"Kenda!” Claire tried to keep her voice from shaking. “What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. Why didn't you tell me you were coming home?"
"I didn't know. But why are you in the hospital if nothing's wrong?"
The two women stared at each other, both confused and disturbed.
Finally the young man stood up and crossed the room with outstretched hand. “Hi, I'm Gerard. Kenda's told me so much about you."
Claire focused on him with difficulty. Gerard. Kenda's boyfriend. “Oh, right. But what is she doing here?"
"It's nothing serious.” Gerard shifted his gaze over Kenda. “Just some minor surgery."
"Come.” Kenda held out her hand invitingly, her voice lilting with the faint African accent that still colored her voice even though she had come to the United States so long ago.
Claire dropped her duffle bag and trudged to the side of the bed. She took the place Gerard had vacated and finger-brushed Kenda's face, peering at her for reassurance.
Kenda smiled, enclosing Claire's fair-skinned hand in both of her dark ones. “I'm fine. I promise you. This is a little voluntary surgery. You see, Gerard and I have decided to get married."
Claire gave Gerard a brief glance. “Congratulations. But that shouldn't have put you in the hospital."
"No.” Kenda's fingers kneaded Claire's knuckles. “But you know that physically I am unable to enjoy my man's attentions."
Gerard had moved to the other side of the bed and was smiling down at her as he rubbed her shoulder. They simpered at each other for a moment.
Claire stiffened. “You told him?"
"Of course. He understands."
"Then why—?"
"Don't you see, Claire? I want to feel what other women feel. I want Gerard to know that his lovemaking is giving me the pleasure I know he wants to give me."
Claire's internal temperature began to rise. “What difference does it make? It doesn't change anything for him."
"No, it doesn't. But you can't understand because...” Kenda turned a little wistful. “You have no problems. Because of the ritual inflicted on me when I was fifteen years old, I can never experience an orgasm like other women. They crippled me!"
Heat and chill chased one another through Claire's veins as a dark roaring filled her head. She avoided thinking of that day, unable to relive the sick terror. She had been fifteen as well. Her clit wasn't sliced but her psyche was.
She swallowed her fear but her throat was still dry. “But that's over, Kenda. You're healthy and beautiful. There's nothing they can do about it."
Kenda became eager. “But that's where you're wrong. There's a doctor here at the hospital studying advances made in genital restoration for women who have been victims of female circumcision."
"A doctor practicing on you?” Claire almost lifted off the bed in her consternation. “Kenda! You can't!"
"It's quite safe, Claire. I want to do it."
"Why? Why are you doing this? I don't understand. Is he making you do this?"
She threw a hate-filled look at Gerard. Gerard opened his mouth to retort, but Kenda forestalled him.
"Gerard has nothing to do with this decision. He didn't want me to do it."
"Then don't.” Claire was losing control. She felt her teeth chattering, her voice rising, a mist before her eyes. “Don't do this, Kenda. I can't bear the thought of them cutting on you. Down there. Again."
Kenda began to look frightened while Gerard's frown deepened. Claire didn't care. They had to listen to her. She had to stop this.
"It's wrong. So wrong.” She could smell the blood in her nostrils again; hear the anguished screams from the girl held down on the table.
"I must, Claire,” Kenda persisted. Her voice lowered with distress. “You know about the pain I still have. You know the women who have had miscarriages and other health complications. My cousin died on the table. For my aunt, it meant death from complications during a pregnancy."
"Stop. Make them stop.” Claire grabbed at equipment, banging it around. Gerard sprang forward to grab her. Claire evaded him, careened around the room. She knocked things over, screaming for Kenda to get out.
Two nurses rushed in at the commotion. Claire heard them call for security. Gerard disappeared and reappeared in a few minutes with another man, just as the security guards arrived. Claire clutched Kenda in her arms. “Don't, Kenda, don't,” she repeated over and over.
