With Strings Attached

by A. A. Vacco

  “Well, we didn’t actually hit something, but we did slam on the brakes. I rammed forward and backward. And ever since then, well, my balance just hasn’t been right.”

  Elle sighed. “The point is, Mary, that we need to work up the symptoms you are talking about.”

  Sometime early on, Elle learned to say the right things in a way that comforted people, even when she was ready to strangle them on the spot. She found that the people who required the most coaxing and reassurance were often the ones she dreaded working with. But, she often told herself, if ever an acting career presents itself, I’ll be damn good at it.

  A few labs ordered and a short dose of anti-anxiety medications later, Elle was onto her next patient.

  Elle passed Billy on the way back to her office. He was stroking his reddish-brown beard that he decided to grow out for some No Shave November nonsense. Billy stood about five and a half feet tall. He was in shape and sported blues eyes with rust-colored hair that matched his beard.

  “Just don’t catch it on anything," Elle advised him.

  “No worries, Chief, I need it somewhat tame for volleyball season anyways.”

  Elle had no idea why that would matter, but she elected not to press the issue further.

  “You coming to any of our games, Doc?”

  “Soon enough, I’m sure," said Elle.

  She did plan to see Genie that weekend, in fact. She knew Genie was on the varsity team and playing some libero position. “El Libre," as Cal titled her. She was too short for them to stick her anywhere else, but she was damn good. Billy adjusted his dark square-framed glasses. Such a hipster, thought Elle.

  “Coffee’s in the break room, Dr. Conway. One of the drug reps for some new cholesterol lowering agent brought it along with some bagels. If you’re hungry, of course.”

  “Thanks, Bacon. I’ll pop in there after my next appointment. Shouldn’t take too long.”

  Billy smiled and nodded. “She’s ready when you are. Looks like a knee injury from playing a pick-up game of softball.”

  “Bacon, the woman’s eighty-two years old.”

  “Yea, I’m guessing it happened somewhere between sliding into first base or tackling the guy she thought was stealing second.”

  Elle laughed and shook her head. As she went into the room, Billy grinned as he heard, “Well, well, Mrs. Louis, trying to show the Cubs what they’re missing, are we?”

  Billy idolized Elle’s laid-back approach to medicine. Since Elle’s approach was casual, Billy noticed people responded better when they felt she was on their side and could talk to her like a college roommate rather than a superior. She treated him this way as well, and he always appreciated it.

  RJ suddenly pushed past him. “Oops, sorry there, Bacon. Didn’t see you standing directly in my way.”

  Billy smiled. “Hey, I do what I can.”

  As Billy worked to room the next patient, RJ adjusted his bow tie. Whenever asked why he insisted on bow ties, the response was always the same: “Why the hell not?”

  And they weren’t just plain bow ties; they were the most ridiculous looking pieces of attire RJ could find. Elle helped on occasion by scouring stores for the most vibrant and psychedelically-patterned bow tie available. With their powers combined, RJ never went a day without a conversation piece attached to the collar of his shirt.

  Today’s bow tie was candy orange with tiny, bright lime wedges scattered about. He’d have a matching top hat and cane, too, if such things were widely available and more accepted to don in an internal medicine office.

  By noon, each person in the clinic welcomed the hour-long lunch break. “Come with me to grab a sandwich, Ellbea," called RJ from down the hall.

  Elle glanced at the clock, her list of pending tasks, and then at the door. She stood up and walked into RJ’s office. “Eh, why not. I need a new setting for a few minutes. Billy, you want us to grab you anything?”

  “No, thanks, brought some leftovers to reheat. Catch you two on the flip side.”

  “Damn hipster," muttered RJ with a smirk.

  Elle giggled, and offered to drive. The two took off to Lou-Lou’s Sub Hut, a local place that never disappointed a hungry customer.

  They walked into the small shop. Scents of freshly baked bread and a concoction of seasonings greeted them at the door, along with a chime of each worker who looked up and in unison cheered, “Welcome to Lou-Lou’s."

