From morning until noon, his focus was solely on his patients. He cared for the sick, bandaged the wounded and reset broken bones. Thinking about Shauna was the furthest thing from his mind, but every once in a while, she was there—like a dream, his dream. Monday was in two days. He’d see her again and he couldn’t wait.
Chapter 9
Saturday morning, Shauna rolled over in bed and stared at the lackluster drapes at the window. Perfectly pleated, they looked like every paisley, plaid, polka-dot, striped print pattern she’d seen in the past five years. Although she lived in Maryland, she was on the road nine months out of the year. She was proud of what she did for a living. She performed a valuable service by keeping hospitals and medical professions accountable to the people they served. But the constant travel was definitely getting to her.
Waking up in a hotel room bed alone promised her no future except more of the same year after year. She glanced at the illuminated numbers on the clock radio beside the bed. It was six o’clock in the morning. Even though the day before had started well before dawn and she’d worked a full day late into the night, she felt well rested. As a matter of fact, she felt fantastic, even energized.
The storm from last night had passed and this was a new day. She felt the need to do something different—to shake her life up. So, instead of going to the hotel gym and hitting the treadmill like she usually did, she decided to go out into the street to run. She showered, dressed and stepped outside. The sun shone brightly and it looked as if it was going to be a great day. She plugged her earbuds into her ears, turned on her music, stretched a few minutes and then headed out.
Remembering the area well, she decided to run inland, away from the usual beachfront and cruise-ship docks more popular with morning runners. The streets were almost empty except for a few other runners, early-morning strollers and shopkeepers.
She headed toward Petronia Street and the Bahama Village area at Whitehead and Truman streets. This was the neighborhood she and her mother lived in for a while after her father left them. It was poor, run-down and primarily black, getting its name from the many original residents hailing from the islands. But now, it looked very different. It was rejuvenated.
What was once a crowded, low-income family neighborhood was now filled with restaurants, boutiques, specialty shops and multiple tourist attractions, and the centerpiece was a large open-air flea market selling everything imaginable. It was still early, so the mass of weekenders and holiday tourists hadn’t descended on the area yet.
Relaxed and in complete control, Shauna enjoyed her run and even extended it a few extra blocks. The upbeat music continued to play as she skirted the main area and took a few side streets to get a better flavor of the revitalized village. She slowed her pace and began walking, realizing that twenty blocks away were Front and Duvall streets. She stopped, deciding not to extend her run to the docks. The last thing she wanted was to get caught up in the cruise-ship arrivals. She turned and headed back to the hotel near the Case Marina neighborhood.
Halfway there, a phone call interrupted her music. She stopped, switched over and answered. “Hello,” she said, breathing hard.
“Shauna, is that you? It’s Pearl. Are you okay?”
“Hey, Pearl. Yeah, I’m just a little winded. I’m out running. What’s up?”
“What’s up is how soon will you be ready to go?”
“To go where? What do you mean?” she asked between pants.
“To volunteer. We talked about it last night.”
“Oh, Pearl, I completely forgot all about that. I’ve been out running all morning. Maybe you should go without me. I’ll catch up with you next time.”
“Where are you?” she asked.
“I’m at the Bahama Village, headed back to the hotel.”
“Good. Get showered, get changed into something cool and comfortable. You can pick me up in an hour. I’ll be ready.”
“An hour. No, there’s no way I’ll be ready in an hour.”
“Sure there is, if you get started now. See you in an hour.”
Pearl hung up and Shauna looked around as her music began playing again. She leaned over onto her knees and took a deep breath. She was already exhausted. Now she had to sprint back to the hotel, shower, change and then get over to Pearl’s house. She shook her head. She thought about Pearl standing on the porch waiting for her. She couldn’t let that happen. She adjusted her earbuds and took off running like the wind.
Fifty-three minutes later, Shauna pulled up in front of Pearl’s house. Pearl was out front watering and deadheading her flowers. She glanced at her watch, smiled and waved as the car pulled into the driveway. “Good morning. Perfect timing.”
