by Claire Adams
“Perfect, I’ll catch you later.” With that, he was on his way down the hall, and I took another deep breath to calm my nerves. It was time for me to grab some lunch, which to anyone else would be a midnight snack.
The ER was not as bad as it had been on other full moons, but some of the crazier situations had definitely occurred. We’d already treated a man who cut his hand climbing on the roof after dark in his robe to adjust a satellite dish that his wife said hadn’t been plugged in since the nineties. Then there was a woman who’d been run over by a car while looking for her shoe on the freeway. People came into the ER with all kinds of stories, and I guess that part of me liked my job for just that reason — never a dull moment.
I found the snack machine about the same time Kathy found me. I wasn’t about to tell her that Dr. Rob had asked me to dinner, but she’d already heard about my awesome display of balance with the carts.
I was still trying to get my dollar straight for the slot when she walked up and shoved hers in. “Are you okay?” She chose her usual candy bar, and it fell into the receptacle. She wasted no time grabbing it.
“I’m okay. My parents decided to sue, and it’s got me a little mixed up in the head.” I pushed my dollar in only to have it spat out.
Kathy took the bill from me and flattened it on the edge of the machine. “Man, that’s bad. How do you feel about it? Did they even ask you your opinion?” She was no stranger to the way my parents had treated me for the past fourteen months — or to my opinions on the issue.
“You know me. I would rather let it go. There’s nothing that is going to bring my brother back, and I hate that his life, or rather his death, has a price tag. It’s disgusting, and it’s the kind of thing that my brother would be sickened over. Shawn hated opportunists like that. I swear, you’d think he and I were both adopted.”
When the dollar was finally sucked in, I punched in my usual code and watched my energy bar lodge at the bottom next to some cheese crackers.
Kathy frowned at the machine and then glanced up at me. “It’s not your night, friend.”
She slid in another dollar and punched in the code for the cheese crackers and cheered as both snacks made it to the receptacle. “I’ll eat these later.” She put the extra snack in her pocket, and I gave her my money for a drink.
“I don’t need a soda mishap.” I waited as she worked her magic.
“Here you go. I’ll talk to you soon. I’ve got to go call my husband. My son got in trouble at daycare today, and we’re supposed to give him a talk before he can go back. I don’t want him surprised in the morning.”
“What did he do this time?” Her son had a habit of getting in trouble.
“I got a message earlier today that he bit some other kid’s foot. He’s going through this phase where he thinks he’s an alligator. Don’t ask.”
She hurried away, and I couldn’t help smiling. Her son had been through more phases than the moon, and the last time he thought he was a boa constrictor and squeezed some little girl until she pooped her pants. Another time, he’d gotten hold of the scissors and cut a boy’s hair.
I went to the break room and sat down in the corner where I could see the TV. Someone had left it on the news channel, and I couldn’t bear to watch more death and destruction. I took my phone out of my pocket and turned it on. I had a missed call from Bre, and then another text which had only come about ten minutes before. She usually wouldn’t text me so late unless she’d been out on a date. I texted her back hoping she’d still be awake, and her response was: CALL ME??
The phone didn’t ring more than once, and she didn’t sound tired at all considering the hour. “I’m so glad you called. You would not believe the night I had.” I could tell by her upbeat tone that her night had gone better than mine.
“Do tell.” There could only be one thing to put her in that wonderful a mood.
She cleared her throat as if getting ready for a speech. “You know that really handsome guy that comes by the office, the one I’ve been hot for over the past few months?”
“The one who comes in to fix the computers?” There were about six men who she’d been hot for over the past few months, and I could never keep up.
“No, not that one. This one is the supplier from the partner company. Anyway, he asked me out for dinner, and I went.”
“Wow! That was fast.” I couldn’t wait to tell her about the handsome doctor.
“It was so nice. We’re going out again in a few days. His name is Daniel.” She made a squealing noise and giggled. “Oh man, I just realized I’m a shitty friend. You’re upset about the whole lawsuit thing, and here I am giggling over a date.”
“No, don’t you dare feel bad. I’m excited for you. As a matter of fact, despite the shitty day I’m having, I got asked out, too.”
“Really? Who is he?” She gave another squeal, and this time, I laughed with her.
I remembered where I was and kept my voice down. “We call him Dr. Rob. He’s good looking, very nice, and almost every nurse here wants a piece of him.”
“Lucky girl. I always knew you’d land a hot doctor. So when are you going out?”
“I’m not sure. He asked me to dinner sometime, but we haven’t set anything up. I’m not sure it’s that big of a deal yet.”
“You’re never sure. You’re going to be unsure at your own wedding. I wish you’d find a man who would care about you and give you the attention you deserve.” She’d known how invisible I was to my parents and how hard the last year had been. It was only natural she wanted to see me happy again.
I shook my head. “I’m not sure this is the guy for that, but who knows.”
“So, did your parents say anything more about the lawsuit? I can’t believe they’re going through with it.” Her exhale sent static through the phone.
