by Molly O'Hare
Holly leaned into the back of her chair. Mildred did have a point. If her past relationships or lack thereof told her anything, it would be, she’d overanalyze every possible outcome or situation for days. But then again, she knew sleeping with Ben was probably a one-time deal. Why would she keep pushing it?
Mildred stood, putting her notepad and pen back into her pocket. “I think you should do it. Right now. You should get up from that chair and go confront him. His answer might not be one that you want, but in the end, you’ll know. You’ll be able to walk back in here with your head held high.”
She was right.
“And, if it’s really bad, I’ll spend the next few hours in the Violent Crimes section getting pointers.”
Holly couldn’t help but laugh. Leave it to Mildred to go to the extreme. Outlandish as Mildred might be, she was right. This was Holly’s chance to stand up for herself and all other woman who’ve been wronged. I am woman, so hear me roar. Grabbing her belongings, Holly yelled to Mildred, “I’ll be back in a little while. Cover for me.”
“Always.”
* * *
God Damnit! Ben’s nostrils flared as he did his best to rein in his emotions. Right now, he paced the exam room trying to stop himself from pulling out his own hair.
“Benjamin, I don’t understand why you refuse to give up this silly dream and work in your rightful place,” his mother Barbra inquired.
“Why are you even here?” Ben demanded, glaring at her.
“To get you to do the right thing.”
Ben mentally ordered himself to calm down. He’d spent the last two days up to his eyeballs in back to back emergency surgeries. Unfortunately, two dogs had been hit by cars within forty-five minutes of each other. Both operations took over six hours. Then, when he thought he’d gotten a moment to catch his breath, he’d gotten a call from his buddy, Will, down at the police station. They’d saved a kitten that’d been poisoned by a local troublemaker. Thankfully, the police were able to catch the punk, but the poor kitten was in rough shape. At twelve weeks old, the poor guy’s body didn’t have the strength or ability to fight.
Ben spent the whole day trying to save the little guy.
As of right now, thankfully, due to Ben’s quick actions, they were all on the road to recovery. But, he hadn’t had a moment to himself. The few hours he’d slept were in the cot he kept in his office when he wanted to stay close to a critical patient. His phone died on day two and now to top off all of his frustrations, his bitch of a mother was here once again demanding that he take his rightful place at the head of Richman Industries.
Rightful place, he scoffed.
“I am doing the right thing,” he snapped. Take it easy, he told himself. His mother thrived on confrontation.
“You think playing with these flea-ridden, mangy creatures is the correct choice for you?”
Don’t get angry. Don’t get angry. “Yes, Mother. This is the right choice for me.”
She opened her mouth to respond when the exam room door flew open.
“Why have you been ignoring me?!” Holly stormed into the room with his receptionist Stacy, hot on her tail.
“I’m so sorry, Dr. Ben. She came in and refused to wait. When she heard your voice, she ran in here.” Stacy held panic in her eyes.
“It’s fine, Stacy. I’ll take it from here.” This was the last thing he wanted to deal with. Holly meeting his mother was something he wanted to avoid inevitably if he could.
“Who is this…” his mother looked Holly up and down. “Peasant?”
Holly’s head shot towards his mother. “Who are you calling a peasant, you old hag?”
Holy shit. The fire coming from Holly made him hot.
“Excuse me, young lady?” His mother’s eyebrows shot to the ceiling. “I do believe you did not refer to me as an old hag.”
Holly mimicked his mother beautifully as she looked her up and down. “Actually, I did. But right now, this doesn’t concern you.” Holly turned her attention to Ben. Her eyes showing more fire than he’d ever seen. However, when he really looked at her, he saw pain, if even just a small hint of it.
“Ben,” she said. He could see the panic and vulnerability in her.
“Young lady, you need to leave right now. I am having a private conversation with my son, and you are not invited.”
Holly’s eyes widened as her faced paled. “Oh shit.”
“Why am I not surprised a woman of your stature would also have a filthy mouth?” his mother remarked.
“Knock it off,” Ben demanded stepping in when he saw Holly physically swallow.
Barbra turned from Holly and stared at him for a moment before her eyes narrowed. “Benjamin, you have got to be kidding me? Have you really stooped so low as to associate yourself with this woman?” she asked shaking her head. “Please tell me she isn’t pregnant? I can’t tell with all the weight around her middle.”
“Knock it the fuck off, Barbra,” Ben spat. From the corner of his eye, he could see Holly start to slowly back away towards the door.
He pointed at her. “Don’t move.” Turning back towards his mother, he glared. “Don’t ever fucking say shit like that to or about Holly. So help me god, it will not end well for you.”
“You admit you’re sleeping with her then?” she asked not even phased by Ben’s words.
“We’re not,” Holly squeaked.
“Oh, thank god. I was worried he’d muddy our family with you.” Barbra glanced at Holly.
“Get the fuck out!” Ben ordered. “By the way, I am sleeping with her, and I will continue sleeping with her. I’ll also make sure to come in her so many times she has no choice but to get knocked up.”
His mother gasped before placing her hand on her chest. “I did not raise you like this.”
“You didn’t raise me at all.”
