I'll Be Seeing You

"We can’t not invite him, Joy. That would be cruel to have all of us together and not invite him. It doesn’t say I have to sleep with him, but I can have some fun that day, you know?"

  "You’re right. Where are we having it?" I ask.

  "I have no idea. Everyone's house is too small. I’ll ask Maddie and see what she says. You'll ask Matthew if he wants to join us, right?" I nod my head in agreement.

  While we are talking about the holiday, my phone rings. It's Dr. Jenkins' office. I cringe knowing that Matthew has contacted him for my medical records already.

  "Hang on Laura, I need to take this."

  "Hello." I answer.

  "Hello, Joy, this is Dr. Jenkins."

  "Hello, Doctor," I reply, knowing why he’s calling.

  "I received a call from Dr. Davis this morning requesting that I forward your medical records to his office. I will do that with your permission, but I’m curious why you would seek medical advice after the extensive work-up we’ve done on your case already?”

  "Well, Doctor, as you know, Dr. Davis is very well known in the field, and he has asked to review my files. If he feels there’s nothing to pursue, then that’s the end of it. However, if he finds that there is something of significance, he's asked me for permission to look into it, and I have agreed. If you’re calling for permission to forward my files, then you have it. You can fax me the proper release forms if you need them."

  "All right, Joy, I’ll send the files over to his office. I know of Dr. Davis and the work he does. I also know about the new procedure he's attempting to get off the ground. If it works for you, I wish you all the best. Please call me if you need anything else, all right?"

  "I will, Doctor, thanks for all your help." I hang up thankful that’s over.

  "You’re going to let Matthew look into your case?” I nod. “That's great. God, I hope he finds something for you."

  "Yeah. Listen,” I interrupt. “Scott will be here shortly, so I hate to push you out, but I have to get to work. Plus, I need to have a private conversation with him." After my talk with Matthew, I need to discuss his behavior.

  "Okay, don't forget to ask Matthew about Thanksgiving, and you have fun this weekend. Call me when you get home, all right?"

  "I will." I promise. "Love you, Laura." I shout, waving at her before shutting my apartment door.

  As soon as I begin to tidy up our mess, the buzzer sounds from downstairs. That will be Scott.

  "Yes?" I answer into the intercom.

  "It's Scott,” he sings, drawing out his name. Waiting for his knock at the door, I open it for him, inviting him inside.

  "Hey, Scott, come in.” Feeling Conrad stand next to me, I bend over to thank him for protecting me.

  "Would you like anything to drink?" I ask feeling the adrenalin begin to flow.

  "No, I have a coffee right here. Let's get to work, shall we?" he suggests, as I hear him walk toward my office.

  "Scott, I don’t want you to drink coffee in the office anymore. Finish it out here or leave it on the table, but you aren't to have any more food or drink near my equipment," I assert. I’m livid that he lied to me about the mess he leaves behind as it is.

  "What's up with that, Joy? I always have my coffee while we work," he says, sounding appalled. "What's going on?"

  "Well, for one, every day you have told me you cleaned your up your mess, and last night I found that you left half-emptied coffee cups, food wrappers, and trash around your workstation," I point out. "It took someone else to see the mess you've been leaving behind, and they cleaned up after you. You may not appreciate the equipment I have, Scott, but that’s my livelihood in there. So, like I said, no more food or drink around my equipment." I fold my arms across my chest, waiting for him to challenge me.

  "It's that Matthew, isn't it? Did he tell you I had left a mess? Well, I didn't. Did it ever occur to you that he could be lying?"

  "No, it never occurred to me," I retort, shocked he would even suggest such a thing. I walk toward my office and come back with the trash can containing all the garbage Matthew took off the workstation. "Does this look like a lie to you, Scott? This is what came off your desk. If you want something, you will have to come out here to eat and drink," I reiterate, setting the can down.

  I’m really irritated with him now, insinuating that Matthew is lying when I stood right there while he cleaned up after the man.

  "Ah, Joy, don't be mad at me. I'm sorry," he apologizes, walking up to me to give me a hug, and just as Matthew explained to me the other night, he’s actually pressing my breasts into his chest.

