Sacred Trust

by Hannah Alexander

“Not yet. Your teacher knows where you are. Have a seat, please.”

  Tedi turned to frown at him. Could he get her into worse trouble? Yes, and she was in enough already. Reluctantly, she sat back down.

  “Now, Tedi, an occasional drink does not make someone an alcoholic. I have a beer sometimes when I get home at night.”

  “Do you hit your kids?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Do you get drunk and fight with your girlfriend all night?”

  “I’m married.”

  “Well, your wife, then.”

  “No, Tedi.”

  “Do you stay out drinking all night and leave your kids home alone?”

  He frowned. “Has your father done that to you?”

  “Yes, he has. Then he made me go to school the next day, and I fell asleep in class again and got in trouble again, and he chewed out my teacher for bugging him. Everyone makes fun of me at school, and my best friend doesn’t even like me anymore.” She sat kicking the leg of her chair with the back of her heel. She glanced at the clock again. “Are you going to tell my father I told you this?”

  “No. Tedi, does your dad hit you?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Do you think he’s going to?”

  “Yes. He might even kill me someday.”

  The counselor frowned. “You really think he will? Or are you telling me this so you can go live with your mother?”

  Tedi stood up again. “Why should I tell you? You’re not going to believe me anyway. I’m already behind in math, and that’s the first class of the day. Can I go now?”

  “Your mother wants you to talk to me for an hour.”

  “She won’t when I tell her you’re taking Dad’s side. And you don’t believe me. Why should I talk to you?” She could tell he was getting mad, because his face was turning red.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t believe you. I asked a simple question. Why are you so defensive if you’re telling me the truth?”

  Tedi picked up her book bag, slung it over her shoulder and walked out.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Mercy sat on her secondhand sofa and stared out the large bay window of her living room. That window was the one thing about this rental house that she had always liked. Now if only it were out in the country somewhere, with about twenty acres surrounding it and a duck pond out front with a rowboat that Tedi could paddle around the shoreline while she daydreamed….

  Lunchtime traffic returning to work clogged the main thoroughfare two blocks away. Mercy had always hated living in town, even a small town like Knolls where the people were mostly friendly and everyone knew everyone else. So many times it felt confining, as if she were living in a fishbowl, and it had become especially that way when word leaked out about Dad’s alcoholism. Then when Dad died and the messy divorce hit, all people could talk about was Mercy’s stint in the hospital. She’d had to struggle to rebuild her practice, pay off all the bills Theo had incurred during their marriage and continue payments on the car and house that Theo had retained out on the edge of town in an excellent neighborhood. For Tedi’s sake, she’d done it. Was she crazy now to consider taking Theo back to court to get custody of Tedi? Would he throw a fit? Of course he would. And how would that affect Tedi? She was five years old during the divorce trial, and it had wounded her deeply. What would happen to her this time?

  Mercy glanced at her watch for the third time in ten minutes. A date. Why’d she have to open her big mouth? She and Lukas could have made this house call without sharing a meal together. And to make things worse, he was already fifteen minutes late and her stomach was growling.

  Maybe she was getting the tables turned on her. Monday night she’d stood up Robert Simeon, so today was her turn. She didn’t think Lukas was the type to stand up a date, especially when a patient was involved, but what did she really know about Lukas Bower? How would she know how he treated women? This wasn’t a romantic thing anyway. How could it be? She was nearly forty, and he didn’t look old enough to have been out of med school very long. That meant there could be as much as ten years’ difference in their ages. So this would be just a friendly get-together between colleagues. Nothing else. She liked the way he handled patients, and she enjoyed talking with him. She definitely was not interested in a relationship with a man.

  She frowned. The same blue Mercury Sable had slowly passed in front of her house twice now. Someone was lost, but it couldn’t be Lukas. He had an old rattle-trap Jeep. The staff joked about it in the E.R.

  She glanced at the clock again. Five minutes later than last time.

  Her day off was not turning out to be as relaxed and laid-back as she’d hoped. The talk with Mrs. Watson had gone well this morning, though.

