by Donna Hill
“Because what? You have more important clients? You’re too busy? You don’t think my case is worthy of your precious time—”
“No. Because I want to see you…outside of the hospital, not as a patient.”
Kelly stopped cold. “What?” she stammered, needing to be sure she heard him correctly.
“I want to see you, Kelly. I want to take you out, get to know you. If you want to. And if you don’t I can understand that, too, and I’ll back off if you say so.”
She didn’t know what to say. It was what she’d secretly hoped but never imagined would really happen. “I…”
“It’s okay. It was stupid of me to be so presumptuous.”
The waitress arrived with their drinks. “Are you ready to order or do you need some more time?” She looked from one to the other.
“Give us a few more minutes,” Alex said.
Kelly toyed with her napkin until the waitress was gone. “What do we tell David?” she finally said and a smile of delight spread across Alex’s face. She grinned.
“I’ll handle David.”
“Good luck.” She looked at him. “I live in Atlanta,” she said slowly as the reality of the direction they were heading in began to settle with her. “And you live here.” Her comment hung in the air for a moment.
“I know. I like Atlanta and you could get to like New York. We’ll take it one day at a time and see how it goes. No commitments, no pressure or unreasonable expectations. Let’s get to know each other.”
“Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be. I know that if I continue to treat you I would lose my objectivity and I can’t risk that happening. You getting better is a primary objective, bar none.” He never wanted to be the one to tell her any bad news, not like what happened with Leigh. He’d made the mistake once of falling for a patient and continuing to be their doctor. It wouldn’t happen again.
“One day at a time,” she repeated.
He nodded.
She folded her hands atop the table. “So…since you’re no longer officially my doctor, is this our first official date?”
His dark eyes caught the light and sparkled. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
She smiled sweetly. “In that case, I’ll have the lobster bisque to start.”
Alex tossed his head back and laughed from deep in his gut. “Anything the lady wants.”
They ordered their meal and talked in generalities as they ate. Alex told her all about Dr. Logan and his credentials and assured her that she was in the best of hands with him.
Alex listened to her tell him about life in the fast lane of track and field, some of the characters on the team and the places that she’d been. Minute by minute he was becoming more enamored of her. She was funny, intelligent, warm-spirited and to him a beautiful woman. She presented herself as strong and independent but he knew better. Beneath the outer shell was a woman who had a laundry list of self-doubt. He wanted to change that. He wanted to be there when she bloomed into all the woman that she could be.
Suddenly she stopped speaking. “Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have salad in my teeth?”
Her question ended his reverie. “No. I was just thinking how pretty you are, how much I’m enjoying being with you.”
She lowered her gaze. “I’m not pretty.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “Why would you say that?” he asked, frowning.
“Because it’s true. Look at me. I’m a basket of features. A little of this, a little of that. Nothing matches. Apples and oranges.”
“But don’t you know that’s what makes you so absolutely appealing? You have a unique beauty that is magnified by who you are inside. You have incredible eyes, a wonderful mouth, sweeping brows and silky lashes. And that cleft in your chin is pretty cute, too.”
She almost smiled.
“Look at me.” When she did he continued. “I think you’re beautiful. But it doesn’t really matter what I think, it’s what you think. Stop comparing yourself to what the magazines say are beautiful. Look in the mirror and tell it to yourself.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Maybe but you should give it a shot.” He cut into his steak.
“Can I be honest with you about something?”
Alex looked up. “Sure.”
“I was kinda hoping that…you wanted something more…”
He put down his knife and fork. “You did?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I did, too.”
“I’m glad. I was really reluctant about laying my cards on the table. I wasn’t sure how you would take it or if you were even interested. Not sure what I would have done if you’d told me to get lost.”
“Has a woman ever said that to you?”
“Not yet.” He grinned. “But there’s a first time for everything.”
“Excuse me.” They both looked up at the waitress. “Will you be having dessert or coffee?”
“Do you want dessert?” Alex asked.
“No. Thanks. I’m fine.” She knew she’d have to get rid of what she’d ingested already.
“We’re good. Can you bring me the check?”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.”
Alex waited a beat, debating whether or not this was the right time to divulge what he suspected. But he didn’t want them getting off on the wrong foot with secrets and lies.
“Listen, there’s something I think I should tell you before we go any further.” He looked into her inquiring eyes. “When I was at your place the other day and I went to get my jacket, I, uh, came across some brochures in one of the jacket pockets.”
Kelly drew in a sharp breath.
“They were about dyslexia.”
She glanced around the room avoiding eye contact with him. “They aren’t mine.”
“Kelly, if they are, and I say if, it’s okay. It would explain so much.”
