He willed his tired eyes to open a bit more, and as the vision in front of him slowly came into view, he realized it was the maid of honor, Isabelle, who was looking back at him, scowling.
“Well, it looks like you may have broken a small bone at the top of your foot.” She glanced back down at her chart.
“Seriously? You’re the nurse?” Andrew quickly adjusted his body into an upright position. He couldn’t believe his ill luck. He completely stopped thinking about his foot as he stared back at her. It was almost as if he were stuck in the Twilight Zone. “Am I getting pranked right now?”
She glared back at him, and then put down her clipboard. “Mr. Montgomery, I’m not the nurse. I’m the attending physician.”
“You’re the doctor?” The words tumbled out of his mouth. He suddenly felt his cheeks growing red.
“Yes. I’m Dr. Rodriguez.”
He rubbed at the back of his neck. “Shit. Then this appointment probably isn’t going to go well for me.” Andrew looked down at his foot. Maybe he didn’t need any meds. The pain really wasn’t that bad.
“That’s right. Your foot is definitely shit right now, but luckily for you, I actually plan to take good care of it.”
“Thank you.” Andrew lay back on the pillow, but kept his eyes fixed on the ceiling. It was white and looked almost as if it had recently been painted.
Dr. Rodriguez pulled out a syringe, still inside a plastic bag, out of her pocket. “You’ll feel a little sting, but your foot should be numb here pretty quickly.”
“Fine. Do whatever you need to do.” He ran his hand through his hair. He felt like crap and just wanted to get out of this place.
The needle pierced through his skin. The pain made him flinch slightly for a quick second, but he tried not to let her see it. After that, his entire foot was numb.
She pushed a button to call in a nurse. “Try to close your eyes and relax, Andrew.”
“That’s a little hard for me to do right now.”
She pulled out a pair of oversized headphones. “Here. These should plug into your phone. It will be easier for both of us if you just relax and let me do my job.”
Andrew reached for the headphones and pressed the button on his phone to listen to some of his music. It was heavy rock. He thought back to the night before and the reception.
***
He was lost in thought when he realized that it had been a while since he had felt anyone touching his leg. Andrew sat up. He was alone as he looked down and saw that a hideous bright orange-and green-striped cast covered his foot and lower leg.
“Nice,” he mumbled to himself as he swung his leg off the table. He should have known he couldn’t trust her. Dr. Rodriguez didn’t like him. Why had he allowed her to trick him?
He hopped over toward the front of the room and opened the heavy door.
The hallway was still quiet, but he could hear laughter near the front office. He hobbled toward the front door, stopping only when he heard someone say, “Don’t you want these? It might make your escape a little easier.”
He turned to see Dr. Rodriguez standing in the middle of the hallway holding a pair of crutches and staring straight at him, a smug smile across her face.
“You could have left them in my room,” he said.
“I was actually on my way to deliver them when I saw you headed for the door. How does your foot feel?”
“Numb.”
“How about the cast? It doesn’t feel too tight, does it?”
“You mean the orange and green cast?”
She smiled. “Every now and then we like to be creative. Do you like it?”
“I can see that, but I wish you would have selected different colors. These two really aren’t my favorites.”
“I’ll note that in your chart, Mr. Montgomery.”
“Go ahead, but you don’t have to worry, I’m not coming back here.” Andrew reached to grab the crutches from her. “Thank you, Doc. It was good to see you again.”
The drive home proved more difficult than he’d expected, given his new footwear. He could have called his mom, but decided against that idea. He just wanted to get home.
No one was at the house when he pulled up. The sun was beginning to set behind the hills, casting a warm hue throughout the house. He had spent more time than expected at that little clinic today with Dr. Rodriguez.
He shook his head, thinking back on his experiences as he grabbed his crutches and made his way toward the fridge for a drink and snack before sinking into the couch in the living room. Andrew clutched the remote and turned on the TV to distract himself from the fact that he now had a cast on his leg—something that would be there for at least another six very long weeks.
A short while later, his mom entered through the back door in the kitchen. “Hi, honey.” She came into the living room and stared at the colorful cast. “What happened?”
His mom slowly made her way closer to his foot, inspecting the cast.
“I went hiking, and apparently I’ve been gone so long that I’ve forgotten how to stay upright and not jack up my leg.” Andrew shrugged as he continued to flip through the channels. His parents had limited cable. “I guess you guys aren’t big television watchers. You only have three good channels.”
“Nope. We’ve got other things to do besides watch that thing.” She reached down and wiggled one of his toes, causing him to instinctively pull his foot back.
“Mom, it’s just a little fracture. Don’t worry, my foot is still attached.”
She gently folded her arms across her chest. “Good. I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself too bad.”
“Maybe not physically, but my ego is a little wounded.”
She laughed. “I’m not surprised. How about we go sit in the backyard? I brought home some barbecue. I thought your dad would be coming home for dinner, but he called a little bit ago to say he’s working late.”
“Sure,” Andrew responded. The thought of food made his stomach start to growl. He hadn’t really had anything to eat after his breakfast.
“Okay. Why don’t you go on out there, and I’ll get the food and plates.” His mom returned to the kitchen.
