Faasp Hospital

by Thadd Evans

  “What else did she say?”

  “Nothing. We’ll talk later.” He hung up.

  How did he meet her? Donald rarely talked to me about his connections inside Faasp.

  I typed, feeling hopeful yet paranoid. Would the CFO or anyone else in her department buy other software, and give up on Medxao? I didn’t want to think about this topic anymore.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Five months later, on Monday as I went down a hall, my phone rang.

  Donald said, “Good news.”

  I raised an eyebrow, curious. “What is it?”

  “Come to my office.”

  I sat down, grinning, baffled.

  Donald chuckled, something I had never seen him do before. “Gennat, a hospital network, just purchased Medxao. Your share, slightly more than forty million dollars, will be directly deposited in your bank account in a few minutes.”

  “Unbelievable.”

  He shook my hand. “Congratulations. You played a big role in this.

  “Judging by that look on your face, you’re as surprised as I am.”

  My mind went into high gear, trying to take it all in.

  “I’m not sure how they heard about Medxao.

  “Anyway, go home an hour early, celebrate. Tomorrow morning, I want you to test new software, Qurev. We’ll talk more about it then.

  “By the way, call me Don.”

  I nodded, impressed, knowing that everyone else addressed him as Donald.

  After paying the taxi driver, I climbed out, and entered an auto dealership. Although I thought about buying a car last month, doing it felt risky. Donald could replace me.

  A salesman in a tailor made suit frowned. “Can I help you?”

  I pointed at an expensive sports car, a TZ. “I want to take it for a short drive.”

  He paused, an annoyed expression on his face. “Sure.”

  I climbed in.

  He adjusted the passenger seat. “You look nervous.”

  “I’m excited.”

  He smiled and put a key in the ignition. The car started, a barely audible humming noise. “It goes from zero to sixty in three seconds.”

  “Amazing.” I drove away, then turned and stopped at a red light.

  To our left, a beautiful woman rolled down her car window. “Is that yours?”

  I laughed, enjoying her question. “Maybe.”

  “It’s sleek. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  I nodded, pleased by her comment, pushed the accelerator, and glanced at the salesman. “Do people usually react that way to the TZ?”

  “Absolutely.”

  I sat at the salesman’s desk.

  He grabbed papers. “We have a great installment plan.”

  “It’s not necessary. I’ll pay for all of it now.”

  He stared at me, an astonished expression on his face.

  I parked in front of my apartment.

  A cute twenty something woman with an hourglass figure kept staring at the TZ. She walked around it and stopped, close to my window, eyes wide open. “Wow.”

  I chuckled, feeling upbeat. “What’s your name?”

  “Lou.”

  “Would you like to go for a short tour?”

  She blurted, “Who, me?”

  “Yes, you.”

  “Let’s go.” She hurried toward the passenger side and hopped in.

  I drove off. “Tell me about yourself.”

  Lou paused, eyelids fluttering. “I’m a hair stylist at Cut Above.”

  “That’s decent work.”

  “Sort of.”

  I nodded, not sure what to say about her vague comment.

  “What about you?”

  I answered, a short explanation.

  “Neato.”

  I offered a brief grin, not wanting to brag. “What is your favorite band?”

  “The Kinks.”

  I pushed a button. One of their songs played.

  “I love this.” She snapped her fingers, keeping time to the beat.

  On a sidewalk, a man snapped a picture of the TZ.

  Lou aimed her finger at him, smirking, and broke out laughing.

  I parked near our apartment and gave her my business card. “Call, any time.”

  “Thanks.” She exited, a happy expression on her face.

  I got out, wondering if Lou would contact me.

  A small crowd gathered around my car.

  Tammy took a picture of the auto and kissed Jane.

  I cringed, feeling resentful, and walked away, tapping my phone’s screen. Photos of mansions scrolled.

  Later in the afternoon, someone knocked on my apartment door.

  I walked and opened it, curious. Had Lou decided to drop by?

  Tammy, camera in hand, dressed in black, beamed. “Most of my pictures are blurred. Can you help me fix them?”

  I winced, then grinned, being polite. In my mind’s eye, one possibility, I told her she should return to her apartment. “Sure. Come in.”

  We sat on the couch.

  My dick rose, an excited reaction. Despite all the scars, Tammy looked great. “Two settings are wrong. I’ll change them.” In my imagination, the motorcyclist shoved his penis inside her and she howled with delight.

  “Thanks. I’m nervous.”

  My stomach muscles tightened, a worried response. “Did I say the wrong thing?”

  “Nope.”

  I frowned. “Explain yourself, please.”

  “You’re sexy, but I’m involved with Jane.”

  I cringed. “Sorry for asking, but why did you come to my apartment?”

  “It’s hard to say this because I told her I loved her.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I’ve been lying to myself, saying you’re a just handsome man, someone I can ignore.”

  “Is that all I am?”

  Tammy glanced at the floor, an anxious expression on her face. “Nope.”

  I glowered. “Tell me more.”

