Double Mocha, Heavy On Your Phone Number

by June Kramin

  He wrapped an arm around Ellie, who was still standing in front of him. “Not enough alcohol on the planet.” He placed the beer on the table.

  “That’s not what you were acting like a few minutes ago, Romeo,” she said, batting her eyes at him.

  “What do you want?” Ellie demanded.

  “Can’t I just want to see my sister?”

  “Not if all you want is to screw my boyfriend.”

  “Well, that’s not all I want.” Again she winked at Bix.

  “You know I don’t have any money.”

  “I don’t need money.”

  “Being the duke’s mistress pays well then?”

  “Duke?” Bix questioned.

  Ellie sighed. “Don’t even go there.” She directed her attention back to her sister and stepped closer to her. “What, Nance? Whatever it is, take it and get out.”

  Nancy turned around and took a sharp knife out of a wood block on the counter by the stove and held it up. Bix rushed to change places with Ellie, sending her behind him.

  “What the hell are you doing?” he shouted.

  “This would be easier in a hospital, but she said take what I need.”

  “What are you talking about?” Ellie asked, stepping out from behind Bix.

  “I need a kidney, little sister.”

  “Little sister?” Bix asked.

  “I’ve got four minutes on her,” Nancy said with a grin.

  “You need a kidney?” Ellie finally registered what she had said.

  “Yup. Doc got me on the list, but he asked me to get my siblings tested as well. Nick and Nathan aren’t a match. I already asked.”

  “You already went to them?”

  “I promise you I wouldn’t have come here unless I was desperate. Our brothers were willing, it was just a no-go, sis. Just go take the damn blood test. With a little luck you won’t be a match.”

  “Not be a match? We’re identical twins, shithead.”

  “Really? Damnit. Why wasn’t I notified?” Nancy took a long swig of beer.

  “Get out of my house.”

  “Pretty much what I thought you’d say.” She reached in her purse and placed a card on the counter. “I’m staying at the Holiday Inn. Call me when you get the blood work back. Later, handsome.” She blew Bix a kiss and walked out the door.

  Ellie turned around and buried her head into Bix’s chest. They heard a car pull into the driveway and looked up. A limo was there to pick Nancy up.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “I’m really sorry, babe,” Bix said as he rocked with Ellie. She hadn’t spoken yet. Sensing she needed to just be held, he didn’t know what else to say. He felt horrible about what had happened and wondered what happened with Tony, but he wasn’t about to ask.

  She finally took a step back and looked up at him. “It’s not your fault. I should have told you. I guess I just didn’t expect her to ever come back.”

  “You guys have a blow out and she split?”

  “We’ve never gotten along. Twins are supposed to have this whole connection thing, you know? Well, we never did. We were oil and water from the day we were born. I’d put money on she beat the shit out of me in the womb so she could be born first.”

  “I’ve known lots of twins, Ellie. There were two sets in my class. I have never seen any that looked as identical as you two before.”

  “So when did you know, Bix? How close were you to screwing her?”

  “Hey, stop it. That’s not even fair. I barely saw her before she had me against the wall. I knew it wasn’t you when she was talking. Your mouth isn’t like that. When I got a good look, I knew it wasn’t you. I saw that green in her eye.”

  “She must have been right on your face if you saw that.”

  “She was.” There was guilt in his voice. “Please don’t make this a fight. I’m sorry.” He stroked her arms. “You know I want you 24/7. If you were attacking me like that, it’s not like I would put the brakes on.”

  “I’m sorry I don’t act like Nancy and slam you against walls.” Ellie turned away.

  “Well, I’m not. Damnit, Ellie.” He stopped her and turned her back around. “Don’t do this. You know I would never even look at anyone else. I thought she was you. Nothing happened.”

  She broke from his hold and began picking up the contents of her purse. Bix helped with groceries scattered on the floor. They were quiet through the tasks. He placed the bag on the counter and began putting things away.

