by Nella Tyler
“Okay, dude…seriously, just because you’re from California now and I admit that you’ve found your calling doesn’t mean you get to go all touchy-feely on me. I’m your friend, not your woman – or your hoity-toity friends. My feelings stay on the inside.” He grinned. “Speaking of your woman…I think I know what your problem is. Why you think it’s all your fault.”
I didn’t say anything, desperate for an answer I could accept. “You're a pain in the ass and you think you can control everything and everyone. You’re arrogant, and you’re used to being the reason for everything in your world.”
“Wow, Hayden. Tell me how you really feel. Now, don’t hold back,” I replied, trying to take his genuine attempt to help me in stride; after all, he was only doing what I had done to him. I felt one way about the culture he preferred and now, he was giving me the long overdue incite of how he felt about my preferred culture.
“I suppose it would be accurate to assume that humility did not become me,” I offered.
“Damn straight!” he practically retorted. “Out there, in what is humbly known as the land of fruit and nuts because y’all are crazy, you have gotten way too used to people going out of their way to please you. You’re used to being impressive and having a say.
“I mean, I’m not blaming you. It’s not a bad thing. You’re successful. You’re rich, and you have worked hard for what you have. Don’t think any of us don’t think you deserve it, but when you come back home, country or not, black sheep or not, you are still just Phil Meck’s son…Timmy.”
“I hate that. Don’t call me Timmy.” I scowled.
“But, do you get my point? You will always be humbled when you come back home, not because we’re not proud of you – hell, the whole reason we even have Wi-Fi in the coffee shop and the schools is because of you and your accomplishments – but you will always be the Meck kid. You’re never going to outgrow your roots, even if you outgrow the planter.”
“Okay, I get what you’re saying about why people treat me different here, but is that why Jenna wants nothing to do with me?”
“No. She wants nothing to do with you because she understands that you have outgrown your planter. This town isn’t sufficient for you, but she likes helping the people she grew up with. Like me, this is her only home, and I would imagine she’s happy with it. Therefore, there’s no future with you.”
“Do you think there’s any way I could convince her differently?”
He didn’t respond, but from the look on his face, I didn’t think I wanted him to.
“Okay, well…I still want to talk to her.” I insisted. “I feel like I need to hear it from her. Closure…or something.”
Hayden thought for a moment and snickered. “Well, I could run yer ass over with the truck. Get it just right so you’d have to go to the hospital. Then, she’d have to treat you. Doctors take an oath, you know. They have to treat you, no matter how much they hate your guts.” He laughed and I joined him, but for a split second, I had to admit that I thought maybe, that wasn’t such a bad idea.
Chapter 20
Jenna
After having almost an entire week off from work, I awoke on Monday morning, refreshed and ready to take on the day. I loved my job, but I was surprised at how excited I actually was to go back to work that day. I had enjoyed my vacation, but now that it was over, I wanted to return to normalcy.
However, in lieu of my regular bowl of cereal, I made sure I left the house a half hour early to pick up doughnuts and coffee for the break room. I usually kept my morning sweet tooth in check with nothing more than a bowl of cereal, but today, I was craving some serious sugar. Besides, nothing brightens up a Monday for those who hadn’t had such a great a week as I did than a delicious snack and some good coffee.
By the time I sat the coffee and doughnuts down on the table, I had a crowd of staff surrounding me, hoping I was going to share. When they learned that the treats were indeed for everyone, I became an instant Monday hero. I didn’t actually need the recognition for it, but it was nice to feel appreciated.
“Whose good graces are you trying to get in?” Raymond asked, instantly ditching his old cup of hospital coffee for the fresh, steaming brew.
“Nobody's…” I eyed him with teasing suspicion. “Unless I have good graces to get back into that I didn’t know about?”
He grinned as his shoulders rose and fell. “I don’t know. I’m good. Quiet rest of the day, and if you did this as a thank you, then remind me to do more stuff for you that might require gratitude. But don’t share…”
I laughed. “Next time, I’ll bring them straight to your house.”
“Sure. Sounds great! I’ll give you the address to my apartment. I’ll order weekly,” he teased and instinctively, before I could catch myself, I looked down at his ring finger. Sure enough, there was a white line going around the finger where a ring should be. As he curled his fingers in, as though instinctively insecure, I averted my eyes.
“Yeah, divorce sucks…but it comes with the territory,” Raymond said, speaking low and glancing around to make sure there wasn’t anyone else in the break room before he continued. “It’s only been a couple of months.”
“I’m so sorry.” I thought about reaching my hand out, but I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable.
“It’s okay…” he answered, trying to show enthusiasm. “I suppose it wasn’t meant to be, but that’s why I know the importance of getting out and having a life outside the hospital. I learned that after it was too late. I tried, but by the time I knew what the problem was, the marriage was already over.” He huffed and looked away.
“Well, thank you for your generosity and even though the circumstance was pretty terrible, I’m glad you ended up here. It’s a pleasure to work with you.”