  Mercy smiled to herself. Theo had hurt his reputation with the teacher when he’d referred to her “airheaded” ideas about handing children and refused to come and get Tedi the other day when she’d fallen asleep in class again. The lady had been full of information about Tedi’s recent difficulties and had blamed Theo. True, she seemed somewhat emotional, but she obviously loved her students and believed Tedi just needed more attention at home. Nice teacher. But would she be willing to testify against Theo in court? Mercy hadn’t asked her this morning, but she probably would.

  The blue Sable slowed again in front of her drive, then braked and turned in. Oh, no, all she needed was company right now. She didn’t have time…

  The door opened and out stepped Lukas.

  Her dismay turned to a strange combination of anticipation and trepidation. A date. And she’d been the one to suggest it. Was she out of her mind? Josie wouldn’t think so. Josie would be hyperventilating right now. Best not to tell her.

  Mercy opened the door just when Lukas raised his hand to ring the doorbell. He jumped as if startled.

  “You’re late,” she said with a smile as she opened the storm door. She caught sight of his face, and her smile died. He looked as though he’d been in a bar fight. Deep purple and black underscored his right eye, which was partially swollen shut. “What happened to you? Did you and Jarvis finally have it out?”

  He shrugged sheepishly. “He sent one of his patients to beat me up.”

  At Mercy’s raised brow, he explained. “A drunk came in who didn’t like needles. It was an interesting visit because it turned out to be a case of lead poisoning. When Dr. George finds out I sent one of his patients to Cox South against his orders, he’ll do worse to me than she did. He probably already knows. I’ve had my phone turned off this morning so I could sleep. I don’t know if he’s tried calling me at home.”

  “Well, let’s make sure your last meal is a good one.” She reached down beside the threshold and picked up her medical bag. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” He turned and walked with her to the car. “Sorry I’m late. I couldn’t remember if I’d closed my garage door, and I’m storing some things there for my oldest brother, so I had to turn around and go back. Then I realized I was nearly out of gasoline.” He looked tired.

  “Get any sleep last night?” she asked.

  At the last moment he changed directions and stepped over to open the car door for her. “A few hours. I slept from about eight until noon, though.”

  Mercy settled herself into the soft, cushioned seat and watched him walk around. He’d obviously just had a shower and shaved, because his hair was still damp, and there was a tiny nick on his chin where he’d cut himself shaving. He wore new blue jeans and a short-sleeved, button-up blue plaid shirt that needed ironing. As he backed out into the street, she automatically glanced down to see if his shoes matched. Yes, they did, but his socks didn’t. He probably had a navy and black pair just like them at home.

  “Nice car,” she said. “But I thought you drove a Jeep.”

  “I do. This is my car. It’s been in the repair shop for the past couple of weeks. I had a fender bender in the grocery store parking lot. I thought this would be more comfortable for today. Besides, the Jeep was almost out of gas,
too.”

  Mercy glanced sideways at him as he turned into the left lane of traffic. “You realize, of course, that this is a business date only. I’m probably ten years older than you.”

  His foot eased slightly from the accelerator. “You’re forty-five?” he exclaimed, glancing at her. “Wow. You sure don’t look it.” He turned his attention back to the road. “Do you like Italian? I’ve eaten at Angelino’s, and the food’s good.”

  “Italian is perfect.”

  “Good. I’m starved.”

  “I’m not forty-five,” Mercy said. “I’m thirty-nine.”

  “You don’t look thirty-nine, either. You thought I was twenty-nine?”

  “I suppose I should have known you weren’t fresh out of med school. You’re too good with patients.” She grinned at him. “I hear you’re also good with staff, especially those of the female persuasion.”

  Lukas glanced at her with raised eyebrows. “Uh, I don’t think so.”

  “I hear comments like polite, easygoing, hunky and single.” She enjoyed watching his face turn red. “I heard that single bit a lot. What ever happened between you and Lauren? I heard the two of you really hit it off.”