  “Yes, they did,” Ellie finally said.

  “Who what?”

  “She got to Tony, too.”

  “I wasn’t going to ask.”

  “She’s proud of it. I figured she said something and you were dying to ask.”

  “Is that what — is that why she left?”

  “She was already coming and going; that was just the last straw for me. That’s when she finally realized she had crossed the line for good. I haven’t heard from her in over two years. She didn’t even come home for Mom and Dad’s funeral.”

  “You and Tony got past it I guess.”

  “It was hardly his fault, but yeah; it took a long time to get over. We had only ever been with each other. I told you that. He was as embarrassed as I was and it was the root of a lot of fights. He hardly fought me when I called off the engagement.”

  Bix needed to hold her again and walked over to her. She let him and she returned the embrace. “I’m sorry,” he said again.

  “Not your fault.” She buried her face in his chest. “Obviously, we worked through it. I just didn’t think I’d ever have to think about it happening again. I’m sorry I’m letting it get to me. She has a way of doing that. I don’t want to stay here tonight. Can we go to your place?”

  “Sure. You want to go to dinner?”

  “Let’s see what Gramps has whipped up first.” She leaned back, finally being able to smile.

  “There’s my girl,” he said, giving her a gentle kiss.

  Over dinner, Bix told Gramps about Nancy, leaving out the juicier details.

  “Awful shame to have family and fight like that, Noelle,” Gramps said.

  “It’s not my doing. Nancy has always pushed my buttons and I have always shoved back. My brothers stay out of things and have never taken sides. I have to say I’m surprised neither one has called me about her being back.”

  “So, what exactly is your plan?” Gramps asked.

  She looked over at Bix. “I’m going in for the blood test tomorrow.”

  “You are?” Bix sounded surprised. “After all she’s done to you. You’d still give her a kidney?”

  “I hate her. I truly believe I do, but I’m not just letting her die.”

  “Does this have anything to do with meeting Glenn?”

  “No, Bix. It’s not the same thing. She’s my sister. I can’t ignore something like this because of how I feel right now. I can’t do that to my family.”

  “Who’s Glenn?” Gramps asked.

  With Ellie’s permission, Bix explained everything to him. Gramps gave Ellie a gentle squeeze of her hand and that was enough for her. Gramps was a man of few words, but he made his point clear.

  Ellie returned back to the subject. “Besides, there is a chance I’m not a match or suitable donor.”

  “A one in a million chance,” Bix said.

  “It doesn’t matter, Bix. I have to do it.”

  “Would she do it for you?”

  “Probably not. I don’t care; it’s something I have to do anyway.”

  Bix took her hand. “I’m there for you no matter what happens.”

  “I know,” she said softly, fighting tears. She knew what she had to do, but she didn’t necessarily like it. Nancy would never feel any different towards her, but that’s not what it was about. Ellie’s parents would have wanted it and that was enough for her.

  “You’re a bigger person that just about anyone I know,” Gramps said. “Decisions you have to make in your life don’t get any bigger tha
n this.”

  “I don’t even have to think about it. I simply have to do it.” She looked at Bix. “Can I be excused from dish detail tonight? I really want to go relax.”

  “Both of you scoot,” Gramps said. “I’ll get ’em. You know I love having you here, Noelle. Does an old man’s ticker good to have such a pretty face to look at over a meal.”

  She stood up and went over to his chair and wrapped her arms around him from behind and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re such a bullshit artist. That’s why I love you.”

  “I’ll see you down stairs in a minute, babe.”

  After Ellie left, Bix started clearing the table and Gramps joined in. “You sure got yourself a keeper there, boy.”

  “I sure do.”

  “Best thing I’ve ever seen come out of a Minnesota storm in all my years.”

  “You really think she’s doing the right thing?”

  “She does. That’s all that matters. You stand by her or there’ll be hell to pay. Family roots are family roots. Doesn’t matter much how you feel about ’em sometimes. It’s still family.”