Gerard peeled Kenda away. She turned into his arms and leaned her weeping face into his shoulder.
The other man held up his hands to stop the security guards from approaching her. Claire dropped into a chair, her tears gushing.
Through a daze, Claire realized that the security guards had been dismissed quietly. Someone touched her shoulder, and she shook the hand off.
Kenda spoke. “Please, Claire. You have to understand. Gerard, Russell, make her understand this isn't dangerous."
Gerard approached her. “Claire, listen. This is my brother, Russell. He's a doctor here at the hospital. He can explain everything to you. Please go with him. I swear I won't let anything happen to Kenda."
"You're just like all of them!” Claire spat.
"Claire, please! Go with Russell,” begged Kenda.
Claire realized her loss of control wasn't helping her friend. She hadn't meant to make things worse.
"I'm sorry,” she muttered, digging her nails into her palms in an effort to restrain herself. “I'll be back, Kenda."
She dashed out of the room, stopping to lean against the wall outside the door.
"Come with me, Miss Russell. Please.” The soft voice of Gerard's brother startled her as he caught up with her. “You can have some privacy in my office."
His voice was soothing, and she couldn't think of anything else to do. She followed him through several corridors and into a room where he introduced himself as Russell Jordan. She darted a quick peek at his face. He did resemble Gerard. Both men were good-looking, tall and had a dangerous air underneath the sophisticated smoothness. Gerard's smooth dreads swung half way down his back, while Russell's close-cropped hair gave his face and head a sculpted look. He wore hospital scrubs of pale green.
She sagged onto a chair in the small office, unable to look at the man.
"You must think I'm a nut,” she whispered. She didn't usually lose control like that but the stress of the last few days had built up.
"I think you're very concerned about your friend."
Claire lifted her chin. “I am. She doesn't need to go through this again."
Russell surveyed her with a look of quizzical interest. “Tell me why this upsets you so much?"
She rubbed her stomach where a gnawing pain dug into her gut. She kept her gaze averted. “I just don't like the idea of her going through something like this again. It's not as if it's a part of the anatomy that's very useful."
A grin flashed across Russell's face, mesmerizing her. “I've heard different."
Claire's distress exploded in anger. “That's because you men think with your dicks!"
Russell laughed out loud. “You like to think so. But I've seen some women who were just as bad."
Fury propelled her out of the chair, pacing back and forth across the room. “Yes, it's fine for women to change their bodies to please men. My friend wouldn't even have considered this if not for American culture and her new boyfriend. I have no doubt your brother is behind this. It's not as if sex is that great anyway! What's the point?"
She whirled for another trek across the room only to find herself up against the wall of Russell's chest. His midnight eyes sparkled with admiration. Excitement and attraction shone clear and hot.
Claire gasped, putting up her hands to push against his chest and somehow her fingers went around his shoulders and his arms pulled her close, his mouth slanted across hers. Then all she knew was a mindless, dark, burning desire. Reality slammed back with the force of a fist. Claire shoved at him, putting the back of her hand ag
ainst her mouth, and glared. Russell looked equally appalled. For a moment they stared at one another.
"Oh, my God!” Russell whirled away, clasping his hands over his head. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
He took a deep breath and turned back to her, his face impassive.
"Look, I don't usually act that way. I know you're upset right now. You were just so vibrant, so incredible—"
Claire leashed in her emotions. Of course, he hadn't meant to do that. Neither had she. She would show him that she could be calm and rational.
Taking a deep breath, she managed to paste a smile on her lips. “Please, don't mention it. We were both upset. Let's forget it."
Russell scrubbed at his lip in a nervous gesture not meeting her eyes. “Great. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"I'll be fine. I don't want to keep you from your work."
"I've finished up all my rounds. Would you like to talk a little while?"
She started to shake her head, and then changed her mind, turning her sharp gaze on him. “Yes. Tell me more about Kenda's surgery."
