Sack Time

by A. M. Willard

  “I’m going to fill your bed with real eggplants and let them rot. I’ll handle this my way.”

  “How, by not texting him back? That’ll just show you messed up, and what’s it going to be like the next time you see him?”

  “Strange… Really hard and strange, and stop laughing!” I whine as I plop back on my bed.

  “You can handle this; I have faith in my super smart friend.”

  “We will see, I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” I say with dread.

  “Later.”

  When I tap that huge red button on the screen to hang up, another text comes through. I pray it’s not Greyson and luck out when it’s from Ava. Nothing but a string of eggplants fills my screen. Moving myself up in the bed, I tuck my legs up underneath me, letting out a rush of air before I text him back.

  Me: Sorry, but that was sent to you by mistake. Have a great night, Greyson.

  Instantly, the typing bubble displays, causing me to let out a groan. I knew I wouldn’t get out of this that easy.

  Greyson: You sure that was meant for someone else? I mean, it’s okay if you want to admit what you dream about.

  Me: That is none of your business. Please ignore that text and let’s move past this like adults.

  Greyson: Sorry, you just proved to me that it was me. I’m pretty sure that gorgeous face of yours is as red as an apple.

  Me: I’m turning my phone off. Have a great night.

  I do as I told him I was going to do. I’m not going to win with him, so the best practice is to ignore his gestures, comments, and just him in general. Instead of flipping the TV on like I’d planned, I set my alarm clock and turn off the lights. Time that I wallow in my sorrow for the night and pray that this was a dream.

  Greyson

  Reading Sherry’s text that I knew wasn’t meant for me had me falling asleep with a smile on my face. It was just enough to fuel me along in my escapade to get her to agree to at least one date. If and when that happens, I’m pulling out the big guns for her. This is also the reason why I’m waiting outside near the exit of the parking lot of our apartment building. No, I’m not stalking her. I’m patiently waiting for her to exit the building and will be a gentleman as I offer her a ride to work. Checking the time on the dash, I’m curious if I missed her this morning. I came down earlier than I did the other day when I drove up on her. HONK, HONK… echoes past me, causing me to reach up and grab my chest from almost having a heart attack while in my car. I squint my eyes, and it dawns on me that the white Jeep, with a hand up through the roof where a top should be is waving at me. “That sly little devil,” I say out loud as I put my car in drive and follow her. The blur of the Jeep weaves in and out of traffic. It’s not that she’s going fast or speeding; it seems more that she’s trying to not stop. Mentally I place the question of why she doesn’t drive much to the side, that’s good dinner talk. Sherry zips past my parking lot, heading to hers, and right now I wish we had a shared lot.

  I hesitate for just a moment. Questioning if I want to walk around the front and enter my building, or just go in through the back door like always. If I go around, I’ll get to check her out, but then that might be creeper-like. Deciding to go with the less creepy way, I punch in the code to the back door and head to my office. Waving at a few of the nurses and staff, I continue down the hall. Once inside, I close the wood door behind me. Setting my items down on the desk, I glance over at the white jacket hanging from the hook. I decided that jeans and a button-up that I rolled to my elbows would work for today. If something comes up, I can change. I wanted to look somewhat normal when I met my father for our lunch date finally today. Within minutes, I’m out in the hall and ready to tackle the morning time patients.

  Dad’s been waiting in my office for forty-five minutes. Now I understand more than anything why he was always late to everything. There’s no set time frame for your lunch, just when you get a break. No, I take that back. The office closes from noon until two, that way we can wrap patients up, and everyone has time to eat. I usually start seeing patients before the phones roll back over, but today I’m marching out into the daylight with my dad.

  “Ready?” I ask from the doorway of my office—or do I call it his old office? Either way, it’s ours and he still looks comfortable in there.

  “Ready when you are, son,” he responds as he stands.

  “I thought we could go over to the deli place on the corner? They seem to have great food, and it’s close.”

  “They do, and if you don’t watch it between them and the pizza place, you’ll be putting on some pounds,” he says while patting his stomach. Mom used to pack a healthy lunch for him when I was younger. I have no idea if she kept that up or not after I left for school. I realize it wasn’t because of his schedule, it was more the fact that you don’t have time to leave nor do you want your cholesterol through the roof.

  As we enter, I notice the blonde hair blue-eyed lady near the window. I can’t help but let out a laugh. It seems that we will forever be bumping into each other. I take a chance to look over at her again as we wait in line. It’s then that her eyes roam up from the table and meet mine. They lock together for only a moment, but it’s enough to get a smile from her.

  “Dad, there’s one of your old patients,” I say, nudging him.

  “Oh, yes Sherry. What a sweet girl that one is. Have you met her yet?”

  “I have, and that’s a story alright.”

  “Was she asleep?”

  “You know about that?”

  “Know about and have witnessed her sleep through an exam. That one will keep you on your toes.”

  “Hmm… Well … She’s also the one I wanted to talk to you about,” I say soft enough for only him to hear.

  “Well, order me the Italian and let me go over and speak with Sherry for a moment. I’d suggest that back table, out of hearing range.”

