by Dani Stowe
“I’m ready to go home, I guess. I miss mom.” The eighteen-year-old leans up to reach for Nancy’s fingers to stroke them. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
“You know I’d do anything for you, baby.” Nancy grabs a hold of Alex’s palm and squeezes with one hand while her other reaches up to fix his hair. She parts a line to the right of his crown and smooths his hair flat to the side. In truth, it looks like she’s trying to fix his hair like mine. I cough.
Alex spies me. “Oh, hey, man. I didn’t get the chance to thank you.”
I step further into the room. “For what?” He doesn’t know about the assistance yet.
Alex cocks his head to Nancy and smiles at her. “For rescuing our girl.”
I really should fix the kid—give him some counseling. Or better yet, give him a piece of my mind for calling her “our” girl when we both know she’s mine, but I’ll let him have this for today because the kid is cool. Fucking cool.
“It was a team effort,” I nod. “You took a bullet. You’re a much bigger man than I.”
“Alex,” Nancy interrupts. “We have something to tell yo—”
I believe Nancy was just about to spill the beans on Alex’s new living arrangement we’ve organized for him and his mother when the clamor of a young person with rubber soles squeaking interrupts the calmness of the hospital room. The young lady is also humming and chit-chatting to herself in medical terms as she walks in from behind me.
“Alex,” the young lady calls sweetly, pulling a portable blood pressure machine on wheels behind her.
Quickly, Alex throws Nancy’s hands away and fixes his own hair, raking his fingers through the thick strands to fluff the bedhead. He sits up straight. I don’t blame him—the young lady is lovely. She looks a lot like a younger version of Nancy but she has bangs cut across her forehead, which is accentuated by her auburn hair pulled into a ponytail plus white scrubs and a red stethoscope around her neck. The resemblance is quite remarkable except the young lady trips on her own two feet. Nancy would never trip, but Alex doesn’t seem to mind the clumsy parade. In fact, by the way he attends to her, Alex looks like he’s in love.
“Oh my God,” the young lady blushes and catches herself at the edge of the bed where Alex leans forward to grab her by the arms. She quickly pulls her arms away.
“Are you all right?” asks Nancy, of what seems to be a nurse-in-training. The young woman has a badge pinned to her neckline with her picture and STUDENT printed on it.
No, she’s not all right. She’s caught in the lure of Alex, but my instincts say she’s resistant to him for some reason.
The young lady facepalms herself. “I’m so sorry. I’m so embarrassed. I’m supposed to be taking care of you, but,” she uncovers her face to peep at Alex, “I can barely make it to your bed.” She shakes her head.
“I’m glad you made it. To my bed, I mean.” Alex winks.
Nancy rolls her eyes. I chuckle. I love this cocky kid.
“Right,” the young lady groans with further embarrassment, bowing her head then shaking her shoulders to try to collect herself. She grabs the blood pressure cuff. “Well, Alex,” she stands up straight, “I can see you’re feeling better.”
Alex leans back and slouches into the bed. “Not really, no.”
“No?” the young lady’s face softens. She wraps the cuff gently around Alex’s arm and hugs his bicep with her palm. “Are you in pain?”
Alex turns to Nancy. “I’m hungry, Nan. Can you get me something from the cafeteria downstairs?”
“Sure, hun. What d’ya want?” Nancy gets off the bed.
“Anything.”
“Burger?”
“Sure.”
“With fries?”
“Whatever.” Alex blurts. “Can you just go it get for me? As in, now?”
The probing tip of a digital thermometer pops in front of Alex’s face. He makes eye contact with the young lady before he opens his mouth with another show of a deep dimply smile and sticks out his tongue.
Nancy nods with a smirk, finally understanding why she’s being asked to leave. “We’ll be back,” she announces. “C’mon, Tiny.”
“Oh no. I’m not hungry. I’m staying here.” I strut past Nancy towards the corner where a padded vinyl maroon chair rests facing the bed.
Alex pulls the thermometer out of his mouth. “Excuse me, Don Juan, don’t you think you should go with Nan in case she needs some help?” His eyes narrow to slits and he cocks head in agitation towards the door a few times, encouraging—or more like demanding—I go.
