I see us on that cruise she mentioned, the one she bought at the auction at the ball, or at a beach or bar, beside the sea, relaxed, and Lucy laughing – not like this, serious and so still I wonder what’s wrong with her, besides her medical condition, which has stabilized. I checked her chart on the way in. Is this an ultimatum?
My heart ticks up a notch or two, though neither of us has moved. She’s right. It’s like 1993; US versus Brazil, with one minute to the end of the game, and only Dirk the Doc O’Connell between national shame and victory. The save. My head. The goalpost.
“Lucy, I have to explain about the apartment. I’m sorry I haven’t been more available to you, as your apartment went up for sale.”
“You knew I wanted it, Dirk. I gave it everything. But you went ahead and trumped me. You are so competitive ... I just want somewhere to live; my own place to call home. For people like you, it’s just an investment. You already have a place to live. Two, in fact. As if you need more investments.”
“What? No. You still think I bought it? Why would I do that?”
“To punish me? For cleaning your place and not telling you? I don’t know. Not nice, Dirk. I’m in no position to stand up for myself. I don’t even know exactly what happened. What am I even doing here? Apparently you were there. Do you want to tell me?”
“You were furious with me – well, now I can understand why – but then you blacked out and fell. I tried to cushion your fall, but worse, your heart stopped. I gave you CPR and the kiss of life until the ambulance crew got you going again.”
“In the street?”
I nod, and she shakes her head, closes her eyes and opens them again, pinning me with her stare. Her laugh rings out.
“What is it?”
“Hard to be mad at you if you saved my life.”
“I’m a doctor, Lucy. It’s what doctors do.”
“I know. You’d ‘do it for anyone’ same as you’d bring up their groceries.” She turns her head away.
“Doesn’t mean I wasn’t glad to save you.”
“Oh. So you were ‘glad to save me?’”
“Yes.” If she’s fishing for compliments, I’m ready to oblige. “Brighton Court is far too quiet without you.”
“I’ll be gone for good as soon as I recover.”
“You don’t have to be.”
“Oh? You’ll take pity on me? Let me stay with you, or pay you rent? If I move in with you, I’ll only be able to stay until you tire of me and throw me out for a younger version; like Bart did.” She closes her eyes again, as if she’s disgusted with me.
“I’m not Bart. Hear me out, Lucy. I bungled things. I was wrong to attack you about the Mrs West thing, but I didn’t buy the apartment.”
“You didn’t?”
“Jamison did.”
