by DW Cee
Will do.
It was dinnertime and there was no sign of a viewing. I asked the chief if I could leave, and he informed me that Rebecca Stein, Roger’s widow, had just been hospitalized and their family requested the chief and I be her attending doctors. Someone was out there doing his best to keep Emily away from me. I dreaded this next phone call.
“Are you on your way?” She didn’t even say hello.
I couldn’t answer.
“Oh no. You’re not coming.” Once again, it wasn’t a question, it was a statement. “Sarah, you can move next door,” I heard her lament.
“Sweetheart, I don’t know how I’m going to make this up to you. I probably won’t get up there at all now.”
“I don’t know either. It’s going to take you many tries to make things right.” Being her understanding self, she tried to sound chipper.
“I’ll be happy to make it up to you the rest of my life.”
Silence. I felt like I was performing a monologue.
“Emily?”
Silence again.
“Emily!” I tried to illicit a response.
“Yes?”
“Why are you so quiet?”
“Well... I wish you wouldn’t make me any promises you won’t be able to keep. The rest of your life is a very long time from now.”
I knew I deserved this but it stung to hear her say it. “Wow. I think those are the most hurtful words you’ve said to me. How can you disregard my sincerity?”
“Jake...” Simultaneously she started and stopped her thought.
“Yes?” I needed to finish this conversation with her. This was an extension of our LAX conversation. “Emily, what’s on your mind?”
“I know you mean well but you can barely keep a dinner date with me. I can’t think much beyond what we have right now.”
“Emily, that’s not fair. You know I want to be there with you. These are circumstances beyond my control.”
“I know and I don’t blame you for these circumstances.”
“Then why can’t you believe me? Why can’t you see much of a future for us? This is what you said at the airport too.” I knew she had some reason she wasn’t willing to spit out. She had been so understanding up until now. It couldn’t be my schedule holding her back. “What is it you’re not telling me?”
“Jake, even after four years of believing I would spend the rest of my life with someone, this someone woke up one morning and stopped loving me. I can’t believe after four weeks, your mind could be made up so easily.”
Anger. Rage. Frustration. All these emotions ran up and down my body but came to a screeching halt as soon as I heard whimpering on the other end.
“I’ll talk to you later,” she said and quickly hung up.
I wanted to call back but decided against it. She probably needed some time alone. I would try calling later.
Thinking through our conversation, this girl, whom I loved dearly, had loved another man dearly. Though I didn’t think she still loved him, the hurt was far from being gone. Not having any family most likely compounded the hurt when he left her so suddenly. Whenever I got a reprieve from this job, I vowed to shower her with love and erase the hurt that lingered.
The next morning I woke up to a kind text.
I’m sorry for hanging up on you. I didn’t mean to sound so doubtful. I really miss you and am frustrated I won’t see you for another week. I leave on the 8:30 p.m. flight out of LAX. Do you think you can come see me before I leave for New York?”
I’ll be there. I really miss you too.
She texted back a smile.
After a long surgery on Rebecca Stein, I made a mad dash to LAX. It was nearly 11:00 p.m., and I was hoping Emily’s flight got postponed and that she would still be there. It wasn’t a good sign since she wasn’t answering her phone, but I wanted to go check just in case. I sprinted to her boarding area and frantically searched for her and Sarah. Not seeing either of them, I only confirmed Emily’s theory that I couldn’t keep my promise and that there really was no future for us.
With hope lost, I turned to leave when I saw my angel curled up in a fetal position, asleep on one of the chairs. Her face looked like she had been crying with a tear drop still fresh on her cheek. There weren’t enough days for me to make this girl happy and all I’d done to her this weekend was made her cry. I knelt down and wiped away her tear.
Startled, she jumped. “Jake!” She hugged me and confirmed my belief or perhaps my hope—that she loved me too. “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you so much.” Tears rolled down her pale cheeks.
“I’ve missed you too, Beautiful.” I pulled away from her to look at her face. She was a mess. “Don’t cry. I’m sorry I keep breaking my promises to you. You know I want to be with you, right?”
Her face looked hesitant.
“And you know when you’re not with me, I miss you more than anyone I’ve missed in my life?”
Her face looked like she wanted to say yes but her head shook no.
“How could you not know all this? Do you still not understand how I feel about you?”
“I thought…I thought maybe you were using work as an excuse to end what we have.”
“Emily, you crazy girl, what would make you think such a thing? Do I not make myself clear when I tell you how much I like you?”
“I just have a hard time believing. I was so sad thinking it was over. I don’t know if I like this effect you have on me. You have this way of making me feel amazing when we’re together but when we’re apart I feel lonelier than I’ve ever felt. No one has affected me like this before. I know we can’t be together all the time, and I don’t want to sound so needy. I know how important your job is to you and how important you are to your job.”
Funny how just a few minutes ago I thought she was going to break up with me. Who knew she was thinking the same thing about me. Tonight I realized buried inside this beautiful person was a fragile girl who needed stability—something I haven’t been able to provide for her with my hectic schedule.
