Learning to Walk, a City Hospital Novel

by Zachary, Drew

Neil nodded and weighed in his own opinion. “He’s kind of impatient.”

  Kit cleared his throat. “And right here.”

  Mr. Matheson ignored Kit. “Drove his mother crazy. Always looking for ways to go faster and higher.”

  “I believe it. And thank you for acting as chauffeur for us tonight.”

  “Not a problem at all.” Mr. Matheson shook his hand, waved off the parking valet, and got back in the car. “Call me when you’re done. No later than midnight. My shift ends at 11:59.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Kit rolled his eyes and waved as his father drove off. “So. Shall we?”

  “This is your show -- lead the way.”

  Kit headed to the door which was smoothly opened by a man just inside, whose entire function appeared to be opening the door and smiling politely at them. To the right was an actual coat check with a pretty girl inside the window, and to the left was the maitre d’ stand. A tall, elegantly dressed woman was there, already stepping forward to greet them.

  “Good evening and welcome to Symphonia,” she said. “Reservation for two?”

  Kit nodded. “Thank you. It’s under Matheson.”

  “Of course, Mr. Matheson. Would you like anything from the bar before I take you to your table?”

  Kit glanced up at Neil, one eyebrow quirked in a question. Neil shook his head. He was good. If a little out of his element.

  “Not right now, thank you.”

  The lady smiled, nodded and led them through a maze of half walls and potted trees to a table for two at the window. One of the chairs was already gone, which eliminated the need for any furniture shifting. She waited until Neil was seated, reached behind one of the half walls and produced two menus. “Alex will be taking care of you this evening, and he’ll be right here with water and fresh bread to get you started and to tell you about the chef’s specials.”

  “Thank you,” Kit said with a nod, and she walked away. “Pretty nice so far, huh?”

  “Very, very classy.” Neil was beginning to feel a little underdressed, actually.

  “Next time we have an actual date, it’s going to be sandwiches and TV, just to get ourselves realigned with the world.”

  Alex arrived, smiling and pleasant, and launched into a recitation about the food, the wine, the bar, and the desserts, pausing at all the right moments while he poured water, told them about the bread and butter, and then left them with the menu to decide between fantastic chicken, amazing pasta, or unforgettable everything else. Even Kit looked a little shell-shocked.

  “The key,” Kit whispered, “is to pick whatever you already know you like and go with that. I’m having the pasta with the grilled chicken.”

  “But what if it spoils me for life on that dish?” Neil grinned and bit his bottom lip, looking for something at the same price or less than Kit’s dish.” I might go with the crab cakes.”

  “They’re really good.” Kit nodded, glancing at his own menu. “We can split an order of artichoke dip to start, if you want. I know I can’t eat the whole thing. White wine?”

  “If you like and sure, white wine sounds nice.”

  Kit looked pleased again, and when Alex arrived, Kit told him what they’d like and grinned a little foolishly as Alex left. He took one of the rolls and cut it open. “Now that I’ve done that, I never want to do it again,” he said with a laugh. “How weird, to do all the talking.”

  One of Neil’s eyebrows went up. “I know this isn’t your first date.”

  “Heck, no. But I usually at least let my dates order for themselves.” Kit winked. “This place sort of calls for the whole fancy thing, though, so I thought I’d try doing it that way. It felt... odd.”

  “Well, I promise to order my own dessert -- that way at least the oddness will stop at cheesecake.”

  “Okay.” Kit nodded and sat back. “I do want to know if the crab cakes earn a whoop, though. If the food here doesn’t make you whoop, I’ll be crushed beyond belief. I might even cry.”

  “You understand that I just don’t whoop over food, right?”

  “So you told me. I think that the food here will earn at least very high praise. Food is so much more than merely fuel. I want to share with you the best of the very best. If there’s no whoop, there’s no whoop. But I’ll cry like a little baby. You don’t want that, do you?”

  “You’re not going to cry like a baby.”

  “Well, no.” Kit ate bread and smiled at him. “But it will make me crazy, and I’ll keep shoving food at you until you give up a whoop that sounds even vaguely genuine, no matter how many years it takes.”

