Sack Time

by A. M. Willard

“It’s really a long story, and one that isn’t appropriate for tonight.”

  “Come, let’s go upstairs where you can explain, and then I won’t have prying eyes when I kiss you.”

  “You won’t be kissing me; do you understand me?”

  “No, because that’s all I want to do is kiss you, if I’m being honest. Seems that you could take a few pointers.”

  I should fight him, but the pull that’s been there since that day in his office when he rescued me from falling is strong. It’s real and something that I’ve spent my entire life wishing for. That’s where I have to be careful. I can’t just hand over my heart to someone who could break it, causing me to never want to give it away again. I thought I’d loved Chris. I thought we had a connection that was strong. Turns out that it wasn’t as strong as I’d thought. That day in Greyson’s office he made my heart skip a beat. Each and every time I see him, it sputters in my chest. Maybe it’s because of him that I decided to go back and get my degree. It was that night that changed my outlook on things. I opened my eyes at the same time I spread my legs for a guy I hardly know. He sees me for who I am and not for what I could bring to the table like Chris did. He wanted someone to help build his career, his life, and then to sit back and watch from the sidelines cheering him on the whole time. I picture Greyson being one who wants someone to walk through life with him—hand in hand, heart to heart. That’s what scares me. The look of desire within his eyes, the way my body reacts to just his smile; I want to crumble beneath him and offer up everything I have to a man I barely know.

  Greyson leads me inside his apartment. My mind flutters back to that awful night where I ran from here scared to ever show another man my body. “Sit down, Sherry. I think it’s time we come clean.”

  “Greyson, really it’s nothing and doesn’t need to be hashed out.”

  “I’m pretty sure you’re wrong, and I’m going to win this one with you.”

  “Fine, what do you want to know?”

  “Everything. I want to know everything about you up until I saw you for the very first time in my office. I want to know why my parents never spoke of you in the past, and how I didn’t know my father had a nurse volunteering for the summer.”

  “That’s easy to answer, did you ever call and ask how the practice was? What was new and exciting in the life of medicine? No, you didn’t, did you? I heard about you, I knew about you, but I dang well wasn’t expecting you. When we’re done, you’re going to tell me why all of sudden the interest in the practice.”

  We sit here across from each other for I don’t know how long before Greyson finally breaks the silence.

  “Fine, I’ll tell you as I don’t have anything to hide from.”

  “I started seeing your Dad shortly after I started college. My old doctor moved and that left me high and dry. A few of friends were patients and referred me there. One day we were talking and he asked me what I was studying. I explained that I wanted to be a nurse, and how I wanted to be one since I was a little girl. I never had the desire to be a doctor. I didn’t want to be the one in charge, I wanted to connect with people. You know make them happy, while easing their minds before the doctor would come in. He’d told me the story of how his only son was off preparing to save the world. Ever since then, I’d come for check-ups or run into him on lunch breaks. We’d chat about school and stuff. See, I’ve worked for June for a long time in between classes. She’s friends with my family. Over the summers, I’d answer her phone, take her coffee, and do things around the office. One day I was in deep thought about what to do when our professors wants us to get clinical hours. I knew that a hospital wasn’t right for me, especially since I had that whole going to sleep issue. I explained that to your dad, and he offered me the chance to work with him at this office over the summer last year. Once my professor signed off, it was a done deal. God, Greyson, your dad thinks the world of you and you might not know this, but you taking over his practice was a dream of his. He’d keep us all up to date on the life of the great Dr. Greyson Davis. But one day I was leaving and could tell something was wrong. It was the day that you finally told him that you weren’t coming back, do you remember that day?” Greyson nods, remembering that day probably a little different than my story. “I asked him if there was anything I could do to help, or if he needed anything. He made me promise to continue my education and save as many people as I could. He also told me that in a few years I’d need to find a new doctor myself as when he retired the practice would close. That day, when you waltzed in… Well, needless to say, I was not only shocked, but blown away on the person I was seeing. I didn’t expect to have feelings for you instantly.” I pause before I continue. Letting out a loud sigh, I move to the next portion of my story before I lose the will to speak. Nothing might come from us, but I need him to know what an impact he’s had on my life like his father has.

  Before I say anything, I lean forward, planting my arms on my knees and inhale through my nose releasing and exhale. “When I failed the first time on my exam, I lost the guy I thought I was going to marry. I felt that I’d not only let him, my parents, and myself down, but your dad as well. When the second time happened, I didn’t tell anyone other than Ava. I’ve taken this dang test three times already, and not once could I stay awake long enough to finish it. Each time I’d make it a littler further than the last, until the buzzer would blare in my ear almost knocking me from my chair. Meeting you, and listening to you that night, made me realize that I was hiding. I was using my heart to hide behind life. I don’t even know if that’s possible but it is. So, I changed my life around and I plan to take my test on Monday at nine, and I will pass this time. Nothing is holding me back now.”

  Greyson leans back in the armchair across from where I’m sitting, staring at me as if I just told him I hold the codes to a nuclear warhead and plan to blow him up with it. Silence fills the room… All I can hear is the beating of my heart and the silent plea that he speaks soon. I’m afraid that at this moment I might have to run from his apartment again. This time when that happens, I’m packing my bags and leaving this place.