  “Got it,” I answer and turn back around to face the counter. I’m curious as hell now, but know that I’ll find out what all that is about when the time is right.”

  Pulling out my chair, I position myself just right to keep an eye on the two of them. It’s not being creepy. This way I can try to read lips, which I totally suck at. When our food arrives, my father’s still over with Sherry. I’m wondering who is having lunch with him at this point. Standing, I move through the other tables in the space until I reach Sherry’s.

  “Afternoon, Sherry. Dad our lunch is ready.”

  “Afternoon, Greyson,” Sherry says, not meeting my eyes. I wonder if she’s still embarrassed by her text last night.

  “Sherry, it was great to see you again, and I’m sure you’ll be in good hands with Dr. Cooper. I’ll make sure Greyson gives you his information, and where they are located. Stop by the office and pick it up, okay, dear?”

  “Thank you again, Dr. Davis, it was great to see you again.”

  I watch them exchange a hug as I stand here confused to what is happening. Not saying another word, I move back over to our table and wait for my father.

  Not even waiting until he’s seated, I ask, “What was all that about?”

  “Seems you don’t need her as a patient, and I made sure to fix that for you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Son, I noticed right away the way you looked at her, and not to mention when I brought up your name – she turned redder than I’ve ever seen a lady turn. Want to explain?”

  “Nothing to tell yet, just that on my first day I caught her from falling, and something about her causes me to not think straight.”

  “My point exactly. This is why you’ll give her a prescription for two months of pills and then send her to Dr. Cooper.”

  “Is she going to be able to get in?”

  “Already took care of that at the table. When you’ve been doing this as long as I, you have connections,” he states before taking a bite of his sandwich.

  Instead of responding, I send a text to Sherry.

  Me: Dinner tonight at
six sharp?

  I watch as she picks up her phone, reads my message, and sets the phone right back down. Now that Dad’s taken care of this tiny problem, we don’t have our hang up in the way. Seems something else might be, though.

  “So you and Sherry, huh?”

  “No, she won’t even agree to dinner, much less anything else. We live in the same building also.”

  “That should be interesting. She’s a nice girl. I remember when she was going to school to be a nurse. It’s a shame she won’t re-take the exam.”

  “Speaking of that, why does she sleep everywhere? I read her file, and you never noted anything in it. There’s no condition spoken of, so what’s the deal, Dad.”

  “Not my story, but she’s healthy—I can tell you that. It’s also not in her file because it was a conversation that we had one day while in this same restaurant. I gave her advice, and that’s water under the bridge now.”

  I let that sink in for a bit. Dad can be so cryptic when he wants to be.

  “How’s the practice? I see you haven’t burned it down yet?”

  “Lucky for us both we have an excellent staff. Still, I can’t believe you threw me to the wolves like that.”

  “You should thank me. I knew this was how it had to be, even your mother agreed. If I would’ve stayed, it would’ve turned into a week, a month, and then six months later I’d still be working side by side with you. I trust you, and you can do this.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I don’t know if I’ve ever said that to you, but thanks for always supporting me.”

  “Now, fatherly advice is to focus on the practice, date a beautiful blonde that we both know, and then maybe one day make me and your mom grandparents.”

  “Easy there, Dad. No one’s talking marriage and babies.”

  “We’ll see. Look, I gotta run; time to meet your mother at the fabric store. Apparently, this is what you do when you retire. You shop with your spouse.”

  “Have fun, and tell Mom I love her.”

  “Will do, son, and take it slow with that one.”

  I watch as Dad leaves, waving to Sherry on his departure. I look down at my phone and notice the bubble is floating around. When I look over, Sherry’s leaned back in her chair, texting like a mad woman.

  Sherry: If you promise to never ever bring up the penis text, I might agree to dinner with you.

  Letting a smile showcase, I text back.

  Me: I just might be able to agree to that. What about tonight?

  Sherry: Can’t, I have a date.

  Me: But you turned me down? Do I have competition?

  Sherry: You might, but no, I have a thing to do with Ava later. What about tomorrow?

  Me: Tomorrow is perfect, and if you get bored you can always send me texts that weren’t meant for me to read.

  Sherry: That’s breaking the rule of never speaking about that situation again. Do you always like to break the rules?

  Me: Maybe, or maybe it’s you who causes me to break them.

  Sherry: Why are we texting when we are looking at each other?

  Me: Because you haven’t invited me to sit with you, and I need to head back to the office. You know the whole job thing.

  I stand and walk toward the door, stopping to read her text before I respond back.

  Sherry: True, guess I should do the same.

  Me: You look beautiful today, and I’ll chat later today.

  As soon as I hit send, I step out on to the sidewalk and head in the direction of my office. I slow my stride near the window she’s sitting next to and wink before I disappear out of eyesight.

  With my steps lighter, I almost want to jump up and high five the sky, but then I might have eyes watching. Instead, I casually walk with more stride than normal. You know how us guys can move with swagger? That’s me at this moment. I have no idea what my father said or did, but Sherry said yes to a date. Now, I need to plan the perfect first date for a girl I know nothing about.