  His eyes widened, and his foot slipped from the accelerator altogether. “There’s nothing going on between us, if that’s what you mean. Is this where I turn?”

  “Not yet.” He was fun to tease. “Lauren’s adorable. She’s also available, and I don’t think she makes any secret about the fact that she likes you.”

  “I like her, too. She’s a good nurse, and she’s easy to work with.”

  “And that’s it?”

  He gave a firm, no-nonsense nod that put Mercy in her place. She grinned again, but respected his wishes. “How did you convince Clarence to accept our help Tuesday?”

  The tension seemed to relax in his hands and shoulders. “About the same way I convinced you to make the house call with me. Manipulation by guilt. It’s sneaky and underhanded, but it works.”

  “Do all men learn the same tactics in the womb?”

  He paused for a moment, as if thinking seriously about her question. “I don’t think so. My mom taught me. You know, ‘Lukas, I can’t believe your grades this semester. Your father worked long hours to help you go to a good school, and I think he deserves better than this.’” He smiled. “Mothers are the best at it.”

  Mercy shook her head. Ex-husbands were the best at it. “Is that the way you’re planning to handle Clarence again today? Guilt trip?”

  “Why not? He obviously feels very protective of Darlene. We might as well make the most of it.”

  “What do you men ‘we’? That man won’t listen to me. He doesn’t even like me.”

  “Don’t be too sure about that, but I think it’s best if I do the talking today.” Lukas grimaced. “I never liked mean doctors, but I can be pretty convincing when a patient’s life depends on it.” He touched the brake and flipped on the signal. “I think this is the turn. I still don’t know my way around town very well.”

  “Imagine that,” Mercy said drily. “You’re always at the hospital. It’s almost as if they keep you on an invisible leash.” When they pulled into the restaurant parking lot, she said, “I brought several drug samples to give to Darlene and Clarence today. I’ll leave my bag in the car if you’ll lock up.”

  “Thanks. Give me the bill for the lab tests, and I’ll pay it, then I’ll contact the hospital pharmacy and put Clarence’s account in my name.” He pulled into a spot and parked. “You won’t be able to give samples for everything he needs.”

  “Tell you what. I’ll pay for this round of lab tests if you’ll promise to talk Clarence into checking into the E.R.” Mercy opened her door and got out. “I guess you know we’ve committed ourselves and this could turn out to be expensive if we keep paying his tab.” And she couldn’t afford it. “Maybe we can convince him to accept state aid.”

  Lukas hit the locks and shut his door, then walked around to join Mercy. “Don’t count on it. He’s very independent.”

  “What’s the difference between accepting our help and accepting the state’s?”

  “I think I’ve convinced him we’re making up for the treatment he’s received from former medical people. It won’t last.” He reached out to close her door, and she grabbed his arm.

  “Do you have an extra set of keys with you?” she asked, gesturing toward the set still dangling from the ignition.

  Lukas groaned and rolled his eyes. He reached in through her open door, removed the keys and put them in his front pocket. “I guess you can tell I don’t date much,” he said as he closed the door.

  “Neither do I. It’s a bad habit to get into.”

  Mercy couldn’t tell exactly when it took place, but something in Lukas’s demeanor changed between the time they ordered and the time their drinks arrived. He suddenly grew tense, then picked up the menu the waiter had left and studied it again.

  “Excuse me,” he said, putting down the menu. “I’ll be right back.”

  She watched him walk toward the kitchen and disappear, then shrugged and took a drink of her pink lemonade.

  When he came back, he sat down without saying a word.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  “Hmm? Yes, fine. How’s your lemonade?”

  “Delicious. Not too sweet.”

  The bread arrived, for which Angelino’s was famous, and with it came Mercy’s salad. She glanced at the waiter, then at Lukas.

  “Didn’t you order a house salad?” she asked.

  He took a piece of bread. “Changed my mind.”

  Before she could ask more, he bowed his head, just the way Mom did when she was praying. Oh, great, another Christian.

  When he raised his head, she said, “So you don’t date much?”

  “I don’t seem to have much of an aptitude for it. I’m always saying or doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. I’ve insulted more than one blind date without even realizing it.”

