by Sable Hunter
“I’m scared, Delaney.”
“There’s no reason to be. I told you this is just about your rash.” She almost added the words ‘I swear’. Delaney caught herself just in time.
A tap on the door alerted them to the doctor’s arrival.
“Well, here we are.” He introduced himself to them both.
“Glad to meet you, Doctor.” Delaney stood to greet him.
“Sit, sit.” He took a moment to view John’s chart. “Well, take off your shirt and let me have a look at that rash and your lymph nodes.” He turned to Delaney. “The VA sent over Mr. Callan’s charts. How is he doing otherwise?”
“Well, he has good days and bad days. I’m sure you hear that a lot.”
“Yes, I do.” He went to look at the lesions on John’s skin more closely. “Does this rash bother you, Mr. Callan?”
“Itches like a son-of-a-bitch, doc.”
“There are several areas that look inflamed.” He raised John’s arm. “Slight swelling in the lymph nodes. Any other symptoms? Headaches? Nausea?”
“Sometimes,” John muttered.
Delaney felt the need to speak up. “Right after he take his daily pills, he seems to suffer a period of lethargy. Sometimes nausea or headaches.”
“Hmmm. Okay, I’ll write him a prescription for an allergy pill, but I suggest we get some blood work done. That’s the only way we’ll settle the question on the swelling. As far as the rash goes, if this pill doesn’t help, we can start some allergy tests.” He stepped to the door and asked a nurse to take John’s vitals and call the lab.
Seeing an opportunity, Delaney stood and moved closer to the older man. “While someone takes his blood, could I have a private word?”
With the nurse coming in to take his temperature and blood pressure, John was distracted enough not to notice Delaney step from the room to speak to the doctor.
“How can I help you, Ms. Ellis?”
“Well, this is going to sound a bit odd. I apologize for playing doctor, but I’ve learned something about Mr. Callan that might help.”
“Oh, don’t apologize. Are you a relative?”
“Uh, no. I’m his caretaker.”
“Well, caretakers spend much more time with a patient than a medical professional can. Many times what you observe is invaluable.”
“I hope so.” She wet her lips, then dove in. “I’d like to request that you test John for Lyme disease.”
Her request stunned the doctor. “Was he recently bitten by a tick?”
“Not recently, no. He has been bitten in the past and I learned of a case on the internet where…”
The doctor held up his hand. “The internet is not a good diagnostic tool.”
“I know that, but my grandfather was a doctor, and he explained a case to me where a man was misdiagnosed for years as having Alzheimer’s when he really was suffering with Lyme disease.”
“Highly unlikely.”
“Doctor, there are times when he is almost normal.”
“Alzheimer’s can vary patient to patient.”
“What if I’m right, though? It could mean everything to him. Please, just run the test.”
“Why didn’t you go to the VA with your request? Did they turn you down?”
“No, they didn’t. We couldn’t get an appointment right away.”
“Are you an RN, LPN, CA?”
Delaney only recognized the RN designation as a registered nurse. “No, I don’t have any nursing credentials at all.”
“So, you just sit with Mr. Callan, basically.”
His attitude was beginning to bother Delaney. “My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I took care of her for years. Plus, like I said, my grandfather was a GP, I learned a lot from him.”
“That’s not the same as medical training.”
“No, it’s not.” Delaney was frustrated and she just poured out her heart.” I’m not a nurse, I’m a massage therapist with an untested special education teacher’s certificate. The only reason I’m here is that I had a flat tire on the way to a job and before I could get it fixed, the job evaporated. Jonah Callan and I made a deal that he would fix my car if I would sit with his father until he found a replacement for John’s real caretaker who just happened to quit that day. So, no – I’m not certified to make this diagnosis, but I have done some research. For my peace of mind and at the miniscule chance it could help your patient, I’m begging you to do the test.”
The doctor narrowed his gaze as he studied Delaney’s face. “So, why me? And not a specialist?”
