by Janet Leigh
“Brodie, we can’t think like that.”
“Sorry, it’s probably all the sugar I had for breakfast. It causes depression ya know.”
I frowned at him and left for the office.
Chapter 9
I headed east and pulled up at the clinic exactly ten minutes late.
Eli was standing hands on hips staring at the ceiling in his office when I came in, his dark hair in need of a cut, curled around the collar of his lab coat.
“What are you looking at?” I asked, scanning the ceiling.
“We have squirrels.”
“Squirrels?”
“Yes.” He flopped down into his chair. “They’re keeping me up all night running in the attic.”
The word squirrel reminded me of the whiskey Caiyan was saving for our wedding night. Eli wasn’t the only one harboring squirrels. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Dark circles ringed his baby blues. Each of us had inherited a version of our mom’s blue eyes. Mine were deep blue—almost the color of the Mediterranean Sea, much like my mother’s. Eli’s were lighter, the color of the summer sky. Today, they were rimmed in red and his jet-black hair was in sharp contrast, making them seem faded, almost gray.
“You look like you haven't slept well.”
He wasn't wearing his normal attire of crisp dress shirt and slacks; instead, he wore navy scrubs under his doctor jacket. He only wore scrubs when he was expecting to treat messy patients.
“Why are you in scrubs today?”
“The goat people are coming in.”
I nodded. The goat farmers were a group of millennial girls who owned a goat farm. They raised miniature goats. The goats were cute, but they smelled like goat. The girls also smelled like goat and usually arrived with goat hair on their clothes and lord knows what on their shoes. The goat hair seemed to jump from their clothing to anything that came within three feet of them. The girls specialized in goat yoga. Willing participants could take a yoga class at the farm and the girls trained the little goats to stomp around on backs and butts. My coworkers wanted to try it out, but I was hesitant based on the smell and amount of goat hair left behind by the girls.
Eli returned his glasses to his face and took a swig of water from a bottle on his desk. The rounded collar of his scrub top revealed a naked neck.
“Where's your key?” I asked, sitting down across from his desk.
“I stored it in my safe.”
I lifted my eyebrows at him. He knew the safest place for his key was around his neck.
“I can’t keep it hidden when I wear scrubs, and I feel like a girl when I wear it. Besides, I have a date tonight.”
Eli wasn't one to wear jewelry. He never wore his class ring in high school. He didn't bother with a college ring, and he never wore the Pucca shell necklaces like Brodie or the leather bracelets Ace and Marco preferred. Caiyan wore a watch. Eli kept time on a fitness tracker he wore around his wrist.
I was glad Eli had started dating again. He'd had a bad run-in with Mahlia Mafuso, and he was finally dipping his toe back in the dating pool.
“Who are you going out with tonight?”
“A woman from town. I met her at the laundromat. The squirrels have clogged up my dryer vent and now my laundry room is full of lint, and my dryer is on the blink.”
“That stinks.” I agreed going to the laundromat was a pain. “At least you got a date out of it.”
“What are you doing this weekend?” he asked, jotting down a note on a file.
I bit my bottom lip. When I didn't answer, he glanced up at me.
“Is this the full moon weekend?” He laid his pen down.
I nodded.
“Man, Jen, I hate this thing you do.”
“This thing is my job. My real job.”
His eyes stayed on mine, an ice-blue chisel of concern chipping away at my heart. I averted my eyes and switched the subject.
“This afternoon I’m meeting Mom and Melody to shop for wedding dresses.”
“Sounds like a painful experience.”
“Only because you’re a man. What do you think about Melody’s future husband?”