  She fidgeted. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  “You think, aren’t sure?”

  She lit a cigarette, then exhaled smoke. “I’m a little mixed up, torn between the two of you.”

  My brow tightened, an angry response. I nodded, being nice.

  “Jane is beautiful, and a lot of fun, but she lies too much.”

  I scowled, wishing the conversation would end.

  “A week after we slept together, she came home late.”

  I bit my lip, wishing Tammy would go back to Jane. That way I could move on with a new life. “Did you ask her about it?”

  She paused, teeth clenched. “Yeah.”

  “What did she say?”

  Tammy stared at the floor, eyelids fluttering. “She told me not to worry about it.”

  I paused, shocked that Tammy would put up with Jane’s attitude.

  She sighed. “Later on, I didn’t see her for days.”

  “By later on, do you mean a month?”

  Tammy stuttered, “Sah, sah, something like that.”

  I clenched my teeth, irritated. Tammy was too chicken to confront Jane.

  “A month ago, I asked her if she had another lover.”

  I blenched. “Did she answer your question?”

  “Nope.”

  “What did she say?”

  “I was out, visiting friends.”

  “That’s a lousy answer.”

  She nodded slowly.

  “I hate to see you cry.”

  “What a shitty mess.”

  I gritted my teeth, not wanting to ask an ugly question, but felt it was important. “Did you have to make love to her in front of me?”

  “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. It won’t happen again.”

  I scratched my chin, wondering how long her irritating monologue would last. “Are you still dating the motorcyclist?”

  She gaspe
d. “Nope. How did you find out about him?”

  I told her what I saw.

  Tammy took a long drag, glowering. “I fucked up.”

  I scowled. “Are you going to see him again?”

  She fidgeted. “Nope.”

  “Where did you meet him?” Did she pick up strangers off the street or in dive bars?

  Tammy glanced down, an ashamed expression on her face. “He came into the coffee shop and asked me out.”

  In my mind’s eye, a possibility, she was strutting around bars, ogling men. Dating this flirt might be a mistake.

  “I can’t make it on my own, I need someone to love.”

  “After you’ve made up your mind, come back to me.”

  “You look irritated. It’s not easy for me.”

  I exhaled, trying to calm down.

  “Am I pretty, a lot of fun?”

  “Yes. That’s an understatement. It hurts me to say it, but please leave, before I say something I’ll regret.”

  “I have a headache, feel like throwing up.” She left, an unsteady gait.

  I stood, worried that she would fall down. “I’ll walk you to your apartment.”

  She paused and turned toward me. “Thanks.”

  I gave her a handkerchief.

  She took it and blew her nose.

  “I like your gloves and red fingernails.”

  “Thanks. If I don’t wear the gloves, strangers point at my robotic hands and arms, then tell me I’m a freak.”

  “I’m sorry to hear it. Your robotic hands and arms look great.”

  She grinned.

  We continued on.

  Ahead, Jane stared at me. “Stay away from my woman.”

  I winced, let go, and headed for my apartment.

  Jane spat, “Tammy, what the hell is going on? You’re mine.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  I parked at the end of a long driveway, and hopped out, next to a mansion.

  A woman in a pants suit, a real estate agent, frowned. “Justin?”

  I nodded, uncomfortable with her formal tone.

  She shook my hand, a serious expression on her face.

  I offered a brief smile, being courteous.

  She turned, entered the home, went through a huge living room, and stopped in the large kitchen. Outside a huge window, beyond the backyard, yachts were moored to neighbor’s docks.

  I paused. “Great view.” My mind jumped into high gear, adjusting to the rich neighborhood, a place where elegantly dressed men and women bragged about opera and vacations in Paris. It was hard to believe that this could be my new home.

  “Definitely.

  “There are six bedrooms, a pool, and a helicopter pad. Would you like to see them?”

  I nodded, trying to remain level headed, not get too excited. We strolled.

  She offered more details.

  “I’ll take it.”

  She blinked. “I can arrange financing.”

  “I’ll pay for it all at once.”

  She stared at me, an astounded expression on her face.

  Next week, on Sunday, after movers carried every box out of my apartment, I sat on the floor, wondering if anything had been left behind.

  My phone rang. I blinked. “Hello.”

  Donald said, “Nancy’s operation was successful.”

  “Thanks for telling me.”

  “No problem. Have a good weekend.” He hung up.

  I smiled.

  Outside, the approaching sound of clicking heels became louder.

  I looked up, curious.

  Tammy was standing in the doorway, a halfhearted smile on her face, dressed in dark blue, sunglasses, a cat suit, thigh-high boots, a strap on dildo, and gloves. “How are you?”

  I flinched, surprised that she was here. “Fine.”

  She sat next to me. “I’m sorry to see you go.”

  “You haven’t called or come by since last week. I’m not saying you had to.” I lapsed into silence, not wanting to argue.

  “Jane and I are going through some changes.”