  “She’s been through so much. I just can’t imagine going through something like this, too.”

  “Obviously it’s important to her.”

  “Then it’s important to me.”

  “You learned that ‘yes dear’ thing in record time, boy,” Gramps said with a chuckle.

  “I did, didn’t I? You got these?”

  “I got ’em. Go on, loverboy. Take care of my girl.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Bix joined Ellie downstairs. She was lying down on the couch. He crawled on it next to her, which made for a tight fit. They were facing each other and Bix kissed her gently.

  “You doin’ okay?”

  “I’m fine. Really. Sorry to abandon you upstairs.”

  “Like Gramps cares, babe.” He gave her a quick kiss again and pulled her even closer. “You sure you want to do this?”

  “Yes. There’s not a question in my mind. I wouldn’t think twice if it was Gramps either, Bix. If I can help, you bet your ass that every part of me is going to.”

  “Every part indeed. This isn’t just getting your tonsils out, Ellie. It’s a major surgery.”

  “You forget what I went to school for? I know what I’m doing. You can’t talk me out of it.”

  “I’m not trying to talk you out of it. I need to know you are doing it for the right reasons.”

  “Is there a wrong reason to save your sister’s life?”

  He gently stroked her cheek. “I trust you and I meant what I said. I’ll be there for you, whatever you decide.”

  “We’ll talk about it tomorrow when I find out the results. For now, I just want to lie here with you. No more talking about it, all right?”

  “All right. Movie?”

  “You have anything good with two people trying to kill each other?”

  “I’ll see what I can dig up.” He gave her a kiss on the nose and got up.

  About two hours later, Bix was carrying Ellie from the couch to his bed. They had watched Death Becomes Her. It was just what the doctor ordered.

  He placed her on the bed. “That was perfect. Thanks, Bix.”

  “I aim to please.”

  “That sounds good actually.”

  “What does?”

  She pulled off a playful, yet seductive pose and batted her eyes at him. “Please me.”

  “Don’t have to ask me twice.” He quickly removed his shirt and joined her.

  After they made love, they lay there in a tight embrace. Ellie’s back was to Bix. She loved that she could feel his heartbeat. He kissed her hair and she reached her arm around, leaving it at the back of his thigh. Their lovemaking tonight seemed to go beyond just pleasing each other. Ellie seemed to need to know that he was there for her and Bix provided that. There was something possessive and protective about him and Ellie liked it. A lot.

  “It still feels funny in the mornings going up and seeing Gramps.”

  “He’s not as old fashioned as you’d think. He’s fine with it. You know he loves you.”

  “And what about you?” she asked, turning her head slightly to face him better.

  “I know he loves me, too.”

  She smacked him on the rear.

  “Ouch,” Bix said, and then laughed. He rolled her to her back and gave her a long kiss on her lips. “God help me. I do love you, Ellie. You have to know how much.”

  “I don’t deserve you.” She stroked his cheek as she spoke.

  “You’re right. You don’t, but you’re stuck with me.”

  She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss, then laid her head back down on the pillow and faced her back to him again. She scooted back to be closer to him.

  “Well?” he asked, wrapping his arm around her.

  “Well what?” She teased, knowing what he was fishing for.

  “Don’t you want to tell me something?”

  She snuggled the pillow closer. “Heaven help me.”

  He kissed the back of her head again then lay down and held her tight. “Close enough.”

  Ellie had set her cell phone alarm to go off at five. She caught it before it woke Bix. Hating to leave his embrace, she reluctantly got up and gave him a soft kiss of the cheek. “I do love you, Slick,” she whispered.

  Gathering her things and putting on Bix’s robe, she went upstairs to the shower. Gramps startled her as she passed the sitting room.

  “Good morning, Noelle,” Gramps said from his chair. He had the news on softly and a cup of coffee in his hand already.