  Appalled, I push him away from me, walk to the front door and hold it open for him.

  "What the fuck, Joy!" he says, stunned. "What is going on?"

  "You can do your part of the book at Radiant, and I will submit mine from here. Goodbye, Scott." Motioning for him to leave but he doesn't. Without a word, he grabs hold of my arm and yanks me back to him, causing me to scream.

  "Conrad, Attack!" I command. The next thing I know, Conrad is attacking Scott, and he yells to be let go.

  "Conrad, release," I’m relieved when he stumbles out into the hallway.

  "You are not welcome here again, Scott," I say, before slamming the door in his face.

  "Good boy, Conrad. You get a treat for that." Dropping to my knees, I praise him and hug him to me before going to the pantry to get one of his favorite treats: a big, tasty, chew bone.

  Just when I give Conrad his reward, my phone rings. I’m sure it's Scott, but I’m not changing my mind. On the second ring, my phone announces that it's Matthew, and I rush to answer it.

  "Hello," I say, trying to breathe normally while physically shaking.

  "Hey, baby. I wanted to hear your voice," he says, cheerfully. When I don't respond, he notices something is wrong. "What's the matter?"

  "Um, do you have time to come over?" I ask. "I won't keep you. I know you have a full schedule this morning." Considering the recent breakdown in our communication, I know he’ll be upset if I don't tell him about this.

  "Do I need to be concerned, Joy?" he asks, his tone changing drastically.

  "No. I just need to share something with you, and I don't want to do it over the phone. I can tell you the next time I see you, if you can't leave the office."

  "I'll be there in ten minutes." He doesn't even say goodbye. Good lord, how do I explain this to him without him exploding? In the meantime, I decide to call Mr. White to tell him why Scott will be doing his portion of the story at Radiant rather than at my home.

  "Hello, Mr. White, this is Joy," I say, when he answers.

  "Hey, Joy. How's the book coming along?"

  "It's going good, but we've had a little hiccup, and I thought I better tell you about it before it gets too distorted." I explain what happened with Scott and why I won't allow him in my home any longer, and that's when Matthew buzzes from downstairs. I release the security door for him and open my front door.

  "Did he hurt you?"

  "No, he didn't hurt me other than grabbing for my arm. It's the first time I've ever had to issue a command for Conrad to attack though. That was frightening in itself. Once Conrad latched onto his arm, Scott let go of me," I say in hush tones, so Matthew won't hear before I get the opportunity to tell him.

  "Can I call you back, Mr. White? I have someone here that I need to speak with," I ask. Not waiting for an answer, I hang up before realizing it’s too late. I sense him behind me, listening.

  "Joy?" His voice angry.

  "Matthew, please stay calm. I will not have you flying off the handle when I have already taken care of the problem. I thought I should tell you sooner rather than later." I walk us to the couch and explain to him what transpired.

  "Y … you let him hug you?" he asks, sounding hurt. I don’t blame him in light of the conversation we had just last night.

  "Yes. I wanted to test your theory before I ended my professional relationship with him. He did exactly what you said, and when he did, I t
old him to leave and that he would be doing his portion of the book from the Radiant offices. That's when he grabbed me, and Conrad saved the day, didn't you, boy?" I ask, his happy tail thumping the side of the couch. "He was by my side the entire time Scott was here."

  "I'll —" Matthew jumps up out of his seat.

  "You'll do nothing, Matthew," I interrupt, grabbing his arm. "I won't have you fighting with him. He won't be back here, and I won't work with him again after this project. I've informed my superior at Radiant, and I'm going to let them handle the administrative end of Scott's inappropriate behavior. Please don't get yourself in trouble, especially while you are trying to get your procedure off the ground."

  "Let me see your arm," he says, softly, taking my arm and lifting my sleeve.

  "Is there a mark?" I ask.

  "It's a little red, but there won't be any bruising." In a sweet gesture, he lifts my arm to his lips and kisses the area where Scott grabbed me.

  "Okay, so you won't do anything, right?" I ask, hoping I don't have to worry about him chasing Scott down the street.