Yes, yes. I understand you want to be alone with this girl, but it’s obvious to me you need some help so whether you like it or not, I’m going to help you.
I reach down to my thighs to pinch and pull up at the front of my slacks for comfort before I sit my butt in the chair. “I think I’ll wait right here for you, Nancy baby.”
“Are you sure?” Nancy asks.
“Yeah, are you sure?” Alex blabs, shoving the thermometer back in his mouth. The young lady smiles, amused.
I tap my hand over my right pocket, over the Bang, and lean sideways, putting my elbow over the chair’s armrest to let my chin rest against my clenched hand. “I’m sure,” I say confidently.
Nancy gives me a wicked glare. “Okay,” she sings and skips out the door.
Alex wastes no time popping the thermometer out of his mouth and leans forward to face the pretty girl. “Did you know I’m getting discharged today? I’m going home.”
“Yes, I know, Alex. You’re my assignment. I know all about your medical history. Maybe more than I should.” She attempts to shove the thermometer back in. He pulls her hand to his lap.
“You never gave me an answer.”
The young lady turns to make eye contact with me and she pales.
“Don’t worry about him,” Alex reaches with a finger to the young lady’s chin and attempts to turn her head to face him, but her brows just crinkle closer together. “He’s rich and stuff but trust me—he’s an overgrown dork. Pretend he’s not here.”
“It’s true,” I smile at her, rubbing my smooth jaw. “Please, ignore me.”
From her body language—the swaying, the uneven breathing, it’s obvious the young lady is having some internal conflict. She whispers to Alex to conceal herself, her shame.
“It’s probably not appropriate, Alex, to date you. If my instructors found out, I bet they’d kick me out of nursing school. And, in all honesty, you’re too young for me. I’m about to graduate from college and you’re still in high school.”
“I’m eighteen. You just turned twenty-one. If our genders were reversed, I’d totally go to prom with you.”
She slumps. “Alex.”
He badgers. “Zen.”
Zen?
“Excuse me,” I interrupt. “What’s your name, young lady?”
“It’s Zenith,” she smiles. It’s a very pretty smile. It sparkles brighter than the pendant I once gave to Nancy that now hangs around Alex’s neck. “But everyone calls me Zen,” she continues.
“That’s a very lovely name for a young lady.”
“Thank you,” she blushes.
Alex is so red—angry with me— he looks like he’s about to pop his top.
“Zen,” I say coolly, “would you mind stepping out for five minutes while I have a quick chat with Alex here while his dear friend, Nancy, is out of the room?”
“Sure, I can come back,” she shrugs her shoulders, smirking at Alex. “Maybe you could talk my patient into being more compliant so I can take his temperature.” She turns, her shoes squeaking against the hospital tiled floors.
“Ah, no,” coos Alex. “Come back. I still need an answer.” He flashes me a pair of evil eyes and calls after her. “C’mon, Zen. Don’t leave me with this guy. Hey, look!” He pops the thermometer back in his mouth. “I pwomise I’ll behafe.”
It’s my turn to cut to the chase. “What’s the deal between the two of you?”
<
br /> “Me and her?” He tips his chin up—a sign of dominance. It’s clear he wants her, he wants to make a claim to her. “I don’t know,” he shrugs then bows his head. It’s a sign of disappointment but also admission. He respects Zen and she could easily make a claim to him if she wanted. “I like her. She listened to me complain for a few days about my pain and then my life. I kinda want to make it up to her, you know? Take her out.” He fixes the pillow behind him and scoots back to sit upright. “But she’s older.”
I stand up, placing my hands in my pockets. “So, how do you think she feels about you?”
Alex squints suspiciously at me and rubs his hands together. “I don’t know. Nancy mentioned you’re a mental doctor. Why don’t you tell me? How do you think Zen feels about me?”
I strut towards Alex’s door to shut it and then move closer to the bed. Alex tilts in the opposite direction. He’s intimidated by me.
“I think she likes you,” I profess. He tilts back in my direction. “But unfortunately, she’s caught up in the influence of stereotypes.”