  “I had a fling with the attending doctor’s ex-wife at the hospital I worked at,” is all he says, causing me to gulp down the words that I can’t say.

  Greyson

  That’s the first time I’ve said those words out loud. It’s the first time I’ve admitted to the reason why I left and joined my father’s practice. What hurts worse than the admission, is the knowledge that my father knows. He knows that I’m here because I had no other choice, not because I wanted to carry on his practice and name. Saying them to Sherry right now causes my lungs to restrict, blocking all the air that I should be passing through them. It was before her. Either way I feel like I’ve betrayed her in some way. That I’m not the person she once thought I was. Will this news change her judgment of me? Yes, it’s always been an unspoken commitment that I would come back and run the practice. The only problem was I didn’t see myself owning it. I loved working for the practice that I was at in Georgia; it just so happens I might’ve enjoyed it a little too much.

  Time is standing still as I watch Sherry shift uncomfortably on the couch where she’s soaking in the last words that were spoken. I don’t know if I should say something or wait this one out. Let her be the one who responds. Heaven knows I don’t want to dig my own grave more than I have already. Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and run my hands through my hair, waiting for silky voice to cut through the silence. With hooded eyes, I take a chance to look up through my hands at her, gauging the situation more than I have.

  “It appears we both have secrets. I have to ask this before we move forward. Are you still in love with her?”

  Relief fills my chest, as if ten pounds was just lifted from my shoulders. Lifting my head, I stare into her eyes when I answer. “No, it was the thrill of keeping it to ourselves. It was nothing but a fling, one that was stupid and almost cost me my career.”

  “Why? I
f they weren’t married, why would it cost you anything?”

  “He still loved her, they have a child, and I guess he was under the impression they were going to work things out.”

  “How did he find out?”

  “I was leaving when he pulled in with their son. We thought we had plenty of time for me to be out of there before he arrived. Just so happens he wanted to surprise her with takeout,” I say, shrugging it off as I don’t want to rehash the event. But if that’s what it takes, I’ll do it for her.

  “Am I the only one who knows?”

  “No, my dad heard through the rumor mill apparently. I’m not proud of my actions, but I can’t go back and redo it. I have to live with it and move on.”

  “Technically, you didn’t do anything wrong. I mean… I think there’s some bro-code or something like that so, yes, you broke that one.”

  “Seems I did,” I say as my voice is laced with a hint of laughter. Only Sherry would bring up a bro-code.

  “I have another question. Have you ever cheated on a prior girlfriend?”

  “No, and I don’t ever plan to either.”

  “That’s good to know…” Sherry says before pausing. I watch as she shifts her lips from side to side, in deep thought before continuing. “Would it be safe to assume that you still want to take me out for dinner and maybe date me?”

  I stand from my chair, Sherry mirroring my actions as we move toward each other. My arm snakes around her waist, pulling her to me. My head leans down, hovering over her mouth while my eyes watch her lick her lips. She’s waiting for my next move, or words to be spoken. I hesitate longer than needed, only to draw the longing in her eyes out that peer up at me. “It’s safe to say that and maybe more,” I finally give in and say before I slide my other hand up her neck to pull her mouth closer to me. Our kiss starts gentle, a moment of truth and accepting of each other. Quickly it becomes carnal, more than expected. It’s when I pull away that I become shocked from my miniature blonde bombshell. Before I can speak, move, or say another word, Sherry grabs the front of my shirt with both hands, leans up on her tippy toes, and kisses me like no other woman ever has before. My breath hitches in my throat from the passion that she’s giving me. It’s now that I realize if we don’t head back down to the party, we will never leave this apartment.

  Breaking our connection, I say with heavy breaths, “We need to go back down, or I’m going to explore your body as if I’m on a treasure hunt.

  “I agree, we need to go, but I’ll take a raincheck on that hunt,” she says, winking at me. It causes me to laugh as I take her hand into mine and lead her to the door. The connection doesn’t break as we walk to the elevator. Inside, away from the world, we share another kiss, this time gentle and conservative.

  Hand in hand, we step out into the lobby and head toward the poolside party that we left a while ago. Right before I open the door to exit, Sherry pulls me to the side. “What are we? I mean, if we go back outside holding hands and googly-eyed, people will stare and suspect something.”

  “Let them talk. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my girlfriend and we are going to give this thing a go. For some reason, I think the universe is trying to play matchmaker.”

  “What about the rules? The doctor/patient thing and well… I just don’t know.”

  “Aren’t rules meant to be broken for the right reasons? Plus, I’m sending your file to Dr. Cooper as soon as I return to the office. You’ll no longer be my patient.”

  “Some rules are meant to be broken, I guess.”

  “Come on, Sherry, it’s not like I’m dragging you to the altar. It’s a date and let’s see where this goes, okay?”

  “Okay,” is all she says before she smiles up at me. I’m worried that she’s going to get lost in that pretty blonde head of hers. I’ll just need to find a way to keep her out of it.

