The doctor reached out and took Cadie’s chin in her hand, turning the blonde’s head slightly so she could get a better look at the scrape on her cheek. “What happened here?”
Cadie swallowed. “She scratched me,” she said quietly.
Salinger looked her patient’s ex-partner in the eye for a few seconds, finding nothing in the determined green eyes to make her doubt Cadie’s story. “Mmm.” She decided to take the blonde at face value and turned back to the bizarre scene on the floor. “Hello,” she said to Jo, who just nodded, preferring not to let her accent identify her any more than was necessary. “Okay, let’s see what we’ve got here.”
The psychiatrist walked over to Naomi and dropped to her knees by the senator’s head, carefully placing her bag down, just out of reach. Cadie moved back over to her chair and sat down, silently watching.
“Hello, Naomi.” Salinger looked carefully at her patient. They hadn’t seen each other since a few days after the politician had arrived back from Australia, without Cadie. Naomi had been livid and spitting venom during the two-hour session they had had together at that time. But that didn’t prepare Roxanne Salinger for the physical changes in the senator.
Naomi’s face was florid, partly, Salinger was sure, from the tall and, her brain acknowledged, thoroughly gorgeous woman who was practically sitting on Naomi’s back. But there was spittle in the corners of the senator’s mouth, and her eyes were wild and bloodshot. She had been clenching her fists so hard that her fingernails had left little crescents of blood on her palms.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Naomi hissed, more drool dripping from her mouth.
“I came because Cadie called me and said you needed some help,” Salinger said calmly. “Why don’t we talk about that?”
“Why don’t you go fuck yourself?”
Jo found herself suppressing a wry smile. Frankly, she almost agreed with Naomi. There’s a first, she thought solemnly. Quit talking, Doc, and just dope her up with something so I can get off her.
“Naomi. Do you remember what happened here this morning?” The doctor persisted, knowing that she had to make some attempt at assessing the woman’s mental state.
“I know that everyone’s screwing me over ... as fucking usual,” Naomi snarled. “I just wanted to talk to her. Just wanted to talk. Put it right. Go back … go back to the way it was.” Suddenly, Jo felt all the fight go out of the woman she had pinned down. Naomi started sobbing, her breath coming in huge, wracking gasps.
Cadie dropped her head, feeling like a big pile of horse crap. I did everything wrong here. This whole trip was a mistake.
“I think you can get off her now,” Dr Salinger said softly, looking at Jo. Crystal blue eyes blinked back at her, hesitating. “Really.”
Jo backed off, pushing herself up off Naomi and off the floor. She stood, twisting a little to work the kinks out of her back. There was no way she was going to relax, though. I don’t think this doctor has a vague clue what this nutcase is capable of.
But Naomi was past the point of violence now. Instead she curled into fetal position on her side, crying. Not small, contained crying, either. Big, loud, hysterical tears.
The psychiatrist sat back on her heels, watching her patient. There wouldn’t be any talking to the senator while she was in this state, she knew. Salinger reached for her bag, opening it and withdrawing a syringe.
“What are you going to do?” Cadie asked hoarsely. The tone of her voice caught Jo’s attention and she looked across at her lover. Cadie looked haggard, close to exhaustion and Jo cursed herself.
You were hard on her, before, you idiot, she thought. She’s been through enough the last couple of days without you coming down on her.
“I’m going to sedate her, and then I’m going to take her to a rehabilitation clinic,” Dr Salinger replied as she filled the syringe with a clear fluid from a small vial.
“Rehabilitation clinic?” Cadie asked. “She’s been taking drugs.” A statement, not a question.
The doctor finished filling the syringe and reached over to the senator, lifting the sleeve of her polo shirt. Carefully she inserted the needle, smoothly and steadily injecting the fluid into Naomi’s bloodstream. Almost immediately, the older woman’s sounds quieted, though she continued to cry.
“You know that under doctor/patient confidentiality, I can’t discuss the details of Naomi’s case with anyone, not even you,” she said. Cadie nodded, understanding. “But I will say that I think a rehab clinic is the best place for her to be right now.”