“I can carry some stuff, Mom. It’s my foot that’s injured, not my hands.”
“All right. You get the bag of food, and I’ll get us some plates and a couple of beers.”
“Now you’re talking,” Andrew said as he maneuvered out of the kitchen and into their backyard. It had been years since he’d had to use crutches. The last time had been after the car accident.
He sat down at a large table that overlooked his parents’ pool. His mother had several candles on the table. He walked over and grabbed a lighter. He watched as his mom came outside. Her thin frame glided toward the table. He hadn’t noticed it before, but she looked tired. “You all right, Mom?”
“Yeah. It was just a long day at the shop. How about you? Obviously, you had quite the day.”
“I did. I ended up getting stuck at the clinic with the woman who was the maid of honor last night.”
“Her name is Isabelle.”
“Whatever. She doesn’t like me.”
“How do you know she doesn’t like you?” His mom’s eyes narrowed. “You just met her.”
“Because she shows me her fangs every time she speaks to me.” Andrew lifted his upper lip like a vampire. “It makes me feel weird.”
His mom rolled her eyes as she took another bite and then sat back in her chair. They both stared out at the water and the large oak trees that surrounded their backyard. “Isabelle really is a lovely girl. I’m glad she moved back to town. We finally have a decent doctor.”
They sat in silence again for several seconds before his mom cleared her throat. “Do you know who her sister was?”
Andrew looked down at his beer. “Yeah, Jessica. Just my luck.”
“That’s right, but it’s time for all of us to move past that accident. We can’t keep letting it ruin our lives. There are other
things we should focus on, like our family.”
“That’s easy for you to say, Mom. You didn’t kill someone.”
“Andrew, it wasn’t your fault. It was an accident. Jessica’s family is fully aware of that. I’ve talked to her mom several times. She knew you loved Jessica and—”
“Stop. Let’s not use the word ‘love.’ I really liked Jessica.”
“I know. We all knew, Andrew. I saw the way you looked at her, and could never understand why you didn’t just break up with Cassie.”
Andrew raised his beer. “That would have meant war. There was no way Cassie Adams was going to let me break up with her and then date her best friend. It wasn’t going to happen. At least, that’s what Jessica kept telling me. She didn’t want me to break up with Cassie. I think she was too afraid of losing her as a friend, and it’s not like this town is that big.” Andrew paused, desperate to end the conversation. He glanced at his mom’s still-full plate. “You’d better eat something or it’s going to get cold.”
They listened to the sound of a bird call somewhere off in the distance as they enjoyed the food and nice breeze. Finally, his mom paused and looked over at Andrew. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Chapter Fourteen
The next few days were uneventful. Andrew spent most of his time sitting on his parents’ couch, with his leg propped up on the ottoman. Both of his parents left the house early every day and often didn’t come home until well in the evening. He was bored.
“This sucks,” he mumbled to himself. The only good part about staying inside was that he’d managed to avoid Isabelle. Her office had called the other day, but he’d let it go straight to voicemail.
Finally, he threw back the blanket and decided it was time to stop feeling sorry for himself. He needed some fresh air. Really, he just needed to get out of this place. Maybe he should pack his bag and leave, but for some reason, Andrew couldn’t quite go that far. Instead, he grabbed his keys.
He drove aimlessly around Sable Falls for several minutes before he finally saw what he was looking for: a gym. At least, that’s what the sign on the outside wall said.
Upon entering, Andrew wasn’t sure it could fully be called a gym. There were several older pieces of equipment set-up along the back wall, a few weights. It would have to do.
An older woman approached him, clipboard in hand. “It will be $10 for your visit, and I need you to sign this waiver.” She held out a piece of paper.
Andrew handed her the money and signed her form before walking to the back wall and picking up the weights. The slight burn in his arm and back muscles felt good.
***
Sometime around midnight, a sharp, constant pain at the top of his injured foot woke Andrew. He lay in bed for what seemed like an hour, silently willing the pain to stop so he could go back to sleep, but it didn’t.
Finally, he couldn’t take it any longer. He threw back his blanket and managed to shift into an upright position. Something had to be wrong with his cast. It felt like his foot was swelling, cutting off the circulation.
“Stupid, stupid doctor,” he mumbled to himself. “She probably put this thing on too tight.” He walked clumsily around his room, collecting his clothes.
The drive to the clinic didn’t take long. It was the only building with lights on the front. The rest of the town was dark.
Andrew pulled on the glass door with its neon-blue ‘OPEN’ sign and hobbled in. His foot ached even more, but despite the pain, he was angry he’d had to come back to this stupid place in the middle of the freakin’ night.
The waiting room was empty—again—except for an older man sitting toward the back. A different receptionist poked her head out of the small window.
“Can I help you?”
Andrew pointed down to his foot. “I need to see a doctor about my foot. I think the cast is too tight.” He huffed. “Or Dr. Bitch intentionally did something to it,” he mumbled to himself.
“Uh huh. Please go ahead and sign in. The doctor will be with you in a little bit.”