  “Can we not date until after my test?” she asks right before she breaks contact with me and heads over to speak with my parents who I realize waited for us to return. Dad gives me a look, a silent one, asking if everything is okay. I nod my head and grab a beer from the bar that’s set up in the area. Before taking a sip, I notice how comfortable my parents are with her. How my mom treats her like family, and dad stares down at her in admiration. Seems that in the time I was gone, they’ve been busy here without me. I had no idea how close they truly are. It doesn’t matter, because once you meet Sherry, you know you’ll find a way to keep her in your life for as long as you can.

  Sherry

  “I’m going to be sick,” I tell Greyson through the phone as I pace back and forth in the parking lot of the testing center.

  “You’re going to do great. You nailed every question I threw at you this weekend. Take a deep breath in and out.”

  “What if they changed the questions? You know I could’ve bought the wrong books, or they changed it at the last minute to throw us off.”

  “They haven’t, and you know this stuff better than I do.”

  “Well, you’re a doctor and not a nurse, so you can’t compare that.”

  “See, you just called yourself a nurse. Now, get off this phone and go pass that test. I’ve got to run and see my next patient. Make sure you call me as soon as you walk out. I promise to answer.”

  “Greyson Davis, if you answer my call while down between some lady’s legs, I will come and smack you.”

  “I promise to not answer during an exam. I think that might be awkward.”

  “Yes, and thank you for the talk.”

  “My pleasure, and that’s what we do, right?”

  “Right,” I say before clicking off the call. I smooth the front of my dress down—of course, I thought I needed to dress up for the computer that will be pointing and laughing at me like a clown who just flunked out of clown school. Before my hand touches the door handle, I stall a little longer. Reminding myself that I can do this. I’ve stayed awake all day since about the third day that the cats were gone. Not to mention, I’m only taking one allergy pill now a day, instead of the three I was before.

  With a deep breath, I exhale. “You will own today, you will make your dreams comes true, and then finally be able to have sex with Greyson,” I say out loud and pray that no one is near me to overhear my mental pep talk. Yes, we agreed that I would be rewarded with hot, blow my mind sex as he searches for the lost treasure. His words, not mine. I might have allowed him to get a wee bit handsy last night during our study session.

  I walk down the hall until I find room one-thirty. Opening the heavy steel door, I hold my head up high and maneuver my feet down the path toward the instructors waiting to take our names.

  The closer I get to the front, where questioning eyes are staring back at me, my heart thuds louder in my ears. Two of the instructors were hear before. Yes, the same two that had to wake me from my slumber in the past. I’m pretty sure the smirk on their faces is because they are prepared to wake me once again. Only this time when they escort me out, they’ll tell me to never apply for this test again.

  “Miss. Wilde, it’s always a pleasure to see you,” Mr. Lambert says while adjusting his tie.

  “Good to see you again,” I say through a smile as I hand him my registration papers. I bounce from side to side softly to calm my nerves as he runs his fingers along the long list of names. Landing on mine he clicks his pen, initials, and hands me my card.

  “Good luck, and I believe your familiar with the way this works?”

  “Yes, yes I am. Thanks,” I say as I grab my card and dash off to find a seat. Standing in the middle of the room, I calculate each desk. Searching out the room for the best seat for me to plop down in and either make a fool of myself once again, or nail it like I want to nail Greyson. It’s sad that my sex life might depend on the result of this test. Even though when I finish I’ll have a temporary result, it’s not official until four to six weeks afterward when I receive my results and certificate that I can apply for a job. It’s a good thing that I always have real esta
te to fall back on, right? If this bombs, I’ll just sign up to take the real estate exam and then sell houses for the rest of my life. Either way I’ll have a job; it just might not be as fulfilling.

  Situated in my seat, I drum my fingers against the flat surface, waiting for the room to fill and the test to begin. We have six hours to complete the test; once it begins I’ll have two hours until I can potty and stretch. Once I reach that mark, I’ll feel better. Last time I didn’t even make it an hour before I sacked out like a linebacker getting knocked down on his ass.

  My palms have entered into the sweat zone. My heart is pounding in my chest so loud that when the person next to me glances over at me, I’m sure it’s because they are silently telling me to calm the hell down. Shrugging, I face forward and take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves.

  “You know this, Sherry. You will own this test and make it your bitch, if not your tunnel of love will cave in and runaway from you,” I say, giving myself a mental bump to make it through.

  “Good Morning, I’m professor Lambert. If you need something, raise your hand and one of us will come to you. You should know the rules and regulations from your handbook, which means we will not review them. You have six hours to complete the test. Some of you will be fast, some of you will need all six hours. Every two hours we will take a break, lunch is one hour—from noon to one. Does anyone have any questions?”

  My eyes drift around the room, waiting for that one hand that always pops up to ask a question that will defiantly annoy Mr. Lambert. I had him my senior year in college. Let me just say, I never asked a question after the first day of lectures. He lit into one of the students, when she asked a more detailed example of his thesis. His response was, “If you need one, then you don’t need to be in this class. Come and listen, you will find your answers.” After that, I made sure I didn’t miss a class. Even when I was sick, I’d sit in the very back and record every word he spoke. Each class felt like a test. Every question with question was a test.