  “Mornin’, Gramps.” She went over and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad I’m not waking you.”

  “I’m an early riser. Farm life, yanno.”

  “I think that’s why it’s always been so easy for me, too. You mind if I shower?”

  “Go right ahead.”

  After she closed the door, she leaned against it for strength. She tried to play it cool for Gramps, but she was still very embarrassed. She couldn’t help but feel like she was in high school and busted by her parents. After she showered, she walked into the kitchen where Gramps was waiting with a cup of coffee for her.

  “Thanks. I’m sorry if this seems strange. I don’t usually…” Her voice trailed off. She had rehearsed it so many times in the shower, but now the words escaped her.

  “Don’t fret none, child.” He waited for her eyes to meet his. “I had a Mexican feller help with the farm years ago. He taught me a phrase. ‘Nanya.’”

  “Nanya? What’s that?”

  “Nanya business.” Gramps laughed until he coughed.

  Ellie joined him laughing, but grew concerned when his cough took a while to settle down. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Anyway, as long as you two kids are happy, it ain’t none of my business. I like you a lot, Ellie. I think you’re too good for that city slicker grandson of mine. You don’t have to answer to an old coot like me.”

  “I just don’t want to be disrespectful in your home.”

  “It’s his home too and you are more than welcome anytime.” Gramps took Ellie’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I gotta tend to the chores and I’ll be back to take care of breakfast. Don’t you dare lift a finger.”

  “I have to get going. I need to open up before six. I’ll take a rain check on breakfast though. Maybe this weekend?”

  “Sounds good to me. See ya later.”

  Bix came up the stairs in his boxers and walked into the kitchen. “I heard the door. I thought you left.” He gave her a tight hug.

  “That was Gramps. I do have to go, though. I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Wake me next time. What time are you going to the hospital?”

  “I have to see when I can get in. Hopefully they can do it after work. I don’t want to leave early.”

  “Call me. I’ll go with you.”

  “You’ve got to have something better to do than hold my hand while I get
blood drawn.”

  “Oddly, I don’t. Call me, babe. I want to be there. Really. I know you know what you’re doing, but I’d really like to hear about it from the doctor.” She opened her mouth to talk, but he put his finger over it. “I’m not going to say anything; I’d just like to know. Okay?” She didn’t respond. “If I don’t go, I’ll just spend the entire day looking up all the sites on the Internet anyway and reading everything I can about transplant surgery.”

  “All right. I’ll call you.”

  “Thank you. And for your information, I was awake when you got out of bed. I love you, too.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Bix met Ellie at the hospital at four o’clock. They were in the waiting room for ten minutes before they were called into the doctor’s office. The doctor greeted Ellie and they shared the usual pleasantries. He knew Ellie from her time at the hospital as well as having been her physician from the time she was a baby.

  “Doctor Platt, this is my…Bix. My boyfriend, Bix.” She thought she could say it but couldn’t bring herself to do it, and then decided she couldn’t hurt Bix by not. If he sensed her hesitation, he didn’t show it. The two men shook hands.

  “I imagine you’re a little worried about the procedure,” the doctor said to Bix.

  “Very much so. I’m a computer geek by profession so please, talk to me like I’m three with these medical terms.”

  Doctor Platt gave a hearty chuckle. “If Ellie here is a match and healthy, which most certainly she is, we will do our best to keep her discomfort to an absolute minimum. She’ll be expected to be walking almost immediately after the procedure and we’ll only keep her for two to five days, depending on how she does. Her lifting will be restricted to twenty pounds for a month and you are to see to it that she sticks to that.”

  “Count on it,” Bix said, giving her hand a squeeze.

  “She can return to work in two to three weeks, as long as she feels up to it of course, and as long as you promise no lifting,” he said to Ellie.

  “I can do my job without lifting. I’m sure I’ll be back in two weeks, Doc.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that. We’ll have a follow up appointment after a week and see how well you’re doing.”