  The 1950s décor included black and white tile floor, a black counter that ran the length of the back wall, and an old school jukebox in the far back corner. Cut-outs of Elvis and Marilyn danced alongside it, often accompanied by people taking selfies with the cardboard celebs. It was almost an exact replica of The Sock Hop back in Millerton, Elle recognized the first time she walked in. She figured it was either the same owners, or their kids that decided to take on another location and just change the name. Plus, Lou-Lou’s had a focus on subs and The Sock Hop still had its limited menu. Like most sandwich places, they took orders on the right and finalized them at the far left of the counter. Elle and RJ wasted no time obtaining their usual order and grabbing a booth in the opposite corner of the jukebox. Yep, thought Elle once again, just like Millerton.

  “Can’t stand crowds of people. The older I get the less I tolerate it," said Elle.

  “Mmhm, I hear ya. I won’t go to the malls on weekends or evenings for that very reason.”

  “But, when do you find time to go to the mall?”

  “It’s called online shopping, Elle, c’mon. Join the times!”

  Elle took a bite from her sandwich. “Billy still thinking about medical school?”

  “Something like that. I told him to consider all of his options with the way medicine is going these days, you know, the PA or NP route?”

  Elle nodded. “A Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner...yea, sometimes it can be a pride thing, believe it or not. Though he’d be in school only two more years, since he’ll have his bachelor’s by the end of this school year. Pay’s great. No insurance to worry about, in most cases. Plus--,”

  “Yea, I know, he can swap fields if he wants. You’re right. But we will see, I guess. Medical school wasn’t all that bad. We turned out ok.”

  “You must be forgetting medical school. That was torture.”

  “Wasn’t all bad,” RJ repeated, “We met each other, and the few others we’ve hung onto over the years.” RJ smiled at Elle’s pulled face. “Well, regardless of what he chooses, as soon as he gets in, and I’m guessing he will first time out the gate, we’re going to need another assistant that can handle both of us.”

  Elle laughed. “So, really, we are going to need two new medical assistants.”

  With a sigh, RJ replied, “Yes, most likely. But we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Plus, he’s got that new girl he sees quite a bit of. If we don’t pay him well, he may jump ship sooner.”

  Elle must have looked genuinely surprised at this, because RJ said, “What, he didn’t tell you? Taboo shit; dating one of the athletes on his team. I think she’s eighteen already, at least that is what he claims. Little blonde doll. Looks more like a cheerleader than a volleyball player with all her shiny spunk.”

  “You’ve met her? Where?”

  “Oh, she picked him up last week from work. The typical ‘hi-and-bye’ exchange that lasted about ten seconds...Elle what is it? You seem put off by this. My god, the kid is twenty-two! He had to meet someone somehow!”

  “You catch the girl’s name?”

  “Jenny? Jean? Jeanie?”

  “Genie—with a G?”

  “What? Isn’t that what I just said? Anyways, yea that seems right. Course they didn’t spell it for me.”

  “She’s seventeen. She’s a junior.”

  “You know her? What’s the age limit here? Sixteen or eighteen? Doesn’t matter. Billy’s a good kid. They’re age difference isn’t that much. Plus, he seems really happy with her. Elle?”

  “Hm? Oh, sorry, yea she’s a neighb
or of mine. Close, actually. She’s Kat and Walt’s daughter. Only daughter.”

  “Oooooh, shit. I do not envy that boy’s predicament when he meets her folks.”

  “Me neither. And thanks for telling me. Now I have a similar jam.”

  RJ smiled. “You’re too serious, Elle. Enjoy the rest of the sub and let’s get back to our island of misfits. Oh, by the way, I read this in the paper this morning. Aren’t you from Millerton?”

  RJ slid a folded newspaper clipping toward Elle. She frowned when she opened it. It was an obituary.

  Gregory Valor (89) and Victoria Valor (87), passed away August 25th and 27th, respectively. They are survived by their three children, Edward (Allison) Valor, Caroline Valor, and Greg (Jennifer) Valor, along with 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

  Born in Millerton, Illinois, both enjoyed a small-town lifestyle. They married in 1949. They were known as loving parents and grandparents and will be deeply missed. The town of Millerton will remember also their appreciation for history. They were previous owners of the historical museum, The Marionette Mansion, which remained open until 1984. The property still exists today, under ownership of their son, Edward Valor.

