Divining Elise

by Jody A. Kessler

  “I really need a shower. Do you think you can hold her for five minutes?” He didn’t have much time to get ready and to the pediatrician’s office in Evergreen Heights.

  “Sure,” Bodie said. “Not you,” he said to Shane and took Maisie back from Rob.

  “Fucker,” Shane said and sneered. “I’m not going to drop her.”

  “Again,” Rob said, and gave his brother his best eat-shit-and-die smile. “I’ll be quick. We barely have enough time to make the appointment,” Rob said as he headed into his bedroom.

  “We need to get going, too, if we’re going to meet the delivery truck,” Shane said, turning for the guest bedroom.

  Bodie kissed his niece’s forehead. “Hang in there, Maisie Allison. Your dad’s going to get you fixed up.” He bounced her lightly in his arms. “You just need a tune up, fluids, and a soothing cream on your behind and you’ll be feeling as good as new.”

  * * *

  The morning progressed with more frustrations than Rob could remember having in a long time. Maybe ever.

  After arriving at the doctor’s office, he discovered he didn’t have his phone with him. Then he remembered setting it on the rail of his truck bed as he clicked Maisie’s carrier into the base unit. For the life of him, he couldn’t recall if he’d picked it back up, which meant there was a ninety-nine percent chance his phone was smashed in the driveway.

  Then he waited to see the doctor for over an hour. When his patience ran thinner than air, he asked the receptionist if they’d forgotten about him. Not that they couldn’t hear Maisie’s fussing.

  “The doctor was called in for an emergency with one of her patients. I’m sorry for the wait, Mr. Everett. Let me check and see if the doctor knows when she’ll be back to look at Maisie’s rash.”

  Rob’s nostrils flared, and he refrained from pointing out that he was also in the office for an emergency. Maisie’s cheeks appeared more flushed than they had when they left the house and he’d swear she felt warmer.

  The receptionist took another fifteen minutes before letting him know that Dr. Palande didn’t think she’d be back for at least another hour.

  “Is there anyone else who can look at my daughter?” Rob asked.

  “We don’t have any other pediatricians available to see her right now. If you don’t want to wait any longer, you can take her to the emergency room.”

  Rob tried to control his blood pressure because he was ready to blow a fuse. It wasn’t going to be pretty. “I’ll do that,” he said through clenched teeth.

  He grabbed Maisie’s carrier, the backpack, and walked to the emergency room on the other side of the complex. He should have anticipated the wait, but his mind was only focused on getting Maisie the help she needed. After another hour, an emergency room doctor examined his infant and ordered a blood test. He said that because the rash had spread up her back and stomach, he wanted to rule out roseola. Rob had never heard of roseola. He would have checked online while they waited for a nurse to come draw blood, but he didn’t have his freaking phone. After another ridiculously long wait, a nurse and CNA arrived to take blood. Rob could hardly speak because he was so pissed off that his daughter was still being ignored.

  Fortunately, Maisie’s pediatrician walked in and began examining Maisie before the blood was drawn.

  “Mr. Everett, I am so sorry it took me this long to find you. One of my long time patients came in with a severe illness and a manic mother. She’s only three years old, but I’ve known her since she was one day old.” Dr. Palande spoke with a calm voice and a lot of kindness as she slipped on a pair of latex gloves. “Can you please put Maisie on the exam table?” Then she turned to the nurse and asked, “What did the emergency room doctor say about our patient?”

  The nurse filled her in quickly and Dr. Palande gave Maisie another full exam.

  Dr. Palande looked Rob in the eye and said, “I’m nearly certain she has contact dermatitis. Did you switch diaper cream or laundry detergent recently?”

  Rob thought about the question for a moment. Then he remembered that the babysitter mentioned that Rob needed to buy more diaper cream because the tube he kept in the diaper bag was empty.

  “I think my babysitter must have used something different on her yesterday.”