My sister was the oldest child and the most demanding. She figured out by the time she was five and my mom had three of us, the one that made the loudest noise got the attention. This led to a life of theatrics on her part. There was always a play or a dance recital to attend on the weekends. Weekends I would have rather been outside playing with Jake, or by the time I reached middle school, shopping. Melody attended a private high school for the gifted overachievers. Eli and I pushed our way through the halls of public school while a private car escorted the queen to her inner-city school for the elite. I wasn’t jealous of her success on the stage, just pissed that it always cut into my plans for the weekend. When she graduated high school and received a scholarship for her perfect twinkle toes, she moved to New York City and Eli became the numero uno child. Football games on Friday nights, baseball on the weekend, and a sprinkle of karate matches throughout the week. My social life was sitting on the bleachers gawking at the athletes.
Melody returned from New York with a boyfriend in tow. We weren’t sure what he did for a living, but it involved sitting on the couch playing video games for the better part of the day. His slim features, head full of dreads, sleeve of tattoos, and scraggly soul patch were in stark contrast to his pasty white skin.
“He’s all right, I guess. Kicked my ass at World of Warcraft. Came in as a Death Knight and gutted me with a sword.”
“They make a strange pair for sure,” I added. “It’s like Snow White dating the lead singer from Korn.”
Eli chuckled. “Opposites attract, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I wouldn’t say the wealthy art dealer you date is your perfect match.”
“Why not?”
He arched a dark eyebrow at me. “Jen, you thought the Renaissance was a new clothing line.”
“Hey, that’s not fair. I slept through history class. In my defense, I’ve actually been to the Renaissance period and seen Lorenzo de Medici instruct a very young Michelangelo.”
Eli cocked his head at me. “The two of you have different lives. He rolls in a powerful circle of people and you, well, you’re normal.”
“I time travel, how normal is that?” I huffed at him.
“It’s a choice,” Eli said. Worry lines creased the smooth skin above his brow. He could become one of us, but I was secretly glad he had rejected his gift. I didn’t want to worry about him the way he worried about me.
“I meant, the two of you have a relationship even though you have different backgrounds and interests, the same way Melody is with our future brother-in-law.”
The word relationship reminded me about the proposal, and Caiyan’s over-the-top behavior.
“Have you noticed any changes since you stopped wearing the key?”
“Huh, I’m not sure. I haven't noticed any difference, except for the energy level. When I wear the key, it gives me an extra energy boost, but I'm fine without it.” He picked up his pen and began writing as he spoke.
I hadn’t removed my key in a long time. I hoped I would never have to again, but I understood about the energy. There was a time when I was grounded from my key. It was similar to the time I gave up caffeine and took me a few days of dragging ass to recover from the key’s absence.
I thought the dark circles under Eli’s eyes could use a boost. I also understood my brother—telling him to do something was like talking to a brick wall. Hopefully, he would wear it again soon.
“Why do you ask?” he questioned, never lifting his head from the file.
“I'm worried about Caiyan, he's acting funny.”
“How so?”
“He asked me to marry him.”
Eli's head snapped up and he dropped his pen. “I guess opposites do attract.”
“We aren’t that opposite. We have a lot in common.”
“Other than the life
-endangering gift, what do you have in common?”
I thought about it for a minute. The sex was the best part. I liked to shop. Caiyan had a personal shopper. I enjoyed watching old movies. Caiyan watched crime dramas on Netflix if he sat still long enough to turn on the TV.
“We both like Thai food.” I congratulated myself for proving Eli wrong. My inner voice gave me the it’s iffy sign by twisting her wrist to and fro.
“Jen, you like all food, but you've been dating him for a while.” He took a long drink from his water bottle.
“Yeah, we have.”
“I just never…I mean I never thought of him as the marrying type.”
“Why?”
“He reminds me of a well-dressed pirate.”
I laughed. He did have a pirate aura to his persona. “He admits he has trouble with commitment, and we were taking things slow.”
“And now?” Eli was probing. It was his brotherly way to force me to admit Caiyan may not be the right one for me. He inherited it from my mother. Never criticize, steer the person in the direction of self-awareness.
“I guess I expected a more elaborate proposal-like taking me to Paris and asking me under the Eiffel Tower.”
“How did he ask you?”
“I'd rather not say.”
“Oh.” Eli's mouth hung open longer than necessary. “Dude.” He sat back in his chair and pressed his fingers together.
