by Erin Wade
Both physicians leaned back in their chairs and studied Jane. “She will be beautiful,” Kadence smiled. “Just beautiful.”
“The rest of the swelling should be gone completely in a couple of weeks,” Nikki said. “You can do your magic on her then if you think she’s ready.”
“Umm,” Kadence hummed as she continued to design the woman’s face in her mind. “Yes, love, you will be glorious.”
“I will leave her in your capable hands,” Nikki said. “I’ll check on you later, Jane.”
“May I see my face?” Jane asked tentatively.
Kadence nodded. “You may, but keep in mind it is a mess. There are scars, and your nose is broken. Dr. Davis had to reconstruct your face completely. You will look nothing like you did.”
Jane shrugged. “I have no idea how I looked, so I won’t be disappointed.”
She stood and walked to the mirror on the dressing counter in her room. She gasped at the sight that greeted her. “I’m a monster,” she hissed.
“No.” Kadence placed her hands on Jane’s frail shoulders. “You look like a beautiful, clean canvass to me.”
Tears ran down Jane’s cheeks and fell onto her ample bosom. Kadence was glad she wouldn’t have to perform any surgery there. Jane’s breasts were perfect.
For the next two weeks, Kadence spent every spare minute with Jane Doe. She wanted to get to know as much as possible about her personality, what made her laugh, and what upset her.
As Jane regained her strength, Kadence took her for long walks through the hospital. She showed her the departments that made her proud.
“Would you like to dine outside the hospital?” Kadence asked Jane just before lunch.
“I . . . I’m surprised you would want to be seen with such a hideous creature.” Jane ducked her head.
“I only see the woman you will become.” Kadence laughed. “Please, give me some credit for what I can accomplish.”
Jane shook her head. “I’ll just stay inside, if you don’t mind.”
“What if I do mind?” Kadence said. “What if I would like to go to a nice place for lunch and would like you to go with me?”
Jane wrestled with her question but not for long. “Then I would say that I’ll be delighted to dine with you, Dr. Pride.” A hint of a smile crossed her lips.
Kadence was glad those lips weren’t damaged. They were lovely. Full and beautifully shaped, they would be the centerpiece around which she would sculpt her masterpiece.
##
Kadence knew exactly where she wanted to take Jane Doe. It was a quiet little restaurant that served excellent food. The ambience was perfect, and the service was exceptional.
Kadence pulled out Jane’s chair and easily slid it in as the woman took her seat. She could tell by the way Jane gracefully handled the maneuver that she was accustomed to men pulling out chairs for her. Muscle memory, she thought.
After they ordered, Jane looked around the restaurant. “This is enchanting,” she said.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Dr. Pride, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” Jane smiled. “Obviously, I can’t tell you about myself.”
“You already know all there is to know about me,” Kadence said. “I’m a doctor. I’m single, never been married. I live in an apartment here and love to go boating.”
“Are you a player?” Jane asked. “You’re extremely attractive. I can’t believe some woman hasn’t snapped you up.”
Kadence laughed. “No, I’m not a skirt chaser. I outgrew that in med school. I’ve simply never found the right woman. I don’t want to bore you to death with trivial prattle.”
“I’m enjoying it,” Jane said.
“How are you doing? Mentally, I mean.” She took Jane’s hands in hers. “It must be maddening.”
Jane shrugged. “It is, but what can I do?”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Yes, can we give me a name besides Jane Doe?” Her dark eyes sparkled. “Jane sounds like something from a first-grade primer. You know . . . Look, Jane. See Spot run.”
“You remember first-grade primers?”
“Like I remember the color blue.” She frowned thoughtfully. “Some things are ingrained in us.”
“What name would you like?” Kadence said.
“I’ve given it a lot of thought. I think I like Faith. Jane Doe sounds like a victim, Dr. Pride, and I have faith in you. Yes, Faith is a good name.”
