As I reach in, I notice Alex has also left his pants. I’m sure it’s a mistake. He wouldn’t leave this for me, but he did have a late night, so maybe he was counting on the cleaning people to take care of it.
When I pull out the pants, something falls onto the floor.What is that? A business card?
It belongs to a Dr. Valeria Rivera, a pediatric oncologist in Redondo Beach. This has to be her from last night, or maybe not. Maybe he met her at the hospital? He does know a lot of doctors. I turn the card around and see she has scribbled,Call me, Alex. I had a great time tonight.
I’ve always had visceral, emotional reactions, but I didn’t expect to vomit on the floor. My head is spinning with scenarios. Iclean up the mess while chanting in my head,Do not sleuth. Do not look her up, Dani. Do not do it unless you want to cry all day. You already know she’s a doctor. That’s enough. Why couldn’t she be a bimbo? Uneducated? A barfly?
It’s not so much that I am jealous of the woman or mad about him bringing her to the apartment, though that does piss me off; I’m more jealous of Alex, on a competitive level. Why is he finding someone first? Why does it seem easy for him? Oh right, because men look distinguished as they age and women just look old.
As if I’m being controlled like a marionette, I walk over to thedesk in the corner, sit down, and open my computer. I can’t help it.
I googleDr. Valeria Rivera.
I hate what I am seeing so much that I’m squeezing my hands into fists so tightly, my nails are piercing my skin. She’s not just a doctor for kids with cancer, she’s a highly revered doctor…and she’sbeautiful. I click on her picture to zoom in.
Why am I doing this to myself?
There is something innately sexy about her. She has long dark hair, big full lips, and flawless skin. Surprisingly, I’m not crying. I just feel sick to my stomach. I zoom in more and notice she has fairly large ears.That’s what I’ll focus on.
I dial Alicia.
“Hello, babe.”
“Do you have a minute?” I say in a dull tone.
“Yeah, I’m at the office, shoving food in my face. Working on a freakin’ Sunday. I can take a break for a bit, though. What’s up?” she says.
Everything spills out at lightning speed, “Alex fucked a hot doctor at the apartment that was supposed to be off-limits. In our bed.”
Alicia is silent. She’s never silent. “Dani…” she says cautiously, but I stop her.
“Is this what he was waiting for?”
“It’s going to be hard at first. Be clear with him that it can’t happen at the apartment anymore. That is basic respect. Alex can afford a hotel room.”
My eyes start to water. I’m feeling sorry for myself. “Itisbasic respect.”
“How did you find out?” she asks.
“The neighbor thought she was me and mentioned seeing me with him last night and then I found the woman’s business card in the pocket of his pants. I googled her.”
“Dani, why were you looking through his clothes?”
“I wasn’t. His pants were in the laundry. The card fell out. Her writing was on it, saying she had fun and to call her.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah,” I say as tears finally escape my eyes. I can tell Alicia has stopped eating.
“He’s going to get a girlfriend, Dani. Alex isn’t the hookup type.”
“Apparently, he is,” I say. “She has massive ears though. You know what? She’s not hot at all. I mean, her ears are like a deformity, they’re so big. I have an image running through my mind on a constant loop. She’s standing on a building ledge with a fucking feather on her nose, about to take flight.”
“I think that’s an okay image to have on a loop, if you have to have one right now,” Alicia says.
I know what she’s hinting at, and of course she’s right that I’mactuallypicturing Alex having sex with Doctor Dumbo.
“She’s a pediatric oncologist, Alicia. She’s a goddamn saint and I’m over here making up piddling stories for a living.”