“Fair enough. Doesn’t she have to agree to it, first?” Cadie murmured.
“Yes.” Salinger looked down at her patient. “But I don’t think that’s going to be much of a problem.” She reached out and stroked Naomi’s hair away from her forehead. “Naomi.” Watery, brown eyes blinked at her. “I want to take you to clinic where we can get you some rest and some treatment. Do you think you’re ready to do that?”
There was a pause and Cadie swallowed as Naomi’s eyes tracked to her, as if she was seeking Cadie’s advice. The blonde just nodded, hoping that, one last time, Naomi would listen.
“Yes, I’m ready,” Naomi whispered hoarsely.
“Good girl,” her therapist said, patting Naomi’s shoulder gently. “I’ll make the arrangements.” Salinger pushed herself to her feet and pulled out a cell phone, talking as she walked out of the room, leaving Jo and Cadie looking at each other over the prone and now almost unconscious Naomi.
“I’m sorry,” Jo said quietly. Cadie just shook her head.
“Don’t,” she husked. “Not now.”
Dr Salinger stepped back into the room. “The paramedics will be here shortly,” she said. Out of her pocket she pulled a business card and handed it to Cadie. “That’s where we’re taking her. I know that you’re probably not going to come visit, but perhaps you could let her people know where she is.”
Cadie took the card and nodded. “Thanks.” She looked up at the redhead. “Thanks for coming over.”
Salinger sighed. “That’s okay,” she replied. “You did the right thing calling me. To be honest, I’ve been half-expecting this. You coming back was just the trigger.”
“It was a mistake,” Cadie said quietly.
“Don’t beat yourself up for it,” the psychiatrist answered. “You didn’t really have any way of knowing just how far she would go.”
“Thought you couldn’t discuss the details with anyone,” Jo growled from across the room. Accent be damned.
“You’re Jo Madison,” the doctor said, suddenly putting the pieces together. Jo said nothing. “You’re right. I did say that. But that doesn’t mean I have to be a complete asshole, Miss Madison.”
The conversation was brought to a halt by the arrival of the paramedics. Cadie watched forlornly as the two men and the psychiatrist talked together in low voices before they knelt by Naomi’s side again. For a few moments, all Cadie could see of the senator was her left hand, complete with the wedding ring Cadie had slid onto it almost 13 years earlier. Where did she go, that woman?
It had been a perfect fall day, Cadie remembered. Not a cloud in the sky and she had decided to celebrate the moment by skipping classes to take in a rally down in the quadrangle. The student elections were only a couple of weeks away and the campaigning had reached a fever pitch. Cadie had decided it was time to get more involved, at least as much as it took to inform herself about the issues, and she had happily settled on the grass to take in the speeches.
She remembered clearly her first sight of Naomi Silverberg. The brunette had been thinner then, still stocky of build, but it was stockiness borne of a muscular athleticism that only years of campaigning had turned to fat. Naomi was wearing tattered jeans, a simple white t-shirt and a tweed jacket. The notes for her speech were rolled up in her right hand. It was the grin on her face that had really caught Cadie’s eye, however.
The moment she had stepped onto the stage, Naomi had had the complete attent
ion of the crowd. Conversations stilled and Cadie had been suddenly aware of an intense sense of anticipation all around her. Oooooooo. Naomi’s grin spoke of a self-knowledge and confidence in her ability to control the crowd’s emotions. And it was a gorgeous smile.
The speech itself had been nothing special in terms of content. Pretty standard Republican-slanted fare, Cadie remembered thinking. But Naomi had delivered it with more than a dash of panache. Either she’s been doing this for years, or she’s a born leader, Cadie had thought. Naomi had read the audience perfectly, injecting light notes into her speech where they were needed, but looking the crowd in the eye and nailing them with the serious issues when they were the most open to hearing them.
Brilliant, Cadie had thought, and just like that she had made the decision to volunteer for Silverberg’s campaign. Once the speeches were done, Cadie had walked up to the podium and waited until Naomi had worked her way free of a small crowd of students wanting her attention.
