Love on the High Seas

by Yasmin Sullivan

  She had done her best to put Jeremy out of her mind after he had come to see her at school, but she hadn’t succeeded. He had been apologetic, but she couldn’t bring herself to trust him, not even though his visit had spurred her dreams. She had even considered that maybe she’d been too hard on him, but confronted with real life, she thought it best to trust her intuition.

  Now she had confirmation that she’d been right. Sweet as his voice sounded when he spoke to Philly, his cold stares were just as hard when he glanced her way.

  After the test was over, she helped Philly get dressed and put the silver chain with the ship back around his neck. She gave him a hug and lifted him to her hip.

  “You did really well, little one,” Angelina said.

  Philly put his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. Staying still for so long had made him groggy. In the waiting area, she handed him back to Alex.

  “The test is over.”

  “Do they know what it is yet?” Alex asked.

  “I don’t know. I’ll check.”

  Just as she turned around, Jeremy called her back to his office.

  “Do you know what’s wrong yet?”

  “I thought you didn’t have any children.”

  “I need to know what’s wrong, Jeremy, not rehash the past.”

  “I also thought you weren’t involved? Or did you just find him? Isn’t he a little young as well?”

  “Jeremy, you’re being childish. Tell me if you know what’s wrong.”

  “I noted no overt abnormalities, but I’ll do a careful reading of the scans. I’ll also compare it with the EEG. It will be a few days before I’m able to submit the final report.”

  “A few days?”

  “Why did you lie, Saf— Angelina, why did you lie? Was everything about you a lie?”

  “You don’t know anything about my life.”

  “Apparently so. I wasn’t even given your real name.”

  Angelina gritted her teeth together and remained silent. She needed Jeremy’s expertise to find out what was wrong with her brother. He could leap to whatever conclusions he wanted, and he could insult her as much as he wanted, as long as he did his job—the one he loved so much.

  There were tears welling up at the back of her eyes, but she wouldn’t give in to them. Yes, she was back to the real world now, and this was part of it.

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Yes,” Jeremy answered.

  Only it wasn’t for him. Alex popped his head through the door.

  “He’s having another seizure.”

  Jeremy picked up the phone. “Call Dr. Carter for Phillip Lewis. Tell him the seizure is in progress, and see if he can come.”

  Angelina ran out to the waiting area where Philly was on the floor jerking violently.

  “Philly? Philly, honey?”

  A technician brought a gurney over, and Jeremy pulled her out of the way while the technicians raised Philly from the floor to the stretcher and secured the straps around his jerking limbs.

  When he let her go, she went directly to Philly’s side.

  “Philly? It’s okay, baby. The doctors are here.”

  Alex was on the other side of the stretcher looking stricken, and Angelina became aware that tears were streaming down her own face. She blotted at them with her palm, keeping one hand on Philly’s head.

  The technicians stayed at Philly’s side until the convulsions stopped. Then he just lay there. Dr. Carter came in and recommended against medication to stop the seizure as Philly was resting quietly. Angelina held Philly’s hand and motioned for Alex to come around to her. She patted Alex’s back for a moment.

  “Don’t worry. They can take care of him here.”

  She said it as much for herself as for him.

  “Take him to 142 until Carla gets here.” It was Jeremy directing the technicians. When Angelina turned to look at him, he was heading back to his office.

  They wheeled Philly to a room to get him out of the middle of the waiting area. Since the seizure appeared to be over, they left her and Alex alone with him.

  “They didn’t see anything right away on the MRI,” Angelina said, patting Philly’s arm. “They’re going to check the scans again and send the results in a few days.”

  “Where do we go next?”

  “Next is the EEG. They put a bunch of electrodes on his scalp and record his brain’s rhythms. You know, you can come in to see the doctors with me if you’d like.”

  “Okay.”

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Hi. I’m Carla. I’ll be doing the EEG. I was told about the episode that just happened. Is he alert yet?”

  “Philly?” called Angelina.

  “Huh?”

  “He’s just starting to come around.”

  “Let’s wait a little while,” Carla said. “We’d prefer to have him wide awake for the exam. We ask him to open and close his eyes, and we flash lights—that kind of thing.”

  After the EEG and a bit more blood work, they were sent to make an appointment with Dr. Carter.

  It had been a long day. Between Jeremy’s accusations and Philly’s seizure, Angelina was simply wiped out.

  She got dinner ready, read to Philly, helped Aunt Rose dress for bed and left Alex watching television as she started to grade a set of papers.

  She got halfway through and called it a night.

  Once Angelina was in bed, her thoughts wandered back to the events of the day. “Was everything about you a lie?” Jeremy had asked. He knew nothing of her life but had the nerve to fling accusations. Angelina squeezed her eyes shut, and tears fell to her pillow.

  Chapter 12

  “This was called for two hours ago. Why is it still sitting on my desk?”

  Jeremy swung the papers at Evelyn, his assistant, and turned to stride from the room.

  “Those were faxed almost two hours ago, Dr. Bell,” said Evelyn, stopping him. “I’ll keep these to send over the hard copies.”

  “I’m sorry, Evelyn. I’ve been out of sorts.”