Russell's voice became eager. “Her surgeon was trained by the world's leading expert, Dr. Michel Akotionga of Burkina Faso. Our Dr. Flowers worked with him in Africa for the last few months."
"Dr. Akotionga?” Claire had researched the doctor for an article. “I heard of him when I did a piece on Female Genital Mutilation a year ago."
"Were you on an assignment?"
"Yes. I was studying FGM."
"Then you understand your friend's condition. You should be happy that she's getting surgery to heal her."
"I still don't like the idea of her having to be cut for the benefit of some man."
Russell's brows lowered even as he nodded his head. He had an intelligent, interested look that she found captivating. “I agree that FGM is one of the most vicious examples of how women suffer in certain societies. But how can you say that this surgery is in the same class as her mutilation?"
"Because just like so-called female circumcision, this surgery is designed to enhance a man's pleasure."
"How can you say that? This surgery is about the female's pleasure, not the man's. A means for repairing at least some of the damage and helping a woman get sexual pleasure in life again."
"Don't give me that. Kenda's been fine for the last few years. It wasn't until she met Gerard that she decided to do this. What if it causes more damage?"
"It won't, Claire. Dr. Flowers is the best. The entire hospital is buzzing with excitement. We're very fortunate to have Dr. Flowers working here. Kenda has already completed the first part of the surgery."
"She's already had work done?” Claire's distress mingled with confusion.
"The first surgery involved the widening of the vagina. This is done under local anesthetic. The doctor undid the stitching done to the vagina in order to return it to normal size. At the end, the opening should be wide enough to allow two fingers inside."
Claire stared at his long tapered fingers in bewilderment. His expression glowed with intellectual enthusiasm over the procedure, but she couldn't be rational. The procedure was too personal, too terrifying for her. And watching his long, dark fingers—sensitive fingers, supple fingers—she couldn't help picturing them inside a woman's vagina. Not like a surgeon's, gloved and sterile, but warm and soft. A shiver went up her spine.
Oblivious to her distress, Russell went on with animation. “Once that's done, the right and left sides are sewn and held separately so the vagina stays open to heal. This assures that intercourse won't be painful, and it'll lessen her chances of problems in childbirth."
Good. Claire forced herself to concentrate on the medical facts. Kenda wanted children very much. Claire was ambivalent about children for herself, but she wanted Kenda to be happy, and she knew she'd love her friend's children like her own.
"Since she's healed satisfactorily from the first stage, today's surgery will be the reconstruction of the clitoris."
Claire winced again. “Can they really do that?"
Russell smiled, his teeth flashing white in a grin of exuberance. He did have the most delicious lips: cherry, dark and full. “Oh, yeah. The technique is possible because most of the clitoris resides inside a woman's body. Even in cases where the entire external portion has been removed, about eight to ten centimeters remains embedded internally. The doctor will pull out some of the inner parts of the clitoris. These are then sewn and held to the upper part of the vagina.
"Think of it, Claire. Nerve endings in the new protrusion will come alive! Your friend will once more be able to experience the sensations of pleasure and the arousal needed to create the secretion and engorgement in the genitals that prepare a woman to enjoy herself with her partner."
Russell's voice dropped to almost reverent awe. This was a man passionate about sex, she sensed, and not just in a biological way. He relished the sensations and pastimes of sex. A hint of jealousy speared her chest. Damn him! He was just like all men. He took his own pleasure, and he'd scorn any woman who didn't share his feelings.
Maybe that even explained the basis of his delight in Dr. Akotionga's surgery. Make sure there'd be even more women for him to conquer!
The phone rang before she could think of a retort. Russell picked up the telephone, listened, spoke briefly, and hung up. “That was Gerard."
Claire forgot her resentment.
Russell went on. “He said the surgery started. I can get you into the observation room if you'd like to watch."
The rising note at the end indicated uncertainty, but Claire guessed he was eager to go. “No, I don't want to go. But you go ahead. I'll wait in the lobby or waiting room."