“No, and I can’t believe they’re doing it, either. I keep thinking about Allison’s brother. I feel like such a bitch.”
“Do you know how much the suit is for? I mean, you know the Walkers were loaded. I doubt it’s going to put him in the poor house.”
“That’s not the point. Think of how he feels. I feel all alone, and I have you and my parents; I couldn’t imagine being him and having to go through this. It rips open old wounds.”
“Have you ever met him? What’s he like?”
“No, and I have no clue. But Allison was a nice girl, not at all what you’d expect from someone with her wealth who could have anything she wanted in life. She treated my brother like a king, and she chased after him for a while before he came to his senses.” As sweet as she was, part of me couldn’t help but think how I’d still have my brother if he’d never let her catch him.
“Well, have you ever thought about reaching out?” She was crunching something into the phone, and I wondered if she was eating potato chips again. She’d given them up a month ago in an attempt to eat healthier.
“No, I couldn’t.” I glanced up at the clock and realized it was time to get back to work. “Hey, I gotta go.”
“Okay, talk soon! Good luck with your sexy doctor, and don’t let this get you down. It will all be okay.”
I hung up the phone and let out a deep breath. I sure hoped she was right.
Chapter Five
Aiden
I woke to the sound of someone in my house, and since I hadn’t gone back to the bar for a drink the night before, I was certain I hadn’t brought home anyone. I got up and found my phone before pulling on some jeans and stepping over my laundry to go downstairs.
The elegance of my home was ever present, and Mattie had made it better by cleaning up and dusting the furnishings. I found her up on a ladder working on the portrait my mother had paid handsomely for some years back. The subject was unknown as was the artist, but the painting had always struck her as wonderful in some way. She’d stare at the woman for hours, intrigued with the colors. She said it reminded her of Leighton’s Flaming June, and since she couldn’t own it, this was the next b
est thing.
“You’re back?” I stopped at the foot of the ladder and held it steady.
She glanced down from her perch like a bird. “You’re finally awake.”
“Someone was making a bunch of noise.” I took her hand as she climbed down. “You shouldn’t be up on that ladder, Mattie. You’re going to break your neck.”
“Funny you should care.” She moved the thing over a bit and began her way back up.
“Whoa, I’m not letting you do this, Mattie.” She huffed as I took the ladder and closed it up. “You’re set on coming here and working, that’s fine, but at least let me give you your old job back. And, you’re not to climb ladders. You hire someone younger to assist you. But, you live away from here. I don’t need a roommate.”
“Sounds reasonable. Besides, I took that money you gave me and bought me a house. It’s not too fancy, but it’s a hell of a lot cleaner than this place.” She folded her arms and thought a moment. “You’ll have to get a gardener. You know Pete’s son is taking over his business. He might be willing to stop by and give the place a once over.”
“I won’t need him full-time, but if you think he’d settle for a decent monthly contract, I think that’ll work. But I’m leaving you in charge of that.”
She smiled big and gave me a nod. “I’ll take care of everything. Your mother and father would be so proud you finally came to your senses. You know this place was your father’s pride, but you children, you were your mother’s and mine.” She reached out and stroked my beard. “When are you going to shave this thing?” She shook her head and curled her lip.
“I might think about it, but no time soon. I’m not ready for a full turnaround, which brings me to my other rule. I’m not having you trying to come in here and change my ways. So, I’d appreciate you not throwing out perfectly good beer.” I heard my phone buzz and took it from my back pocket. Layne again?
One thing I hadn’t done the day before was call Layne. He’d given up on me around three, and I’d forgotten all about him.
“I insist on cooking for you, too, Aiden. You’re not eating right, and you’re wasting money if you’re eating out all time.” To her and my mother, eating at restaurants was always only for a special occasion or traveling.
“You don’t have to, and the way I am, I’m not likely to be here for dinner.” I spent most of my afternoons at the steakhouse in town and then I’d stop by the strip joint before going to see Glen at Jay’s Pub.
“I’m going to. You can heat it up when you like, and I’ll feel better. Besides, I’m leaving at three every day. I want to get home in time to watch my talk shows and the evening news.”
“Sounds good. You can show up any time you want, too. I’m not picky. Salary is the same as before. I better get upstairs and call Layne. He’s been trying to reach me, and I don’t think I can put him off much longer. Besides, I’m in a sensible mood today.”
She placed her hand on mine and then leaned in to kiss my cheek, steering clear of the beard and opting for my ear at the last minute. “I’m glad things are looking up.”
“You know, they might be, after all.” I’d had a decent workout the day before, and while I’d expected to wake up sore, that hadn’t happened. The weather outside was sunny, and I felt good about hiring Mattie back. The house being tidy helped, too.
I stopped on the landing and looked back across my home; if it weren’t for the empty feeling in my gut, I might be fooled into thinking my family were living and breathing somewhere inside the place. As my phone went off again, this time I answered it.
“Yeah, I hope it’s important.” I tried to keep my tone from being too shitty, though I wasn’t happy the man had been so damned persistent.