  “Years.” Neil laughed. “I like your confidence.”

  “I like to have goals in mind.” Kit smiled at him. “How long do you think it’ll take to prove to you that I’m interested in you for you and not because you helped me?”

  “I don’t know -- it’s not like I can quantify it exactly. I guess continued persistence will prove it?” He didn’t want to shut Kit down, at all, but he didn’t want to promise the man they’d be making out after dinner tonight either.

  Kit sipped his water. “Am I looking at years here, man? Throw me a bone.”

  “Definitely not years. I can promise it won’t take that long.”

  “Oh, good.” Kit looked a little relieved.

  Alex came back with the wine and poured a tiny amount into a glass for Kit, who dutifully sniffed and swirled and tasted. He rolled his eyes too, but Neil didn’t think Alex saw that part. “Lovely,” Kit said, and Alex poured them each half a glass and left, the wine going into a bucket next to the table.

  Neil chuckled. “It’s a bit of an odd custom, isn’t it?”

  “I’m sure it makes sense and is very important to some people, but I’m so not one of them. The wine is nice, though.”

  Neil picked up his glass and took a sip, nodded. “Yeah, it is. Not too bitter. I don’t like it when it’s bitter.”

  “Me, neither. So, you got through the week without me being horrible at you through therapy. What else did you do?”

  “I had lots of other people be horrible at me in therapy.” He gave Kit a wink. “I also started watching Lost -- picked up the DVDs from Blockbuster. I’m... lost.”

  “I’m pretty sure that was the point,” Kit said with a laugh. “They should be glad to know it’s still making people shake their heads.”

  “Well, they’ve certainly succeeded with that!”

  Alex was back again, this time with their appetizer, setting down the dip along with a plate of various flatbreads and crackers.

  “Oh, that looks good.” Neil thought it boded well for the rest of their meal.

  “Your entrees will be a few moments. Enjoy.” Alex topped up their water glasses and left again, almost melting into the background.

  Kit told him about a new book he was reading while they sampled the breads and dip, and told him more about the therapy he was doing. It was mostly more of what Neil had been doing, and Kit said that he was supposed to start taking his cane each time, even if he didn’t get to use it.

  “That’s great. You’re going to be on your feet in no time.” It was nice, being out with Kit without having the therapist/patient relationship between them. It put Neil at ease.

  “So everyone keeps saying. I’m trying hard enough, anyway. Although I suppose I could always try a little harder.” Kit didn’t look like he really believed that, either.

  “Patience. It’s a virtue. One that usually pays off in the end.”

  Their meal came, and Neil had to admit both their plates looked and smelled amazing.

  “Take your time,” Kit suggested. He waved his fork over his own plate like it was a wand. “Really enjoy each bite. That’s how you get to the whoop.”

  Neil had to laugh. Kit was so determined to get him to whoop over food.

  “Eat.” Kit started his own meal with one careful mouthful, his eyes closed. “Oh, my.”

  Neil watched. He had to admit -- he liked watching Kit eat, what with the
way the man enjoyed every bite.

  “This is so good.” Kit’s eyes opened and then he laughed. “You need to try yours, Neil. Come on, go for it.”

  Grinning, eager because he knew it was going to be good, he dug his fork in. The crab cake was tender enough that he was able to pull a forkful off without a problem and when he put it in his mouth, he had to admit it was the best crab cake he’d ever eaten. He nodded happily, he might even have hummed a little at the taste. “I don’t know when I last had food that tasted this good.”

  Kit beamed. “Have more.” He twirled pasta around his fork and ate, looking delighted. “But take your time.”

  “I will. Food like this definitely deserves to be savored.”

  “If I may indulge myself in just one ‘I told you so’, this is it.” Kit sipped his wine and lifted his glass at Neil. “To fabulous food for a once in a while treat.”

  Neil laughed and raised his glass to clink it with Kit’s. “You’re a nut. But yes, this is awesome food. I’m not whooping, though.”

  “You are. Deep inside your tummy, you’re whooping. I can tell. It’s just taking its time working its way to your vocal cords.”

  Neil shook his head. “Let it go, man.”

  “Not even one tiny little one?”