  Sherry

  Dr. Davis was the last person I expected to see yesterday. Well, I should say Greyson’s dad or senior, or I don’t know which is what. It was good to see him, and have that closure. He was like a mentor to me while I was in school, and sometimes he’d just sit and talk with me when we’d run into each at the deli. When he asked if I’d met his son yet, I have a sneaky suspension that he wasn’t surprised by my reaction. I was even more thankful that he understood why I didn’t want to see his son in a professional manner anymore. That led to my new appointment with one of the doctors that I’ve been trying to get in with. Satisfied that, that’s been taken care of, I prepare myself for my very first solo meeting with the famous CEO, Eric McBride.

  June has prepped me, like a chef preps for a gourmet meal this morning. I swear if she asks me one more time if I can handle this, I might flip my desk over and knock her out with it. Actually, no, I wouldn’t do that. I’m not Superman or any superhero who can pick up a desk and fly them at people. However, I could just tip it over or push everything from it in a state of a breakdown. Then I’d have to pick it all up in the end. And since I don’t want to do that nor lose my job, I smile and nod at her. June approved the first four buildings that I’ll show today. She also made sure that his driver will come pick me up and drive us to all showings today. Relief filled me when she explained this to me this morning. I don’t think a fancy businessman wants to ride around in my Jeep, or chance the fact that I might fall asleep.

  Downing my fourth coffee since I arrived to the office this morning, my legs bounce uncontrollably under my desk. I try to take deep breaths to slow my breathing as I focus on what’s at stake here. Nothing is working. I’m like the energizer bunny jacked up on crack. Dress me in a pink bunny suit, and I could out and do that bunny any day of the week. Glancing over at the clock, I notice I have forty-five minutes before the driver will arrive.

  I need to move…

  My heart is beating so fast I think I might have a heart attack…

  I do the only thing I can think of doing. Yes, I head out of my building, and my feet take me right to the person I might or might not want to see.

  “Hi, can I help you?” a lady from behind the counter asks, but I don’t recognize her.

  “Yes, I need to see Dr. Greyson Jr. please,” I say as I tap my fingers against the glass top.

  “I’m sorry, he’s with patients right now. Care to leave something for him?”

  “No, I really need to see him. Can you tell him Sherry Wilde is here, and it’s important? Like, life and death important.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t interrupt him. Care to make an appointment?”

  “Where’s Katy? Get her, and she’ll get him for me,” I say, raising my voice more. For the life of me, I don’t understand why she just can’t get up and go tell him I’m here. I’ve been feet up with my vagina showcasing to the world before when a nurse came in to interrupt my appointment.

  Before I know it, I spot Greyson coming out of an exam room. I peek my head in and call for him, “Greyson.”

  His head turns in my direction, and that smile he sports curls up on his lips. All this does is speed up my heart more than it already is. Greyson nods for me to come on back. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. I turn back to the chick blocking me to say, “See, told you he’d want to see me.” And just like that, I’m through the door and headed toward him.

  “You okay? You look flushed.”

  “No, I think I might be dying; like, really my chest hurts, my palms are sweaty, and my heart is racing a quarter horse like they are both trying to catch that fucking rabbit.”

  “Okay, calm down and follow me to my office,” he says while leading me down the hall. I notice the door off to the side, and it seems that it’s at least a football field length away. We might not make it before I pass out.

  “Greyson,” I call out his name and notice how it sounds sexier than I intended it to. Before I can say anything else, he lifts me up and carries me the rest of the way.
When we enter, I notice there’s a small leather sofa off to the right, and that’s where we’re headed. Greyson places me down and then sets his folder on the table.

  “What’s wrong? Have you eaten today?”

  “Yes, I think I might be dying… My head is all sloshy like a jellyfish and and oh Lord, I think I might pass out.”

  “Do you have a history of panic attacks?”

  “No, well, maybe; I had one or two, but I’m not panicking—well until now.”

  “Do me a favor, take a slow deep breath and release it; try to focus on something soothing.”

  I do as he instructed and can feel my head focusing more than it was before. My heart’s still racing, and this might not have been a good idea. Here I am acting like the roadrunner, and he’s over here making my heart flutter even more.

  “Feeling any better?”

  “I would if you’d remove your hand from my bare leg,” I say with a smile.

  “Care to tell me what’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know… If I knew I could fix it without waltzing in here like a crazy person and upsetting your new lady—which by the way, I don’t like her.”

  “She’s a temp, and I don’t care about her right now. What I care about is what’s wrong with you? Let me go get the blood pressure cuff,” he says as he stands. Instantly, my hand flies out to grab his slacks, and instead, I grab his crotch.

  “I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to… Oh shit, just shoot me,” I say while putting my head in my hands.

  “I’m starting to think you have a thing for my junk. Seriously, what brought this on and why is your leg jumping like you’re doing jumping jacks?”

  “I don’t have a thing for your manhood, now forget that happened and lock it away with the other thing,” I say and then it dawns on me what the problem is. “I know… Gosh, I’m such an idiot, and just ruined another career,” I say as tears start to escape and slide down my perfectly made-up face.

  “Care to fill me in, you know, the doctor?”

  “I drank coffee.”

  “Okay, and that’s a bad thing?’