  Evelyn was a small woman, but she knew how to control a dynamic situation. Always competent and professional, she was Jeremy’s right arm at work and a valued colleague.

  She turned to him now and spoke quietly, evenly, as if she knew she was treading on thin ice. “You have been. Anything you need to talk about?”

  “It will pass. Again, I’m sorry.”

  Back in his office, Jeremy sat down and opened a bottle of water. It was because of her—Safire, Angelina, whatever her name was.

  She’d stepped back into his life earlier that week. Only she came with her son and her partner, parading about as if none of her lies had any consequences.

  No wonder she had been so reluctant to get involved on the cruise. She had a son she’d lied about not having, which meant she had a relationship she’d said she hadn’t had, and she had a lover—and a young one at that. He was probably already in the picture if he was doing stuff like going to her son’s medical appointments.

  No wonder she had seemed hesitant, and no wonder she had turned him down again when he had gone looking for her. She had probably been looking for a way to get out of it.

  Regardless, he hated that he’d let his temper get in the way of doing his work. He had grilled her about her lies—or tried to—when she was clearly concerned for the health of her son. That wasn’t like him. The last couple of days hadn’t been like him, either. He’d been moody with his staff and his friends. He’d been difficult to get along with in general.

  He knew she was having a hard time. He’d seen the tears welling up in her eyes when she was in his office being confronted with her lies. And he’d seen the tears falling when Phillip had the seizure. And her young ma
n wasn’t much support; rather, she seemed to be comforting him.

  The problem was that the tears in her eyes almost broke his heart. He wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her. Instead, he was the one making her cry, and he wasn’t the one who could do anything for Phillip when the seizure happened. He wasn’t that kind of doctor.

  The truth was that he was disappointed. He wouldn’t be this angry if he hadn’t really wanted things to work out between them. He wouldn’t have tried to confront her if it hadn’t actually mattered to him. He wouldn’t have been crabby with his staff if he wasn’t let down, and he wouldn’t be let down if he hadn’t really liked her, if he hadn’t started falling for her.

  And on top of that, he was supposed to be going out that evening. He was of a mind to cancel, but he’d cancelled out on the last couple of plans. Then, too, Michelle would be there, and he hadn’t seen her in a little while. She was one of his best and longest friends, and he hadn’t yet let her in on what had been going on with him. Her sage advice might be just what he needed, and she always lifted his spirits. He also needed to plead Rudy’s case, if Rudy had a case.

  He decided to make up his mind later, but then it got busy, and he let it slide. By the time he thought about it again, it was too late. He was stuck with going out that night.

  When he got down to the hospital’s main lobby at six, Alistair and Reggie were already there. He hugged them both and took a seat next to Reggie, wrapping an arm around the back of Reggie’s chair to talk to Alistair, who was on Reggie’s other side.

  “Hey, you guys. I’m not sure I’m up for tonight.”

  “Aren’t you worried,” Reggie said, nodding to the arm behind him, “that your colleagues will think you’re gay?”

  “No. Maybe if they do, the nurses will stop hitting on me.”

  Alistair laughed, knowing that the nurses did hit on him.

  “Why aren’t you up for tonight?” Reggie asked.

  “Long day.”

  “And lonely night,” Alistair said. “I take it that it didn’t go well with Safire?”

  “Actually, Angelina, and no. I saw her at her office, and then she brought the son I didn’t know she had here, along with her nonexistent partner.”

  “Ouch,” Alistair said. “She’s a player?”

  Except she wasn’t, was she? Everything he knew about her said that she wasn’t. But what he’d seen earlier that week and today said that she must be. He shrugged.

  Alistair knew his moods and let it go. Reggie didn’t know him as well.

  “If she is, then it’s better to find out now than to wait and find out later.”

  He shrugged again, hoping that Reggie would get the signal.

  “No, trust me. It is.”

  Jeremy shifted in his chair, removing his arm from the back of Reggie’s chair. It was replaced immediately by Alistair’s arm from the other side, and he saw from the corner of his eye that Alistair was giving Reggie the signal to shut up—the neck chopping sign.

  At least that made him chuckle.

  “My bad. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m just in a foul mood. I should have cancelled.”

  “Hey,” Alistair said. “You don’t stay away from your friends when you need them most.”

  “Okay. I got you.”

  Only they’d spoken too soon. In came Myron and Rudy, joshing each other over something and laughing.

  “You’re both in a good mood,” Alistair said.

  “I won my case today. I deserve to be in good mood,” Myron said. “And this one is always in a good mood. Who’s not?”

  They all looked at Jeremy.

  “Still pining over the one who got away?” Rudy punched him lightly on the shoulder.

  “As if you had nothing to do with that.” Jeremy said it with a warning in his voice—a warning for Rudy to back off.

  Rudy got the message and threw his hands up. “I get you. I’m sorry.”

  Myron and Rudy sat down, quiet and apologetic. Jeremy realized he was being snippy again.

  “Never mind. It probably wasn’t you at all. She just wanted an out.”

  There was a question in Myron’s face, but he knew better than to ask it. Alistair, wanting to prevent just that, turned the spotlight on Myron.