Shauna got out of the car smiling. “Good morning.”
“Now you see what you can do when you really put your mind to it,” Pearl said.
“I still can’t believe I made it. But we’ll need to stop and get me some tea. As a matter of fact, where are we headed?”
“No problem. We’re off to pick up a few senior citizens and take them shopping. After that, we’ll just hang out.” Pearl walked up the front steps to the porch. She locked the front door, grabbed her purse and two cups of tea. She met Shauna at the car with a grin. “You didn’t think I forgot you, did you?”
Shauna beamed, knowing better. “No, of course not.”
They got in and Pearl handed her the tea. “Thanks,” Shauna said, starting the engine. “Where to first?”
“The cemetery,” Pearl said.
“The cemetery?” Shauna questioned.
“Yes, the Pennington sisters live nearby—Mae and Wanda Pennington. They’re originally from New York. They pooled their money and moved here a few years ago. They couldn’t take the cold winters anymore. I usually pick them up on my way over to the seniors’ center. But today we’re just going to help them shop for a party they’re throwing.”
“That’s nice, two sisters throwing a party together.”
“Well, it’s a bit more than that. I should warn you, the Pennington sisters aren’t exactly your sweet old ladies who knit and bake cookies for the neighborhood kids.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll see,” Pearl said.
Moments later they were driving through the city. Although the charm of Key West was its diversity, not everyone enjoyed the good life and the million-dollar homes. Unlike Old Key West with its shops and stylish homes and New Town with its lavish tourist locations, certain sections of the Keys were less appealing. Granted, there were no “bad” neighborhoods in Key West per se—sometimes million-dollar homes were right next to trailers. They drove through Old Town, then continued to the less desirable locations to visit and live, particularly in off hours. “I forgot how bad it looks around here.”
“Well, like most major municipalities in tourist cities, there is no known poverty. In other words, the indigent had been tucked away and swept aside. Impoverished and destitute, they had nothing.”
“Yeah,” Shauna said softly, remembering that feeling well. She and her mother lived that life for a time. They were the forgotten. Pearl pointed and Shauna turned down as small one-way street and pulled up in front of a tiny house with bright red hurricane shutters. An elderly woman waved from the front porch and came right out to the car with her sister close behind.
As soon as Shauna saw them, she smiled. They were exactly as she expected. One wore a print summer dress with a delicate lace collar and the other wore a very dressy skirt and top. They had pure white hair combed in French twists, wore pearl necklaces and carried
patent-leather handbags. They smiled sweetly and their eyes sparkled as bright as their red lipstick.
As soon as they got into the car, it livened up. Pearl made introductions and immediately the sisters began their interrogation. They were a tag team of outrageousness. The Pennington sisters were more interested in asking Shauna personal questions than anything else. “But you’re young and pretty—why don’t you hav
e a man in your life?” Mae Pennington asked.
“It’s not that easy out here, ladies,” Shauna said hoping that would end their interest in her life.
“Lord, child, when I was your age I was beating them back with a stick. I had just about every man from Buffalo to New Rochelle after me,” Wanda Pennington said to a bevy of cackling laughter from Mae.
“That’s the absolute truth,” Mae insisted, still laughing.
The conversation continued and got even more outrageous as they headed east on Overseas Highway and continued driving past Stock Island. Pearl gave directions and Shauna followed.
“Well, if you don’t have a man in your life, what do you do for sex?” Wanda Pennington asked plainly, as if ordering lunch.
Shauna’s jaw dropped. She dared not look up into the rearview mirror into the backseat. Instead, she looked over at Pearl, who was giggling with her head turned facing the side window. It was obvious this was nothing new for her.
“You should never neglect your orgasms,” Mae warned.
“She’s right. All that pent-up pressure ages you,” Wanda attested. “Look at us. We’re both well over eighty years old and doing just fine. Sex is the secret. So, how much sex do you have, dear?”