  Visitations will be held August 31 at Dietrich & Horner Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows chapel in Riverbend, Illinois. The family requests to have donations sent to local animal rescues in lieu of flowers.

  With a nod, Elle sipped her iced tea. “I didn’t even know they were still alive," she murmured. “Been years since I’ve heard either of their names.”

  She folded the obituary back and stuffed it into her purse, then attempted to turn her mind off, or at least mute it for the time being. Unfortunately, silencing the racing thoughts never came easy to her.

  RJ seemed to have a better handle on it. Growing up in the southwest, he had learned to pick his battles and where to invest his energy. He knew if it wasn’t worth getting worked up over, he could redirect his thoughts to better use. Utah was a great place to be from, he’d often tell people. No plans to move back, but hey, it served as a good base. He was accepted to medical school there and in Illinois. He chose the latter to escape the small-town atmosphere. RJ moved to his own rhythm. Getting a fresh start in a new location kept that rhythm upbeat and alive. Plus, there seemed to be more of an assortment of bow ties to choose from in the Midwest.

  The day passed slower than most. RJ found himself with a generous ten-minute gap that he used to make some coffee to power through the day’s final stretch. He killed the fluorescent glow of the break room to let the afternoon sunlight take over. It was the basic, quadrilateral-shaped, pastel-walled, tiled-floor break room. After sitting in only an office and a patient room for the last couple of hours, however, it was also a sanctuary. He fired up the Keurig and chose the decaf K-cup. It had some flowery name that meant less caffeinated but still delicious coffee. Plus, no one really chose decaf, so there were plenty of them. RJ found that one third the amount of caffeine gave him enough stamina to finish out the day, but not enough fuel to have him up past midnight.

  “I think the Keurig’s trying to print," laughed Billy, as the Keurig generated its usual roaring start-up sounds.

  RJ grinned. “Elle probably sent her labs to the wrong location again. She never was good with technology.”

  Once the Keurig’s production completed, RJ took his mug from the device and leaned back against the countertop along the wall. “So, Billy, what’s new in your world?”

  Billy stuck another K-cup into the Keurig. “Same shit, different day, Doc. Life’s consumed with studying and volleyball at this point. Just trying to finish out the year and enjoy something about it.”

  “Yea I remember the pressure before graduating. So pumped and terrified at the same time.”

  “Pretty much, yea. But Genie and I are doing alright. Having her helps distract me. I think some distraction is good, don’t you?”

  “Oh absolutely. Elle and I depended on distraction when we went through school. If it wasn’t for her, I think I’d have gone completely insane”

  “Completely?”

  “Yes, Billy, completely. Implying of course, that I’m already partially insane, thank you. Up until now, however, everyone has had the decency not to mention it!”

  Elle poked her head in. “RJ, don’t kid yourself, we tell you every day. You just don’t get the message.” She winked and slipped into another patient room.

  RJ and Billy laughed. Then Billy said, “But seriously, I really like Genie. I’m not going far after graduation, at least not this year. I think living at home with my dad another year and saving some cash will help. Might take some time before trying to apply for medical school, if that’s even what I want.”

  “Ever consider other venues within the medical field?”

  “Yea, that might be what I mull over during my year off. In the meantime, I’ll work here if you guys don’t get too sick of me.”

  “Well, we already are, but you’re good at what you do, so we can’t legally fire you just yet.”

  “Fuck off...I mean, sorry, Boss.”

  RJ was laughing too hard to continue giving Billy a hard time. Crying, almost.

  “Well in that case, apology retracted and the ‘fuck off’ stands. Anyways. Genie. She’s perfect.”

  RJ caught his breath and shook his head. “No one’s perfect, Kid. And I know you won’t believe me until you figure it out for yourself, but everyone’s got something. It might take years to find, or just might not be an imperfection in your eyes, but people all have their stuff.”