  “I told you -- I don’t whoop over food. No matter how good it is.”

  Kit ate a mushroom that had slid off his chicken. “On principle?”

  “No, it’s not a rule or something, I just don’t do that kind of thing. Food is necessary, and it can be very enjoyable, but you’ll find me whooping over other enjoyable, uh, things.”

  “Like... bowling? Golf? Golf, now there’s a whooping sport.”

  Neil nearly snorted crab cake out of his nose at that one. “I was thinking things that were more... visceral.”

  “Hockey?” Kit suggested with a twinkle in his eyes. “Hockey is very visceral for some guys.”

  “Nope, not hockey. Too many games break out during the fights.”

  Neil was not going to say “sex” while at a fancy-assed restaurant, no matter how much Kit teased him.

  Kit sipped from his water glass and enjoyed another mouthful of his meal, complete with happy moan. Then he said, “I’m glad something can make you whoop. Is it a specific something?”

  “Oh, hush, you know what I’m talking about.” He pointedly filled his mouth with a large forkful of crab cake.

  Kit grinned and winked. “I look forward to it.”

  Neil tried not to blush, but he couldn’t entirely keep the heat out of his cheeks.

  The food was very good and he concentrated on enjoying it, taking his time to savor. Every now and then, Kit would catch his eye and look smug. Neil worked hard not to stick his tongue out.

  “More wine?” Kit asked as he finished his last bite. “There’s still half a bottle here.”

  “Is it gauche to get them to stopper it so we can take it home with us?”

  “Probably. I’m going to have coffee before dessert and maybe a half glass of wine with dessert. All the fun, less of the tipsy.”

  “Neither of us are driving, so we can live it up. I think I’d like tea with my dessert.”

  “I’m sure Alex will take care of that. They probably grow their own somewhere.” Kit pushed his plate away a couple of inches. “I wish I could do that kind of cooking at home.”

  “I don’t think anyone can. They have all sorts of tricks and secrets and about twenty people to help. Besides, it wouldn’t be special if you could do it at home.” Neil smiled and leaned over the table a bit. “Thank you for bringing me.”

  Kit actually seemed to blush a little. “Thank you for coming. I’m glad you did.”

  “Me, too. Now, I don’t suppose we can go Dutch on the meal?” This was going to cost Kit a fortune.

  “Nope.”

  He wasn’t surprised, and he’d only brought it up because he wouldn’t have felt right not to at least offer. It did make him glad he hadn’t ordered the lobster, though.

  Kit looked pleased that he wasn’t going to have to fight. “Would you like to do anything after supper? We could see a movie, maybe, or wander around here downtown.”

  “I’d rather wander than see a movie.”

  “Me, too.” Kit nodded. “It’s a nice night for it. Maybe something amazing is happening that we had no idea about.”

  “Yeah? Like what?”

  “Oh, street fair, art show, buskers. Who knows? Circus dancers?” Kit was smiling at him. “Maybe some music.”

  “Something like that would be fun.” He would have said more, but Alex came by and asked if they wanted any dessert.

  “What is there?”

  “We specialize in fruit and berries,” Alex began, and Kit settled back with a broad smile. There were a dizzying amount of choices, from freshly sliced strawberries with balsamic vinegar to compotes to pies. There were pastries, crumbles, parfaits, and homemade ice cream, and at least three kinds of cake with fruit filling. “I’ll leave you with the menu,” Alex finished up. “Coffee or tea?”

  “Coffee for me, please,” Kit said. “Leave the wine.”

  “I’ll uh, have some tea.”

  Alex nodded and left.

  “Okay, wow,” Kit said, appearing overwhelmed for the first time. “I guess I’ll read the dessert menu for an hour or so.”

  “Yeah, really. Maybe two. Although that first thing he mentioned sounded good -- the strawberries.” He was a big fan of fruit as dessert.

  “Uh-huh.” Kit nodded. “Light and simple. I don’t think I could handle cake or pie or anything with a lot of cream right now.”

  “We could share?” They could feed each other. He had a hunch that would go over well with Kit.

