Broken

by Robin Nadler

  He grinned. “Most women think I’m potent.”

  “Ugh,” she pounded again.

  They were both quiet and David realized it had been awhile since the officer let him in. He wondered if something was wrong.

  They both looked up as a cadet opened the door. “We have a police situation out here, so the safest place for you both is in here. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to stay locked up for a bit.” He left and closed the door.

  Lila looked at David and slid against the door to sit on the floor. This was not happening.

  Chapter Three:

  They had been sitting in the small interrogation room for 45 minutes and it had mostly been David talking about nothing. Lila had walked to the farthest point in the room and sat down on the floor. “So you’re just going to sit in silence as far away from me as possible? Real mature,” David said.

  Lila didn’t respond; she just stared at him.

  “Do you know how many women would kill to have my undivided attention?” He continued, dismayed at the complete disregard for his charm. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

  She yawned.

  David walked over and sat down next to her, nudging her shoulder with his. “Admit it, you like me.”

  “Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘don’t speak unless you can improve the silence’?”

  He grinned. “Sure, but I prefer “A woman is like a tea bag. She only knows her strength when put in hot water.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her surprised look. “Bet you thought I was going to say something obnoxious.”

  She smiled a little and he raised his eyebrows. “What?”

  He shrugged. “I just thought I saw a little personality come out.”

  She exhaled and moved away from him.

  “Seriously? I showered this morning. I know I smell good. To be honest, I’ve been told I smell better dirty.”

  He could not be for real. She hated that she felt his words in the pit of her stomach. He was awaking something in her that she figured was long dead. He really needed to stop talking. “Every time I am in close proximity to you, I,” she stopped when he interrupted her.

  “Feel a pull to my charm, get all hot and bothered,” he said.

  “Get physically injured,” she said.

  He couldn’t argue. “Well, I got the worst of the deal.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll make a complete recovery.”

  “It’s so sweet that you care.”

  She shook her head, exasperated, and walked to the door. “Excuse me, I need my things. Hey, someone, please!” She pounded on the door. They had taken her purse and she needed it.

  She pounded on the door and felt her tears come to her eyes. “Shit.”

  He smiled. “You have a hot date to get to?”

  She looked at him and then pounded on the door again. “Please let me out.”

  “If there is a situation, they aren’t going to put us in danger. I think these rooms are bullet proof. You’re safe here. Are you scared to be alone with me?”

  “Just shut up! Don’t you ever stop talking? I just want one moment of silence!” She yelled at him and sat down, putting her head in her hands.

  He was surprised by her outburst and a little alarmed that something was really wrong. He cursed himself for not looking at her chart before entering the room earlier. He walked over and sat down next to her again on the floor. “I’m sorry. I talk when I’m nervous.”

  She picked her head up and he fought the urge to wipe her tears away. “I’m sorry I yelled. I just need to stay on schedule with something and I’m afraid I’m going to miss it.”

  “Can I help?”

  She smiled a real smile for the first time and he felt strange. “We are both trapped in here. I appreciate the offer, but I think we’re both stuck; there is nothing you can do to help.”

  “Good point. How about a distraction? You know what I do for a living, can I ask what you do?”

  She shrugged. “Sure.” more silence.

  He rolled his eyes. “Okay, what do you do?” He asked irritatingly.

  “I’m a doctor.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Really? What’s your specialty?”

  “Guess.”

  “Psychiatry?”

  She chuckled. “No.”

  “Didn’t think so. You don’t seem very touchy feely.”

  “I wouldn’t say that, just need the right person to do the touching.”

  He swallowed. “Surgeon?”

  A shadow crossed her beautiful face and he noticed it a split second before it was gone. “No.”

  “Dermatology?”

  She stood up. “No. I really need to get out of here.” She began to pace and he could see she was really anxious.

  “Hey, Lila, it’s going to be okay,” he stood up and walked to her, nothing but concern on his face. He touched her arm and she pulled away.

  “I just need to get out of here,” she shivered and sat down at the table.

  He took a deep breath and let it out before sitting opposite her. “Pediatrics?”

  She met his gaze and her chin quivered. “No.”

  He decided to just shut up, like she asked. He wasn’t helping and she seemed so sad.

  Lila looked at her phone again and ran her hand through her hair. It’s not like she had to stay on a specific time schedule, but she was struggling lately and she was trying to figure out why. Taking her meds at a certain time was helpful in addressing her issues. Besides, she didn’t ever want to press her luck. She realized he was quiet and she looked at him. “Done guessing?”