Delaney huffed out a breath. “I promised John that the appointment wouldn’t be about his Alzheimer’s. He agreed to come see you because it would be about his rash. He fears being committed.”
“So, my status as a GP won him over.”
“Yes, that’s true. Plus, you came highly recommended from some of my…” She almost said boyfriend. “From some of Jonah Callan’s friends.”
“The McCoys. Yes. Fine family.” The mention of their name seemed to prompt a decision about the matter. “All right. I’ll have the test run, but it won’t be fast. We have to check for the presence of antibodies. The test will take at least two weeks before we can get any results.”
“Two weeks isn’t too long to wait for a miracle.”
“Don’t hold your breath, Ms. Ellis. Miracles are hard to come by.”
…After getting the prescription filled, they headed home to Comfort. John slept most of the way and Delaney was grateful for the silence. She needed time to think.
The doctor’s appointment went about as she anticipated. She’d expected resistance from the doctor. Yes, she knew this was a long shot, but Delaney couldn’t shake the feeling that all of this might’ve happened for a reason. The article her grandfather read, her interest learning what she could about the matter – even the song playing on the radio. What if all these things worked together so she could one day help this man and his son live a better life? “Oh, yea, right. I know. I’m just dreaming.” She wanted her time with Jonah to mean something. To put it more succinctly – she wanted to mean something to Jonah.
With that great truth in mind, she considered her vision of what tonight would look like for them. Yes, she had another seduction in mind. Hopefully, it would be more successful than the last one.
When they entered Comfort city limits, she woke John up. “Hey, I’m going to stop at the grocery store to get supplies for tonight. Do you feel like going in?”
“Oh, yea. I do.” He rubbed his eyes. “Where are we? Hollywood?”
“Nope, we’re in Comfort, Texas. You’re going to your friend’s to play poker tonight.”
“Oh, that’s right.” He brightened up considerably. “What are we going to eat?”
“Well, I plan on making Jonah and I some soup.”
John made a face. “I don’t want soup. We got any tamales left?”
“Yes. I froze a couple of dozen. I have some meat pies put back too.”
“That’ll do. Can we have some chips and dips? Maybe some chicken wings?”
Delaney thought a minute. “I’ll have to hurry. But why not? I can do it. No problem.”
With that promise, she set out to pull it all together. At the grocery store, she bought apples, karo syrup, caramels, and popcorn. “What else do we need, John?”
“Chicken wings, pumpkins for carving, and candy for the kids.”
“Good catch.” She set out to gather up the remainder of the items. “Barbeque sauce too. I think we’re running low.” Steering the buggy through the store, she picked up a few staples along the way. Feeling domestic, she realized how she was acting. Like she belonged. Like Jonah and John were her family. The epiphany brought her up short. The cashier had to get her attention to make her move up in line.
“What’s wrong with you, missy?” John asked as they loaded up the groceries.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
/> “Don’t forget the movies.”
“Oh, no. I almost did.” She punched him playfully in the side. “What would I do without you?”
“You don’t want to know.” He grinned at her.
“No, I don’t,” she admitted the truth.
Just as she opened the driver’s side door to get behind the wheel, a voice calling her name brought Delaney up short. Turning, she saw a young Hispanic man waving at her as he trotted across the parking lot.
“Miss Delaney! Hold up.”
“Yes. Do I know you?”
“Probably just by reputation. I’m Cruz Catano.”
“Oh. Yes. You work at Tebow.”
“Yes, ma’am. And I’m the author of that unfortunate pool game that had nothing to do with football.”
“I see.” Delaney felt her cheeks brighten with embarrassment.
He took off his cowboy hat and held it in his hands. “I just want to apologize. I didn’t mean anything by it. I didn’t think. It was all in fun.” He kicked a paper cup that was lying on the ground, then stopped to pick it up. “I never thought you’d know anything about it.”
“I wish I didn’t.”