Russell still looked concerned. “You can stay here if you'd like. It'll be more comfortable, and I'll call immediately after the surgery."
"Thanks.” Claire gave him a grateful smile. This office would be a lot more comfortable after her long day.
Russell went out the door with a final reassurance that he'd be back soon.
Claire slumped on the couch, rubbing her forehead. She'd been in continual travel since she left Alaska yesterday. When she arrived at Kenda's townhouse, a neighbor emerged and told her Kenda had moved. When Kenda didn't answer her cell phone, Claire went through the phone book to find a friend. That was how she learned that Kenda was in the hospital.
Claire exhaled noisily and slowly, trying to calm her nerves. She wanted to be strong for Kenda.
Her next realization was raising her eyelids to find Russell shaking her shoulder and murmuring her name. The tender expression on his face drew a sleepy smile from her. She raised her arms over her head to stretch. “Hi.” Her voice was rusty from sleep.
The darkness of Russell's eyes deepened, giving him a sharp, watchful look. Awareness of his closeness, of her revealing position jerked her back to alertness.
"Is it over? Is she alright?"
Russell nodded, drawing away. “Absolutely. The surgery was successful, and Ben Flowers says she should recover without problems."
"Thank God.” Claire relaxed, pushing her long, loose hair from her face. Russell continued to watch her, his arms folded, his look hooded.
"You looked so comfortable, I hated to wake you,” he said, his voice a low rumble.
"I was tired,” she said with a small laugh. She pushed to her feet. “Can I see her now?"
"I'll take you."
Hoisting her duffel bag over her shoulder, she refused Russell's polite offer to take it. They walked from the wing of offices to the main hospital, and then took the elevator to the ward where Kenda dozed, half-conscious, in a recovery room. An pervasive smell of medication in the air, along with regular beeps and lights of equipment around the bed, gave a sense of wary reassurance. Gerard stood beside the bed, holding Kenda's hand. Claire tiptoed over and looked down at the grayish-looking skin, the dark-circled eyes, and dry lips.
"Is ... is she all right?"
Gerard nodded.
&n
bsp; In whispers, she and Gerard discussed what had happened and the doctor's prognosis.
"You should get some sleep,” Gerard said when she finally stopped talking to look at Kenda lovingly. “Kenda's moved in with me. You're welcome to stay there. Russell can take you there."
Claire hesitated. Gerard seemed sincere enough, but she didn't really know him. “That's okay. I'll find a place. I want to be nearby."
"I'll let you know if there's anything new. What's your cell phone number?"
"My phone's not working. I'll be back as soon as I find a place."
He nodded, his focus narrowed on Kenda as she turned her head on the pillow. Claire hesitated a moment longer, but when nothing else happened, she turned to go.
Claire hated to leave Kenda, even for a short time. But she realized that she had to find a place to stay and get some rest before she fell apart. Again.
She got back into the hallway to find Russell waiting for her.
"Everything okay?” he asked.
Claire nodded, catching her lower lip with her teeth. She was so weary that her legs felt rubbery.
"I'll be back as soon as I find a place to crash for a little while.” She headed for the elevators.
Russell swung in beside her, his pace matching hers. “Where are you staying?"
"I don't know yet.” She lifted a hand to shove her hair back, fighting back the weariness. “I'll get a cab to take me to a hotel. Can you show me a phone to use?"
A frown pulled at Russell's lips. “You don't have a place to stay?"
"Not yet.” The elevator doors opened. “I just need a phone, and—” Claire was about to step in when the strap of her duffel bag broke. Clumsily she tried to catch it but couldn't. Russell bent to pick it up for her.
"Let me help you. You looked exhausted."
Claire squeezed her eyes shut to fight back tears. Her voice came out in a tight bark. “It's alright. I'll be fine as soon as I get some rest."
Coming Together: At Last, Volume One Page 15