“Faith it is then.” Kadence smiled. “Are you enjoying being out of the hospital, Faith?”
“Very much,” she said.
“Would you like to walk in the park after lunch?”
“Yes. That would be nice, Dr. Pride.”
##
Kadence made a point to take Faith to lunch for the rest of the week. On Friday, she noticed the woman was a bit apprehensive.
She waited until the server poured their coffee then placed her hand over Faith’s. “You seem uneasy,” she said.
“I have my first real session with Dr. Storm this afternoon,” Faith said, looking down at their hands. “I guess I’m a little nervous.”
“Don’t be. Dr. Storm is good people. You’ll like her.”
“Do you know her well?” Faith asked.
“Yes. I’ve known her since high school and went to college with Dr. Storm and her sister, Teagan.” Kadence tilted her head, trying to imagine Faith with Mecca’s good looks. It would be easy to accomplish.
“You’re lucky to have her,” she added. “You’re lucky you landed in the emergency room when Nikki and Teagan were on duty. They made you their top priority. So, of course Mecca and I did too.”
“They let me watch you work this morning,” Faith said shyly. “You are amazing.”
Kadence held up her hands. “I promise you will be in good hands.”
She watched Jane—Faith—as she ate. She had been through so much. She had gained a little weight and filled out a dress nicely.
Her hair was thick and dark brown, almost black. There were still some blonde tips where the bleach job had not grown off. Kadence couldn’t wait to get her a stylish haircut.
“You might want to have several sessions with Dr. Storm before I work my magic,” Kadence suggested. “She might help you remember who you are, what you looked like before. . .” She trailed off. She hadn’t intended to bring up Faith’s beating.
“Before someone took a baseball bat to me?” Faith frowned. “Except for this”—she motioned toward her face—“I am healed and want to get on with my new life. I want to do the surgery Monday.”
“I might give you a face you don’t like once your memories return,” Kadence said.
“I doubt that.”
“My prerequisite for plastic surgery is that my patients see a psychiatrist,” Kadence continued. “If they’re lucky, they get to see Mecca.”
“I guess I’m one of the lucky ones,” Faith scoffed.
As they took their usual walk through the park, Faith stopped to watch a young man win a chess match.
“Do you play?” the young man asked her as his opponent walked away. He didn’t seem to notice her scars.
“I think I do.” A deep frown creased her forehead.
“Well, show me what you’ve got, pretty lady.” He beamed at her as he placed the chess pieces on the board.
Kadence leaned against a tree to watch. She was prepared for a long wait. To her amazement and the man’s, Faith beat him in ten moves.
“I do think you know how to play,” the young man said with a chuckle. “Damn, you’re good. I mean, lady, I’m the state chess champion. How about a rematch?”
Faith laughed. “I really must go. I have an appointment. But thank you so much. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.”
“Look at you!” Kadence caught Faith’s hand and held it. “You’re a brilliant chess player.”
“I just knew how to do it,” Faith said proudly.
“Things are alre
ady beginning to come back to you,” Kadence said. “Mecca will be thrilled. How would you feel about going to dinner with me after your session with her? We can discuss your progress.”
“Would that be okay?” Faith asked, looking up at her through long dark lashes. “I mean, wouldn’t the hospital frown on you dating your patient?”
“Oh! Not a date,” Kadence whispered, her free hand flying to her chest. “A consultation.”
Faith laughed at her antics. It was a soft, sensuous laugh. “I would like a consultation, Dr. Pride.”
Chapter 8
Jericho watched Mecca’s office from the same booth in the same coffee shop she had occupied for the past five years.
Some days, when the boredom overcame her, she would walk up and down the street. She was thankful for the workout room in her apartment. She shuddered to think how much she would weigh if she didn’t work out three hours a day.
Jericho’s days were monotonous. She awoke at four and worked out until seven. She showered, drank a protein shake, and went out the door before Mecca left her apartment.
