“Bravo!” Ms. Winker says, standing up and applauding.
The rest of the Board members look at her curiously, and she says, “Oh, oops, excuse my enthusiasm,” and sits back down. “It’s just rare to see such true love these days.”
I smile at Harlow, and he smiles back. Then the chairman of the Board continues, while Dr. Davis grumbles since his objections were overruled and there’s nothing he can do about it.
“Harlow, would you please go ahead and let the Board know why you requested this meeting?”
“Yes, certainly,” Harlow says, and begins to stand up.
“You may remain seated,” the President says with a kind smile.
“Okay. Sure. As you know, I am a Navy SEAL and I was involved in a near- fatal accident when my rescue helicopter was shot down and caught on fire. Dr. Davis was extremely helpful in my recovery. He provided state-of-the-art facial reconstructive surgery that restored my face to where it was just as good as new, or even better.”
The board members nod, understandably perplexed at why Harlow requested a meeting, if only to sing Dr. Davis’ praise. But I look at him and feel a wave of love and pride wash over me. How nice of him to give Dr. Davis the credit he deserves.
“But, I have since learned that Dr. Davis has done things that were less than noble, with a less than unselfish agenda,” Harlow continues.
Now, he looks so sure of himself that I just want him to take me right here on the table in front of everyone. Even as he’s speaking out against his enemy— whom he had thought was a close ally— he remains so cool and calm. I can’t believe that’s my boyfriend.
“I began to have my suspicions when I felt I was back at full fitness and Dr. Davis agreed, yet claimed that the military would not yet let me go back to active duty.”
The board members look surprised to hear this, and Dr. Davis grumbles something unintelligible under his breath again, but Harlow presses forward.
“Still, Dr. Davis seemed to be my biggest supporter, and I trusted him. So I followed his recommendations and started physical therapy at Piñon Physical Therapy. My physical therapist, Ms. Reid, agreed that I was ready to be back with my unit. Yet, as she can further demonstrate, not only did Dr. Davis refuse to listen to her recommendation, but he also punished her for making it. In fact, since she has the best first-hand knowledge of that situation, and actual evidence, I will let her take over from here, if that’s all right with the Board?”
“Certainly,” the President says, with a shrug, after looking around at all the other bewildered board members.
“Again, I am vehemently protesting allowing this inexperienced, biased intern to speak against me…” Dr. Davis attempts to interrupt.
“Dr. Davis, that’s enough. If you insist on these outbursts we will have no choice but to evict you from the proceedings and we will hear the evidence without giving you a chance to respond.”
Dr. Davis doesn’t say anything further.
I clear my throat and look at Harlow, who nods and smiles at me.
“I was assigned to work with Harlow, and it immediately became clear to me that he was fit for service,” I begin. “He passed all his initial tests, and was excelling at exercises that even some of our most advanced patients can’t do. I reported Harlow’s status to my boss, Lance Williams, who came to observe part of a session in which I worked with Harlow.”
I look around, and most of the faces are full of receptiveness and attention, except of course Dr. Davis’. I continue.
“Mr. Williams agreed that Harlow was performing fantastically. I came up with a plan to address exercises for the few areas in which Harlow needed further help, but overall I felt his treatment should be shortened and that he should be able to get back to work. I called Dr. Davis and left him a voicemail with my opinions, and asked if he wished to discuss Harlow’s case further with me.”
I sneak a glance at Dr. Davis, who is glaring at me and shaking his head. But I continue.
“At that time I was removed as Harlow’s physical therapist, and replaced by my boss, Mr. Williams. I have a statement from Mr. Williams, backing up my testimony, and he is willing to speak to the Board if necessary.”
Dr. Davis bores a hole through my eyes, and I can tell he’s very upset with Lance. I hope my decision to out Dr. Davis doesn’t backfire and cost Lance his job, but at this point there’s no turning back. And Lance had told me he was on board, thank goodness.
“Dr. Davis told me that the reason I was being replaced as Harlow’s physical therapist was that Harlow needed much more help than I could provide, and that he was very behind in terms of physical fitness. As you can see, Dr. Davis changed the notes I had originally placed in Harlow’s file, with notes of his own, while adding my signature.”
I passed both the original and altered print-outs of the notes to the Board members.
“Objection!” Dr. Davis says, standing up. “I’ve never seen these alleged notes and I don’t know what she’s referring to.”
I pass Dr. Davis a copy and say, “You gave me a copy of the notes I supposedly entered. These are the notes and charts I had actually entered.”
The board members look shocked as they review the two different versions, and they talk quietly amongst themselves, with words I can’t hear.
“Dr. Davis also recommended that Harlow not be certified for service yet,” I announced, handing the Board— and Dr. Davis— copies of more documents. “He claimed that Harlow needed more work. At the same time, however, he was telling Harlow that he had certified him for service, but that the Board required Harlow to undergo further treatment.”
The President and several other members of the Board audibly gasp.
I nod my head and say, “You can let Harlow tell you more about that part.”
“Where did you get this?” Dr. Davis demands.