Shauna’s face burned bright red. She couldn’t believe the comments and questions coming out of these ladies’ mouths. “Wanda, look, you made her blush,” Mae said. “You can’t ask questions like that. Some people are old-fashioned about sex. They don’t like to talk about it. Besides, she probably has a few vibrators, like a rabbit or bullet. Isn’t that right, Shauna?”
“Well, if she’s blushing now, what in the world is she going to do when we go shopping for the party?” Wanda asked. Pearl burst out loud with laughter.
A few minutes later, Pearl pointed for Shauna to pull into a parking space a few doors down from a health clinic. They all got out and walked toward the clinic. Shauna, walking ahead, stopped and opened the
clinic’s door. But Pearl followed the Pennington sisters, who had continued walking. “No,” Pearl said to Shauna, “not there.” She walked a few stores farther down the block and stopped, opening the door for the sisters. “Here.”
Shauna looked up at the sign. It was an adult toy store. To say she was stunned and mortified was an understatement. “Are you kidding me? What kind of party are they having?”
Pearl laughed. “Your expression is priceless.”
Shauna followed them inside. That early in the morning, they were the only customers, so they had free rein of the store’s many enticements.
Shauna never considered herself a prude, but she was amazed at all the things she’d never seen before. Of course, the Pennington sisters had, and Pearl, having shopped with them a number of times before, had, as well. They offered to purchase Shauna a few salacious items, but she nicely but very adamantly declined. They browsed and shopped for over an hour, both sisters finally purchasing a large shopping bag of items each with, of course, their seniors’ discount.
“Okay, where to now?” Shauna asked, taking the two bags from the counter.
“Shauna, would you take those to the car?” Mae said. “We’re gonna check out a few more things. We’ll be right out.”
“Sure,” Shauna said, then opened the door and headed out.
She walked back to the car chuckling to herself. What she’d assumed was going to be an ordinary day had turned out to be anything but. And the two sweet old ladies she expected to meet turned out to be two hot mammas with enough moxie to level a ten-story building. She wondered if she’d have half the pluck the Pennington sisters had at their age. She chuckled again.
“Shauna.”
Hearing her name called, she stopped. It was impossible. Still, she knew the voice. It was too deep and too damn sexy to be anyone else. She turned around and saw Dominik coming out of the health clinic. Her eyes widened. He was smiling as he approached. She was speechless, while shaking her head.
“Hey, good morning. This is a surprise. Of all the people to see, you’re the last person I expected.”
“Um, hi,” she said, still stunned to see him.
“So, what are you doing so far away from your computer? I thought you worked nonstop.” A slow, easy smile crossed his face. Watching her was definitely a pleasure.
“Believe it or not, I do take time off to relax. But I could say the same of you. I’m surprised you’re not at the hospital.”
“I actually have a day off.”
“And so you hang out here.” She looked up at the clinic.
“Yes, I volunteer here at the clinic every other weekend. It’s a free clinic for those without health care. Most of the doctors in the area pitch in when they can.”
She nodded. “That’s good. It’s needed.”
“Yes, I agree. I saw you walk by and couldn’t believe it was you.” He looked down. “And I see you’ve been shopping,” he said.
She looked down and saw that she was still holding the shopping bags with the store’s very distinct name and logo. One bag had a very recognizable item resembling a replica of a man’s penis. “I’m here with some friends,” she said, “and it’s a long story.”
“Really? I’d be interested in hearing it sometime. Perhaps we can get together this evening.”
“Um...”
“Shauna,” Pearl called out, “a little help.”
Shauna and Dominik turned to see Pearl and the Pennington sisters walking toward them with another large bag. Dominik walked over to the ladies as Shauna unlocked the doors and followed. Dominik stepped between the sisters, allowing each to take his arm for balance. “Good morning, ladies,” Dominik said.
They smiled blissfully at his chivalry. “Now, you’re what I call a real gentleman,” Wanda said.