“Well there’s nothing to explain because I already told you they’re not mine!” She was beginning to panic and her stomach rolled.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of—”
She pushed up from the table and grabbed her crutches from the empty chair. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m tired. Thanks for dinner. I’m going up to my room.”
Alex stood and held her arm. “Don’t run away.”
“I’m not running.” She held her head down, unable to look at him.
“Is that the hold that David has over you?”
Her head snapped up.
“How long has he known?” he asked gently.
The stiffness of her body began to soften. Slowly she sat back down as if suddenly deflated.
“I’ve always been so ashamed,” she murmured. She pressed her fist to her mouth.
“There’s no reason to be ashamed, Kelly. None. Everyone has something that they have to deal with.” He thought about his own bouts with alcohol and the guilt he still carried in his heart about Leigh.
She looked across the table and into his eyes. “Do you have any idea what it feels like to be ridiculed, to always feel like an idiot, to know that something was wrong but not know what it was?” She breathed hard and fast. “It’s been like that all my life. I was the butt of jokes in school, teased by the kids, ridiculed by the teachers.” Her eyes filled with tears. She snatched up a napkin from the table and wiped her eyes then sighed deeply, the old wounds reopening.
“It was all a vicious cycle.” She looked off into the distance. “I’d be made fun of in school so I stayed by myself pretty much. So for company I would eat. By ten I’d really begun to put on weight. I wasn’t just dumb anymore, I
was fat, too.” She laughed derisively. “More ammunition for my tormentors. That’s when they began beating me up after school. I’d have to run home every day.” Her voice cracked. “But you can’t run very fast if you’re fat. So I started throwing up my food after I ate to lose weight. Then I’d eat because I was lonely, get chased home because I was dumb and fat and the cycle just continued.”
Alex listened in rapt silence. His gut twisted. He couldn’t imagine what she must have gone through, how she’d felt. But kids can be so very cruel. What was worst in his mind, however, were the adults in her life that let her fall through the cracks.
“As I started getting taller I began to thin out a little bit and the running actually helped to keep the weight down. Back then, especially in Mississippi where I grew up, no one really cared if little black kids could read or write, so they kept passing me from grade to grade. The only way I kept my sanity was by joining the track team in high school. That’s when I met David.”
She told him about how David discovered her disability and promised to always take care of her. Alex wished he could choke David for what he’d done to Kelly.
Kelly looked at him. “Still want to date me?” she asked with a crooked smile filled with humiliation.
“What you told me changes nothing. If anything I’m even more drawn to you. Regardless of what you may think, it takes strength and ingenuity to go through what you’ve done and still have a life, a good one at that. At least to some degree. And what’s more important is that you’ve finally taken the steps to change. That takes courage.”
“You make it all sound so noble.” She sighed and shook her head. “I’ve dreaded anyone ever finding out—the public, the media, the team.” She gave a little shiver.
“Listen to me.” He held her hands, his voice filled with urgency. “Millions of people suffer with dyslexia: actors, models, businessmen and women. You’re not alone.” He paused. “And if you let me, I’ll be right there for you.”
“Do you really mean that?”
“Yeah, I really do.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Why don’t you start with telling me what you’ve found out so far?”
She pressed her lips together. “Well…”
Kelly told him all about her visit to the clinic and the tests and classes and what Ms. Stevens told her.
“That’s great. How do you feel about it?”
“Excited. Hopeful.” She smiled, her eyes lighting up.
The waitress returned with the check.
Alex reached in his back pants pocket, took out his wallet and credit card and handed the card to the waitress. “Thanks,” he said.
“There’s one other thing we haven’t discussed,” he said to Kelly.
“What?”
“Your eating problem.”
She looked away.
“That can be dealt with, too. And I’m pretty sure it’s the reason why you sustained the kind of injury that you did. But you’re going to need counseling, ongoing to beat it.”
She didn’t respond.
“It’s dangerous, Kelly, and life-threatening. You do understand that don’t you?”
Reluctantly she nodded.
“I’m sure I can find a doctor that would be willing to work with you.”
She looked dead at him. “Why are you doing all this? What’s in it for you?”
“Is that what you think, that I’m personally going to benefit somehow?”
“That’s the way it’s always been. No one has ever done anything for me if there was nothing in it for them.”
“I’m not David.”
She flinched then lowered her gaze. “I know,” she breathed. “I’m sorry.”
“Kelly, sometimes people do things for others simply because they care about the person and want the best for them. No more, no less.”
The waitress returned with his card and the check.
He took both, signed the receipt and gave it back. “Come on, I’ll take you back to your room.”