  “That may cause this irritation. Find out for sure and find out what brand. Stop using it. I’m going to give you something for the irritated skin and you can let my nurse know if the rash isn’t much better by tomorrow.”

  “What about the fever and all the crying?” Rob asked.

  “She’s teething. Did you notice the drool?” Dr. Palande had already run a finger over Maisie’s gums during the exam, but she did it again. “Her teeth are coming in a little early for her age, but that happens sometimes. You can give her a cold teething ring and Infant Tylenol.”

  Dr. Palande gave him more suggestions and directions, then wrote down a list of items he could buy to keep Maisie comfortable. Before she left, Rob mentioned the bump on Maisie’s head from the fall. Dr. Palande double checked for any other concerning signs and symptoms.

  “I don’t see anything you should be overly concerned about, other than making sure she doesn’t do it again.”

  “It happened on my brother’s watch.”

  “I think she’s going to be just fine. Of course, you can call me if anything else comes up or you have any more questions. Here is my card with my personal number. Call me anytime or if you have any new concerns.” She smiled and stared into Rob’s eyes for longer than he thought necessary.

  Rob wanted to hug the doctor, he was so relieved. He held back and said thanks instead. Dr. Palande made sure their discharge from the emergency room was expedited, which made Rob want to hug her again, but instead shook her hand.

  He pulled out of the parking lot and noticed that he’d lost most of the day, and he still needed to find the recommended baby paraphernalia for Maisie’s rash and teeth.

  They visited the nearest store, then Rob drove to his parents’ house since it was close by. He wanted to use their phone and maybe pilfer some lunch. The only thing he’d eaten all day had been from a vending machine at the emergency room. His parents weren’t home. He found food and called Shane.

  “How’s it going?” they asked at the same time.

  Rob and Shane filled each other in.

  “I can’t find my phone. Did you notice it on the counter before you left?” Rob asked even though he was pretty sure it was in the driveway or on the road somewhere.

  “Nope. That means you haven’t heard from Elise today.”

  “Nothing,” Rob said.

  “Damn,” Shane said.

  “Yeah. I’m headed home now. I need to get Maisie out of this car seat.”

  “No problem, man. Bodie and I got this. The fermentation tanks are fucking beauties. You’re going to get a hard-on when you see them.”

  “Can’t wait,” Rob said.

  Rob hurried home and found his phone run over on the street in front of his house. He cringed at the thought of his lost contact information and pictures. Maisie needed to be fed again, the cream reapplied to her rash, and a dose of medicine. At some point, he turned on his laptop and emailed Elise. That was the only thing he could think of doing to reach her. He hoped she checked her email on her phone and that she did it soon.

  Rob left his email open in case she responded and sank onto the couch. Maisie fell asleep in the swing next to him and Rob closed his eyes for a moment of silence. The only reason he woke up was because Maisie voiced her opinion about his sleeping on the job.

  “Go ahead,” he mumbled. “Fire my ass. I wasn’t cut out for this job anyway.” Rob pried himself off the couch and looked at the clock. They’d slept for two hours! “I’m such an asshole.” He could almost swear that Maisie’s next thought was, Just like your brother.

  Rob scrubbed his palms over his face. Maisie wasn’t the only one weighing heavy on his mind today. He checked his email and saw nothing from Elise.
He collected a few things, loaded Maisie back into his truck, and drove into town.

  * * *

  Javier made his parole check with only a few hours to spare. He knew he looked like garbage, but he didn’t have to win a beauty contest to put in an appearance with his officer. He had to pass a urine test, though. On the drive back to Arizona, he drank over a gallon of the nasty tasting cleansing drink. It made him have to take a piss every hour, but apparently it worked, because his test came back negative.