“If your father were here he’d be ashamed of you.”
Ben’s eyes hardened as he clenched his teeth. “Do not bring my father into this.”
“I’m only speaking the truth. He’d be so disappointed in you. First, you refuse to give up this silly play job, and come work for Richman Industries, and now you’re sleeping with her.”
“Stacy,” Ben yelled calling for his receptionist.
She came running into the room a moment later. “Yes?”
“Can you do me a favor and call the police station and ask for Will? I need him to remove my mother from the property.” Stacy’s eyes widened before shooting to his mother.
“Well of all things,” Barbra said, she gathered her belongings in a huff. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you.” She turned her glare from Ben to Holly. “This is not acceptable behavior for a Richman. This is not the last time you’ll be seeing me, Benjamin.” She walked towards the door stopping in front of Holly. “And this, will not be the last time I’ll be seeing you either.”
His mother stormed out of the exam room leaving him, Holly, and Stacy in her wake.
Taking a deep breath, Ben looked at his receptionist. “Can you do me a favor and hold my next appointment for a few minutes? I want to talk to Holly.”
“No need to,” Holly squeaked. “I’ll see myself out.”
“Don’t move a muscle,” he demanded causing her to plant her feet on the ground.
“Sure thing, Doc.” Stacy closed the door behind her leaving Holly and Ben alone.
Holly broke the awkward silence first. “I apologize for barging in here.”
“Don’t,” he said before he braced himself on the exam table. The same exam table he’d placed Holly on the day they’d met. “I’m sorry you had the misfortune of meeting my mother.”
“She seems wonderful,” Holly scoffed.
Which made Ben huff out a laugh. “Sure, wonderful is a word you can use.” He swiped a hand across his face before turning towards Holly. “Before we get into what just happened, I want to say sorry for not calling you.”
“Don’t worry about it. It hasn’t even crossed
my mind.” Holly worried her bottom lip before straightening her chin.
“Is that so?” The corners of his mouth lifted.
She looked away briefly. “I thought about it once or twice.”
“Then you only stormed in here to what?”
“Well, you see…” She looked around the room. “Okay, fine. You caught me. I wanted to know why you disappeared, especially after what transpired between us. I mean, I know I’m probably not the best lay around.” She looked away. “Before we slept together I thought we were, I don’t know, starting some weird friendship or something. Plus, Waffles really likes you. I wanted to know what happened, so I can be honest with him when he demands for your presence.” She shrugged.
Her vulnerability warmed him. It also made him realize he’d gotten under her skin just as much as she had gotten under his. In two swift steps, he was in front of her. His fingers threaded through her hair as he devoured her mouth. He’d missed her lips the past three days. Once he had his fill, he pulled away from her, resting his forehead on hers. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I planned on calling you tonight and begging you to give me another chance.”
When she opened her eyes, he saw doubt there, which killed him. “I’m serious. The day I left your apartment I had two separate dogs hit by cars.” She gasped. He saw the worry in her eyes. “Then when I finally got that under control a friend at the police station brought in a kitten that had been poisoned. The only spare moments I had were spent sleeping on the cot in my office.”
His eyes closed remembering the events of the last few days. He loved his job, but sometimes it took a toll on him.
“Did they all make it?” she whispered. When he opened his eyes, he saw the tears cascading down her cheeks. Right then he knew this was the woman for him. He used the pad of his thumb to wipe away the tears. “Would you like to meet them?” he asked.
She nodded.
He reached for her hand before pulling her into the back room. They made their way over to the kennels. “This is Murphy. He’s been a long-time patient of mine. His leg got pretty messed up, but he’ll be fine. I’m going to release him to his owners tomorrow.” Holly nodded, keeping silent. Ben could see the tears still in her eyes. “Over here is Red, a Blue Tick Beagle. He didn’t fare as well. We had to fix quite a bit of internal bleeding, but he’s on the up and up now. I’m going to keep him here a few more days, but I’m positive he will make a full recovery. His owners have been in every day to see him.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said never tearing her eyes from Red.
“Would you like to meet the kitten?” he asked, softly.
“It made it?” He heard the hope in her voice.
“Yes, baby. He made it.” He gently pulled her to one of the cages by the wall. Pointing to the one in front of them, he said, “This is him. He’s improved ten-fold, but he still has a little twitch in his head. It’s nothing I’m too concerned about. I’ve done everything I can to flush the poison from his body. His last blood test results showed all the poison is gone. He might have lasting neurological issues, though. I’m waiting to see if the twitch is going to be a permanent side effect or if it will fade in time.” He put his fingers through the bars, and the little orange and white kitten slowly moved to the bars rubbing them. He’d improved remarkably over the last day, Ben could even hear his purr through all the noise of the clinic.
“He’s so friendly,” Holly announced. “Can I pet him?”
“Of course.”
Holly placed her finger through the openings, and the kitten instantly started to play with her. “He’s so cute.”
Ben nodded. “Not as cute as you,” he said with a cheesy grin.
Holly laughed. “I see you’ve been busy.”
“I have. Holly, I’m sorry for not calling you and telling you what was going on. After the first surgery, I was going to text you, but I realized my phone died. I don’t have my charger here. As soon as I got a free minute, I planned on running home to get my charger.”