  “I think you’re right. I should only speak if I can improve the silence. I don’t think I’m doing a very good job of that right now.”

  Her eyes softened as she looked at him. “No, this is all me. I have issues,” she chuckled. “I appreciate you not jumping on that comment.”

  He grinned and his dimple got her. “You obviously have a lot on your mind. I tend to be an ass, so I think it’s best if I just sit the rest of this out.”

  “You’re not an ass.”

  His eyebrows shot up.

  “Well not totally.”

  They both laughed. Suddenly the cadet opened the door. “All clear. Here are your things and you are both free to go. Thank you for your cooperation.”

  Lila grabbed her bag and ran out of the room. She took her pre medication out and found a drinking fountain, swallowing the pills quickly. She was only off by a half hour, so it should be fine, assuming she could geth ome and do her injection soon. She turned as she wiped her mouth and saw David watching her. “You probably want to know what that was about.”

  He shrugged. “Nope. I’m just ready to go back to the hospital, grab my things and go home. See you around.” She had to take meds? For what? He was going to look at her chart as soon as he got back. That was okay, wasn’t it?

  She nodded and watched him leave before she swore. “Shit, David, wait,” she ran after him.

  He turned and smiled. “Couldn’t stay away?”

  She bit her tongue to not snap at him. “I was brought here by the police. Can I ride with you back to the hospital to get my car?” She couldn’t believe this.

  He could say so many snide things, so many arrogant comments, but he found he was elated she asked. “Sure, come on.”

  Chapter Four:

  “I really appreciate you giving me a ride,” Lila said as they sat down in his sleek black Cadillac. She put her seat belt on and admired the car.

  “I had to go back anyway, so it was really no big deal,” he looked at her as he started the car.

  She looked out the window as he pulled toward the freeway. “There will probably be traffic. You should take South street.”

  “I drive this road all the time. I think I can handle direction,” he rolled his eyes.

  “I didn’t say you were going the wrong way, just that there will probably be traffic,” she shook her head. “What is it about men and directions
?”

  “It’s insulting to be told how to do something you’re already an expert in.”

  She turned in her seat and stared at him. “Seriously? I said there would be traffic, not that you were inept at anything. And what makes you an expert at traffic?”

  “Never mind,” he grumbled. Why was she getting to him?

  She sighed and looked out her window, scooting closer to the door and away from him.

  They drove in silence until he stopped the car behind what looked like a parking lot of traffic. “Shit,” he said and exhaled.

  Dread filled her body as she saw the miles of traffic ahead of them. They had passed an exit and had two miles to go before the next one.

  He turned on the radio to hear if there was an accident and they both heard at the same time. A gravel hauler spilled a load across the freeway. It could be awhile until they clear it enough to get traffic through. If you knew of someone on the road, don’t expect them anytime soon.

  “I don’t believe this,” Lila said.

  “So it’s my fault?” he demanded.

  “Did you hit the truck?” She glared at him.

  “No.”

  “Then how is this your fault? Not everything is about you.”

  He couldn’t believe her. “You are something else, you know that?”

  Her cell phone rang and she picked it up.

  “Hi Carrie. I can’t talk to you right now. No, I’m not still at the appointment. No, I’m not going through with it,” she tried to talk lower as she knew David was listening. He couldn’t not hear her.

  “I’m stuck in traffic. Yes, I heard there was an accident. I am fine, it’s way above us.” Shit, she said us. “No, I’m not alone. Dr. Bryant.” They both heard the screams of Carrie as Lila held the phone away from her ear.

  David grinned as he saw her frustration as she tried to speak to her friend who was obviously not into listening. He saw her blush numerous times and he wondered what was being said.

  “I really have to go, Carrie. I promise I will call you when I get home. I promise I’m fine. Love you too.” She hung up and looked at David. “What?”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t say anything.”

  “Good, because that was private.”

  “Well excuse me for not getting out and standing on the freeway.”

  “It’s not like anything would have happened, we haven’t moved.”

  “And we’re back to that.”

  She sighed. “Let’s just listen to music.”

  “Fine by me,” he said and turned on a station. “Do you have a preference?”

  “No, anything is fine.”

