by L. P. Dover
I chuckled lightly. “Yeah, I know. I’ve worked nonstop the past couple of nights.”
Richard shook his head. “I don’t see how you do it.”
Shrugging, I asked, “What can I do for you?”
Richard handed me a thick envelope and I looked at him questioningly. “I wanted to give it to you personally. Next Thursday there’s going to be a special reception at the City Club in honor of our doctors. Dr. Carson Anders will be mentioned along with a new plan the board of trustees have come up with.” At my questioning look he continued, “You see, the money you donated is going to help us hire more doctors and nurses. The tragedy with Dr. Anders should’ve been prevented. There was no reason for him to have worked so many hours the night he was killed. We wanted to help prevent this sort of thing, and you’re generous donation is going to help us with that.”
I was speechless. I wondered if Korinne knew about this, because if she did it would explain why she felt the need to take a step back. Curious, I asked, “Have you contacted Dr. Anders’ wife and informed her about this?”
Richard nodded. “I left her a message a few days ago. She hasn’t responded yet.”
Having no doubt, I knew that this reception was what saddened her. “Did you happen to mention in the message about this new plan?” I asked curiously.
“No, she doesn’t know,” he replied. “I didn’t say anything about it in the message nor did I mention anything about the money you donated in his honor.”
“Good, let’s keep it that way for now, please,” I requested.
“Certainly, Galen. So I’ll see you at the reception? Sarah will be awfully happy to see you again.”
“Yes, I’ll be there. Tell Sarah I’ll be happy to see her, too.” I extended my hand to him and he shook it before saying good-bye and walking out the door. I knew Korinne would be at the reception, and I wondered what she’d do when she saw me there. Would she be distant or would she come back to me? I could only hope it would be the latter.
The reception was tonight and I still hadn’t heard a word from Korinne. It had been two weeks since I’d talked to her. Two long, agonizing weeks that I hadn’t been able to hear her voice or see her angelic smile. Hopefully I’d get the chance tonight. When I pulled into the City Club parking lot, I searched for Korinne’s car. I didn’t see her yet, but I knew she wouldn’t miss that event. Opening the door, the valet gave me a ticket before taking my car away. The City Club was a nice establishment where the upper crust would hold their dinner parties and such. They had a ballroom that held at least seven hundred people and then some. I would say it had reached its limit with the amount of people in there.
The people stared at me as I made my way through the crowd. It was no secret who I was, and what I did. My father was widely known in this community and well-respected. “Mr. Matthews!” a woman called out. I turned to see who had said my name, and a beautiful lady—probably in her late thirties—was headed my way. She offered me her hand. “Mr. Matthews, I’m Catherine, it’s so nice to meet you.”
I took her hand and shook it in greeting. “Hello Catherine, it’s nice to meet you, too.”
She smiled and stood a little straighter, making her oversized breasts perk out of her dress, and she started to move closer to me, maybe just a little too close. “I’m on the board of trustees and I wanted to personally thank you for everything that you’ve done. It’s going to bring about a new change to the hospital.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” I said. She smiled flirtatiously at me, and when I didn’t reciprocate she pouted a little and decided to try harder.
“I would love to hear more about you, and of course I could tell you about everything we plan on doing to the hospital because of you. If you didn’t bring a date would you mind if I sat with you to discuss it all?” I didn’t want to be mean and thankfully I was saved when the voice I’d been dying to hear spoke out behind me.
“As a matter of fact, I mind,” Korinne announced. “I happen to be his date for the evening.” I turned around to see her eyes burning with jealousy, and she was staring straight at Catherine. This was a side to her I hadn’t seen before.
Catherine’s mouth flew open, and then she narrowed her eyes at Korinne in a silent battle. She turned to me and smiled. “Maybe some other time then Mr. Matthews.” She winked and sashayed her way to the other side of the room.
“What did she want to talk to you about?” Korinne asked curiously, with a jealous tone imminent in her voice. “I was beginning to think blondie there was going to get down on her knees and worship you … among other things.” She mumbled the last part, but I heard her clear as day. Korinne was elegantly dressed in a form-fitting, black sequined evening gown with her arms crossed at the chest. She looked amazing and pissed. I began to feel somewhat hopeful, since she had gotten jealous over another woman. “What are you doing here by the way?” she questioned.
Before I could open my mouth to speak, Richard’s voice came out over the crowd. I guess she would find out why I was here in just a moment. “Ladies and gentlemen, will you please take your seats.”
“Shall we?” I said, motioning to the chairs behind us.
She gave a small smile. “Sure.”
We took our seats side by side, and thankfully she didn’t move away from me when I sidled closer to her. Even if it was just a simple touch, it made me happy to be next to her. Richard’s voice boomed across the crowd. “We’re here tonight in appreciation of our wonderful doctors and staff. They’re love and dedication to their patients has made our hospital one of the best in the United States.” Murmurs of agreement floated through the crowd. Peeking over at Korinne, I noticed her shoulders were stiff as boards and her face was void of any emotion. I could tell she was trying to be strong by acting distant. Reaching over, I gave her hand a brief squeeze so she would know I was there to support her.