Holly physically relaxed as she played with the kitten. “It’s okay, Ben.”
“It’s not,” he said. I don’t want you thinking I did a hit and run. It wasn’t like that for me.” He placed his fingers under her chin making her look at him. “I want to date you.”
Holly’s breath hitched. He saw her panic before shooting her head back to the kitten. “What happens to him once he’s healed?” she asked.
Ben chuckled at her avoidance. Going back to the kitten himself he touched the bars. “I don’t know. If he ends up with the twitch, he’d be considered a special needs animal. Shelters won’t take him. Then again, I haven’t really thought about it. I want to keep him here as long as possible to make sure—“
“I want him,” she interrupted. “I mean, I’ve taken care of cats before. I loved Princess Huffle Stuffle with my whole heart.” She wiggled her fingers getting the kitten’s attention. “Do you want to come home with me, Twitch?” she asked.
Ben’s heart nearly exploded in his chest. The tenderness Holly had for animals was astonishing.
It then clicked. “Did you just name him Twitch?”
“Yeah,” she said,” “It’s kinda fitting don’t you think?”
He threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Yeah, I think it is.” He took the pen from his pocket and under the line that said owner on the paper hanging on the cage he wrote Holly. Along with Pet’s name: Twitch.
He turned back towards Holly, her face beamed with excitement, right before her eyes narrowed. “You’re going to come in me so many times I have no choice but to get knocked up?”
“Uh, about that.”
Chapter Ten
Waffles sat in the back of Holly’s car as she drove to her father, Henry’s house. She knew bringing Waffles along would lessen the blow of not seeing her dad in a few days. Holly made a habit of visiting him every three days, minimum, but with the recent events, she was ashamed to admit it’d been almost five.
Turning into the driveway, she glanced into the rearview mirror. “Waffles, get your nose out of the grocery bags!”
Waffles eyed her for a moment before he continued his quest.
“So help me God, Waffles. I will turn this car around and drop you off at home.” Hoping Waffles wouldn’t call her bluff, she waited for his response. After a standoff, he removed his head from the bags, before plopping onto the seat.
“Good boy.” Waffles wagged his butt, showing her, he knew he was a good boy.
Holly parked the car in front of the garage, as she did every time she saw her dad. She leaned back in her seat, looking at the two-story bungalow, that she’d called home for so many years. The wear and tear was now clearly visible on the house. She could recall all the times her father would be on a ladder; installing new and improved windows, painting trim, or even fixing loose shingles. Her father thrived on tinkering with the house. Every few years, he’d re-stain their front porch, and he’d always let her help. Her father found his happiness working around the house, on the weekends or after work.
That all came to an end one day three years ago. Holly could still remember the phone call from the hospital. That was before the unknown blood clot in his neck migrated to his brain. It’d been a dark day in the Flanagan household. After many surgeries and months in rehab, her dad regained some of his motor functions. Paralysis had set in on his left side. He only had about fifty-six percent use of his left arm, and he was able to walk again. She wouldn’t have known what would happen if her father had been confined to a wheelchair. Even now, she could still see the frustration in his eyes when he’d have to sit or lay down. Going from being on a ladder eighty percent of his free time, to not being able to stand for long periods took a toll on him, as it would anyone. Not to mention, the guilt he still harbored about his bills.
After being released from rehab, the bills started coming in. With her father’s new handicaps, he wasn’t able to go back to work. That left the financial strain o
n Holly’s shoulders. Sure, there were times she’d want to rip her hair out, especially when she’d try and renegotiate interest or a payment, and she’d ultimately end up nowhere. She wouldn’t trade it for the world. She had her dad, and that surpassed everything.
And if you were to ask Holly, she’d tell you, her dad was still perfect. She loved spending the extra time with him, and she never minded helping him around the house or making sure he had meals ready to go, clean laundry in his dresser, and a spic and span house. It was the least she could do. Her father gave her everything she ever needed growing up, and after her mother died, he took on that role, too.
Being able to give back a quarter of what her dad gave her, was what daughters were there for.
She glanced around the outside of the bungalow. It’d seen better days. Right now, the porch had a few loose boards sticking up, and there was paint peeling off some of the walls.
She felt the familiar pang in her heart. One day she’d be able to pay off his bills and find enough money to hire a contractor to fix the house. She believed that with her whole heart. In the meantime, she’d spent however many hours it took, searching the internet for tutorials and doing her best to implement them.
“Is that my girl?”
Holly heard the porch door slam. She then saw her dad hobble out of the front door looking in her direction. Happiness erupted through her. Even with his limp and arm plastered to his side, and the left side of his face drooping slightly, he was still the most handsome father around.
She heard Waffles start to whine from the backseat. “Is that your, Grampa?” she asked before opening her door. Waffles took her cue and scurried over the center console before jumping out of the car. The dog was on a mission.
“Oh, how could I forget you, your holiness?” Henry beamed before bending to pet Waffles as the dog started jumping around him in circles. His butt waggled as fast as he could get it.
“Hey Dad,” Holly said getting out of the car. “How’ve you been?”