miracle man. I was talking about your dad. He tried, bless his heart. He really did. But, well, you know the end to our story.”
“I don’t even know if Joe and I have a story yet. We’re just enjoying each other’s company for right now.”
And boy were we enjoying it. In his bed. In mine. In the kitchen. The bathroom. There weren’t all that many places in the guesthouse we hadn’t enjoyed.
And there we were.
Orgasms and dicks.
Again.
“Well,” Mom began in that way of hers that meant she had no idea she was about to offend me. “I’m just glad you have something in your life that isn’t work. It’s nice to see you expanding your horizons.”
I recoiled from the statement. Not offended, just…surprised. “I have plenty in my life that isn’t work. I have you. And Nan. And now I have Joe…”
Huh. And that was it.
Mom let the subject drop. We chatted away the rest of the drive and said our goodbyes as I pulled into the lot in front of the clinic. Her comment about work danced with her comment about my dad and made me a little seasick. I pushed them away as I stepped inside.
“What’s up, Doc?” Dorothy’s bright grin deepened as I sidled up to her desk. “No, but seriously. What’s up? You’re practically glowing. Did you try a new moisturizer? Or finally land that hottie with the body?”
I lifted my eyebrows in what I hoped looked cute and coy and not overly enthusiastic and attached. “About that…”
“You did!” Dorothy slapped her hand on the desk, emphasizing her too-loud voice and drawing the attention of Dr. Fitzgerald as she stepped into the waiting room.
She peered over the rim of her glasses. “Who did what?”
“Uh…I tried eating nothing but fast food for a week to see what effects it had on my health.” The lie rolled smoothly off my tongue and I congratulated myself on my quick thinking. Seeing as I primarily lived off fast food, I’d have an easy time giving her the greasy details if she asked.
Dr. Fitzgerald gave me the slow-blink to end all slow-blinks. “Uh-huh…” Her head bob and sideways glance alerted me to the fact that I still had not mastered the art of dishonesty. As she slipped out of the waiting room, Dorothy waved me in.
“That was a close one,” she whispered. “I don’t even know where you came up with that fast food thing, but she totally bought it.”
I wasn’t so sure that was true, but didn’t want to burst Dorothy’s bubble, so I nodded, smiled, then looked up as the door swung open. A young woman in a well-cared for but ancient blouse and skirt came through with Shane trailing behind. He had her hair and eyes, and gave me a sheepish wave. The woman caught the gesture and zeroed in.
“Are you the doctor who stitched up my son?”
“That’s me.” I waved at Shane and counted my lucky stars that Dr. Fitzgerald had left the room. The less she knew about whatever was about to happen, the better.
I sized up the situation as quickly as I could. The kiddo looked cleaner than I’d ever seen him. And embarrassed. Very embarrassed.
When I turned my attention to his mother, I realized I’d already tried and convicted her as a villain. Somewhere along the way, I’d started imagining her as the kind of monster who abandons children to fend for themselves in this big, bad world. Stringy hair. Bloodshot eyes. Selfish, fuck-the-human-race attitude fully on display.
The woman in front of me reminded me never to judge someone before I understood the situation. Her skin was clear. Her bright eyes sparked with determination and humility. This was no monster. This was a woman bathed in ferocity and love for her child.
“I want to thank you for taking care of my son. I still can’t believe he cut himself so bad and didn’t tell me.” A reproachful look had the boy’s gaze on his feet again.
“Aunt Nadine said not to tell you ‘cause it’d make you sad and then you wouldn’t be able to work anymore.” Shane picked at the hem of his shirt.
A river of emotions coursed through his mother’s eyes and she pulled him close, rustling his hair. “I know, buddy. You did what you thought was right. Can’t fault that, now can I?”
He buried himself into her side. Eyes closed.
“Shane?” She smiled into his upturned face. “Why don’t you get some snacks from that table over there so I can talk