“Another reason we’re here is to celebrate a new plan that is effective immediately. Starting tomorrow we have several new doctors and nurses that will be circulating through our hospital halls. We were given an extremely generous donation from an amazing gentleman who wanted it to be placed in one of our former doctor’s memory.” Korinne gasped lightly beside me, and it was her this time that grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly. “This lovely donation is the reason we could fund this new plan in Dr. Carson Anders’ memory. His passing was a tragedy, and we’re doing this to help prevent things like this from happening again.”
A tear escaped from the corner of Korinne’s eye, but she was still holding herself up strong. I knew it had to be hard for her not to break down, but she still listened intently to Richard’s speech. “The board would like to thank this generous donator with an award of appreciation.” Richard looked out at the crowd, and when his gaze landed on mine he smiled. “Everyone, I’d like you to show thanks to Mr. Galen Matthews.” Korinne sucked in a sharp breath and stared at me with wide eyes.
“Oh my God,” she murmured.
“I’ll be back,” I said. As I stood up the room erupted with the booming sound of everyone’s hands clapping. Richard handed me a plaque as soon as I walked up to the front. “Thank you,” I said to him, and to everyone out in the crowd. When my eyes veered to Korinne, I noticed her swiftly making her way out of the ballroom. Nodding to everyone, I left the stage to chase after her. Please let me make it to her in time, I said to myself. Dashing through the front doors, I was surprised to see Korinne standing there, motionless. Her back was to me but her gaze was locked on the city lights of downtown.
“Korinne,” I said softly. She didn’t speak, so I slowly moved closer and closer until I finally wrapped my arms around her. Twisting in my arms, she put hers around my waist, laying her head on my chest. It felt so good to have her there again.
“Thank you,” she whispered delicately. I ran my hands soothingly up and down her back, savoring in the time I had with her. There was no telling if she would be running away from me again.
“You
’re welcome.”
She pulled back to look at me, and her stormy gray eyes were swirling with a thousand emotions. Tears glistened on her cheeks, so I wiped them away with my fingers. She turned her face from me and dabbed the rest away with a tissue. Korinne never did like crying in front of anyone because she always said it would make her look weak if she did. I never understood that because I thought she was far from weak. “I don’t know what to say,” she choked out. “Other than thank you, and what inspired you to do it?”
How could she ask that? Did she not know that I’d do anything for her? “You inspired me, Korinne. I know you love Carson and always will. I have no desire to take his place or to try and make you forget about him. This was something I wanted to do for you; to show you that I’m here for you and I’ll do anything to support you.” I took her face lovingly in my hands. “I know you love me; I have no doubt about it.”
She nodded. “I do, with all my heart, but—” I cut her off so that I could finish what I wanted to say. I had to get it out, because if this was the only chance I had I was going to take it.
“I understand you want to get through this on your own, but I want you to need me, the same way I need you. I’ve missed you so much the past couple of weeks. Please tell me you’re coming back to me now.”
She stepped up on her tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. When she pulled back she hesitated, making my heart drop. “Not yet, there’s one more thing I need to do first,” she murmured softly.
Sighing, I dropped my head, but she took my face in her hands and drew me back up to meet her gaze. “Once I finish what I need to do I’ll come right back to you. Trust me, I’m almost there.”
“How long, Korinne?”
She kissed me one more time and I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her feverishly. If she wasn’t coming back to me yet I sure as hell was going to make her remember me. I claimed her with my lips and she reciprocated in kind. I needed her, and I knew she needed me. I could feel her desire to come back to me. “Soon,” she whispered across my lips before turning around and walking away.
Chapter Thirteen
Saying goodbye to Galen for those few weeks was torture. I wanted to call him so badly, but I knew that I needed to finish everything on my own. During those weeks, I drove by the home I’d shared with Carson probably ten times, hoping I would get the courage to go inside. Two days before the reception I finally took the leap and opened the front door. I bet I stood there for an hour before I had the courage to move. Everything was still in place, just the way I left it all those months ago.
I was there now and only one more room needed to be conquered before that part of my life was nothing except a memory. That final room happened to be our bedroom. I’d been putting it off, but I knew I was ready now. Movers were hired, and they came to take the furniture away. Some of it went to storage, but the rest I sold or gave away. If I had the space in my small condo I would have kept it all, but I didn’t. The time had come for me to say good-bye to this house. Carson and I had some great memories here, but those memories would always stay with me no matter where I was. Going down the hallway, the door to our room was closed, making my heart thump wildly in my chest as I got closer. When I was about to turn the knob the doorbell rang.
