One Menu at a Time

by Carolyn Hughey

  “Chase,” I warned.

  “I know, I know. But the very fact that you were in my arms willingly tells me there’s hope. Now if you think I’m going to give up on that, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

  “Only for a little longer.” He arched his brows, a huge confident grin on his face, and he forged ahead without giving me a chance to say anything more. “We have a doctor’s appointment today. I’ve been getting these tingling pains shooting down my legs and I’d like him to take another look. I’m thinking these casts are pinching my nerves.”

  “But we just went to the doctor.”

  “I know.”

  “So you’re going back because you didn’t like his answer and want to see if you can change his mind?”

  “Well, no. Oh, maybe. But I think he’s being silly leaving these casts on.”

  I giggled. “Oh, wow! Do you try to manipulate everyone you come into contact with?”

  “No, I got so upset on Friday, I forgot to tell him about the tingly pains.”

  “You could have done that over the phone.”

  “Perhaps, but I’d like him to take another look.”

  “Okay,” I said, less than convinced about his motives. “Then I’d better call for a limo.”

  “I already did that.”

  “Terrific. That means you’re getting better and I can get on with my plans sooner rather than later.”

  “What plans would those be?” he flirted.

  “After this job is completed.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll ever get to the I-don’t-need-you-here stage—I need you more than you can imagine.”

  I coughed to clear my throat—mostly to give me time to come up with a response. “Thank you, but it’s never going to happen.”

  “That’s what you say, but I have magical powers—you know that, right?”

  I laughed. “Yeah, right.” I walked over and picked up the remote and flipped on the television. “Now behave yourself.”

  “It’s going to happen, Jamie. Trust me.”

  “Only in your dreams.”

  “And that’s exactly what I did all weekend. I dreamt about us as a family someday. So get me to the doctor’s office and pray he removes these casts,” he continued while my mind wandered onto all the wonderful things he’d said to me. I tried to fight it, but having someone care about me the way he was describing gave me comfort—yet when Ryan popped into my mind, the fright was too much to bear. Could I ever let myself go enough to let it happen naturally?

  “Did you hear what I said, Jamie?”

  “Yes, you want the doctor to remove your casts. Although I don’t know how that’s possible after he’s already told you the two falls put a kink in your progress.”

  “No, it was after that.” He smiled. “You were thinking about us, weren’t you?”

  “I’m sure you’d like to believe that’s what I was thinking about, but I was thinking about Bailey at school and wondering how she’s making out.”

  “Why were you smiling, then?”

  “Was I smiling?”

  “Yes, you were. You look beautiful when you smile.”

  “Thank you, but you know, if you really want a woman to believe everything you’re saying, try to be a little more sincere instead of so commercial.”

  “Commercial? Are you saying I don’t mean the things I’m saying?”

  “The thought did cross my mind.”

  “Well, let me assure you, I’m dead serious, and if you give us half a chance you’d see my sincerity.”

  “Chase, stop,” I said, despite the way my heart raced whenever I was around him. “Look, I apologize for leading you on. I don’t know what happened to me,” I fibbed, “but we just don’t have that chemistry between us.”

  “Is that a fact? Well, you tell that to my heart because the way we were on Saturday gave new meaning to the word. Trust me, get me out of these casts and you’ll be seeing so much chemistry, you’ll think you’re in a lab.”

  I took a sidestep. “What time is the appointment?”

  “Eleven, and you’re changing the subject.”

  “There are some things better left unsaid.”

  “Nope, too easy, sweetheart. You think you can turn my affection off and on like a light switch? You’ve given me what I needed and I’m not stopping now. You have to know I’m not a quitter.” He pointed to his casts. “Does it sound like I’m giving up on winning the Sprint Cup Series?”

  “No, I guess not. But that’s your livelihood.”

  “Then I’ll be winning two trophies. You and the Sprint Cup.”

  “Yeah, okay. Listen, I’d better call the school to see how Bailey’s doing.” I removed my cell phone and keyed in the number, nervous about what I might hear. At the same time I noticed a slight smile on Chase’s face as he gave me the once-over from head to toe. I moved to the other room and waited for the school secretary to answer.

  “The report is she’s doing very well,” she said after I asked the nerve-wracking question. “As a matter of fact, she’s a true leader.”

  “Uh-oh, what did she do?”

  “Nothing bad. The class must have been too quiet for her, so she changed it to her liking. She got up from her chair and walked to the front of the room and told the other students they were going to join her in the alphabet song.”

  I laughed. “So what you’re saying is she’s bossy.”

  “No, not at all. The other kids knew the song and just chimed in with her. I don’t think you have a thing to worry about.”

  “Thank you. I didn’t think she’d have trouble, and I’m glad to hear she isn’t. But just so you’ll know, I need to take my client to the doctor, so if anything changes, call my cell.” I clicked off, feeling relieved, and headed back into the living room. “That little munchkin is a real trouper. She amazes me.”

  “I don’t think you give her enough credit. You need to be careful about showing her your insecurities, though, because you’ll stifle her creativity.”