Today Mecca was leaving her office early. As her taxi pulled away from the curb, Jericho pulled from the parking garage. Mecca was wearing her white doctor’s coat. That meant they were going to the hospital. She hoped she wasn’t spending the night away from home. Jericho hated that.
##
Kadence met Mecca at the top of the escalators. “Good afternoon, love,” she said, grinning as she hugged her. “I need a favor.”
Mecca laughed at her friend. The twinkle in her eye told her she was about to ask for help—something Kadence Pride rarely did.
She shoved a Bloomingdale’s sack into her hand. “Please give this to Faith. Don’t tell her it’s from me. Tell her you thought she might like to wear something besides hospital clothes.”
“That should lift her spirits too,” Mecca noted.
Mecca smiled when she noticed the name on Jane Doe’s door had been changed to Faith Doe. She wondered if Faith was the woman’s real name.
“Good afternoon, Faith. How are you feeling today?” Mecca placed the large shopping bag on the hospital bed.
“I’m doing well. Thank you for asking.” Faith eyed the bag. “What’s that?
“We thought you might be tired of wearing hospital clothes,” Mecca said as she began removing things from the bag: a great pair of designer jeans and a beautiful pullover top; a lovely dress, suitable for the theatre or church; and two boxes of shoes—heels and loafers. Hmm, she thought. Kadence has exceptional taste.
Faith approached the items slowly, almost as if she were afraid they would be yanked away from her. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she kept her lips pressed tight to keep from sobbing.
Mecca handed her a tissue. “I hope the sizes are right.”
“They’re perfect.” Faith held the dress up to her. “Just perfect.”
Mecca thought she detected a slight southern accent in Faith’s words.
Faith put away the new clothes as Mecca made herself at home in one of the uncomfortable hospital chairs.
“Tell me how things are going.”
“Good,” Faith said. “Dr. Pride has let me get out of the hospital several times this week. I played chess with a young man in the park.”
“You remembered how to play chess?” Mecca raised a perfectly arched brow.
“Yes. And I won.” Faith laughed.
“Have you had any feelings of déjà vu or flashbacks?” Mecca asked.
“No, but I know you,” Faith almost whispered. “You made them drink the Kool-Aid.”
Mecca drew back from the woman. “How do you know that?”
“I . . . I don’t know. I just do. Perhaps I overheard someone in the hospital talking about you.”
“I understand Dr. Pride is going to be working with you.” Mecca wanted to know how the woman felt about the upcoming surgery. She had already been through so many.
“Yes.” Faith smiled shyly. “I’m scheduled for Monday.”
“Does it bother you that you will have someone else’s face when Dr. Pride finishes? That you won’t look like you did?”
“No,” Faith answered honestly. “I have no idea how I looked. I’m a little excited. Anything is better than this.”
“Have you given any thought to how you want to look?”
Faith frowned, as if the idea hadn’t occurred to her. “No, I will just trust Dr. Pride.
“How did you come up with the name Faith?”
“There are several Jane Does around here.” Faith bowed her head. “I just wanted something different. Dr. Pride said it was okay. It is okay, isn’t it?”
“Of course.” Mecca smiled.
##
Faith took her time dressing for her outing with Dr. Pride. Kadence would be surprised to see her in something other than hospital clothes. “Come in,” Faith responded to the soft knock on her door.
“Oh my, Faith!” Kadence murmured. “You look marvelous. I love that dress.”
“Thank you.” She blushed at the praise. “Dr. Storm gave it to me . . . and the heels too.”
Kadence let her eyes travel the length of Faith, from her head to her feet. Just as she knew they would, the heels made her legs look even longer and shapelier.
“Dr. Storm has excellent taste,” she said with a grin as she held out her hand to Faith. “Shall we?”
They discussed Faith’s session with Mecca and Kadence’s day at the hospital as they rode in the cab to the restaurant.
The hostess recognized Kadence and led them to a table at the back of the room, away from the more boisterous diners.