“Should I be thrilled I make you feel amazing, or should I be upset I make you feel lonely?” I chuckled despite her teary disposition.
She laughed along with me.
“Emily, I’m sorry I keep breaking my promises to you. I want you to promise me though that you’ll tell me whenever I make you feel sad or lonely, OK?”
She nodded her head again and I pulled her back into my body.
“How am I going to let you go away for a week now? I’m going to miss you so much. Are you sure you don’t want to stay at Jane’s just in case I come to see you?”
“I’m sure. Sarah and I have a hotel in midtown.”
“Where is Sarah, by the way?”
“She got on the original flight. She had to meet her sister at JFK but I waited for you. Barring any more emergencies, I knew you’d come for me. I really wanted to see you.”
“Oh, Emily.” I really will make this up to you the rest of my life. I love you. “When is the last flight out?”
“They’ve started calling us. I need to board soon.”
“Let me see your ticket.” Horrified at the thought of Emily trying to sleep sitting up, I went up to the desk and changed her seat. Starting now, I would do everything in my power to take care of this girl. She would never second-guess my intentions or my love. I would love her unconditionally. Without a doubt, this was the girl I wanted to be with the rest of my life.
“Emi, I changed your seat so you can sleep on the plane. Have a wonderful trip and call me often.”
“Jake. It’s only a five-hour flight. Why did you spend so much money? It’s unnecessary.”
“Sweetheart, I’ve only just begun making up for all my broken promises. Believe me when I tell you I’ll take care of you from now on.”
She nodded her head one last time. Before I let her go I kissed her in public in front of a horde of people boarding the plane. She didn’t pull away, but she did turn her usual rosy co
lor.
“So for the record, I am asking you a month in advance, you are spending Christmas with me and my family?”
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
“Both. It is at my parents’ house, and if you don’t show up this time, my whole family will think I’ve made up some phantom woman.”
“Christmas it is. I’ll call when I land. I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too. Have a good flight.”
I watched her walk in and left the airport satisfied. I knew we were headed in the right direction. Now if only I could get a decent length of time with her so I could get a commitment out of her with this ring. Only then would I be relieved, knowing she was wholly mine.
Chapter 6 How Much Do I Love Thee?
My phone rang right on cue.
“Good morning, Beautiful. Did you have a good flight?”
Without answering my question, she started with her own.
“Jake, did you send me a driver? Who is this gentleman holding my name on a piece of cardboard?”
“Yup. The driver is there for you. He’s going to take you to your hotel. Just tell him which hotel you’re staying at.”
“Jake!” There was disapproval in her voice. “I’m not that helpless. I like taking the subway.”
“Emily, who really likes taking the subway? It’s too much of a hassle from the airport. You’d have to take the AirTrain, then transfer to a subway, or take the train into Penn, then get on a subway. Just get in the car. He’ll take you straight to your destination.”
“OK, but no more of these unnecessary luxuries, OK? It’s a bit too easy to get used to this.” It sounded like she was holding back a giggle.
“Get used to it. I’m going to dote on you for a very long time. Enjoy your day and call me with updates.”
“Thank you. I’ll text, you call.”
The rest of my day went slowly. Of course since Emily was out of town, there wasn’t much going on at the hospital. I was tempted to buy myself a ticket and go visit her in New York. A phone call was a more realistic choice.
“Hi, Jake!” Never could I tire of the excitement I heard in her voice when she answered my call.
“What are you and Sarah up to?”
“Hi, Jake!” I heard Sarah call out.
“Tell her I said hi.”
“He says, hi,” she whispered over to her best friend.
“I’m going to have to have a talk with Charlie. He has yet to call while Jake sat you in first class, sent you a driver, plus has called already,” Sarah grumbled to herself.
Emily proceeded to tell me about her morning. “Since you were kind enough to send me a driver, I asked him to stop by the Doughnut Plant and I picked up a dozen donuts for me, Sarah, and Lily, her sister.”
“Oh, I like that place. Jane doesn’t live too far from there.”
I had three donuts this morning. I ate two tres leche and one blackout. I might be a bit heavier next time you see me,” she confessed like a schoolgirl.
“That’s gross to eat three donuts.”
“I know. I also went next door and had a bialy.”
“Emily. Did you not eat up at Bacara?”
“No, I waited for you the whole time, remember? I couldn’t eat because I missed you so much.”
“Eew!” I heard someone shout. I assumed it was Sarah’s sister, Lily.
“Well, since it’s my fault you didn’t eat well up in Santa Barbara, I made reservations for you at Le Bernardin tomorrow night. Do you and Sarah have plans already?”
“Le Bernardin?” The foodie in her couldn’t hide her excitement. “I tried for weeks to get a reservation. How did you do it so easily? I wonder if Eric Ripert will be in the kitchen.”
“He’ll be there. I checked. Sweetheart, I’m being paged. I’ll call again later. I miss you.”
“Bye. Have a good day.”