  Kit looked momentarily surprised, then he nodded and smiled. “Yeah. We can do that. Great idea.” His eyes had gone soft and he looked happy that Neil had made the suggestion.

  Neil smiled, rather pleased he’d put that look there.

  When Alex came back Kit took care of their order, which was totally not the plan they’d made, but as a result they could only laugh. “Our next date we’ll act like slightly more normal people,” Kit told him with a wink. “And we won’t have to wear suits, maybe. Although you look totally hot in a suit. Just so you know.”

  Neil laughed, quite pleased, even though he couldn’t help but tease. “I don’t know -- you seem to think I look totally hot no matter what I’m wearing. Or not wearing.” Then he realized how egotistical that sounded and his cheeks heated.

  Kit laughed and nodded. “Suit, jeans, swim trunks... it’s all good.”

  “I wasn’t fishing,” Neil said softly, feeling a little bit of an idiot now.

  “I know. That’s hot, too.” Kit was looking at Neil with that hungry look he got sometimes. Then he cleared his throat and sat back a little. “I’d say sorry, but I’m mostly not.”

  “I wouldn’t buy it if you said you were.” He grinned and finished the wine in his glass.

  “Oh, good.” Kit beamed. “You know me very well.” He glanced up as Alex arrived with their dessert, a dish of sliced and whole strawberries drizzled with thick balsamic vinegar. When Alex had gone again Kit picked up one of the whole berries and offered it to Neil.

  Neil leaned forward, laughing as he tried to get the huge berry into his mouth. He wound up biting it about halfway down, the dark vinegar dripping onto his chin and making him laugh some more.

  “Careful!” Kit laughed too, and caught the vinegar on his finger, brushing against Neil’s lower lip.

  Neil licked the vinegar from Kit’s finger, a little zing going through him at the contact.

  “Oh, man,” Kit whispered, his eyes going wide.

  Smiling, Neil grabbed a slice of strawberry on his own fork and passed it over. Shit, he hoped Kit really did like him, that it wasn’t injury/getting better related, because Neil figured he could get hurt pretty badly here.

  Kit ate off the fork, his gaze only momentarily leaving Neil’s.
“Oh, that’s good,” he said as he chewed. “We can probably make this on our own, too. At home. Alone.”

  “I like strawberries dipped in whipping cream.” The balsamic thing was nice, but simple worked, too, and cream didn’t stain.

  “Real whipping cream, I assume.” Kit ate another berry slice and offered one to Neil on his fork. “Not the junk in the spray can.”

  “Real whipping cream. With a bit of sugar whipped into it, too.” In moderation. He held Kit’s gaze as he ate the slice of Kit’s fork. “This is really good, though. Especially the company.”

  Kit smiled again, his eyes doing that thing. “I’m glad you think so. Does that mean that a second date isn’t out of the question?”

  “I think a second date is only fair.” Kit was spending a small fortune on this one; Neil would take care of the next date.

  “Fair?” One of Kit’s eyebrows shot up, and he laughed softly. “I like it. Where shall we go? Dancing?” He winked again, teasing.

  “I’ll take you dancing, if that’s what you want to do.” He so would. It would be more fun than Kit thought, too.

  Kit laughed. “Yeah? I don’t know. I can see a guy in a chair getting bumped into a lot on a dance floor.”

  “Nah, they’ll give you room. We could save it, though, for when you’re upright again.”

  “We’ll absolutely go dancing when I’m moving on my own,” Kit said with a nod. “And a bunch of other things that let me use my legs. But I don’t want to wait until then to do something fun with you.”

  “We could go to the art gallery. I know a lot of people might not think it’s fun, but that’s their loss.”

  Kit nodded enthusiastically. “That’d be great. Accessible, fun, not a lot of people around. I love the gallery. And museums. I like them, too.”

  “Oh, good.” He smiled and fed Kit another slice of strawberry. “It’s a date then. How does next Saturday work for you?”

  “Perfect, except for the part where I have to wait a week to see you.” Kit smiled at him. “I guess I better make sure to phone you during the week.”

  “I’d like that. I’m home by four every day but Tuesday.”

  “I’ll call,” Kit said, and it sounded like a promise.

  “And I’ll answer.”