  "No, but if he ever touches you again I'll … I'll tell Jessie on him." We laugh and he pulls me onto his lap.

  "No one touches you but me, baby," he says, holding me tight to him.

  "No one but you.” As soon as his lips touch mine, I can't resist.

  "Matthew …" I plead into his mouth, wanting him to carry me to my room.

  "Oh, baby, please don't do this. Please. I can't. I have to get back.” My mouth covers his again. “Dammit," he says against my lips.

  He needs to get back to the office, and I need time to heal. Touching his lips with mine once more, I reluctantly remove myself from his lap, helping him up off the couch.

  "You’re mine tomorrow night, Doctor," I say with certainty. "Now, go."

  "All right, I’m sorry, babe," he says, ruefully.

  "Oh, before I forget, Laura wants me to ask you what you’re doing for Thanksgiving."

  "I thought I would spend it with you, since Maddie and I aren't going to our parents in Chicago this year. They’re traveling, so we’re on our own."

  "Well, Laura is spending it with Maddie and Brian, and she wants us there, too. I don't know where it is yet because all of our places are too small. She's going to ask Maddie if her place would fit us. I'll let you know."

  "I know for a fact her apartment is too small. Why don't we do it at my place? On the Island. It's big enough, and Conrad can run wild."

  "That sounds perfect," I say, excited at the prospect of having it there.

  "Why don’t all of you plan on spending the night? There's plenty of room."

  "Wait, I thought you said it was a cabin."

  "Well, that's what I call it. It actually has four bedrooms, all with en-suites."

  "Oh," I say, somewhat surprised. "Okay, then. I'll let Laura know. One more thing. I don’t think she’ll be seeing Jessie much longer. She’ll invite him to Thanksgiving since he’s our friend, but she won't be seeing him after that. I think she's figured him out," I explain, revealing some of what Laura told me this morning. "I know she really likes him, but she knows he’ll wind up hurting her in the end if she lets him in more than she already has. She's being smart for once."

  "Oh, he told me the other day that he’s done with playing around and said Laura has it for him.” Of course, that was just before he checked out the waitress' ass.

  I shake my head, sad for my friend and equally sad for Jessie who is about to lose out on a special woman.

  "Okay, baby, all that aside. Tell me how you feel today? After last night, I mean. Are you all right?" he asks, pulling me against him for a warm embrace. Wrapping my arms around him, I lay my head against his chest, feeling his warmth and inhaling his unique scent.

  "I'm fine. I’m a little tender, but I'll be fine by tomorrow. I'm afraid she's out of commission for tonight though."

  "Do you want to go out for pizza tonight? I can have you home early. I ordered tickets to the ferry that leaves at eight forty-five in the morning, so I'll pick you up at eight. Better yet, why don't you just stay at my place tonight, and we can leave straight from there?"

  The thought of sleeping in Matthew's arms pleases me very much. I get a warm feeling just thinking about it, and I smile at the thought.

  "What?" he asks. "What is going through that mind of yours?

  "You," I answer, still smiling. "All right, I'll be ready.” When he squeezes me a little tighter in the circle of his arms, I return it with a hug of my own.

  "I need to get back to the office. I’ll call you about dinner later. Miss me while I'm gone," he says, into my ear.

  "You know I will." I pull him in for a kiss and walk him to the door. "Bye."

  "Bye, baby," he says and I shut the door behind him.

  ~.~

  After spending the afternoon in my office working on my recent project, Laura shows up with coffee from the café, giving me a needed break. Not doing much apart from gossiping about our sex lives, I’m curious if there’s something that I can do for Matthew to please him. Embarrassed, I ask anyway.

  "Um ... Laura, since I'm spending the night at Matthew's tonight, uh … would you tell me what I can do to … um …”

  "For god sakes, Joy, spit it out," she snaps, turning her body toward me.

  "What can I do to please him since I doubt we’ll be having sex tonight? There. Satisfied?" I giggle, smacking the leg she is draping over mine.

  "See, was that so hard?" she says as she nudges my shoulder.

  "Yes … and totally embarrassing," I reply, knowing my face is glowing red.

  "Well, there's oral sex. Kind of what he did to you the other night, only you do it to him. Guys love that.

