“So if you still don't think I'm ready by Wednesday –”
“Then I'll suggest you stay with Phil and Heather another day or two until you are.”
Phil jumped in quickly. “And you'll be welcome here until you and Heath both feel you're ready.”
Heather added, “Sara, I don't always agree with my brother, but I do on this. I can't even imagine going through what you have. I'd be a basket case. But the one person I'd want to help me would be him. He knows what he's talking about here. If he says you're not ready yet, I'd listen to him. As a nurse I know you can take two steps backwards instead of one forward if you try to rush the healing process. In the long run you'll be better waiting until you both feel like you're ready.”
Sara looked at all three of them carefully. Then she stared into the pool. Finally, she said, “It's going to take me a while to get used to having three people who care this much about me.”
Heath was immediately off his lounger and over to where Sara was sitting on the lounger beside him. He slid in behind her and pulled her back up against his chest and wrapped his arms around her waist. He leaned down, and with his mouth close to her ear softly said, “Well, get used to it, Sweetie, because we do all care.” He leaned down a little more and kissed her neck.
She leaned back against him, smiling. “Getting used to most of it will be easy,” she sighed.
“What part worries you?”
“What happens if you don't think I'm ready to stay alone Wednesday?”
“Then you stay with Phil and Heather another day or two. Would that be so bad, Honey?”
“No, but that's not my concern. What if you don't think I'm ready, but I do?”
He tightened his arms around her waist and jovially said, “Then you stay with Phil and Heather another day or two. Would that be so bad?”
She sat up and turned around, looking at him. “So what you say goes; that's the law?”
Heather told her, “Welcome to my world, Sara. You better get used to it.”
Phil said, “And on that totally uncalled for comment, I think I'll take my wife back to our condo and discuss the appropriateness of snide comments. We'll give you some privacy so you can get started on the work you have ahead of you. Hopefully you can remember you're both after the same thing, and that's to get Sara strong again and ready to move on with her life, which includes being alone without the fear she's been dealing with.”
Phil took Heather by the elbow and steered her away from the pool, toward their condo. She started to say something to her husband, but Phil quipped, “Not one word until we get upstairs." He turned back one more time and said, “Heath, I think you were right when you told her it's been so effective because you've been talking as friends, not as a doctor and patient. Emphasis is on the talking as friends. See you two later.”
He left, leading an anxious looking Heather. Heath and Sara looked at each other, and neither said anything for several moments. Finally, he said, “Sara, in his own quiet way, Phil just called me on the carpet, and he's right. I'm sorry.”
Sara, who was looking rather contrite herself, said, “Yeah, I feel pretty bad, too.”
With a stern expression in place, he asked, “Now, why would you feel bad? I'm the one Phil was admonishing, not you.”
“Yeah, I know, but I'm not totally blameless here, either.”
Looking around at the number of people at the pool, he suggested, “Let's go up to my condo to finish this discussion. I think Phil's right again, we need some privacy.”
She nodded her head in agreement, and noted how he helped her up. She also took note of how much she liked feeling his hand on her lower back, guiding her up to his condo. By the time they got there she had tears in her eyes.
He noticed the tears when he held the door open for her, and was concerned. “Honey, what's wrong?”
She looked up at him with big sad eyes and said, “I'm sorry, Heath. I questioned what you were telling me, and I shouldn't have. I'm not used to having anyone looking out for me, and I just didn't like the idea of being told what to do.”
He led her over to the couch and sat down, sitting her down beside him. “Now, tell me what this is all about, Honey. I'm not sure I follow what you're saying.”
“I thought you were telling me what to do, and I didn't like that whole idea. I've always made my own decisions. But now that I've thought about it, I realize you're looking out for me.” Tears started flowing down her cheeks and her voice got soft and quiet as she said, “No one's ever done that before.” After a pause, Heath barely heard her add, “I like it.” She cleared her throat and said, a little louder, “I like the feeling I get when I think about you watching out for me, and I was rude to you about it. I'm really sorry.”
Heath was surprised at what he was hearing, and couldn't believe his good fortune. Was the wonderful little lady he was falling in love with actually telling him she could not only accept his guiding her, but appreciated it? He had to make sure that's what she was saying.
“Sweetheart, are you saying you're not upset with me for being so bossy, as Heather always calls it?”
She looked at him and smiled. “It took me a while to realize it, and I was rude to you before I came to this conclusion, which was wrong, but now I can honestly say that no, I'm not upset with you for being bossy, as Heather calls it, and it's because of Heather that I'm not upset.”
Heath's eyes opened wide in shock, and he shook his head. “Come again? You're going to have to explain that one.”
“I will, but can I have a hug first, or are you too upset with how rude I was?”
He pulled her in tight for a hug, assuring her, “I'm not upset with you, Sara. You had every right to be rude to me. I did make it sound like my word was law, without even talking to you about why. That's what Phil was admonishing me for, and he was right. I should have explained to you why I feel that way. For that I'm very sorry.”
“And I'm sorry for snapping at you. Now that I've thought about it I see that you're just looking out for me.” Looking deep into his eyes she added, “Thank you.”