“Yeah,” Alex groans bitterly, pulling the covers higher up on his waist. “I don’t stand a chance then, do I? She thinks I’m too young or too poor or somethin’.”
Alex slyly looks up to me, wishful and hopeful I might say something, give him some encouragement, or simply divulge some age-old man-to-man secret cure for the dilemma he’s got. Luckily, I do have something, though it’s not the typical man-to-man advice that I’m sure he’s expecting.
I sniff about his head.
He grunts, “What the hell are you doing?”
“I think you do stand a chance,” I mention placing my hands in my pockets, “but...”
“But what? You think she likes me?” Alex is anxious to get my insight. “Dude, I think I’m fully in love with her. Did you see how cute she is?”
“Oh, I saw,” I agree. I’ve certainly piqued his interest now. I move in to make myself appear as if I’m examining him closely. “Alex, when was the last time you brushed your teeth?”
“My teeth?” He huffs into his palm and takes a sniff. “Ah, shit! Does my breath stink?”
I sigh. “Mmm.” I pull out the Bang. “Lucky for you, my young man,” I shake the little container in front of him. “I have a little something that might clear up that halitosis.”
“Hali—what?”
“Halitosis. It’s the medical term for bad breath.” I pop the top to the little container. “Just open your mouth and slip this under your tongue. I swear it’ll clear everything up.”
“What is it?” he peers into the container, taking it from my hand. “Is this like a super mint or something? I’ve heard a few things about the company you work for Mr. Livener. Is this a product of one of your corporate experiments?”
I smile, putting my hands back in my pockets, swinging back and forth from my heels to my toes. “It is, actually, but you don’t have to take it if you don’t want to. It’s intended for men. Gentleman, really. And although our lovely Zen may not see you as I do, Alex, you are, without a doubt, a most admirable gentleman.”
“Dude,” Alex scoffs, “you could’ve just told me it was a breath mint and I would’ve taken it. You didn’t have to get all philosophical and shit. Is this supposed to make my breath smell better or not?”
“From a clinical perspective... mmm... yes.”
Alex pops the pill. I watch him for a minute just in case there are any unexpected side effects.
“That’s a little weird.” Alex wiggles his tongue around in his mouth. “Is it just supposed to break apart into tiny gritty pieces like that? Just so you know, my mouth doesn’t taste any different.”
“Hmm,” I raise my brow. “You don’t taste anything?”
“Nah, man. Nothing. I hate to break it to you, but those mints don’t seem to work too good.”
“Let me get Zen for you so she can check you out. Maybe she knows how to check if your taste buds are working all right.”
“Um, what about my bad breath?”
“I can’t smell anything. I’m sure it’s improved.”
“Okay.” He shrugs with a glance at the door. He’s eager for Zen to come back.
I exit Alex’s door, shutting it behind me, and I see Zen across the hall. I wave to her and signal for her to come back. Her shoes squeak like mice as she scurries excitedly.
“Is everything okay?” she asks.
“Oh, everything is fine,” I assure her. “Alex says he’s ready for you now.”
Beyond the smile ready to play on the corners of Zen’s mouth, I see Nancy approaching from down the hall. Luckily, Nancy stops to talk to a doctor, which will buy me some time. I open the door, encouraging Zen into Alex’s room, and the second she steps in, she gasps. I quickly shut the door behind her.
Placing my ear against the wood, I hear the young people conversing.
“Are you okay?” asks Alex.
“I don’t know,” replies Zen. “I feel really hot.”
“Do you need to sit down?”
“No, but...” She hesitates. “Alex, I have to tell you something.”
“Sure. Shoot.” He says loosely.
“I really like you.”
Pause...
“Zen, I... uh... I like you, too. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”
“Alex, I’m really attracted to you but I have a confession.”
“Zen, you’re scaring me a little. You’re turning pink and you’re breathing heavy.”
“I’m a virgin.”
“Yeah, okay.” Alex coughs with a choke. “I didn’t ask and it doesn’t really matter but I’m cool with that. Why are you telling me all of this right now?”