  "How do I do it? I mean, how do I please him that way?" I ask, grateful that I have her to help me once again, since all of her advice has been valuable already.

  I’m petrified to take the initiative, but dammit, I'm going to do it. I want to please him, and if Laura says he’ll like it, he's going to get it. By the time the tutorial is over, and my humiliation is complete, we sit down and start on a shopping list for Thanksgiving weekend.

  ~.~

  Still angry that again Scott laid his hands on Joy, I walk past the café to see if he’s in there. Luckily for him, he isn’t. I would hate to have her mad at me for kicking the shit out of him when I promised I wouldn't. Shaking those negative thoughts, I hurry to the office to finalize the surgery for Monday and thankfully, Krista has saved the day by organizing everything for me.

  "If you’re here to get ready for Monday, I've got it covered.

  "Krista, you’re the best, you know that?" I say, grinning at her as I quickly walk past her desk.

  "Yeah, just remember me at bonus time," she says, taking the messy file from me to reorganize it.

  "I always do," I remind her.

  "Okay, what else do I have? I want to take Joy to dinner, and then we’re heading to the Island tomorrow. Oh, one more thing … I’m spending Thanksgiving there. Would you call Rebecca and ask her to get it ready for six?" I mumble as I go through my incoming mail.

  "Sure. Do you have a shopping list for her?" she asks, jotting down her notes.

  "Not yet. Joy’s making one. I'll give it to you as soon as I can, then if you would give it to Rebecca, so she can stock the house, I would appreciate it."

  "No problem. Anything else?" she asks, patiently waiting for me to answer.

  "Um, yeah. Would you have Rebecca put honeysuckle all over the house, including the master suite?" I look up when I hear a snort come from her.

  "Oh, Doctor, you have it bad," she teases.

  "Yes. Real bad," I admit sheepishly, looking up. "I’m in love with her."

  "Oh, Matthew, I am so happy for you." She comes around the desk and gives me a hug.

  "Thanks, Krista," I say, returning the affection. "So, what's next?"

  "You saw that you received a call from New York, right?" She points out a specific
message she placed in my hand. It's from Dr. Fisher. I look up at her, and we stare wide-eyed at each other for what seems like forever.

  "Well, don't just sit there. Call the man," she scolds, as she hands me the phone. "It's three hours’ difference, but that's his cell, and he said to call him when you can.

  "Shit, Krista," I say with the phone in one hand and the telephone number in the other. She takes both out of my hands, dials the number, and then shoves the receiver back at me.

  ~.~

  "Will Conrad be all right in the car while we eat?" I ask, looking out of the window at my car, not seeing him in the crate.

  "He’ll be fine. He doesn't get to travel in the car much, so when he does, he really likes it," she says, taking a bite of her pizza.

  "I'm glad you’re coming with me tomorrow. I must confess that I'm a little nervous about you coming over tonight though. I know you aren't familiar with my place, so if there's anything I can do, I need you to tell me, okay?" I run my thumb across her jaw, feeling the softness of her skin. Bending down, I kiss her and watch her eyes close at my touch.

  "I brought my laser cane with me. It's very helpful in situations like this. All you need you to do is to show me around your house, and I'll take it from here. It's a piece of cake, really," she says like she's done this a million times. She probably has.

  "It only took me a few trips to Laura's house to get familiar. The only thing is, you can't pull a bad Helen Keller joke on me and rearrange the furniture," she laughs before taking another bite of her pizza. I hope no one ever did that kind of thing to her. It’s not funny.

  "This is really good, isn't it?"

  "You astound me, Joy," I say, wanting to lick that little bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth, and when I see her lift her napkin, I take hold of her wrist to stop her. Cupping her face in the palm of my hand, I turn her to me. "I'm honored that you love me."

  I graze my tongue between her closed lips, focusing on licking that sauce. When she slightly parts her lips, I open my mouth over hers, applying gentle suction when I hear a faint moan. When I feel her body go limp in my arms, I know her resistance is gone and smile into her mouth when she giggles.

  "So, um …" I utter, not sure how to broach the subject of sex.