“From Harlow’s file,” I say, which is true.
I don’t want to say that Lance gave me the documents, and I don’t think I need to. Harlow had consulted with Riley before setting up this meeting, and had explained to me Riley’s reasoning, that she was prepared to argue if necessary.
As Harlow’s physical therapist, I had access to his file, and if Dr. Davis had given me all the documents in his file, I would have seen these. In order to fight this premise, Dr. Davis would have to admit that he had kept hidden relevant information from Harlow’s file. There was really no way around it for Dr. Davis.
At this point, Riley stands up. Once she has my attention, she sits back down, and I let her take over.
“I have subpoenaed the files of Dr. Davis’ patients,” she states.
Riley had also come up with this work-around, to get Lance off the hook for giving me access to any patient files.
“And here is a print- out of the results, which Ms. Reid has been nice enough to illustrate. If the Board cares to review the files of Dr. Davis itself, I have them all available. As you can see from this highlighted print-out, Dr. Davis quickly gave up on all but a few select patients, namely, Harlow and two others, who were also in various units of the Special Forces. Dr. Davis doctored videos to make it look like those three had started out far more disadvantaged than they actually had…”
Riley begins playing the video on the large projector screen. I assume that most of the Board members had seen the edited footage at Dr. Davis’ various presentations, and they sit with their mouths open as they watched the unedited version. After it finishes playing, Riley explains how Dr. Davis had taken credit for physical advances and mental prowess he had had nothing to do with, and how he had strung Harlow along for his own purposes until now.
When she’s finished, silence fills the room. Not even Dr. Davis dares to speak.
Finally, the Board president clears his throat.
“Dr. Davis, it’s your turn now, to address these allegations.”
Dr. Davis stands up and pounds his fist on the conference room table.
“I have already said that this intern is
biased. Not only is she new and incompetent but she is also carrying on an inappropriate, unethical relationship with the patient, no matter how much they pretend to be engaged. It’s a farce, I tell you, a farce!”
I look over at Riley but her expression is unphased, set in stone. She had been prepared for this and has no response, since it was already addressed. And the Board members were rolling their eyes, as if to say, this again?
Riley had assured me that it isn’t a problem, as I am no longer Harlow’s physical therapist. Luckily, things don’t even get that far, however, because the Board President glances sharply at Dr. Davis and clears his throat again.
“But what about these allegations that were just presented?” the chairman asks. “On their face they look pretty damning, no matter what the relationship between Harlow and Ms. Reid. Which, as they’ve already explained, is appropriate because they say they’re engaged, and who are we to question that? What do you have to counter the substance of their allegations?”
“They’re completely fabricated,” Dr. Davis says. “Just an attempt at character assassination, from an ungrateful and jealous patient, who was expecting to hit it big when my company was sold, and didn’t.”
I have to try hard not to roll my own eyes.
“And I want a lawyer before speaking further to this Board, to address these malicious and perhaps career-ending allegations,” Dr. Davis continues. “I would like to appeal the format of these proceedings and even the fact that they happened in the first place.”
“Very well,” says the Board President, not looking convinced. “We will issue an opinion on Harlow’s accusations, and our recommendations for his specific case as well as… other potential issues… within the next week. You are welcome to obtain counsel for whatever you see fit but please be reminded that this is a military decision and not open to outside influence or civil proceedings. You had an opportunity to bring anyone you wish to represent you or speak on your behalf, and you did not. Therefore, we will make a decision based on what was presented today, and you are welcome to appeal if you don’t agree with it, by following the procedures that have been sent to you.”
So basically, go away because there’s nothing you can do, I translate to myself, wishing I could giggle out loud. Instead, I tap Harlow’s foot with my own, under the table, three times fast.
It can be interpreted one of two ways, but I mean it as both.
We did it.
And
I love you.
Chapter 53 – Harlow
“That was amazing,” I shout, as soon as Whitney and I are alone in my car.
We’ve thanked Riley and are headed to meet up with her and Jensen for a celebratory dinner. But it feels good for it to be just the two of us, basking in our accomplishments. I can’t believe that a short time ago I thought we were over for good, and now we’re deep into something that feels so big and important.
“Thank you,” I say, holding her hand as I begin driving. “I never could have figured this out without you.”
“No, thank you,” she says, her hand moving suggestively to my thigh. “I never could have figured life out without you.”
“Is that so?” I ask, as she begins unbuttoning my button and then unzipping my fly. “How will you ever show me how grateful you are?”
She bends over and slowly licks the tip of my cock. Then she takes the entire thing in her mouth and sucks. I enjoy the sensation as I try to concentrate on the road. Luckily I’ve been driving since I was fifteen years old without any accidents and I’m good at multi-tasking.
She runs her hand up and down my shaft while sucking on the head of my penis.
“I’ve never done this before, like this,” she says, in a near-whisper. “But I figured I’d better start listening to you about taking risks once in awhile.”
“You taking risks? I’m the one having to drive on I - 40 with your mouth making my cock feel so good.”