“Thank you,” he replied, sounding as though he had needed to hear that and I was reminded, yet again, that while he might be a little rough around the edges, he had a good heart. I hoped that one day, he found happiness.
“You know, you remind me of when I was younger,” he said. “I wanted to save the world. Being a doctor was my passion – my life – and while that is all well and good, even doctors need to take time to themselves. It’s not selfish, Jenna. It’s necessary. That is why I found golf. I don’t want my life to be completely consumed by work and with being divorced, I could only imagine how easily I could let that happen.”
I agreed, knowing how wonderful and recharged I felt after my time away.
We talked about far lighter subjects for a few minutes before we started our rotation. It was strange, Phil not being in the hospital, but I was happy he was home and tried not to think about who he was with. However, throughout the day, I couldn’t help but notice a change in the way Raymond approached his patients. It wasn’t an overwhelming change, but it was something. He seemed warmer, calmer, and more open. I hoped that I had something to do with that, because if I did, that would mean we were helping one another.
I knew that Ray was a good man and after hearing the reason that likely contributed toward his callous nature, it was nice to think I could help him.
When we were checking in on a patient that lived down the street from my parents, my phone rang. I was in a hurry this morning, so I guessed I had accidentally left the ringer on.
“I’m sorry about that,” I told Dr. Pierce and my parents’ neighbor, known by most as Ms. Kay, as I noticed it was Michelle and ignored the call.
“Oh, that’s quite all right, dear,” the sweet, elderly lady exclaimed, her eyes suddenly wide with curiosity. “Was that your sister?”
I thought that was a strange question, but it wasn’t all that unusual, so I grinned and answered honestly. “As a matter of fact, it was. I was over there yesterday, and I’m sure she’s just telling me I left something…”
As I spoke, I felt my phone vibrate again as another call came through. I was sure no one could hear it, but the look on my face must have given away what I was thinking.
Hearing the sound of her voice caused my heart to plummet. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I knew that I didn’t have too much time before the call went to voicemail.
So, I excused myself quickly and answered the call, hoping Dr. Pierce would understand. “Hello?”
“Jenna? Oh, my God!” Michelle’s voice sounded hysterical. “I’m so sorry! I don’t know who else to call… it happened so fast. Oh my God!”
I could barely understand her. Fear overtook me as I tried to gather my thoughts. “Michelle? What happened? Are you okay?”
“Oh, my God…” she exclaimed, as though she was watching something horrific happening right in front of her. Her voice cracked and her breath quivered. I could tell that she was crying, but I needed to get her to tell me what was going on.
“Michelle! Tell me what happened! Is Kassie okay? Gavin?”
“There was a fire. Our house…everyone is okay, but the house…”
“Oh, my God!” I turned to see Raymond standing off to the side, listening to what I was saying, trying to make out what was wrong.
“Go…” he motioned. “It’s okay.”
I nodded, tears filling my eyes as I started to run out of the hospital. “Oh, my God…I’ll be right there.” I hung up the phone and took off in a sprint. During a mad dash to my car, I might have plowed through a few people, but was in such a hurry, I didn’t even stop to worry about being winded.
I felt my hands shaking and my body quaking. I felt guilty, though I wasn’t sure why, and fearful for my family. I had a million questions running through my mind, most of which revolved around the wonderment of how the hell had that happened?
I was just there, I thought as I sped toward Michelle’s house. I tried to push the idea that if I had stayed over, even one night, checked on them this morning, brought them doughnuts and coffee instead of my coworkers, this could’ve been avoided. I knew that was ridiculous, but I couldn’t help thinking that for some reason, I might have been able to help the situation had I gone there.
How did Ms. Kay know before me? Did she know? I wondered frantically before deciding that wasn’t important, since everyone knew everything in this town, normally before I did. Generally, I was too busy to notice.
With that realization, however, my breath got caught in my throat. I swallowed hard and tried not to burst into tears. Wasn’t that how Ray had said he lost his wife? He was too busy to notice that his marriage was falling apart…oh God!
My stomach was coiled into knots by the time I pulled up to my sister’s house. I didn’t even notice the house at first. My eyes scanned the yard for Michelle and Kassie.
Within moments, I saw them, running toward my car. I jumped out and embraced them both. They fell into my arms and sobbed.
“I don’t know how this happened…” Michelle shuddered. “One minute, everything was fine and then next, the house was filling with smoke…”
“It’s okay. Everything will be okay. Thank God you’re safe…” I breathed, tugging them tighter into my sides as my head rose, for the first time to look at the house.
Everything looked wet and black. A gaping, ominous space was positioned eerily where the majority of their house had stood only the day before. The air filled with the scent of dying smoke and sulfur while embers fluttered into the steaming pile of ash that was once my sister’s belongings like a snowfall.
The small portion of the house that the firefighters were able to save was still billowing smoke and didn’t appear real. With the rest of the home gone and the inside clearly visible from where I was standing, the room looked more like a prop or recreation. I half expected it to flop over, revealing its façade was only created with plywood and paint. However, soon after I looked up to take in the terrible sight, remaining firefighters started to walk around inside, proving the rooms still had depth.