  “Now you sound like my sister. Hey, give me a break here. I’m not used to being around kids. You all forget I’m learning as I go on raising a child—sort of like a crash course.”

  “Please, don’t say that word,” he said, twisting his face into a sour expression. “It has too many connotations.”

  “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking. What time does the limo arrive?”

  “It should be here”—he checked the wall clock—“right about now.”

  I waltzed over to the window. “Yep. He’s out there waiting on the curb. Okay, let me get your jacket. Is there anything else you need?”

  “Not at the moment, but when I get good news today, I’ll have a list as long as my arm.” He grinned. “I’m so looking forward to getting this cast off.”

  I helped him out the door and into the waiting limo.

  “Want to come into the doctor’s office with me?” Chase asked after the nurse motioned for him.

  “Sure, I’d be happy to, but why?”

  “I like having you close to me.” He stopped talking and stared at me. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to hear that, but I’m—” His face cracked into a devilish grin. His unfinished sentence piqued my curiosity, but I knew I needed to let his comment slide or I was going to go stark raving mad. I followed close behind him. “You give me confidence that everything is going to be okay,” he said.

  “I do?”

  He nodded. “You do.” He winked at me and I thought my heart would leap out of my chest.

  Inside, the doctor’s office was the typical room with the traditional examining table, chairs, overhead cabinets, and a sink. I wasn’t expecting to see it looking so medicinal because I thought Chase would be in lavish surroundings. I guess I just figured celebrities went to doctors who have elaborate offices to accommodate the athletes’ lifestyles.

  The muscle in Chase’s jaw twitched when he sat down. There was no doubt about it. He was nervous
.

  “It’ll be okay,” I reassured, even though I knew the outcome wasn’t going to be good. But Chase was persistent.

  Dr. Romano entered the room, his eyes focused on a set of X-rays. He shook Chase’s hand and looked to me. I extended mine and introduced myself as the nursemaid. He ignored me and went right to Chase.

  “I know you were upset about the outcome of Friday’s appointment, Chase, but I’ve checked these X-rays again and I don’t see any difference.”

  Chase blew out a frustrated breath.

  “But let’s try one other thing. I’d like to give you a test with this ruler. Here’s what I want you to do. I’m going to hold this ruler and let it hang vertically. Now, without touching the ruler with your fingers, I want you to place your thumb and index finger close to the zero centimeter mark, right here”—he pointed—“and be ready to catch it when I let go.” The doctor stepped forward. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, sir. Fire away.” The doctor released the ruler and it fell to the floor. “Oh, sorry, Doc. Let’s try that again.” He performed the test four more times and Chase was only able to latch onto the ruler once. “So what does all that mean?”

  The doctor remained silent, but I could tell by the expression on his face, he was concerned. He made his way around his large oak desk and sat down facing the two of us.

  “Tell me about these sharp pains.”

  “I’m sure it has to do with pinched nerves,” Chase said. “Sitting around for as long as I have has to have had an effect.”

  “Chase, how about you let me decide what the problem is,” Dr. Romano said.

  Chase huffed like an adolescent. “These pains start in my lower back and branch out through my butt and extend down both legs, and sometimes to the toes. It’s like my leg has fallen asleep—you know, that tingly feeling.”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “It sounds like sciatica nerve damage, which isn’t uncommon after the type of accident you’ve experienced. It’s not from lack of movement, and you’re partially right about it feeling like a pinched nerve, but it has more to do with the discs in your back.”

  “What treatment do you have for that?”

  “Exercises when you’re better, but in the meantime, medication. I’m also going to recommend an acupuncturist, who I think is the top in his field, and I want him to see you three times a week.” Chase was beginning to show signs of weariness. The doctor ignored him and continued. “But the good news is I can give you a walking boot.”

  Chase blew out a forceful breath. “Thank God for some good news. Maybe I’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight after all. What about my arm cast?”

  “I’ll remove that today too, but I don’t want you getting too frisky. Let me tell you about what to expect once they’re off, so don’t be alarmed by the way they look. Your skin will most likely be dry and scaly and I don’t want you to scratch, pick, or peel it. It’s the result of new skin growth. Gentle cleansing—not scrubbing,” he warned, “and applying body lotion helps. After I remove the casts, those limbs will appear smaller than the other arm and leg. Obviously, this is due to lack of use, but they should return back to normal with regular activity over time. You might also notice some swelling after the casts are removed, so elevate them and limit any activity to decrease swelling.”

  “So why couldn’t you remove those on Friday? Surely the weekend didn’t make much of a difference.”

  Now, it was the doctor who was huffing out air. “Chase, I told you I had to get to surgery for another patient and that was why I couldn’t remove your casts. It seems you have selective hearing.”

  Chase’s lower jaw jutted out. I sensed he was trying to curb his anger but I wasn’t sure how long that would last.

  “Should we ice it?” I asked.

  “Can’t hurt.”

  “What about normal activity?” I asked.

  “Normal activity is walking across the room; up and down stairs with the use of a railing—often times a crutch, but like I said, nothing too vigorous. The rule of thumb to follow is however much time you’ve been in a cast…that’s how long you need to refrain from strenuous activities—like car racing.”