A low growl of frustration came through the phone. “I was about to send a search party for you. I was afraid you’d hear the news from someone else.”
“News?” I wanted so badly to ask if he was finally having his operation to remove his head from his ass, but I held my tongue.
“You’re being sued.” He cleared his throat, and then I heard a door creak and shut.
“What the hell do you mean? I’m being sued for what? I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Get down here, now!” Layne’s end of the line went dead, and I gritted my teeth while I fished my keys out of my pocket.
I thought about the staff and wondered if I’d failed to provide for someone or if I’d slept with some gold digger who was trying to ruin me. I didn’t even tell Mattie where I was going as I hurried out to my bike.
I cranked her up and rode her as hard as I could until I hit the street outside the firm. I pulled into the parking garage and then left it in the space next to the elevator. Then I hurried up to the door that said: Walker & Connor, Attorneys at Law.
I threw the door open and hurried inside the office. “Hello, Mr. Walker. Is Mr. Connor expecting-”
“Yes!” I barged past the secretary and pushed his door open. Layne was behind his desk. He stood and walked over to the minibar he kept in the corner of his office and poured two drinks. “What the hell is going on? Who is suing me?”
He extended the glass, but I didn’t want it. He took both and turned them up one by one before meeting my eyes. “The Patterson family is suing your parents’ estate for negligence. They say new evidence has come forward putting your father at fault.”
I didn’t know what to say. The weight of everything that had happened came crashing down around me.
“There will most likely be a trial, Aiden. I’m going to make sure things are handled properly for you. It makes me sick they’re choosing to do this now after so long. I made sure the insurance paid those people handsomely. It’s greed, Aiden, nothing more.”
I held on to the back of the chair to steady myself as my entire world spun out of control. “I want to see this proof. The damn crash was investigated; how the hell are they coming up with new information now?”
He returned the glasses to the bar and turned back to face me as he took a seat behind his desk. “I’m not sure, but I’ll look into it. You have my word those people won’t get another dime of your father’s money.”
“But it’s not my father’s money. It’s my money, Layne. Mine. That’s what they’re after. Me. Dad doesn’t have to deal with anything.”
I wasn’t trying to be cold, but the fact that this had all been settled already was the one thing that I could rest easy over; now, these people were coming after some false idea of an estate when that estate and everything in it and of it was mine. They were suing me for something I had no hand in.
“You’re right. But he was my friend, Aiden. It’s still not easy to think he’s gone, much less that someone’s trying to put him at fault. I will not have your father’s name dragged through the mud, not only because of the business, but because he was my best friend.”
“I know, Layne. I appreciate it.” I had always trusted the man to do right by my dad. They’d known each other most of their lives and had attended law school together. “I’m more pissed off at the audacity these people have after all this time.” My temper was growing worse by the minute.
“So next time I call you, you’ll answer. I need you to keep a direct line of communication between us. You know how this thing goes. It could change by the minute, and the last thing I need to worry about is where the hell you are.”
His tone had changed, and now he was starting to sound more like my father. It wasn’t the first time since the accident that he’d taken this approach with me and it hadn’t gone well any of the other times, either.
“Fuck off, Layne; the last thing I need is you riding me. If you hadn’t been such a dick the last time we talked, I would have answered sooner, but you usually just hound me about this fucking office.”
“Your father wanted you to be a part of this, Aiden. Why the hell do you think I bother?”
My teeth gnashed so hard I feared I would chip a tooth and then my only other instinct was to throw someth
ing. As the papers sailed off his desk and floated to the floor along with his fucking nameplate, I stormed out of the room.
I hurried to the bar, where Glen could tell it was not the evening to fuck with me. He served me beer steadily for a good two hours until after dark, and then he started getting stingy. I pounded my fist on the bar to get his attention, but he walked over shaking his head.
“I’m all done serving you for the night. You can hang out a little longer if you want, I’ll call Scott, your friendly neighborhood Uber man, or I’ll drive you home myself, but you’re too sloshed as it is.”
I had more than enough of men talking down to me for one day. “Fuck. You.” I stood up as Glen hurried around the bar.
“I’m not kidding, Aiden. I’m not letting you kill yourself tonight. I could tell when you came in that something was wrong. I’ve entertained your ass with booze all night, but you’re not leaving here on that bike.” He put himself between me and the door, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Okay, fine then. Call Scotty the fucking Uber. I’m going to take a piss.” I made like I was going to the bathroom as Glen walked around the bar and then I ducked out and was on my bike and down the road before he could catch up.
The night was a blur, but then again, so was my life. I couldn’t believe those damned Pattersons and their greed. They were punishing me for something I had no control of. Guilt stirred in my gut.
I should have been on that plane. Lord knows that there were times I wished I hadn’t slept late. That I’d been right there with the rest of them as that plane went down. And suddenly, as if fate was reminding me who was boss, my front tire hit something on the road, and I lost control.
I was thrown off as my bike lay over on its side and then flipped through the air like a paper cup in the wind. I hit more like a rock across a placid lake, bumping and skipping along until I finally sank into the depths.