally my idea. He’s so nice and professional. He doesn’t even want to kiss me.”
“He better not,” Rodney mumbled.
Dina laughed.
Rodney didn’t. “Yea, I’ll check in with him,” Rodney finally said.
“When do you leave?” she asked.
“Two days. Me and Sheila are done.”
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“No, you’re not,” he chuckled.
“Maura is better for you.”
“I think
I should do this one solo. Can you come over in the morning? I’ll make flapjacks.”
“Okay. Rodney, thank you. For everything. I love you.”
“I love you too baby-girl.”
“Bye.”
Dina smiled so broadly she feared she was showing all thirty-two teeth, so she stopped.
“That went well?”
“Yep. We’re all good. Just a misunderstanding. And guess what?”
“What?” Cue asked.
“Sheila is gone. I think Maura may be the final girl.” Dina wrapped her arm around his. “I feel like celebrating. I feel so good.”
“We can celebrate, but no drinking for you.”
“Huh?”
“You know the rules. You can’t mix alcohol with these medications.”
“Not even wine?”
“Not even wine.”
“Boring,” she said.
He chuckled.
As they arrived, the music playing was a Guns & Roses classic and a person was up and singing horribly. Dina laughed.
“So how about some hot wings and potato wedges?”
“Nope. I don’t eat anything red, remember?” Dina said.
“Yeah, I do. Okay. So, they have the burgers and...”
“Nachos?” she asked.
“I like that. We can do nachos.”
“Good. And lemonade for me,” Dina said.
He ordered the food as Dina grooved to the next tune. No one was up singing. She wanted the microphone for herself. When she was in her teens and had friends she could trust, she would often sing karaoke at parties. But then the social scene got too much for her. “I think I’m going to do it.”
“Do what?” Cue asked.
Before he could stop her, she got up from her stool and walked over to the deejay. “Can I sing a song?”
“Sure thing, sweetheart. What do you want to sing?” he asked.
“Do you have ‘Adorn’ by Miguel?”
“Yea? You got the pipes?” he chuckled. “That’s a real song.”
“I got pipes,” Dina smiled.
“What’s your name, brown sugar?” he asked.
Dina laughed. She looked out at Cue. He was sipping his drink and watching her. She had something special in store for him. “Introduce me as Scorpio.”
“You got it.”
Cue didn’t know if he should have stopped her or got up on the stage with her to support the moment. He saw her smile and blush as an overly tattooed deejay spoke into her ear above the music. A tinge of jealousy speared him. It was still too early for the after five crowd, but a few people were coming in. He had concerns. It could go terribly wrong. But he remembered her fearlessness in front of the flamenco students, and a few of them did snicker at her dance moves. She was definitely his Braveheart.
She stepped to the microphone. The green and yellow lights of the bar heightened her beauty. She was there in her turtleneck with a long, beaded necklace. She wore a brown suede skirt that fit snug to her hips but flared a bit out over her knees. Her knee-high boots were the same color brown, and her beautiful hair was pulled back by a cream headband.
She smiled out at the audience. The audience ignored her as they ordered drinks and chatted each other up.
“Alright, you’re in a for treat. Scorpio is about to deliver you some Miguel,” the deejay announced. He spun the music and Cue’s brows lifted.
She began to move her hips. She closed her eyes as she sang the most seductive lyrics he’d ever heard put to a song. The soulful bluesy tune and her majestic voice silenced everyone in the place. If Cue hadn’t witnessed it himself, he would have never believed his ears.
She rocked her shoulders to the beat. All of a sudden, his patient wasn’t so rhythmless. When she opened her eyes, she looked directly at him. She asked him to let her love adorn him. And then her voice pitched the highest soprano he’d heard any woman achieve outside of his bed. He chuckled to himself. Everyone began to sway and clap to the music. One lady got up from her barstool and started to dance right there at the spot. Dina grinned as she sang, never taking her eyes off him. The food was delivered, but he barely noticed. He was damn near hypnotized. She brought the song to an end and received a standing ovation. Even the wait staff and bartender applauded her. She ignored the praise and went straight to him.
“Did you like it?!” she squealed.