They stood in front of her door.
“Thanks for dinner,” she said, looking up at him.
“Thank you for trusting me.”
They faced each other for an awkward moment.
“I guess I better get going,” he finally said. “Have a full day tomorrow.”
Kelly nodded. “Will I see you at the clinic?”
“I’ll be sure to stop in and check on you.” He paused a beat. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
He started to leave.
“Hutch…”
He turned. “Yes?”
“Do you have any rules of ethics about a kiss on a first date?”
A slow smile inched across his mouth as he stepped up to her. “As a matter of fact—” he tilted her chin up with the tip of his finger “—I ripped that page right out of the book.” He lowered his head and tenderly touched his lips to hers in a slow exploration.
Kelly’s mouth parted ever so slightly when his arm went around her waist, holding her securely against him. She sighed into his mouth and let her body relax against his.
He pressed a bit harder, slipping his tongue into her mouth to play with hers. He groaned deep in his throat and Kelly felt suddenly light-headed, thankful that he held her so tight. She felt his growing erection press between her thighs even as she grew damp with desire.
Slowly he released her and her eyes fluttered open, the dream ending. He was breathing hard, his dark complexion flushed. He swallowed then ran his tongue across his lips.
“I really think I need to get out of here before we get into something we may not be ready for.”
Her smile was coy and full of promise. “Whenever you are,” she murmured, turned and walked inside, shutting the door behind her.
Alex pressed the button for the elevator and quickly stepped inside before he took her up on her obvious offer. But on the way down, her question plagued him. Why was he really doing this? Was it because he really cared or because he wanted to somehow make atonement for what had happened with Leigh? No one does something for no reason. His taunt to David returned to haunt him.
Chapter 28
“Glad we talked,” David was saying to Herb Townes, the prospective assistant coach. “Your experience and credentials are impressive.”
Herb nodded. “Track and field is in my blood.” He chuckled. “My father was a coach and so was my grandfather. I know I can bring a lot to the team and take some of the pressure off you.”
David smiled. “I could certainly use some of that.” He was thoughtful for a moment. “Why don’t we go out on the track and you can get a look at the team in action.”
“Sounds great.”
They went out onto the field where the women were preparing for the 200 meters.
“Is that Stephanie Daniels in the green?” Herb asked.
“Yes.” He pulled his cap onto his head.
“She’s got skills. I’ve been watching her for a while, but she’s always been overshadowed by Kelly Maxwell.”
“Well, Kelly is the superstar. She’s won more medals for this team than the whole team combined.”
“Will she be in shape for the preliminaries?”
“That’s the plan.”
The women took off from the starting blocks and David and Herb zeroed in on them as they sped around the track.
“Wow,” Herb said in awe as he watched Stephanie.
David checked the watch. She was going for a record. His heart started to race. Stephanie made the turn passing one then another of the leaders until they were afterthoughts. She crossed the finish line in front of the others with plenty of room to spare.
David didn’t comment but he was thinking the very same thing. “Come and let me introduce you to the team.”
Once everyone was gathered around near the clubhouse, David made his announcement.
“As you all know, Reggie is still in the hospital and…we’re not sure when he is going to be well enough to come back. That being the case, I’ve had no other choice than to start looking for a new assistant coach to fill Reggie’s spot during his absence.” He turned to Herb. “I’d like you all to meet and welcome your new assistant coach, Herb Townes.”
Herb was just as surprised by the impromptu announcement as the team. For a moment he was at a loss but quickly pulled himself together.
“I know what it’s like to have a coach that you have established a close relationship with over the years,” he began. “And I’m sure that each of you has a special relationship with Reggie. So trust me on this, I have no intention of trying to fill his shoes because I know that I can’t. But what I can do is give you my absolute best and work like hell to get the best out of each of you. I know that Coach Livingston and I have the same goal in mind, a winning team. And if we all work together, I know we can do it.” He looked from one expectant face to the next. “I’ve been watching your tapes and keeping up with your stats for a while, but videos and numbers can’t replace knowing the individual. I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you.”
David slapped him a couple of times on the back then shook his hand. “Welcome aboard.”
“Thanks, David,” he said so that only David could hear him. “I won’t let you down.”
David nodded, then looked out at the team. “Okay, everybody, enough fun and games, back to work. You still have another hour.” He walked with Herb back to the office.
“You don’t waste time, do you?” Herb asked.
“When I know something is right, I go after it. I feel you’re the man for the job. No sense in dragging the process out.” He sat down behind his desk, opened the file drawer and withdrew some papers. He looked them over then handed them to Herb. “I’ll need you to fill these out.”