  He returned to his mother’s house and received the fifth degree about disappearing without letting her know where he was. She accused him of using again, then cried about how disappointed his father would have been in him and how he was going back to prison. Javier yelled that his life was none of her fucking business, then shut himself in his bedroom. He couldn’t believe he’d screamed at his mother. This was all Elise’s damn fault. He never would have yelled at his mom if Elise hadn’t made him so angry. If she hadn’t driven him out of town. If she hadn’t been shacking up with that gringo piece of shit. And who the hell were the other pendejos always surrounding her and living in that rich man’s house? Was she screwing all three of them? That would be fucking precious, he thought, envisioning his wife getting it on with three guys—and with his son in the room! Then she’d gone and installed a high tech security system on that damned bookshop. He’d been careful while watching her, but saw everything. They were so clueless. All of them. He’d been right there the whole time and no one saw him.

  Javier eventually passed out. He’d lost days worth of sleep during his trip to California and he felt the effects. But he wasn’t giving up on Elise. He returned to Arizona to make a plan, and he’d be going back as soon as possible. She was going to be his again. He might even marry her like she wanted before she had the baby just to shut her up. But not in a church or the courthouse. He’d let her plan some fancy, stupid gathering with her family and he’d even say the right words when it was time. Then he’d make her pay for sleeping around while he was in prison. What a selfish cunt. She was his and so was that retarded kid. Javier ground his teeth thinking of all the ways she’d betrayed him. No, he definitely wasn’t done with her.

  Twenty-five

  ELISE, AUTUMN, AND COLTON arrived in Granite Lake by dinner time. They were exhausted, frustrated by the traffic, and emotionally drained but still alive. Elise kept telling herself it could have been worse.

  Autumn finally made it to Sacramento just after noon and took a cab from the airport to the Audiology Center. Colton’s procedure was finished and the scare of Elise’s lifetime had already passed, but at least Autumn was there to sit with them as Colton recovered.

  The anesthesiologist informed Elise that Colton had a difficult time coming out of anesthesia. He wanted her to know so in the future, if Colton were ever put under again, they could adjust the medication. The doctor let her know that Colton’s reaction to the medication was fully documented in their case notes, but she needed to know as well. Elise’s vision started to go black as they spoke to her about the negative side effects and how Colton nearly died on the operating table. Autumn arrived right after the doctors left the room. Elise couldn’t speak about it yet, but she’d tell Autumn later. Maybe.

  Colton was discharged with pages of care instructions. Elise felt lightheaded and hoped Autumn could remember and repeat the doctor’s orders. Autumn offered to drive them home and Elise was more than grateful to accept. She regretted not getting a hotel room, but then took back the regret. Being home was always better for the patient, in her opinion, and she couldn’t wait to get there.

  Shortly after arriving, Elise heard the new doorbell chiming from downstairs. She checked the video screen and saw Rob standing at the back entrance.

  She pressed the intercom button. “Hi. Give me a minute and I’ll be right there.”

  Her and Autumn exchanged a look. Colton was asleep in his bed.

  “I’m not sure I want to talk to him,” Elise said in a low voice.

  “You don’t know what happened today. I’m sure he has a good explanation for not showing up,” Autumn said.

  Elise hesitated.

  “Let him in. Talk to him. Don’t clam up and shut him out. Listen to what he says.”

  “Always the voice of reason,” Elise said with a sigh.

  “One of us needs to be.” Autumn made a shooing motion for Elise to leave.

  Elise pressed her lips together then swallowed hard as she went downstairs.

  Rob wore the baby carrier with Maisie nestled against his chest.

  “I’m sorry,” he started.

  “I needed you today,” she said.

  “You did? But you wanted Autumn there for you.” He looked confused.

  “Colton wouldn’t wake up from anesthesia. Autumn’s plane was grounded in Dallas. I thought you said you’d come if I needed you. I’m too tired for this discussion right now.”

  Rob moved forward as if to give her a hug, but with Maisie between them, it was awkward. Elise stepped back so he couldn’t touch her. She couldn’t deal with his perfection, and always understanding her stress, and being there when she needed him. She couldn’t give him these things in return. Not today. She wasn’t good at this. Her mind and her heart were consumed with taking care of Colton’s needs.