“Exactly, and he's been acting weird. He's doing this thing with his mouth that's new.”
“Jen, I'm still your older brother, I don't want to hear the details.”
“No, I mean when he talks his mouth sort of twists up at the corner. Do you think he is having a medical problem?”
“Lots of people suffer from nervous tics. Your job with the WTF is stressful. Maybe he needs a checkup.”
“I'll suggest it to Jake. He can order Caiyan to see one of the docs at the base.”
Paulina, Eli’s assistant, stuck her head in and asked Eli to take a look at one of the therapy machines, then left as quickly as she came in.
“Looks like I'm up.” He blew out a deep breath and stood. Tiny tap dancers scratched at the ceiling above us, and we both looked up.
“What are you going to do about the squirrels?”
“I'm thinking about patching the holes in the attic.” He left the office to find Paulina.
There were a few holes in my relationship with Caiyan. Maybe patching the attic was a good idea before I committed to the whole house.
I wandered back to the break room hoping someone brought food. On the table, a basket of apples, bananas, and protein bars were provided for the employees. Eli wanted us to eat healthy. My stomach growled in protest. Elvira, Eli’s insurance coordinator, breezed in after me carrying a box of donuts. She plopped them down on the table. I clapped with glee, flipped the lid open, and took a Boston Crème.
“You are a lifesaver,” I said, taking a huge bite and groaning with satisfaction.
“That's me, saving lives with creme-filled treats.” Elvira's eyes twinkled as she spoke. Her hair curled in ringlets down her back and she was wearing makeup.
“What's the occasion?” I asked.
“The guy I've been seeing is going to propose tonight.”
“Isn't that supposed to be a surprise?” It sure was for me.
“Oh, I’ll act surprised. I've been practicing my acceptance speech.” She bit off the end of a chocolate éclair, leaving a dollop of icing at the corner of her mouth.
“How long have you been dating?” I asked her.
“I was having a dry spell, but the dam finally broke. Me and Hank have been dating for almost six months, and tonight is the night. I found the ring in his coat pocket, and he's taking me out to a fancy dinner.”
“That's great news.” I was in awe. Getting engaged after dating six months, that didn't seem long enough to know each other's secrets. “When will you tie the knot?”
“Oh, when doesn't matter,” she said licking the chocolate from the corner of her mouth and finishing the éclair. “I don't want to marry him.”
“You don't?”
“Hell no, I just want to be engaged.”
Paulina came in and grabbed a donut. “I agree being engaged is the fun part,” she said propping her hip up on the table and nibbling on the donut.
“But aren't you leading him on?” I asked Elvira.
“I don't look at it like that. He's enjoying the time we spend together, and who knows? I might marry him. But for a while, I get to enjoy his undying love, constant attention, and I'll have an escort to functions a boyfriend would never be obligated to attend.”
I chewed this over as I enjoyed my second donut. I wondered what being engaged to Caiyan would be like. Would he come visit me more? Would I move in with him? My parents would be appalled; my mother, coming from a strict Catholic upbringing, would object.
Maybe he would spend more time in Texas with Gertie and me. Brodie practically lived there. I tried to visualize Caiyan waking up in the morning to Gertie's wild hair and singing in the shower. The bubble popped when Eli came in and confiscated the donuts.
“Hey! We’re eating those,” I growled at him.
“Yes, you've had three. Look at it like this, I'm saving you from an extra Pilates workout.
My inner voice flipped him the bird. I only had two donuts, and I never did Pilates.
“If your body doesn't thank me, maybe your arteries will.” He placed the donuts on top of the refrigerator and handed each of us a protein bar. The three of us grumbled then followed him to the front office to prepare for the arrival of the first patients.
I worked on a stack of insurance charts for Elvira, calling each insurance company to verify the correct amount they paid for services rendered. Rubbing my neck, I sighed as I finished the last call.
“You know my goats could take care of that for you.”