“You’re off all meds now,” Kadence said. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
Faith nodded, and Kadence ordered for them.
“I still don’t know much about Dr. Kadence Pride,” Faith said as she sipped her wine. “From the faint accent, I’m assuming you weren’t raised in the US.”
Kadence grinned. “Not much to tell. Aussie accent. My parents moved here when I was ten. As far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a doctor. Fortunately, the top ten medical schools in the world are in the US.”
“Do your parents live in New York City?” Faith asked.
“No, they’ve retired to a small farm outside Albany. They’re close friends with Mecca and Teagan’s parents. Sometime the four of them join us here for a musical or some event they want to attend.”
They stopped talking long enough to order. Then Faith asked about her siblings.
“Three brothers and one sister.” Kadence beamed. “They’re great. You’ll love them.”
They sat in silence as each mentally debated Kadence’s statement.
“Tell me about them.”
“Kaela, my sister, is the baby of the family. She graduates from John Hopkins this year and already has several offers from research laboratories.
“She’s a tough little cuss. Struggling to be heard above four older siblings makes one very aggressive and independent.” Kadence laughed. “Yeah, definitely scrappy. I’m the oldest and then Caleb.”
They talked the rest of the night about Kadence’s family. Caleb owned the farm next to their parents. Josh was an attorney in DC, and Allen worked for the State Department. “I just realized that all of us are single,” Kadence added.
Faith asked about her hobbies and interests. Kadence couldn’t remember when she had talked so much. Faith wished she could share the same details about herself.
It was Faith’s first time out among the crowd. Kadence was pleased that the boisterous hubbub of the Friday night diners wasn’t bothering her.
Sometimes, patients who had suffered Faith’s level of trauma were disturbed by crowds. They were prone to anxiety attacks. Whoever she was, Faith Doe was an incredibly strong woman.
When the evening ended, Kadence walked Faith to her room. “Here we are,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed consulting with you.”
Faith bowed her head shyly. “And
I with you, Dr. Pride.”
“Faith, I . . . you look beautiful tonight.”
Faith tiptoed to kiss her on the cheek before slipping inside her room, closing the door behind her.
##
As she removed her makeup, Faith Doe studied her face in the mirror. Dr. Davis had done a spectacular job of rebuilding her face. She had seen the before and after MRIs and photos. Her face still looked like a bad Halloween mask, but she had every faith Dr. Pride would fix that.
She no longer felt terrified and alone. Kadence Pride had made her feel almost human.
She hoped Dr. Storm could help her regain her memory. The doctors assured her that there was no physical reason for her memory loss. She wondered if this was her mind’s way of protecting her from some horror too devastating to remember.
She dressed for bed and wandered over to the window that overlooked a small park area. To her surprise, Kadence was sitting on one of the benches. Faith wondered what she was thinking.
##
“Good, you’ve finished breakfast,” Kadence said with a smile as she strode into the room behind the woman collecting food trays.
Faith couldn’t hide her delight at seeing her. “You’re one dedicated doctor,” she said. “Do you always come to the hospital on Saturdays?”
“No, never,” Kadence said truthfully.
“I must be special.” Damn. I’m flirting with her, Faith thought.
“No doubt about that. I brought you some things to look at, to help you decide what you want to look like.”
Faith smiled. “Do you have a dream woman, Doctor?” Her smile always twisted the scar that ran the width of her cheek.
“Of course,” Kadence quipped. “Everyone does.”
“Then make me look like your dream woman, please.”
“Okay. I can do that. Don’t you want to know who my dream woman is?”
“No, I trust you.” She smiled again. “You have exceptional taste.”
“How do you know that?”
“From the clothes you bought me.”
Kadence blushed slightly. “I’m going to make my rounds as long as I’m here. Why don’t you get dressed, and we’ll catch a matinee somewhere?”
“I’d like that,” Faith declared. “More consultation?”