  “Tell me he’s okay, Elise. God, I’m so sorry,” he said again. “I... My day. You can’t even imagine. Then I fell asleep and—”

  “You were sleeping? Did you get any of my messages or did you ignore me on purpose so you wouldn’t have to deal with our drama?”

  “That’s not really fair. I fell asleep just a little while ago. I’ve been overwhelmed with more problems than I’ve ever had to deal with before,” he said. “It’s been hell for me today.”

  “But your kid didn’t almost die on the surgery table.”

  “No, she didn’t. Thank God. But she is—”

  She cut him off again. “You can’t understand what it was like today. I trusted you and... I need to get some sleep. I’m sorry. I can’t do this right now.”

  “But you’re not letting me tell you why I didn’t get your messages.”

  “You already said, you had a hell of a day and fell asleep. I get it. I know you and Maisie were awake most of the night. I was there, too, remember? And I’m tired, so I’m going to bed. Without you.”

  “That was cold, Elise. Even colder than your normal closed off behavior when things aren’t exactly the way you expect them to be.”

  She shut her eyes for a full breath. He was right. She could be a cold bitch. It wasn’t something she was proud of, but it was a natural defense mechanism for when she was overwhelmed and shut off her emotions.

  And when times like this arose, she didn’t have much control over how she reacted or what came out of her mouth. Survival kicked in. “You don’t understand, and if you don’t like my personality, then why are you here?”

  He dropped his gaze, his head shaking back and forth ever so slightly. He retrained his pale green stare on her and she wished she could disappear. “I wasn’t ignoring your calls or messages. I never received them. You obviously don’t care enough to find out why, so I’ll take that as a huge wake up call to leave you alone. I thought I could break through your walls, but they’re obviously impenetrable. Give this to Colton for me and tell him I hope he feels better soon.” Rob shoved a bag at her. When she stood frozen in place, he dropped it at her feet. Rob walked away and she didn’t call him back.

  Stunned, Elise stared at the ground and wondered how she’d ended up in a fight rather than in his arms.

  Moments later, Elise found herself upstairs, but didn’t remember moving.

  “Where’s Mr. Unbelievably Sexy Brew Master?” Autumn asked.

  “I don’t know,” Elise said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think I just scared him off... forever,” Elise stood by the door, unmoving. Her arms were numb and her head felt disconnected from her body.r />
  “Oh, God. What did you do?”

  “I don’t remember except we fought and I’m a horrible, awful, unexplainable mess.”

  Autumn walked over from the living room and guided Elise to the couch. “You are not. Okay, you are a little, but that’s what makes you you. But what did you say to him?”

  “I don’t know. Umm... He said he fell asleep and I sort of lost my mind and told him if he didn’t like me then why did he come around. And I kept cutting him off, and he left.”

  “That was a really disjointed answer. Did you break up with him just now because he didn’t return your phone calls today?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. Actually, I think he just broke up with me. Not that we were ever officially a couple or anything. I suck. I’m too strange even for myself.”

  Autumn wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a huge hug. “We’ve all had a bad day. A terrifically horrible bad day, but Colton’s implants are in and we’re grateful for that. And you can talk to Rob when you’re more yourself again.”

  Elise began to come around and blood began circulating in her arms and hands once more. “He’s never going to speak to me again after that show of craziness.”

  “I’m sorry. Us crazy women are misunderstood as often as we’re understood.”

  “That’s a terrible excuse for speaking to him the way I did.”

  “It is, but no one expects you to be perfect except for you,” Autumn said and squeezed Elise’s shoulders again.

  “But he’s perfect... and I’m so not. I wish I hadn’t given in to my stupid dreams. It’s not fair, you know? Dreaming about the ideal man and then having him literally run into me. He refused to leave me alone when that’s all I asked him to do. He made me fall hard for him only so he can find out what a mess I am and leave. I hate this.”

  “You’re allowed to have a bad moment. And I know it’s going to be okay.”

  “How do you know? I can see the future, maybe not always, but sometimes, and I don’t even know.”