“Ms Silverberg?” Cadie had called out, and immediately the student politician had turned, training intelligent, open brown eyes on her.
“Please, call me Naomi,” she had said with a smile as she took Cadie’s smaller hand in her own and squeezed it gently. Cadie was immediately struck by the woman’s charisma. It had been obvious onstage, but that could have been a performance, she had reasoned. Up close and personal, it was obvious Naomi was just naturally magnetic.
“I’m Cadie,” she had replied. Naomi was holding her gaze and smiling at her, clearly interested in the young blonde with the sparkling green eyes. “I enjoyed your speech.”
Naomi had shrugged. “I’m glad,” she said. “But did it make you think?”
Cadie had grinned back, wondering if now was the time to be totally honest. “You didn’t surprise me any,” she said. “But you obviously know how to make a crowd see things your way.”
That had provoked a laugh from the politician and Cadie had decided she liked to hear that laugh. It was warm and totally unforced.
“Well, I guess that’s half the battle,” Naomi had replied, still chuckling. She hadn’t let go of Cadie’s hand yet either. “Though, the real question is, did I leave you wanting more?”
The irrepressible smile had widened and Cadie had had the sudden realization that she was being flirted with. At 18, Cadie was inexperienced, but she knew enough to know how things were with herself. And the wash of Naomi’s warm and appraising gaze had been a very pleasant surprise.
“Um, yes, I guess you did,” she had replied, disconcerted by how flustered she felt. “Actually, I was thinking of volunteering for your campaign.”
Naomi had placed her other hand over the top of Cadie’s, effectively keeping her firmly, but gently, at close quarters.
“That’s fantastic,” she had said gently, and Cadie had been struck by just how much she believed that Naomi meant it with every ounce of her being. “Tell you what; me and a bunch of friends are going for pizza right about now – sort of a post-mortem, if you will.” She grinned again. “We could use some feedback from a member of the audience. Why don’t you come along and you can figure out if we’re your kind of people.”
Cadie remembered feeling that she already had no doubt about that.
“And keeping me close would be an added bonus,” she said cheekily, correctly interpreting that there was at least some ulterior motive in Naomi’s suggestion.
“There is that,” Naomi had readily agreed, taking her hand more firmly and drawing her away towards her circle of friends. “Come on, we’ll have some fun.”
The sound of the two paramedics grunting as they lifted Naomi onto a gurney brought Cadie sharply back to the present. She was surprised to feel tears on her cheeks, and the sight of Naomi’s older, wearier, but so familiar features did nothing to stem the flow.
Where did she go?
The paramedics wheeled the gurney out, the doctor walking behind. Within minutes, Jo and Cadie were watching the ambulance driving away, the psychiatrist’s Mercedes following.
“Well, that’s that,” Cadie muttered absently, as she turned from the front door and walked back into the living room. Jo waited a while longer, hardly believing that Senator Naomi Silverberg had just disappeared out of their lives. Hopefully for good. She felt a pang of what could have been guilt, but it lasted for a fleeting second. Couldn’t have happened to a bigger bitch, she finally decided before she followed Cadie back inside.
She walked in to the room to find Cadie back in the chair, looking very small and lost. The blonde was sniffling, a sound that immediately tugged at Jo’s heartstrings. Awwwwwwwwwww, shit.
Jo walked over and knelt down between Cadie’s legs, placing her hands gently on the blonde’s thighs.
“Talk to me,” she said softly.
Cadie shook her head, scattering tears. “It’s nothing you want to hear,” she whispered.
“I might surprise you,” Jo replied, ducking her head to try and catch Cadie’s eye.
Cadie struggled to find the words. “I feel so sorry for her,” she finally said, shrugging her shoulders, knowing that it was hard for anyone else to understand that perspective.
Jo pulled her into a hug and Cadie nestled in, adoring the feel of the Australian’s long, strong arms around her. Keeping her safe.