  “I don’t think Genie does, though. We’ve been together almost seven months. She doesn’t get mad over small stuff, she doesn’t argue with me, I don’t think I’ve seen her cry, yet she juggles like, a lot of stuff, Doc.”

  “Like I said, you might not see it just yet, but it’s there. I’m not saying study her to find her flaws, just don’t be shocked when something surfaces and be ready to deal with it when it does.”

  “We talk a lot. I think that’s what I like about this one. In the past, most of the girls I dated just wanted dinner and uh, uh, a...sleep over, ya know?”

  “At your age, yea, I knew it well.”

  “But, but not Genie. She’s not a prude, but damn I have to work for it. She wouldn’t let me kiss her for about a month, just to show she wasn’t in this for physical stuff. She really wanted a true relationship. I dunno, that’s not too common in high schoolers, or even college chicks. Anyways, we talk a lot. Like about life stuff. I tell her stuff I don’t think I’d tell anyone else.”

  “And she opens up to you, too?”

  “Well...that’s the weird thing, and I guess why I think she’s perfect. She never has anything to complain about. I’m sure she could come up with stuff, but she never does.”

  “Is she hiding something?”

  “Like what? She’s seventeen and at school almost all the time. I know; I see her there at practices and games. I’ve never been to her house, but I’ve met her mom once or twice, and she’s cool. I don’t know much about her dad. The girls on the team are afraid of him, but I think that’s just their age and tall guys sometimes intimidate kids, ya know?”

  “Well, I do know I have to get back to my patients, but consider this, Big Guy, what her friends say about her parents are worth listening to. Moreso, what her friends say about her will clue you in a little. Don’t fish for stuff, that’ll get ya in trouble, and to be frank, it’s dishonest. But keep your ears open for the right stuff. Or straight up ask her, but the other thing if she doesn’t give ya much.”

  RJ finished his cup of coffee and headed back to his side of the clinic. Billy completely forgot to drink his and brought it back with him since he had some catching up to do.

  5

  “Hear me out," exclaimed Elle, with a forced enthusiasm Kat immediately saw through. Kat answered with an eyebrow raise and thin smile.

  “What if, I created
a story where it’s an alternate universe. Where animals are in roles of superior beings and the people live subordinately to them? The rulers are the more intelligent animals, let’s say dolphins or pigs—yes, pigs. That works literally and symbolically. Then the lower class of animals involve another domain entirely, like reptiles or maybe insects. Essentially, different kingdoms of animals would play different roles in this realm and humans would fall in the lower end of the mammalian class. Like serfs for kangaroos or something ridiculous.”

  At this point, Kat resituated herself on the barstool with one leg classically tucked under her and the other swinging slightly back and forth to the rhythm of the current song playing, which happened to be Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl. She glanced at Elle, and while trying to remain supportive, she managed to cut her off with, “Say Orwell, you wouldn’t have happened to get this idea from high school English? Or the Family Guy episode we watched last night, would you?”

  Elle paused with pursed lips. “Maybe, but this is far more detailed and developed.”

  “Yes, I can tell, especially with descriptors such as ‘something ridiculous’ and ‘like reptiles or maybe insects.' Look, Elle, I’m not trying to shut you down, but as with everything else you’ve attempted to creatively outline, I can tell that you don’t give two shits about what you’re generating.

  She had a point and Elle knew it. But Elle was determined to convince Kat she could pass her creative writing course without attending a single lecture. Admittedly, thought Elle, it’s one of our pettier arguments.

  “What was the goal with the story anyways?” asked Kat

  “Oh, the usual, either construct a screenplay or novel that people would go nuts over. Something so captivating that people couldn’t get through the next decade without at least hearing about it.”

  “And the motives for this?”

  “To pass your class and win your undying affection.”

  “You sell out," snapped Kat.

  “Fiiiine, fine," Elle smiled, “Our society worships fame over intelligence, altruism, or success. They use movies, TV shows, and music to generate this fame. If someone isn’t glamorized by the media, most people don’t give a crap. Aptitude and hard work are overshadowed by popularity and materialism. It seems the majority of people will listen to those whose lives the media chooses to unveil.”