Still, the whole experience seemed surreal. I hoped it was a nightmare but the longer I stood there, staring at the damage, the more that hope was smothered.
“Oh, my God! Michelle! Kassie!” Gavin called from behind us, stirring the three of us and prompting Michelle and Kassie to run towards him. I followed quickly.
“Are you okay?” he asked the two of them as he pulled them close and hugged them.
“I am so sorry…” Michelle cried. “I don’t know what happened...”
“It’s okay. Shhh…it’s okay. I’m just happy you girls are safe,” he insisted, looking deep into Michelle's eyes, swiping a tear off her cheek and surrounding them both in his embrace. “It’s okay…” he whispered.
“What are we going to do?” Michelle asked, pulling away from Gavin enough to look him in the face. He returned the serious look and his brow furrowed. He drew in a deep breath and shared a glance between them before settling back on Michelle.
“I don’t know,” he replied earnestly, “But we’ll figure it out. All I care about is that nobody got hurt. Accidents happen. It’s all right.”
“You all are welcome to stay with me.” I offered instantly. “It isn’t much and Michelle says I live like a perpetual college student, but we can make it work.”
Gavin seemed to be the only one who heard me, as Michelle and Kassie both buried their heads against him and started crying again. When he made eye contact with me, I could see that his eyes were also raw with emotion, but he managed a strained grin and a grateful expression.
“Yes. Thank you so much.”
“Of course,” I answered immediately and helped Gavin urge the two of them into my car while he stayed behind to salvage what he could and get the most current information from the fire department.
Chapter 21
Tim
When I woke up the next morning, I felt as though I was trapped in some kind of time-warp.
I knew that it wasn’t Groundhog Day or anything like that, but the days never seemed to end, even with sleep. Every day, it was the same routine, no matter what I did – and it was boring. I was deprived of the technology that had helped me build my empire, as well as the people that had assisted me along the way. I felt like an artist, exiled from my craft. Every day was monotonous and slow and with each passing moment, if felt the slow pace and rustic lifestyle suck me in deeper, threatening to swallow me whole.
It was almost an actual fear of mine that if I stayed here longer, something would come over me that would force me into believing that I belonged. Perhaps it was mind control, guilt or…hell, the apparent, ever-looming threat of aliens.
Whatever it was, I feared that I would somehow forget my old life and become a slave to the generations. Plenty of people had done it, left this one-horse town for bigger and better things, only to return with their tail between their legs, missing momma’s cooking. I kept trying to remind myself that I wasn’t like that, especially since my mom was dead and my father sure as hell wasn’t going to cook me anything worth eating.
Yet, there was still one threat that continued to plague me, one experience that I felt addicted to, even though I had no right.
Especially after the conversation I had with Hayden, she should’ve been a warning, a beacon of disaster compelling me to turn around and run the other way. However, despite what happened and what Hayden had said, I still couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to see Jenna again. I knew I shouldn’t care, but I couldn’t seem to help it and that scared me.
Although, when I woke up on Tuesday morning, I was able to take solace in the fact that I believed I had an idea that might help fix the issue we were continually ruining into with the software.
It turned out that while Donovan had come across a breakthrough, he hadn’t quite figured out that crucial missing piece, but I had. It had taken a few days, but I had sorted it out and awoke with a fresh perspective.
I breathed in a deep breath and grinned as I ran through the solutio
n again in my mind. As far as I could tell, without actually configuring the idea into the software, it should work.
Now, all I had to do was get to the coffee shop.
Di Vinci, your technological paintbrush is restored, I thought, but realized I had far too much time on my hands and made a mental note to think about more important things.
By the time I got downstairs, my father was already sitting at the kitchen table. I was going to demand to know why he hadn't called me to help him when he looked up and I could tell that he was straining to breathe.
It was apparent that he was in far more pain than he usually was, and I wondered if he was taking his medication.
“Good morning, Dad,” I spoke kindly, in lieu of getting angry with him. I stepped toward him gingerly and grinned kindly. “You don’t look so good. Are you okay? Do you want me to call the doctor?”
My father simply glared at me, his jaw tight and his eyes fierce. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to ignore the pain, me, or everything, so I didn’t press for anything more.
I simply made him breakfast, prepared his pills, made sure he took them and helped my father into his recliner. I tried to be gentle with him, but considering he refused to tell me what it was that hurt him, I couldn’t modify my movements as much as I would have liked to.
“Do you need anything from the store?” I asked when he was settled. “I have to go pick up a few things.”
I also feared that pain might only be a warning sign for a bigger problem with my father’s condition, so I also intended to stop by the hospital. Yet, I knew if I told my father that, I would only incite a reaction that I definitely didn’t want.
“No, thanks…” He sighed, his voice was weak and withered, but at least he was talking.
“Are you going to be okay while I’m gone?” I asked, second-guessing my decision to leave him. My father nodded and so, worried about his wellbeing, I left for the hospital.