  “Good.” He chose one and they sat there. David’s phone buzzed and he answered. “Hey Brian. No, I’m fine, no headache, well not from that,” he muttered. “Nothing. I’m fine. I went to the Police Station to make sure they let Lila go. Yes, the woman who hit me.”

  She turned and gasped at him. “I didn’t hit you.”

  He grinned at her as he stayed on the phone. “I know. I’m driving her back to the hospital to get her car, but we’re stuck in traffic. I know, overturned truck. Brian, don’t worry, she isn’t dangerous. I guarantee you she isn’t interested. I know what happened before. I hear you, but I’m good. Okay, I’ll call you later.”

  “What?” He looked at her.

  “Nothing.”

  “Good, because that was private,” he said the same thing she had said.

  A small smile crossed her lips. “That was a good one.”

  He smirked. “I have my moments.”

  They both sighed as people in front of them were turning their cars off. At this rate, they were never getting home. Lila’s cell rang again and she answered.

  “Hi Angie. No, it’s fine, what is he presenting with?”

  David’s ears perked up. He never had found out her specialty.

  “Sounds like vaso-occlusive priapism,” she sighed and David’s eyes flew open. “This is the third time he’s presented this way. We may have to go for the shunt. Is Jim on call? I can’t get there for awhile. Okay, call him down and have him do the examination. Hopefully the oral meds will work, and we can avoid aspiration. Keep me informed. Thanks Angie.” She hung up and put her phone away.

  He stared at her and she finally met his gaze. “What?” she asked exasperatedly.

  “You didn’t tell me you were a penis expert.”

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s called urology, I work in urological research, and besides, you are a “vagina” expert.”

  He laughed. “Well lots of women seem to think so.”

  “That’s nice. Do you hit on all of your patients?” She crossed her arms.

  “First of all, no. I am a professional and I always remain professional.”

  “Except when you stuck your nose in my chest.”

  “Right. You face planted into my crotch, and now I wonder if you were trying to drum up business.”

  She burst out laughing.

  “And so you know, you aren’t my patient, you walked out of your appointment and left.”

  “Actually, you were unconscious and I went to jail.” She looked out into the traffic. “We have not moved an inch. This is the worst day of my life.”

  “Dramatic much?”

  “Well let’s see. Suppose you were having problems of an intimate nature, erectile disfunction or prolonged erections and you went to the doctor and got embarassed and tried to leave and ended up being stuck with the doctor for the next five hours with nothing to do but talk. You might have some issues with that. I’m just saying.”

  “First of all, I wouldn’t need your services. But secondly, why were you embarassed? You’re a doctor, and you came to see another doctor. There is no reason to be embarassed,” he said matter of factly.

  “Stop making so many assumptions. I wasn’t embarrassed to see a specialist. I guess I was struggling with my decision,” she looked out the window.

  “To have a child?” He pressed her.

  She nodded and felt her tears come.

  He saw her tears and he reached out to touch her arm. “Hey, what is it? You can talk to me. It’s not like I have anywhere to go.” He joked.

  She looked at him and shrugged. “I have some issues that make me wonder if I should even want a child.”

  What could she possibly be talking about? “Unless you’re a secret axe murderer, I can’t imagine there is anything wrong with you wanting a child.”

  “If only that were true,” she muttered.

  “Okay, so would you love a child?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you financially secure?”

  “Yes.”

  “Would you put the child’s needs above your own?”

  “Always.”

  “Sounds good to me. What did I miss?”

  “I have Multiple Sclerosis.”

  Chapter Five:

  “I have Multiple Sclerosis.”

  The words hit him like a ton of bricks and he wiped his face.

  “Probably not the best time to tell you. It’s not like you can make a quick escape,” she sighed.

  His caring eyes focused on her, “Why would I want to make a quick escape?”

  She shrugged. “Most people do. Well most men.”

  “I’m not most men, I thought we’d established that,” he grinned. “Do you think having MS means you shouldn’t have children?”

  She was confused by his response. He didn’t seem bothered at all by her admission. “It’s not that simple. There are a lot of things I need to think about.”

  “Like what?”

  She looked at him like he was crazy. “What do you mean? Like my own mortality. Like bringing a child into the world who might have to watch me go down hill. Like the stigma that will follow that child wherever they go, just like it will follow me.” She crossed her arms. “I don’t want to be selfish.”

  “So you feel like all people with health issues are selfish if they want children?” He pre
ssed her.

  “No, of course not.”