  “Blind dates?” she asked. “Who sets you up with blind dates?”

  “My family whenever I visit. They’ve despaired of ever seeing me married. My two older brothers used to really nag me, especially since they both got married in their twenties, and they’ve always encouraged their wives to introduce me to as many girlfriends as possible.” He grimaced and shook his head. “You’d be surprised at how desperate they’ve become. My oldest brother’s wife once set me up with a widowed lady with four kids, because they felt I’d waited too long to start a family and needed a boost in the right direction.”

  Mercy frowned. “You didn’t like the kids?”

  “Yeah, a lot better than the mother.” He shrugged. “We didn’t hit it off. I think she was looking for someone who behaved more like a ‘distinguished doctor,’ and less like another kid.”

  “What do your brothers do for a living?”

  “They’re computer programmers for the state, and they work in Jefferson City. It’s good for them because they live close to each other and their families are close.”

  “Do you ever feel left out?”

  “Not since I was a kid. They’re four and five years older than me, so I was always just the bratty little brother to them.” He shrugged. “I got used to it. We’re close and I visit them, but I don’t think they’ll ever be able to take me seriously.”

  Mercy wasn’t sure she would like his brothers. She did find, to her surprise, that she liked Lukas. He was talking more openly than she’d ever heard him talk, and there was some quality she couldn’t quite put her finger on—unless maybe it was innocence—that tragically few men had.

  Though she hated to admit it, she was very much enjoying this date.

  Her biggest surprise came, however, when the meals arrived. She received a large plate of seven-layer lasagna. The waiter placed a bowl of plain spaghetti in front of Lukas.

  Mercy gaped at the bowl. “I thought you ordered lasagna.”

  “Changed my mind.” He pick
ed up his fork, then perused the sauces in bottles beside the salt and pepper shakers. He picked up a hot sauce, sniffed it, put it back, then picked up the bottle of horseradish and shook it over his noodles. Liberally. Next he picked up the Parmesan cheese and sprinkled some of it over the horseradish. He picked up his spoon and fork and swirled some of the spaghetti onto the fork.

  “You like it hot, do you?” Mercy observed as he put the forkful of spaghetti into his mouth.

  He blinked at her in surprise and shook his head; then his eyes widened behind the gray frames of his glasses. He coughed, sputtered, dropped his fork into the bowl and grabbed his napkin and drew it over his mouth.

  Mercy watched him in growing alarm. “Drink some lemonade, quick.”

  He shook his head, eyes watering in misery as he choked. He slid from the booth and stumbled, nearly blind, toward the restrooms ten feet away. And when he chose the wrong door, Mercy could no longer contain herself. She burst into laughter.

  A woman came rushing out of the ladies’ restroom, followed closely by Lukas, who finally found the right door and rushed through it.

  Mercy shook her head and picked up her fork, still chuckling. “I sure know how to pick ’em, don’t I?”

  Lukas lay on his stomach across the car seat. The glove compartment had been no help at all. So far he’d found three quarters and a penny in the back floorboard, not enough to cover the triple death chocolate dessert Mercy had ordered. Why, oh, why had he switched to the car? And why, if he had to show off the fact that he had two automobiles, couldn’t he remember to take his wallet out of the Jeep’s glove compartment?

  At first, after discovering he didn’t have his wallet, he’d thought he could get away with it by changing his order from a seven-layer lasagna to a plain bowl of noodles. He always carried an emergency twenty in his shirt pocket. But he hadn’t counted on dessert. And he was still hungry even after consuming an extra basket of rolls and asking for a new bowl of spaghetti.

  He didn’t even want to think about the horseradish. He hadn’t known it was horseradish when he dumped it on the noodles. For all he knew it could have been Alfredo sauce. And as if it wasn’t embarrassing enough that he had to jump up and run to the bathroom with a flaming mouth, he somehow ended up in the ladies’ room—with a lady already in it. His first date in almost a year—it would probably be as long before he had the nerve to go out with anyone again.