  “So are you saying I can’t get back to racing for another eight weeks?”

  “That’s precisely what I’m saying. Your bones are in a fragile state right now from lack of use and if you ignore my instructions, you could wind up with another fracture. Judging from your reaction, I don’t think you want to risk having to spend more time in another cast, now, do you?”

  “No.”

  “The other thing you need to be aware of is that it’s not unusual for your joints to feel stiff, and chances are they’re not going to move easily after the removal of a cast. Motion and function will return with time and normal use. I’m not going to recommend further physical therapy, but increase your activity when you’re ready. Don’t force it.” I could see that Chase was immediately depressed by the news. “And it’s not uncommon for you to limp or have an altered gait for up to several months following leg cast removal, so again, don’t be alarmed.”

  “And how much more time is that going to take?”

  “It could persist for up to six months or more, so you’re going to need to be patient—something that seems to have eluded you at the moment.”

  “Doc, do you realize how important racing is to me?”

  “I think I have a good idea, but I have to be honest, your reaction time isn’t up to par either. I wish I had better news to tell you, but the tests don’t lie. Hopefully with time you’ll get back to normal, but I’m just not sure—your accident did a lot of damage to your body. I don’t have to tell you how important reaction time is when you’re driving your car in excess of 190 miles per hour. Call me conservative, but it’s better than forcing the issue and winding up not ever racing again.”

  “But I’ll lose my lead,” Chase complained. “Do you know how long I’ve been training to win the Sprint Cup?” The doctor shrugged. “Years, and this is my year!”

  “Well, I’m afraid you’re going to have to put that dream on hold for right now. You’re young enough to get back to where you want to be.”

  “But that puts me back behind the pack.”

  I could see this going nowhere fast. “Don’t shoot the messenger,” I whispered.

  “What do you know,” Chase snapped back.

  I averted my eyes and stepped back. He was in no mood for a pep talk.

  “I know you’re disappointed, Chase,” the doctor said, “but it’s not fair to take it out on the people trying to help you.”

  “Well, I want another opinion. I don’t believe you. We’re not talking about some fly-by-night career here. This is my life.”

  “That’s perfectly fine, but they’re going to tell you the same thing I’m telling you.”

  Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the minced garlic and shallot and sauté until softened, approximately five minutes. This would be a very good time for you to stop whining and be thankful you’re alive. When life deals you a different hand than you’ve expected, you’re only allowed to sulk for a day or two and then think of ways to carry on. If you’re trying to impress Jamie, forget it, my friend; she’s not impressed. The last thing she needs now is negative energy in her life. She’s been dealt a hand she wasn’t expecting either, but she made the best of it. Let this be a lesson to you.

  Now, add the chicken stock, the Worcestershire, half-and-half and stir to combine. Add the crumbled cheese, half at a time, mashing with a fork until dissolved. Add remaining cheese until sauce is smooth and thickened. So here’s a news bulletin for you since you seem to have a hard time figuring this out—the world really doesn’t revolve around you. Your rude comment to the one woman you want in your life wasn’t cool either. And, once again, you’re doing what you do best—driving the herd as far away from you as possible. Now isn’t that an interesting point? You’d better decide if you’re going to live in the past or in the future—the very thing
Jamie’s sister told her. You may be kindred spirits in that department, but you may have just sent her packing. So swallow your ego and begin some heavy-duty backpedaling if you want to build a relationship with her.

  Serve this sauce with the Puttin’ On The Ritz Espresso-Crusted Beef Tenderloin steaks in Chapter Nine. Coat the bottom of a warm plate with the sauce and float a steak over top. Garnish with parsley. Makes one and a half cups of sauce.

  Chase had the phone glued to his ear as we drove the distance back to the apartment, calling two different orthopedic surgeons for an appointment. I could sense his anger building and remained quiet, trying to duck the aftermath of his disappointment. He clicked off the phone and spoke to the driver.

  “Please turn the car around and head for 502 North Madison Avenue. I have an appointment in a half hour.”

  “I sure hope we make it in time, sir,” the driver said, “with this traffic—”

  Chase cut him off. “Well then you’d better find a different way to get there.”

  “Chase! Stop being so angry. This poor man had nothing to do with your disappointment.”

  “Look, if you don’t like the company, then get out of the car and take the train home.”

  “I think that sounds like an excellent idea!” The driver, who was watching me in the rearview mirror, appeared to be waiting for me to say something. I nodded and exited the car while stuck in traffic. I heard Chase say something, but I didn’t turn back. He’d just made my decision easy and I knew exactly where I was headed—a new job at a restaurant and a new school for Bailey. I was determined to make it happen with as little disruption as possible. Quite honestly, I couldn’t help but feel a sting of disappointment. The challenge he’d offered was now a moot issue and only confirmed my initial belief.

  It wasn’t until I found myself out of breath that I realized my anger had propelled my feet so fast I was like a galloping horse edging its way ahead of the others to the finish line. I stopped at a nearby park and sat down on a bench, hoping to relieve the tension inside me.