Andrew looked over at the other man sitting in the waiting room. He was staring back at Andrew with an odd look on his face—one that made Andrew think he should know him. But it was the middle of the night and his brain wasn’t functioning correctly.
He looked back toward the receptionist. “How long is the wait?”
“It’s only about thirty minutes. Don’t worry, hon. We will get to you and your achy foot shortly.” The nurse peered at him over the top of her reading glasses.
Andrew let out a deep breath. It was now almost two in the morning. There were many things he’d rather be doing right now than sitting in a medical clinic with some random old man and an angry receptionist.
Just as he leaned his head back against wall, a familiar voice called his name.
“Well, I’m a little surprised to see you back here.” Isabelle stood over him.
Andrew opened one eye slowly. “Great. You’re here. Don’t they have any other doctors in town?”
“There are actually several of us, and I don’t normally work this shift, but the doctor who does called in sick earlier. So, you’re conveniently stuck with Dr. Bitch.”
Her last words hung awkwardly in the air. Had she heard him talking to the receptionist? Great. Just his luck.
“I’m sorry for calling you that word. I’m just tired and my foot hurts,” Andrew grumbled.
“Okay, apology accepted. Come on back, then. I’ll be with you in just a minute. First I need to take a look at this gentleman.” Isabelle gestured to the man sitting four chairs down.
The man sneered at Andrew as he got up from his seat and walked behind Isabelle. Andrew could only guess what he was in here for—probably another drunk with liver problems.
Andrew followed quietly behind and went into the same little room he’d been in several days ago. He heard Isabelle say, “All right, Mr. Wynock. I understand you’re having some heart issues tonight,” before she closed the door.
He heard further mumbling as Isabelle talked to her patient. Seconds later, a piercing scream sliced through the quiet of the clinic, causing Andrew to jolt out of his chair. He quickly hobbled to the door of the other room and threw it open. Inside, the old man was standing behind Isabelle, holding a large knife against her throat. A small trickle of blood was making its way down her neck, where the point of the blade had cut into her delicate skin.
Andrew assessed the situation. Before the attacker had a chance to respond, he dove at him, pushing Isabelle out of the way, and sending the man flying across the room. Andrew landed one punch to his face and was about to land a few more when he heard Isabelle behind him.
“Andrew, stop!” she frantically screamed. “He’s drunk. Please, stop! Don’t hurt him.”
Fire raged inside him. He wanted to make sure this man never attacked another woman.
Andrew’s head snapped back toward Isabelle. “He tried to kill you.”
“I know, but he’s not worth ruining your life,” she said shakily. He looked into her dark brown eyes. She seemed so much more vulnerable right now. Her tough, icy demeanor from the wedding reception was gone. “Trust me, he’s just drunk right now.”
“Call the sheriff’s department,” Andrew said, still kneeling over the guy. “Call now or I’m not sure I’ll be able to refrain from hitting this asshole a few more times.”
Isabelle’s receptionist came up behind her. “I’ve already called.” She too, was shaking as she looked at the bloody man struggling against Andrew’s hard grip. Andrew tried to calm his breathing as they waited in silence for law enforcement to arrive.
Moments later, two deputies charged into the clinic. “Everyone all right?” one of them called.
“Yes, Pete. We’re back here,” Isabelle yelled, wiping a strand of hair away from her face.
The deputies were breathing hard as they came to a stop behind Andrew.
“Sir, I’m going to need you to get up slowly and turn around. Hand
s in the air,” one of them barked at Andrew.
“I’m not the attacker,” Andrew said, not letting go of the crazy asshole in his grasp.
“Sir, please go ahead and follow our order,” the deputy said a little more forcefully.
Andrew released his grip on the man and raised his hands over his head. He had forgotten about his cast, though, and as he tried to stand, his knee buckled, causing him to fall backward until he was able to catch himself on the examination table.
“Whoa. You okay?” one of the deputies asked. Andrew noticed the officer’s hand was now hovering over his weapon.
“Sorry, sir. My leg.” Andrew pointed at his cast.
The other deputy rushed over to the man on the floor and pulled him up. “Marlin, this time you’ve landed yourself in some pretty hot water. It looks like you’ll get to spend at least the next couple of days, maybe longer, behind bars, which probably won’t be a bad thing so you can dry out.”
The man huffed. “I just want all of you to feel some pain too! It’s been too long. You ruined my life. Now I’m going to ruin yours.”
Andrew looked over at Isabelle, hoping her eyes would give him some sort of explanation, but she just shook her head.
“Marlin, what are you talking about?”
“You have caused me a lifetime of pain,” he said, putting his hand over his heart as his head lobbed forward.
Isabelle looked at the deputies. “I honestly don’t know what he’s talking about.”
The deputy holding Marlin answered, “I think it’s simple. He has a crush on you, and you’ve broken his heart.”
“Pete, you’re an asshole,” Isabelle responded, folding her arms across her chest.
Pete looked over at Andrew. “Hey, are you Miles’s brother?”
“Yes. Why?”
“That explains it. Aren’t you a Marine, or something like that?”
“Yeah, something like that.” Andrew looked down at his foot.
Stay Forever Page 9