“I know. Hell.” He glanced at her with sorrowful eyes. “I just need you to know that Jonah didn’t have anything to do with it. In fact when he put his name on a square, he didn’t take notice of what the bet was about. There was so many of those going around.”
“Did Jonah ask you to talk to me?”
“No ma’am. He did not. His instructions were to return everyone’s money and apologize. And I did that.”
Delaney’s heart lightened. She almost felt sorry for the young man. Almost. “Okay. I accept your apology. Just please. Think twice before you do something like that again. People can get hurt.”
Cruz nodded. “I will. Thanks for listening.” He gave her a slight courtly bow. “You take care, Ms. Delaney. Thanks again.”
A little in shock, she climbed behind the wheel.
“Who was that?”
“A friend of Jonah’s. He just stopped to say hello.” She handed him the movies. “Now, we’re all set.”
“Time to party!”
With John’s words ringing in her ears, Delaney headed home. When they arrived, she noticed Jonah’s wrecker was nowhere to be seen. “He must be on a call.”
“He’ll be home as soon as he can. He has a crush on you, you know.”
“You think?” The thought made her smile. If he did, the feeling was mutual.
With joy in her heart, Delaney set out to do her part to make their evening a success. She put on the pot of soup, then set out to make the caramel corn and candied apples. John helped until he became bored with the situation and asked to watch the spooky western she’d picked out for his enjoyment. Frying the wings and dipping them took the longest, but that process gave time for the tamales and meat pies to thaw out. Soon all was ready, and she could spare the time to shower and dress.
“Grab Tommy and come upstairs with me, John. I need you to watch television in your room.” She couldn’t afford to leave him alone too long. Delaney lived in horror he would slip away from her again.
“Why? I’m comfortable here.”
“I’ll get lonely,” she told him – which was true. She was used to having him around.
“Oh, all right.” With his arm full of kitten, he followed her up the steps. “Now, what’s happening tonight?”
“Halloween! You’re going to visit Cletus.”
“Oh, yea. Good times.” While she turned on the TV for him, he settled on his bed.
Delaney tugged on the brim of his hat as she passed. “I’ll hurry. Jonah should be home soon.”
…When Jonah arrived home, Rufus came out to meet him. “Hey, buddy.” When they entered the house, he didn’t see anyone. “Where is everybody?” Standing still for a moment, he heard the television upstairs. “Delaney must be showering. Have you eaten?”
Hearing the dog’s sure denial, he went to fill up the food bowls. When he passed by the dining table, he found it laden with goodies. “Wow.” Stopping to peep into the containers, he realized part of this bounty must be for Cletus and John. He smiled big when he saw the glowing jack-o-lanterns and the bowl full of trick-or-treat candy. A sense of anticipation filled him. He couldn’t remember celebrating Halloween since his mom passed.
…Upstairs, Delaney finished her make-up. Before taking care of the last task, she looked in on John. He was sound asleep. “Just a few more minutes, Sleeping Beauty, and you’ll have to rise for the occasion.”
Going to the closet, she located the Dollar General Bag. “Now for this improvised costume.” When she’d went shopping for Jonah’s wig – which she did not intend for him to wear tonight – the selections for something for her were nonexistent. After seeing a rack of scarves, she’d had a thought. A memory of an old movie that featured The Dance of the Seven Veils. This seemed to be as close to a harem outfit as she could get. And since it would just be the two of them…she didn’t have to worry with the flesh-toned body suit. Taking a cheap necklace, she began to loop the ends of the scarf around it, tying each one in a knot. This would leave the seven scarves to flow down, creating a filmy sort of a dress for her to wear. Anytime she would move, Jonah would see a peekaboo show. “If I have the courage to wear it later.”
As she quickly finished, she heard a noise from downstairs. “He’s here!”
After waking John, they started down the stairs and met him halfway. “Hey, you’re home.”
“I am. Everything looks great. Including you.” He took a risk and gave her a kiss.