I turned around, and a short redheaded woman was standing at the front counter. Two braids framed a splash of freckles across her nose. “The goats would reduce your stress level, help you to relax.”
“Maybe I'll try it sometime,” I said.
Mary had the phone pinched between her ear and shoulder. She waved at me to check the girl in while she scheduled the patient on the phone.
The goat herder handed me a coupon. “If you want to find inner peace, here's a coupon for my yoga studio.”
“Is it inside?” I took the coupon, curiosity getting the best of me.
“No, we meet in the pasture, but we have mats.” She sat down in the waiting room, and I stuffed the coupon in my pocket.
I checked her in and placed her file in the slot for Paulina.
When Paulina came to pick up the file, she asked me to supervise a patient in the therapy room.
I found an overweight woman sitting on an exercise ball huffing and puffing while she yanked on a pulley from the wall track system.
“Hi, I'm Jennifer. I'm going to help you do the exercises.”
“Good, you pull on them. Exercise sucks.” She released the cables and they clattered against the wall.
I adjusted the pulley so it would be easier for her to use and began counting as she pulled.
“My husband said if I don't get rid of this FUPA he's going to divorce me.” She grabbed the fat roll under her belly and squeezed.
I stopped counting and stared at her.
“Yep,” she nodded and then a few tears escaped. “My cousin works at the ice cream factory and she keeps sneaking me tubs of chocolate chip cookie dough. I hide them in the bottom of the freezer, but Bud always finds them. He's a Marine, you see, and he says a Marine can't have no fat wife.”
What an asshole. I wondered why she stayed married to the jerk.
“You don't want a divorce?”
“Did you hear me? My husband is a Marine. He's got abs of steel and he fucks like a freight train. I wasn't this fat when we got married, but after I had children—I've let myself go.” She l
owered her eyes and wiped at the tears with the back of her hand.
The woman had thick brown hair and a perfect complexion. Her naturally pouty lips didn't need any filler, and if she lost about fifty pounds she would look like Scarlett O'Hara.
“I think you've got a lot to offer.” I placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Tell your cousin to stop giving you ice cream, then go to Macy's and get a makeover. Having a professional do your makeup and hair will boost your confidence. Maybe buy some new shoes.”
She nodded her head and sat up straighter on the ball.
“And tell your Marine to kiss your ass. You shouldn't have to take that.”
“You’re right.” She gave me a knuckle bump. “I'm gonna go home and pack my stuff. Maybe he needs to miss me a little.”
Whoa, I didn't say that, did I?
“I'm taking the kids to my mother's house.” She jumped up off the ball and lost her footing. Falling backward, her bottom bounced a few times on the ball, then she flipped off, landing face to the ground struggling like a beached Orca to recover. I helped roll her onto her feet. She thanked me and went to check out. I put a mark next to the done box and turned in my chart.
“Did that patient finish her exercises?” Mary pointed to the woman giving me a thumbs up as she exited the door. “She was supposed to exercise for an hour.”
“She had an epiphany and decided to move in with her mother. She needed to go home and pack.”
Mary eyed me. “Please tell me you did not encourage that woman to take her six kids and move home with her mother?”
“Six kids?” My mouth dropped open. “Uhm, her husband isn't nice to her. He won't let her eat ice cream.”
“That's my sister's daughter,” Mary huffed. “My sister lives with me!”
Oops.
Chapter 10
Fridays we worked half days. After work, I met my mother and my sister at Mockingjay Bridal. It was customary for any future bride to shop at the famous bridal boutique in Dallas. Melody had been binge watching Say Yes to the Dress, flagging pages in bridal magazines, and pinning anything wedding related on Pinterest. She shared her bridal binges with me on a daily basis. Today, I avoided her notifications because I was afraid I might catch the fever and tell Caiyan yes. The only thing I had so far was a headache. Caiyan’s weird moods, Mitchell’s behavior, and the impending moon cycle caused a sharp pain to sit right behind my left eyeball. Ace was standing by the door thumbing through his cell when I arrived.