  I hesitated. This comment was vague, a hint. She wanted to leave her woman, but it was a comfortable relationship, one that would drag on for a long time. Tammy had dropped by to say hello, wanting me to think of her as decent, not a slut.

  Although I was being nice, looking at this sexy woman, someone I wouldn’t see again, made me sad. I wished Tammy had remained in her apartment. That way it would be easier to forget about her. “Whatever. Anyway, this apartment was small. I bought something bigger.”

  “Awesome. Can I see it?”

  I raised an eyebrow, stunned that she was interested. Would she visit my house, then go back to Jane, forever? There was one way to find out. “Sure. Have you taken a lot of pictures recently?”

  “I’ve taken many for years, but have run out of ideas. Do you have any suggestions?”

  I offered a brief smile, worried that she would ignore them. “Mine is that we should go to Wren Park, take photos of flowers. Then I’ll show you my house.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Tammy glanced at Daffodils. “How about these?”

  “They’re in the shade, too dark.” I mentioned others, ones in sunlight.

  Tammy chuckled, strolled. “What do you think of these?”

  I touched her shoulder and looked through the camera lens. “Move closer. The flower is too far away.”

  She inched forward. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” My penis rose.

  The shutter clicked.

  “Great. Take more pictures.”

  Tammy pointed at Roses. “Those?”

  “Good idea.” I grabbed her hand and walked, my adrenaline pumping. Her butt, its cheeks accentuated by the tight suit, was driving me out of my mind. I wanted to remove the dildo and make love to her, but I smiled, being polite. My phone remained silent. Would Dr. Haar call, ask me tough questions?

  Tammy glanced at me. “Are you angry at me?

  “No.” I told her about the constant phone calls and meetings.

  “That’s a lot of pressure.”

  I nodded.

  “Is there anything I can do to help you relax?”

  “You’re gorgeous and charming. I couldn’t ask for more.”

  She kissed me and pulled back. “You’re sweet.”

  I grinned, listening, waiting for the phone to chime.

  It didn’t ring.

  I patted her butt, a playful gesture.

  Tammy shook it and winked.

  I put my arm around her waist.

  Chapter Sixteen

  At dusk, I turned onto another street.

  “I took a lot of pictures. It was fun.”

  “Great.”

  Tammy blurted, “This is a fancy area. Do you live around here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Awesome.”

  I pulled into the long driveway.

  Tammy’s eyes opened wider.

  I laughed, enjoying her reaction, and parked by the front door.

  We hopped out.

  Tammy glanced to the right and left. “It’s fantastic, like a dream.”

  I smirked, pleased by her comment, and opened the front door.

  Tammy entered, boot heels clicking on the marble floor. Then she spun around, gaping. “I’ve never been inside a mansion. How do you afford the rent?

  “I own it.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “No.”

  She sat on the couch, a bewildered expression on her face.

  I smiled.

  Tammy spread both legs, testicles dangling, a sexy sight. “I’d like to stay all night.”

  “Stay as long as you like.”

  She stood, eyelids fluttering. “I don’t want to get on your nerves.”

  “You won’t.”

  Tammy’s eyes darted back and forth. “Cool.”

  “If you’r
e unhappy here, feel free to leave.”

  Tammy unzipped her cat suit.

  I removed the prick.

  Tammy lay on her back.

  I stooped, shoved my penis inside, and pumped. My thrusts jerked her butt off the carpet. Soon we reached a smooth rhythm, sweating.

  Tammy blurted, “Honey…”

  I pulled out, hair soaked, and kissed her breasts.

  She wrapped her legs around my waist, and stroked my hairy chest. “You love screwing me.”

  “Yes.”

  “Do it any time.”

  I shoved my dick in.

  “Oooh, nice. Fuck your bitch, honey.” Her cell phone rang. “Damn.”

  I frowned. “Are you going to ignore it?”

  “It could be Dr. Haar. He said I might have to take eye drops.”

  I paused, disappointed.

  “Hello.

  “Yes, I’m Tammy.” She paused, a frustrated expression on her face. “Wow. Thanks for telling me.” She hung up.

  I scowled. “Was that Jane or the motorcyclist?”

  She glowered. “Nope.”

  I frowned. “Who was it?”

  Her face tightened. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

  “Why not now?”

  “It will ruin our evening.”

  “Are you seeing someone else?”

  “No. I love you, nobody else.”

  I gritted my teeth.

  “Please, be patient.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  I parked in front of my old apartment. Tammy wanted to remove all her belongings, take them to my home.

  She exited and walked toward the front door, me next to her.

  It opened. Inside, Jane scowled. “Tammy, where have you been?”

  She frowned. “Not here.”

  Jane blurted, “That’s bullshit.”

  Tammy blinked, didn’t say a word, went past her, and picked up clothes.

  I grabbed others and put them in a suitcase.

  Jane glared at me.

  I offered a forced smile, back tensed, worried.

  Jane snapped, “Tammy, what are you doing?”

  She stuffed clothes into a bag, didn’t answer.

  Jane barked, “Talk to me.”