“Unless I’m totally misinterpreting what I saw, she’s just tried to kill you, love,” Jo pointed out carefully. She knew that no matter how hard she tried, she would never see Naomi the same way Cadie did.
“I know. That’s what’s throwing me. She … Jo, I loved her once. I still care about her.”
“I know,” Jo replied. “I’m guessing you’ve been swamped with memories the last few days, right?” She felt Cadie nod. “Were you tempted?” The last came out in a hoarse whisper.
Cadie pushed herself back and looked Jo in the eye. “Tempted? To go back to her, you mean?” Jo nodded and Cadie’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re kidding, right? Jo, I was remembering how it used to be, but having a gun held to my head was a pretty strong reminder of how much Naomi’s changed.”
Jo breathed out slowly, and caught herself blushing at her own show of insecurity. “Okay, I can see that,” she said wryly.
“Good.” Cadie returned to her position, nestled under Jo’s chin. “She’s sick, Jo.”
“Mhmm, yes she is.” argument there.
“I guess I’m just finding it hard to believe that the two Naomi’s I know are the same woman. Sometimes I almost wish I couldn’t remember how it used to be.”
Jo kissed the top of the blonde head. “Don’t do that,” she said. “It would be good to give her credit for being human once.”
“Mmmmmm.” Cadie closed her eyes and just let Jo cradle her.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you,” Jo murmured.
“No, you were right,” Cadie said, her voice cracking. “I was an idiot to come alone. Dad even offered me his cell phone and I turned that down. What the hell was I thinking?”
“Sweetheart, you thought Naomi was on the other side of the country. And I’m the last person on the planet to criticize you for trying not to rely too much on your parents.” She smiled at the irony. “I just wish I could have gotten here earlier. It might have saved you this.” She brushed a tentative fingertip across Cadie’s cheek, tracing the edge of the scrape the bullet had left. Jo swallowed, suddenly uncomfortably aware of just how close her partner had come to being seriously hurt. Or worse.
Cadie reached up and took Jo’s hand. For the first time since Jo had appeared, like magic … less than an hour ago, she thought wonderingly … she fully absorbed the fact that her lover was actually here. In the flesh. With a surge of relief she pulled back again and cupped Jo’s now-smiling face in her hands.
“You’re here. You’re really here,” she whispered.
“Yes, I’m here,” Jo replied. “God, it feels good to hold you.”
“Me too.”
Cadie gazed at Jo, a tentative smile creeping on to
her face. “How did you manage it? Did Ken help you?”
Jo’s eyes dropped and she suddenly felt uncertain and more than a little sheepish. “I’m … um … not exactly here legally,” she whispered. She glanced up and saw nothing but love in Cadie’s sea-green eyes. “That’s why I didn’t want to say too much while Naomi and the doctor were around. And why I didn’t want to get the police involved. I’ve got to keep a very low profile. I’m, uh, not here on my real passport.”
Cadie leaned forward again and brushed her lips across Jo’s. “I adore you,” she whispered. “You risked that for me?”
Jo felt a lump the size of Coonyabby in her throat. “I’d do anything for you.”
Cadie’s heart melted and she went back for a second kiss. This one was slower and delicious as they reacquainted themselves with each other. By the time it was done, both were breathing raggedly and their faces were flushed.
“You do say the most wonderful things sometimes, Jo-Jo,” Cadie sighed.
“Mmm, and sometimes I say the stupidest things in the world,” Jo said gruffly, remembering how she had snapped at Cadie earlier.
“Shhh,” Cadie replied, putting a gentle finger on Jo’s lips, which were impossibly soft. “It’s okay. Naomi’s gone now.” Really gone.
“So what would you like to do now?” Jo asked. Cadie sat back in the chair and squeezed her lover with her knees. She exhaled soft and low as she thought about the possibilities the day held.
“Well, I guess we can pack up the rest of my stuff.”
“Mhmm, sounds like a plan, Stan.”
“And then we could head north and you can meet my parents.”
Jo’s eyes widened, her face a picture of shock and consternation.
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