“Well, at least it feels good,” she says, running her tongue up and down my shaft. “If we crash and die, it’ll be worth it.”
“I don’t want to die,” I tell her. “Life is finally starting to get good. I’m fake engaged now. To a wonderful woman.”
“Yes,” she agrees. “I heard all about it, in your beautiful speech to the Board.”
She deepthroats me while I put one hand on her head and stroke her hair, gently and then increasing in urgency as I feel better and better.
“Oh my god,” I tell her, as my cock fills up her perfect mouth.
“I’m going to come.”
“Good,” she says, reaching a hand underneath me to play with my balls while she expertly sucks my cock from back to front.
I can’t take it any longer. I explode in her mouth and she laps it up. I sneak a quick glance to look down at her deep brown eyes, her willing gaze meeting mine.
“Whitney, you couldn’t be any more perfect if you tried.”
She tickles the edge of my penis with her tongue and says, “I know. I’m just glad you finally came to your senses and started listening to me.”
And so am I.
Chapter 54 – Harlow
Three Months Later
Jensen looks as handsome as I’ve ever seen him— which is exactly how a man should look on his wedding day. I adjust his boutonniere as we wait for the signal from the wedding coordinator that it’s time to take our places at the altar— or rather, what would be an altar if this weren’t an outdoor wedding, featuring a homemade bridal arch instead of an altar.
“I’m proud of you for jumping right in,” I tell him, as he looks away bashfully. “And thank you for rushing your wedding date just for me.”
“Are you kidding?” says Jensen, with a genuine smile. “I couldn’t imagine getting married without both of my brothers at my side. And I’m so glad they cleared you for active duty in time for this upcoming deployment.”
I smile, although I have mixed feelings about that. I’m glad I get to go back, and that the Board decided to certify me— and to cut all ties with Dr. Davis.
The Board’s letter commended me— and Whitney— for bringing such important matters to their attention and for working to ensure that the unfortunate manner of the way that events with Dr. Davis unfolded with me did not continue to occur to other service members.
The letter stated that the Board regrets its past decision to collaborate with Dr. Davis and that now that it knows the full extent of Dr. Davis’ motives and actions, it would be severing such coloration, and apologized for not knowing about it sooner. News headlines said that Dr. Davis’ stock would no longer be going public because investors had reason to doubt his truthfulness and believed that the results of his technology were not as good as he had reported.
Dr. Davis appealed the decision but the Board of course upheld it. He’s now threatening suit in civil, Federal district court but Riley has assured us it will be tossed out on a motion to dismiss because there’s no merit to it.
She doesn’t even think Dr. Davis will bring the lawsuit because any attorney would advise him that it’s a losing battle that would only further embarrass him. I wouldn’t put it past Dr. Davis to try anyway, but by that time I will probably be overseas, and it really won’t affect me. I’m just glad to have escaped the grasp of Dr. Davis’ stubborn, deceptive claws.
But now that I’m back to active duty status with the SEALS, which includes this upcoming deployment, it’s a situation where I almost want to go back in time and tell myself to be careful what I wish for. It’s going to be very hard to be away from Whitney. At least this deployment is only six months long.
I haven’t told Jensen, or anyone, yet, but I’ve been thinking about a real proposal of my own. I don’t want Whitney getting swept away by anyone while I’m gone. And planning a wedding might give her something to look forward to in my absence.
It’s only been a short time since we’ve been together, so maybe I should wait. But I’ve always been someone who jumps right into things, so wh
y should I stop now? My relationship with Whitney has been fast and intense so far, just like everything else in my life.
“I’m sorry I initially doubted you and Whitney,” Jensen says, as if reading my mind. “That’s before I knew what a great girl she is. And I guess, like I learned with Riley, sometimes when you know, you just know.”
“All right, gentlemen,” says the wedding coordinator, in that everything-is-urgent tone that everyone involved in any way with weddings all seem to have. “In just a couple minutes we’re going to need you to perform your ushering and musical duties and then take your places in front, with Jensen first of course and then everyone lined up after him in the order we had rehearsed. Does anyone have any questions?”
“Just one,” says Ramsey, emerging from behind the wedding planner with a fist-full of miniatures. “Who’s ready for a shot, to start this celebration off right?”
Everyone laughs and grabs a miniature. Ramsey obviously still knows how to get a party started.
“To Jensen’s future as a love-sick, captive husband,” Ramsey says, and we all clink our plastic tiny bottles and take the shot.
The liquid burns as it goes down my throat, and Jensen shakes his head back and forth as he forces it down, shouting, “To captivity indeed!”
I find Riley’s mother and escort her to the front row, and then I escort our own mother to a front row seat across the aisle. Mom squeezes my arm and says, “I’m so happy for Jensen.”
I squeeze hers back. “Me too, Mom.”
I’m happy for all of us. Mom has been doing better lately, and that’s about as best as we can hope for. She looks lovely in a light blue dress, with her hair and makeup done.
Mom looks over at Ramsey, who is playing his guitar under a tree, and whispers to me again under her breath.
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