He tightened his arms around her a bit and leaned down to kiss her. His intention was to give her a nice gentle kiss, but he soon found himself putting more of the passion he felt for her into the kiss than he intended. To his surprise, though, she was returning his kiss with just as much passion. He momentarily got lost in the kiss, it felt so good, and so right. Eventually, after a much longer kiss than he had intended, he pulled back and looked into her face. “Wow.”
She smiled and agreed, “Yeah, wow.” After several more moments she added, “I like that, too.”
He chuckled as he pulled her head onto his shoulder. “Me, too, very much.” They sat there, her head lying on his shoulder, arms wrapped around each other, for several minutes. Finally he pulled back enough to say, “Sara, I need to ask you something. I really am trying to look out for you, protect you, and I always will. If I heard you right, you said you were not only okay with that, but you like it. Did I hear you right?”
“Yeah, you did. But let me explain. I'm not used to having anyone tell me what to do and I'll probably fight against that for a while at least, but if I get past my pride, I really do like the feeling of security it gives me.”
She could tell he was trying to understand, so she tried again. “Heather told me that Phil, and you on occasion, spank her from time to time when she messes up. She said that although she hates it at the time, she knows you two only do it because you care so much. She said you guys are always watching out for her. I told her that sounds wonderful, to have someone care that much for you. She admitted it is a good feeling, and she considers herself fortunate to have not one, but two men caring that much about her.”
“So that's what you meant when you said you're not upset with me for being bossy, and it was because of Heather?”
“Yes. When I told her it sounded nice to have someone care that much and she agreed, we talked a lot. So yeah, I still think
it sounds nice. It might just take me a while to get it through my head that when you're being bossy it's because you care.”
Heath smiled as he said, “I think that's a compliment, and I think I owe my sister a thank you, although I don't think that's what she's getting at the moment.”
“I know,” she said, looking down. “I feel awful about that.”
“And why, young lady, do you feel bad this time?”
“Because she was trying to warn me that I need to get used to it if I want a relationship with you, which I do.” She looked up at him and was glad to see him smiling. “And what she said worked, too. That's what made me realize if you sounded bossy it's because you care. She was telling me it's all a package deal. You can't have the caring without the spanking when we mess up, or the bossy attitude when you're trying to protect us. I hate that Phil's upset with her for saying something I needed to hear. She was trying to help me, and she did.”
He studied her a minute before saying, “You two together are going to turn my hair gray.”
“Why? What did I do?”
Heath had already taken his phone out and dialed. He motioned to Sara to give him a minute, and said into the phone, “Phil? Have you had your discussion with Heather yet? No, actually, she may be telling the truth. What did she say? Believe it or not, Sara just told me the same thing. She feels bad that you're upset with Heather for saying something she needed to hear. We've talked about it, Phil, and I believe what Heather said really did help Sara. Yeah, I know, but all's good here. I'm planning on thanking Heather when I see her next. Okay, thanks, buddy.”
He hung up and looked at Sara when she asked, “What was that all about?”
“I basically told Phil to go easy on her.”
“Good.”
“Now, are we good again?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good. Feel like doing some talking then?”
“Sure. It feels a little different now, though, Dr. Anderson.”
He very seriously told her, “Sara, I don't want you to think of me as Dr. Anderson. I've never thought of you as my patient. You've always been a friend that I hoped would become a very close friend. I want it to stay that way, especially since we are becoming closer.”
She sighed and said, “I feel that way, too. Looking at you now when we talk, though, I keep seeing a psychiatrist.”
He thought a moment, and pulled her onto his lap. “Lean back against me like you were the last time we talked. Maybe that will help make me feel like a friend again.”
“Maybe.” Snuggling in against his chest, she said, “I think it's working. I love it here.” She giggled and asked, “Do you do this with many of your patients?”
“Never, brat. But that should prove my earlier point. I've never thought of you as a patient.”
“I'm glad to hear you don't do this with your other patients. I hear jealousy is a bad feeling.”
Chuckling, he said, “Yeah, and it'd just be one more thing we'd have to talk about. So don't go getting jealous. There's no reason for you to be jealous, and we already have enough to talk about. Now, ready to talk?”
“I'm comfy now, so let's talk. I'm still aiming for moving day being Wednesday.”
“As am I, Sweetie. As am I.”
They spent the next few hours talking some, cooking together and eating dinner, and talking more.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Phil led Heather to their condo, and barely closed the door behind them when Heather said, “Phil, I didn't do anything. Why are you so upset with me?”
“Heather, I thought you wanted them to be together. Your snide comment about welcome to my world, and get used to it, sure isn't going to help that cause. What were you thinking? And how polite was it to say your brother is horribly bossy, get used to it?”
“But Phil, you don't understand. Sara and I talked a lot about you and Heath and how much you care about me. We talked about what it would be like for her. I was trying to remind her how nice she thought it sounded to have someone care about her like that. Don't you see? I was trying to help.”
“Well, it sure didn't sound like it to me.”
Heather was about to object, when Phil's phone rang. He stepped out of the room to take the call, while Heather fumed.