“I... I... I don’t know what to say,” he stammered. Dina came around the table and hugged his neck so hard he choked on the words of praise he tried to summon. He pulled her in to him. It was a gesture of support, but the moment he did so her mouth landed on his. Everyone continued to clap for him as he slipped into the kiss of a lifetime. Her sweet tongue rolled over his as her jasmine perfumed bloomed his senses. Her breasts were soft as pillows pressed up against his chest and her hand went up his neck to his hair, her nails gently scraping his scalp. He’d kiss her forever if he could.
She pulled away first. She looked into his face to be sure he liked what she gave him. “Now. Do you still think I’m too crazy for a kiss?”
Cue looked her in the eyes and shook his head. “I think I am.”
Dina giggled. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. And just like that he lost control.
Chapter Ten
Let My Love Adorn You
Dina laughed. She had to hold him up. Thankfully she drove him home. She’d never seen a man drink so much, and told him so repeatedly. But he couldn’t stop himself. The good thing about his drinking was that he knew how to function through the worst of it.
“Give me your keys,” she said.
“Pocket,” he replied.
She reached in his pocket. He stood upright with his arms raised as if being frisked. She found the keys and turned to his door. Cue lowered his arms and stared at the back of her. His defenses were diluted. He was simply a man and she was such a beauty he couldn’t help but see it, even from her backside. He hadn’t felt a stronger attraction since Bridget crushed his heart. This attraction felt equally dangerous.
“I can’t get the key to work. Which one is it?” she asked.
He ignored the question. Instead he stepped to her. His face lowered to the crown of her hair and inhaled her.
“Here it is!” she proclaimed.
He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. Dina giggled as he kissed then sucked on her neck while she unlocked the door for him. He squeezed her breast as a reward. She turned to look up at him. His shy grin was the closest he could come to an apology. He wasn’t sorry. He wanted to do it again.
With her back pressed to his door she regarded him with a speculative gaze. They stood under the globe of the florescent light above his apartment door. He could see her. She could see him. “Are you drunk Doc?”
“Very.”
She took his face in her hands. His vision focused again on her in search of any indication of resistance. It took several seconds for his eyes to adjust to seeing her so closely. It took a bit longer for his mind to fire off the first of several warnings that he should back away.
“Drinking is bad for you Doc, don’t you know that?”
He dropped an arm on the door. He was close enough for their noses to touch if he wished it.
“I just have a few drinks every now and then. Not a problem.”
Her gaze froze on his lips. She bit down on hers. Would she kiss him? He certainly hoped so. Even inebriated, he knew he couldn’t be the first. She pulled his face in closer and stood taller on her toes. Her lips brushed his. She gave him a gentle but promising kiss with no tongue.
“It’s okay Doc. You helped me yesterday. I’ll help you.”
She turned back to the door and had to bump him with her rump to make him step back so she could open it. He liked that. She pushed the door open and went inside, but reached back for his hand to pull him in. He followed her. Jack greeted her first. The dog wasn’t used to visitors, so he barked and backed away.
“Hi doggie!” Dina s
aid with no fear. Jack cocked his head to the left and studied her. He took a step back to better observe her. She walked over and went to her knees before Cue’s believed pet. She playfully pulled him to her by his collar and then hugged Jack’s neck.
“Just go with it Jack. She’s one of a kind,” Cue said and shrugged off his jacket. Jack licked her face, then jumped on her, knocking Dina back. Cue went into the kitchen and got a bottle of water. He was slipping, and worst of all she knew it. The tables were turning. Pretty soon he’d be on the sofa confessing all of his demons to his patient. He stood there drinking the water, observing her. She was so damn pretty. No matter what angle he viewed her from, her beauty was the first thing to surface to his mind. Cue finished his water and got another bottle to hydrate. The more he drank, the more his senses returned. Soon her spell over him would be broken and he’d restore balance to their relationship.
“Doc?”
His head turned. Dina entered the kitchen removing her turtleneck. She wore a black bra that was all lace.
“Dina? What the fuck,” he put his hand up like a traffic cop. “Put your sweater back on.”
“Why?” she said, unzipping her skirt. He blinked in shock. He drank his water fast. “I have a lack of impulse control. Remember, Doc?”
“Not funny,” he burped.
