A beat before she answered. “May I ask who is calling?”
“Ash.”
The phone went quiet. I was thankful since I needed a moment to decide how to play this.
“Doc Z”, he said, then shuffling from his side.
I cleared my throat. “Hey man, it’s Ash. How are you?”
“Dude, I haven’t heard from you in forever. Same ol same ol here. What’s up?”
I made a last second decision to see him in person instead of asking over the phone. “Can I take you to lunch? There’s something I wanted to discuss with you.”
Silence. Then a shout. “You better not be pregnant, dude.” A thunderous laugh followed.
Some old Z. When I didn’t encourage him, he continued. “Yeah, sure man. Come by my office at one. Do you have the address?”
I hung up and stared at the phone. We hadn’t seen each other since our last fraternity reunion. Brother or not, I wasn’t looking forward to this.
Nurse Minthe walked into my office with a wide beautiful smile, and something in me relaxed. “How are you?”
She blushed so prettily, up her neck and into her ears. “I’m great, Doc. One of the nurses said you were hunting records for Kory.”
I piled up files, not meeting her eyes, using the motions as a barrier, a defense, to not betray the true depths of my interest. “Yes. Since she’s pretty much it for me at the moment, I figured I’d get as familiar with her case as possible.”
She nodded and sat in the chair in front of my desk. “There might be some in the basement. Do you want to go down with me, see if we can find them?”
Despite her words, the invitation in her voice and face was bold and straightforward. And part of me responded to that, what man wouldn’t? But I knew in my heart I couldn’t give her the attention she deserved.
“I have to run out soon and meet and old friend, but if you find them, maybe we can go over them together when I come back.”
Not a completely closed door, I hoped. Maybe a healthy relationship would compel my behavior. I shook my head and stood up. No woman should have to endure me so I could forget another.
She smiled softly and turned to go. I followed her out into the hall. A piece of fuzz sat on the starch white of her uniform jacket. I should have left it, but I reached out, and picked it off. She peered up at me with wide eyes, and licked her lips. I could taste her there, but no. I glanced away and snagged gazes with Kory who’d stopped frozen in the hallway.
I sighed, dropped my hand, and took a step back. Fucking hell. Sex and feelings again and again led to complications. It never failed to entwine me, pull tight, until I couldn’t breathe and was forced to make a run for it.
I nodded at Minthe and turned on my heels to go. A cowardly move, but I didn’t have energy to face her right now. I didn’t have the energy to reign myself in when faced with her and all she stirred up in me.
I fled to my car safe in the knowledge no one followed me. Zeus was ready when I arrived, so we walked across the street to a local soul place. Once we settled at a corner table with food, I sat back.
“What’s this about man? I haven’t seen you in a long time and suddenly you want to take me to lunch?”
I leaned forward and met his eyes. I wanted to see his face when I delivered my directive. “I want you to tell me about Kory.”
He blinked once and put down his spoon. “Who is Kory?” He crossed his arms. “You know I’m not allowed to confirm or deny having treated someone. Pa…”
“Patient doctor confidentiality. I know. I don’t really need you to confirm. I already saw your name in the medical records. What I want to know is what you thought about her. About her diagnosis, about her medications. Anything.”
He looked down at his soup, and I watched him carefully. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you anything except if you are at that hospital, you should do your job, don’t ask questions, and get the hell out of there when you’re done.”
Something hot built in my chest. Doubts poured in. “Why do people keep telling me not to ask questions? Isn’t that part of being a doctor? Asking as many questions as possible until you get the right answers?”
“Not in that hell hole. You take your money and you leave.” His tone was now clipped and cold. I didn’t think I’d get much more out of him.
I threw some money on the table, and walked out. He didn’t meet my eyes once. Who or what could scare Zeus? He always needed to be the biggest, the loudest, the best. Hell, he enjoyed fighting for fun.
The only person I’d ever seen intimidate him was his ball-busting wife.