I went about having a nice day, as it was a short one. The chief let me off early, since I did double duty out in Atlanta. Attempting to be a nice big brother, I surprised Jane and picked her up from the airport. She looked stunned to see me. I didn’t know why she was so surprised. Wasn’t I the poster boy for an ideal older brother?
“What on earth are you doing here? Are you here for me?” She still wore a shocked expression.
“You want to catch the van home? Should I leave? Some thanks I get for trying to be nice.”
“Why aren’t you at work? Hey, I hear you have a new girlfriend. When do I get to meet her? Tell me about her.”
“Her name is Emily and she’s a school teacher. She’s the same age as you. She’s actually in New York right now. I wish I could be there with her.” In my mind, I pictured what she and Sarah might be doing. There were six more days of this drudgery till I could see her again. “Hey, Jane. Can you try this on for me?” I took out the eternity band from my glove compartment.
“What’s with the monster ring?”
“I bought it to give to Emily when I ask her to be my girlfriend but I’m unsure about her size.”
“A bit sappy for you…I’ve never seen you this enamored with a girl. All those years with Kelley, had you given her anything like this?”
I ignored her commentary on my past love life. “Jane, this girl is it. She’s the sister you’ve been wanting your whole life. It drives me crazy I can’t progress as quickly as I would like to. I don’t think she’s thinking marriage just yet.”
Jane put the ring on her finger and it looked stunning. Goosebumps ran through my body thinking about Emily wearing this ring.
“Jake, it’s beautiful but can I give you a piece of advice?”
“What?” I wasn’t going to listen if she said anything negative.
“This is too serious if you just started dating. Get a necklace and have her wear it as a pendant. I can’t see any girl wanting to put this on her finger after one month of courtship.”
“You think?”
“I know. Where’d you get the ring?”
“Cartier.”
“Let’s stop by. I’ll help you pick out a necklace. I have to say, I’m impressed. This ring is gorgeous. I think Emily will like it.”
Not able to hold off any longer, my fingers dialed Emily’s number again. Her excited voice loomed over the speaker phone.
“Hi, Dr. Reid. Are you not working today?”
“No. Apparently you took all the patients with you when you left. The hospital is empty and I’m done for the day.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re done for the day already? How come this doesn’t happen when I’m in town? I’m beginning to think you don’t really want to be with me.” She began her many bouts of giggling.
“Oh here we go again. Did we not work this all out at the airport?”
“We did, but I can’t let you forget so easily how many times you’ve left me in the middle of a meal or just plain stood me up.”
At this point, Jane started cracking up.
“Who’s that?” Emily sounded surprised.
“Are you jealous I have another woman in the car?”
“Not as jealous as you’ll be if I tell you how many guys have asked me for my number this morning.”
“Seriously? Did someone ask you out already? I really have to lock you up.”
“I’m kidding.” She tried to play it off.
“No she’s not,” Sarah and Lily chimed into the phone.
“Aw, Emi, how many?”
“You first, who’s in the car?”
“No, you first,” I argued.
We got into an information tug of war. I lost, thanks to Jane.
“Hi, Emily. This is Jane, Jake’s sister.”
“Hi, Jane! Did your sweet brother come pick you up at the airport?”
“No, Nick’s at school, the mean one came instead.”
Two of the three women in my life howled at my expense. My mother would have joined in the guffaw if she were here.
“I’m sorry we missed each other. I w
ould have loved to meet you. Will you be in town long?”
“I leave on Sunday but I’ll be back in two weeks. We should get together then. I’ll tell you all about my brother.” Jane gave me a dark be-nice-to-me look.
“That’s a date. We’ll definitely meet the next time you’re in town. Since he won’t give me more than an hour of his time, you’ll have to fill in all the blanks. Trust me; there are more blanks than bubbles filled in. I think he’s trying to hide something.” I’m sure Emily’s lips were forming into a smile.
“Enough about me. Emi, I want you to stay away from any strange-looking men.”
“Then, do I have permission to talk to the good-looking ones?”
“Emily!”
“OK, Dr. Reid. I have to go. I’ll call you tonight when I get back to the hotel. Sarah and Lily are both extremely annoyed with me. I’m having too much fun on the phone. We’re trying to have lunch.”
“Where are you eating?” I didn’t want to let her go.
She whispered, “I’ll tell you tonight. They’re both staring at me right now.”
“Should I fly in to see you?”
“No,” she continued to whisper. “Spend time with your family. Your sister is in town. Bye. I miss you.” She hung up before I could say another word.
Jane’s eyes mocked me. “You’re pathetic! What happened to Dr. Jake Reid, the man every woman wanted to date? How did you become such a fool in love? Have Mom and Dad seen you lately?”
“Yup, this is what I’ve become. Mom’s talked to Emily as well. She likes her and can’t wait to meet her.”
“She does sound sweet. Set up a time for us to meet when I get back. So what else has been going on?”
Jane and I had lunch and picked up a necklace for Emily. Though my body was with Jane, my mind was with Emily. Since Sarah and Lily thought I called too often, this time I sent her a text instead.
Which hotel are you staying at?