“If you’ll help me load the food to take to John’s poker party, I’ll drive him over while you shower.”
“We’re not on a tight schedule. You just go down and rest. Let me take a quick shower and I’ll drive him over.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She appreciated his consideration.
“I’ll hurry. I’m looking forward to tonight’s festivities.”
So was Delaney.
* * *
As soon as he dropped off John with the understanding Cletus would bring him home after breakfast, Jonah hightailed it home. He was looking forward to the evening more than he could say. The only hard part would be abiding by his promise. He wanted Delaney so much, he longed to make her his. Yet…he’d promised to stop pushing. Whatever the night held as far as intimacy went…would be up to her. The decision would be hers and hers alone. Even if it killed him.
…Back home, Delaney was stewing over her plans. She knew what she wanted, she just wasn’t sure how to get it. The last time she tried to entice Jonah to have sex, he’d fallen fast asleep. Yet, he’d insisted any future moves would be up to her. If she knew Jonah, he would stick to his guns so hard she might have trouble reading any clues he gave her. What if he’d decided he didn’t want her? Would she be able to tell? Pulling on the ends of her hair, she let out a soft squeal of frustration. How humiliating it would if he were to reject her.
“Oh well. What do they say? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Rushing around her bedroom, she put out the makeshift costume and a pair of heels for later. Right now, she would remain in her comfortable clothes. Hearing the front door shut, she took a deep breath and went down to face the music.
“Watch it, Rufus. Let me get this table out the door.”
Delaney found Jonah carrying a table to the porch. “Can I help?”
“Yea, bring the candy and I’ll get the pumpkins. I thought we’d set up a help-yourself candy station so we can do our thing inside.”
“Good idea.”
As she came out the door with her arms loaded with candy and a pumpkin, a group of trick-or-treaters came bounding into the yard. Jonah laughed as he gave them each a handful of candy. “Wow, look at these scary creatures, Miss Delaney!”
“I see them.” She watched the kids with awe and joy. One small tyke tripped on his shee
t. “Oh, poor little ghost. Let me help.”
Jonah’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Delaney kneeling to help the small child. What a good mother she would make. He just wished…
“There!” Delaney helped the little boy pick up the candy he’d dropped. “I hope you get a big haul tonight, cutie pie.”
While she waved them on, he brought out the other pumpkin, then held the door for her to reenter the house. “You’ve been busy.”
“I have. I’ve had a good time, actually.”
“Everything smell’s great. You made soup?”
“I did. And cornbread. Caramel corn and candied apples. The wings were for John. He requested them to go with the tamales and meat pies.”
“Those two men are going to get fat.”
“I don’t think they care.” She led him to the kitchen. “Let’s eat first. I know you’re hungry.”
“I am.” He was hungry for more than food – but he didn’t say so. A deal was a deal. “Here let me help.”
Delaney gave him the bowls and he filled them as she put ice in their tea glasses. “Did you have a good day?”
“Yea. Did you? What happened with Dad?” He held his breath as she answered.
“Well, like you probably expected. The doctor didn’t appreciate my suggestion.” Before he could express his disappointment, she told him the rest of the story. “However, he did agree to do the test. Although, the results won’t be back for two weeks.”
“Two weeks will pass before you know it.”
“True.” She brought out a tray to carry their food to the living room. “We can watch the movie while we eat.”
Jonah carried the tray as they moved from one room to another. “This is going to be fun. What kind of movie did you find?”
“After our experience with Claudette, I avoided The Conjuring and other ghost shows.”
“Has anything happened?” He glanced toward the darkened hall, halfway expecting to see Claudette lurking in the darkness.
“No, all quiet on the western front.”
“Good. Maybe Dad’s apology worked.”
“I’ll guess we’ll find out soon enough.” She settled down next to him to enjoy their soup. After Jonah opted for seconds, they chowed down on caramel corn and candied apples.