“Because I really like you.”
“Yeah, you said that already.” Another pause. “Soooo, does this mean you’re agreeing to let me take you to my high school prom?”
“Yes, but only if you promise not to try to sleep with me because I’m not ready.”
“That’s not a problem. I respect that.”
I hear Zen exhale with relief.
Alex chimes in. “Is it possible that we can still make out?”
“Truthfully, Alex, I have an insatiable need to kiss you right now. It’s like I can smell you from across the room and I can even sense your heart beating if that makes any sense.”
“Well, then,” Alex’s voice deepens. “Come here, girl. Put that stethoscope on me.”
A few squeaks of Zen’s two shoes make their way across Alex’s room, and the sound of lip-smacking ensues.
I’m so proud of myself. I am as Nick says, an exceptional doctor. I fix aching hearts.
Nancy stops in front of me holding an enclosed white Styrofoam container with a couple of French fries poking out the seam giving off the smell of grease and hamburger. The sound of books, magazines, and random items falling from Alex’s bed and crashing to the ground echoes from within Alex’s room. Nancy reaches for the door handle but I stop her, grabbing her hand.
“You gave Alex the Bang, didn’t you?” Nancy accuses.
I lean my back up against the hospital door and cross my arms to stand guard. “I did.”
Nancy turns her back to the door as well and leans up next to me.
“Are you upset?” I ask her.
“Of course, not,” she replies pulling a fry out of the container’s seam to take a bite. “It’s obvious Alex is attracted to this girl.” She chews and swallows. “It’s only fair he finds out sooner rather than later whether she likes him or not. I want him to be happy. He deserves to be happy.” She sniffles.
I look over to Nancy and she’s wiping tears away with her free hand.
“Hey, doll face,” I coo. “What’s the matter?” I rub the back of her head, grab the foam container, and pull her into my chest. Surely, her mind is still trying to cope with everything that’s happened between being taken from her apartment to seeing Alex get shot.
Nancy looks up to me, her chin on my chest. “I love
you so much, Tiny. You have the biggest heart.”
My heart pounds. It’s feels big. Full. It feels as though it is about to beat right out of my chest but Nancy’s body up against mine is making something else pulse and eager to beat its way out of my pants.
“So, does this mean we get to play Tarzan again tonight?” I hook Nancy around the back of the neck with my arm to pull her in close with a nuzzle to her neck. “Me, Tarzan,” I gloat against her laugh and resistance. “You, Jane.”
Nancy stops laughing, pushing hard to make eye contact. Her hazel-golden eyes blink flirtatiously. “I’ll be Jane and I’ll even let you swing me from the rafters if you want, but only if you promise to be my date for prom tomorrow.”
“Prom?” I grumble haughtily on the outside, though the lost boy inside me is curiously intrigued.
“I offered to chaperone the dance at Alex’s school so I could serve as his date. He wasn’t able to ask anyone because he’s been in the hospital but by the sound of things, it’s possible Zen might agree to accompany him. At least, I hope she agrees to accompany him. Young people are so resistant to their true feelings when they’re so caught up on stereotypes and what everyone else thinks. So, it’s hard to tell if Zen will still be wearing her true feelings on her sleeve tomorrow since the Bang will wear off by then.”
“Oh, she’ll accompany him,” I say cockily, “and she’ll be wearing her true feelings on whatever dress she wears.”
Nancy purses her lips to add to the suspicious look in her squinted eyes. “What makes you so sure she’ll go tomorrow?”
“The Bang.” I chuckle to myself.
“What about the Bang? Are you planning to give Alex another dose?”
“No, but I did just give Alex Elliot’s latest formula.”
“And?”
“And it’s extended release. The effects won’t wear off for a couple of days.”
Nancy buries her face in my chest with a pull on my jacket. “You know, you boys scare us girls sometimes with how smart you are.”
Dropping the Styrofoam container to the ground, I cup Nancy’s face with both hands, lifting her head to look at me. “Love is a powerful drug. It makes people do crazy things. And there’s nothing that makes me feel more powerful than when I’m high on you. I’m crazy for you, Nancy.”