He returned a couple minutes later, looking at her oddly. “What's wrong?” she asked.
“Tell me again why you told Sara to get used to your brother being bossy.”
Heather wasn't sure what was happening, but she told Phil about the long conversation she and Sara had had about the two men and their unique way of caring. “Phil, the idea of being cared for that much appealed to her, but I was reminding her that he seems bossy because he cares, so get used to the bossy part if you want the caring part.”
Phil watched his wife, and realized she was telling him the truth, just as Heath suspected. He also noticed, however, she was looking at the ground, not his eyes, which she often did when she felt guilty. He was debating how to handle it when she said, “Phil?”
“Yes?”
“You're right, I'm sorry.”
“What are you sorry about, Sweetheart?”
“I never even realized I called Heath bossy until you pointed it out. He's not really bossy, he's adamant about keeping us safe. He said if Sara's not ready to stay alone he wouldn't let her. She thought he was being bossy, but I know he was just protecting her, and I even agree with him. But in essence I agreed with her and told her to get used to it. That made it sound like I was saying he's bossy, and that's not what I meant. I should have been more careful and made sure she knew he was only sounding bossy because he cared, and then reminded her to get used to that part of it, too.”
Phil was watching her closely and could tell she felt guilty. She continued, “Then I got mad at you for being upset with me, but you had every right to be upset with me.” Now she looked up at him and said, “I'm sorry.”
He knew she needed help dealing with the guilt, but he also knew she didn't deserve what he originally thought she deserved. He opened his arms and said, “Come here, Honey.” She rushed into his arms, seeking the acceptance he was offering. After holding her close a while, he quietly said, “It's okay, Honey, I understand what you're saying.”
“Thank you. But what if Sara doesn't? What if she thinks he's too bossy and leaves him? Why do I just blurt things out before thinking? You've warned me about that before and I did it again. Why am I so stupid?”
“Whoa, Heather, slow down. You are not stupid, and I don't want to hear you say that again. You know how I feel about that. In fact, what did I tell you would happen the next time I heard you call yourself stupid?”
Her eyes grew as she remembered what he'd said, and her shoulders slumped. Just that quickly, though, she squared her shoulders and said, “You said you'd spank me. You're going to spank me for what I said, anyway, so –”
He held her to him as he said, “You're right, Sweetheart, I am going to spank you for what you said. But it's not going to be so bad. I know you meant good. You just have to be more careful that what you say is what your heart means.”
She looked relieved as she looked up at him. He gave her a quick kiss before saying, “We still have the issue of you calling yourself stupid, though.” Her relief was gone and her shoulders slumped again. “We talked about this before, Honey, and I will not allow it.” Pulling her over to the couch, he said, “Let's get this taken care of, Heather.”
She didn't fight him as he pulled her down and over his lap, or even as he pulled her swimsuit bottoms down. She even stayed fairly still as he started her spanking. He was talking to her about watching what she said, and although he knew she felt the spanking, he didn't feel the need to spank especially hard. He kept talking while he spanked, knowing that kept her mind on why he was spanking her.
When she started squirming more, and he was sure he'd made his point, he said, “Okay, Heather, now let's talk about why you feel it's okay to call yourself stupid.”
&
nbsp; “No, Phil, please. I'm sorry. I'm not stupid. I am sore, but not stupid.”
Phil had to laugh at his little minx. “You're right there. You are not stupid.” He started spanking again, a little harder this time, knowing it was hurting more on an already sore bottom. “Now, since you're not stupid, I want you to listen carefully.” He kept spanking while he told her, “I married an extremely smart, beautiful woman with a heart of gold. Every single time I hear you say otherwise you'll find yourself back here again, over my knee getting this cute little butt busted but good.” After a few more harsh swats he asked, “Do you hear me, Heather?”
“Yes. Yes, Phil. I'm sorry.”
After a few more swats he asked, “And do you understand what I'm saying?”
“Yes.”
He stopped the spanking, but kept his hand on her now very red bottom. “So will I be hearing you call yourself stupid anymore, Heather?”
She was slumped over his knee now, panting, trying desperately to catch her breath. She paused, then turned to look up at the man she loved. “No, not if I can keep my big mouth shut for once.” Phil tried to give her a stern look until she added, “I know you want me to say no, you won't be hearing that again, and I would love to be able to tell you that positively, but I know how my mouth gets away from me at times. So to be honest, which I try very hard to do, I can tell you I am going to try my best not to say it again.”
“I will always accept your best effort and total honesty,” he said as he helped her up to sit on his lap. She quickly nestled her way into his arms and laid her head on his shoulder, as she'd done so many times before. And like so many times before, she felt at home, and thoroughly loved.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Heath and Phil were drinking coffee in the kitchen the next morning when Sara came in to start making breakfast. “Good morning, Dr. Anderson,” she greeted.
Getting up to greet her, he said, “No Dr. Anderson today, Honey. Today it's just Heath wanting to get to know Sara better.” He gave her a longer-than-necessary morning kiss, which she readily returned.
The Strange Healing Page 12