Shauna opened the trunk and began putting the two shopping bags inside. The whole time the Pennington sisters were peppering Dominik with questions.
“A doctor,” Mae said, obviously pleased. “How wonderful.”
“Where do you work, in private practice?” Wanda asked.
“No, I’m the acting E.R. director at Key West Medical Center.”
“Nice, very nice,” they both said.
“Shauna, no wonder you didn’t want us to buy anything for you. You have the real thing right here.”
Shauna cringed and groaned, totally embarrassed. “Ladies, Dr. Coles and I aren’t together intimately.”
“Well, why not?” Wanda asked.
“Such a waste,” Mae added.
“Two single, attractive people who obviously have chemistry shouldn’t be wasting time. Get busy.”
“I totally agree,” Dominik said, looking at Shauna innocently.
She glared at him for encouraging them. She looked to Pearl for assistance, but she was too busy chuckling. “Ladies, Dr. Coles and I are professional colleagues. It would be inappropriate for us to be intimate. We have to work together.”
“So?” Wanda said.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Mae exclaimed, “if everybody felt that way, the human race would have gone extinct a few million years ago. Sex in the workplace is like gossip over coffee. Enjoy it and do it often.”
“Exactly. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sex on the job,” Wanda added. “As a matter of fact...”
Shauna grabbed Pearl’s bag, not wanting to hear any more. As she shoved it into the trunk, the top item dropped out. Dominik picked it up and read the label. It was impossible not to know what it was. Shauna looked away. “Edible panties. Interesting,” he said. “I wonder what the nutritional value is.”
“Oh, now the surprise is ruined. We got them for you, Shauna.”
Shauna looked stunned. “For me? No, no.”
“Yes, although I guess they’d be more for the good doctor here.”
“Thank you, ladies,” Dominik said as Shauna snatched the package from him. “That was very thoughtful, wasn’t it, Shauna?”
“Dr. Coles.”
Dominik turned. The n
urse from the clinic had called out to him. “Ah, ladies, I have to go back to work.” He leaned down and kissed each woman on the cheek. “It was an absolute pleasure meeting you today. And, Shauna, I guess you’re gonna have to give me a rain check on the long story. It was good seeing you.”
She nodded. “Yeah, you, too,” she said.
“Call me,” he said pointedly as he walked away backward.
“I’ll see you Monday at the hospital.”
“Or sooner,” he said just before going into the clinic.
“Bye,” Shauna said as she closed the trunk and opened the back door. The sisters got in and buckled up. Shauna glanced at the clinic’s storefront Dominik had long since gone inside. She walked around to the driver’s side as Pearl opened the front passenger door.
“He is gorgeous and it is a waste,” Pearl said smiling and got in.
“Pearl,” Shauna warned.
“Dr. Coles,” the sisters said in unison with a smile on their faces that could only be described as radiant. “What a handsome man, and a doctor, too. Impressive,” Mae added.
“Very impressive,” Wanda added.
Shauna nodded. “He’s just a colleague.”
“Still, interesting coincidence seeing him, don’t you think?”
“Too interesting if you ask me,” Shauna said. “Did you know he volunteered here on weekends?”
“Me? No, of course not,” Pearl said, then crossed her heart. “I swear I had no idea he came here to volunteer.”
“Strange,” Shauna said.
“More like serendipity,” Wanda said.
“Oh, yes, most definitely serendipity,” Mae acknowledged.
Wanda nodded. “I agree, although perhaps you won’t be needing the rest of the items we got for you after all.”
“They’ll work just as well for two,” Mae assured her.
Shauna drove back to Key West as Pearl and the sisters talked about the different things they found in the store. Shauna didn’t pay much attention. The only thing she focused on was the road and Dominik’s overly pleased expression at seeing her. She also thought about his request that she call him. No matter how tempted she was, there was no way she was going to call him. She shook her head. No, no way.
Mine at Last Page 8