  “What about you and what’s-her-name?”

  “Verniece is her name, and we’re still doing okay. It’s hard to have a long-distance relationship, though.”

  “Where is she?” Reggie asked.

  “Charleston, South Carolina. It’s a ten-hour drive. I’m going up for President’s Day weekend.”

  “Is that really going to work out?” Reggie asked.

  “I like her enough to try.”

  When Jeremy saw Michelle walk in with her friend Lynn, he stood. Their dinner group was assembled, and they were headed to a place in Coconut Grove called Berrie’s for happy hour and dinner. Then they were headed to a jazz club near CocoWalk.

  Michelle had dressed for the occasion. She was medium height and wore a red evening gown with black pumps. She scoffed almost imperceptibly at Myron and Rudy, but when she looked at him, her face fanned into the soft smile to which Jeremy had grown accustomed—that of someone who was like a baby sister to him. Her round face widened, and her almond-shaped eyes filled with mirth.

  Lynn he didn’t know, but she was equally decked out for the evening in a navy pantsuit and paisley wrap. She was taller than Michelle and lighter in color and had more elongated features. Her face remained more formal, but then, she didn’t know them yet.

  Berrie’s was packed, and laughter erupted from various tables throughout the night. Jeremy had never seen it so busy. It must have been good for business, but it wasn’t as easy to have a conversation.

  Dinner was uneventful, except that Rudy kept hitting on Michelle, while Michelle kept trying to deflect his attention to her friend Lynn.

  When the women went to the restroom, Jeremy turned to Rudy.

  “You know she’s trying to get you to ask Lynn out, right?”

  “What?”

  “I think everyone can see that,” Alistair said.

  “No,” Rudy said, “I didn’t get that. I’m trying to get with Michelle.”

  “Reality check,” Reggie said and snapped his fingers. “Michelle is interested in pawning you off on Lynn.”

  “Oh, man.”

  “What’s wrong with Lynn?” Jeremy asked.

  “Nothing’s wrong with her. I’m just interested in Michelle.”

  “Well, for now,” Alistair said, “you better play it cool and stop ignoring Lynn in favor of Michelle.”

  “I can do that.”

  Myron patted Rudy on the back. “You are clueless, aren’t you?”

  The guys cracked up, except for Jeremy, who wasn’t in a laughing mood.

  “And just so you know,” Reggie added, “your jokes don’t work on Michelle. Try something else.”

  The guys laughed again.

  Next they headed to their cars and to the jazz club. It had low rotating lights and cushioned seating around the walls, with chest-high tables in the center of the room surrounding a dance floor. Jeremy danced with Michelle for a bit, while Rudy and Myron took turns with Lynn. Alistair and Reggie hung back at the table.

  “Next time,” Alistair said, when they had gathered again at the table, “we go to a gay bar. Heteros can have fun at a gay bar, but the reverse isn’t true.”

  “Deal,” Jeremy said.

  “I don’t know about going to a gay bar,” Myron said.

  “What have you got to lose?” Michelle said.

  “His hetero virginity,” Reggie said.

  The rest of the table laughed. Jeremy hailed a waitress, and they ordered their last round of d
rinks.

  “It’s a little early,” Jeremy said, “but I’m heading home after this. I’ve had a week.”

  Michelle butted her shoulder against his and leaned her head toward him to shout above the music. “We should talk, Bluebird. It’s been a while.”

  “What are you doing now?”

  “Let me make sure Lynn can get home, and I’ll tell you.”

  After she shifted back from her conversation with Lynn, Michelle said, “Where are we going?”

  Jeremy could feel Rudy’s eyes on them, and his jealousy was palpable, but that’s the way it was with him and Michelle. Anyone who came into their lives had to get used to it. It was the same with him and Alistair. He’d lost friends over his bond with Alistair, especially his sports buddies from college, but that was just the way it had to be.

  “A café? A diner?”

  “Oh, a diner sounds good. I’m hungry again.”

  Jeremy tickled his friend’s ribs. Where do you put it all? You’re still a toothpick.”

  The group separated at about eleven, and he and Michelle trailed each other to a diner that was close to her house. He wasn’t hungry, but he ordered a milkshake.

  Like Alistair, Michelle had visited him in Miami after he had gotten his job there. They had all fallen in love with the culture of the city, but in a way, they had also all moved to stay close to one another.

  “So tell me. A little birdie said it was about a woman.”

  “A little birdie named Alistair, no doubt.”

  Michelle swallowed a bite of her burger. “Don’t be mad. He would only tell me.”

  “I know. But before we get to that, I have to know this. Does Rudy stand a chance with you?”

  “No. Rudy needs to grow up. For his age, he’s the most juvenile man I’ve met.”

  “That is actually truer than you know, but still...”

  “No.” Michelle’s hand went to her hip, and her finger went up in lecture mode. “I know he’s your friend, but the day I will go out with that fool will be the day it snows in Miami.”

  “Okay, okay. I was just checking. I know how Rudy can be, and I can’t say I blame you. Anyone else on the horizon? What about that guy from the art gallery?”