“You have got to be kidding me!” I screamed out. Stomping all the way to the front door, I opened it to find a smiling Jenna pacing in the doorway. My anger flew out the window at the sight of my lovely friend, smiling radiantly at me.
“Ducky!” she squealed and threw her arms around me.
“What are you doing here?” I shrieked excitedly.
She walked past me and into the house. “You may not need Galen’s help, but I know for a fact you won’t turn down your best friends.” She raised her eyebrows, daring me to contradict her.
I laughed. “Fine, but don’t tell Galen.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” she promised. “So, what’s on the agenda today?”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “The last and final room,” I admitted softly.
Her smile faded and her eyes shone with understanding. “Well then I made it here just in time.” I could feel my eyes begin to burn, but I held back the tears that were forming. Taking me by the arm, Jenna led me down the hallway to the closed door beyond. “Come on, Ducky, you can do this.”
“I know,” I whispered. We got to the door and I stood there for a few seconds to build the courage again. Taking a few deep breaths, I finally grabbed the handle and turned. My eyes closed instantly as I pushed the door open.
Jenna placed her hands on my shoulders. “Open your eyes, Korinne.” Doing as she said I opened my eyes. The tears that began to sting before had now fallen in rivers down my cheeks. Jenna walked in before me and took a look around while I stood there motionless taking in the sights before me. The four-poster bed Carson and I slept in sat lonely in the middle of the room, perfectly made without a crease in the covers. The sweatshirt he last wore was draped haplessly over the loveseat in the corner; the same loveseat where Carson would read and go over patient files.
Jenna drew me out of my trance when she spoke. “Where should we start?”
I stuttered, “Hmm … let me think, maybe the closet? It’s going to be the hardest part, so why don’t we start there?”
“Sounds good to me, but where are all the boxes?”
I pointed towards the door. “They’re in the kitchen,” I said. She squeezed my shoulder before leaving me alone in the room. I had a feeling she did it on purpose, to give me time for my closure. I walked over to the loveseat where Carson’s favorite sweatshirt lay, and I ran my hands delicately over the soft fabric, like it was the most valuable thing in the world. Right then it was. As soon as I picked it up, Carson’s scent overtook my senses and the tears began to fall harder.
“Oh my God,” I said, breathing in deeply. I couldn’t believe it would still smell like him after all this time. Burying my face in his scent, I collapsed onto the loveseat while the memories began to flood my mind, memories of a time where Carson was my world and I was his; memories that would stay with me for all time. As I sat there thinking about all of those memories, I never once thought about how I would’ve wanted Carson to live his life if the situation was turned. I wouldn’t want him sad and distraught, I would want him to be happy and move on. I can do this, I said to myself. It was going to be tough, but I’d made it that far in just a couple of weeks. I would always be sad over Carson’s death, but the good memories we shared would surpass the grief and heartache.
I closed my eyes, soaking in the new found strength that had taken hold in my heart. I didn’t realize Jenna had come back until I heard her voice. “Ducky, you’re scaring me. I expected to come in here to see you broken down on the floor, not smiling.”
I chuckled lightly. “I was just thinking of all the good memories Carson and I had. You know, I can’t think of a single argument we ever went through.”
“I know,” Jenna murmured. “He always gave you everything you wanted and would’ve given you the moon if you asked him.”
I agreed whole-heartedly, “Yes, I know.”
Jenna knelt in front of me, taking my hands in hers. “He wanted you to be happy, and with that being said I know he’d want you to be happy even if that meant finding love with another man.”
I nodded. “I know. I just hate it took me this long to figure that out. That morning in the hospital, when Carson died, he said something to me. He never finished his sentence, but he wanted me to promise him something.”
“What do you think it was?” she asked softly.
“I didn’t know then, but I think I know now. I think he wanted me to promise him that I’d move on and find peace. As silly as that sounds, I feel in my heart that this is what he would’ve wanted. He always thought of others before himself.”
“That sounds like Carson,” Jenna said, smiling. “There’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing. Galen loves you, a
nd Carson would want you happy and in love with someone that will treat you just as good as he did, if not better.”
“I know.”
“Okay, so enough moping. Let’s get this done.” She took a couple of boxes and made her way to the closet. “Have you decided what you want to do with his things? You could always keep them or give them to Goodwill.”
“I think I’m going to keep most of it,” I answered. “I want to keep the things that meant most to him, like this sweatshirt,” I said, looking down at the bundle in my arms. “I don’t think I can part with it.”
“I understand,” Jenna said. “I don’t think I could get rid of Brady’s personal things either.”
While Jenna worked on the closet I worked on the dressers, clearing off the valuable trinkets and pictures. When I saw the picture of Carson and me on our honeymoon, I busted out laughing as a memory came flooding back. The picture looked perfect, with Carson and me smiling while the sun set behind us. We went to Cozumel and it was one of the best times in my life, but what was funny was that right after the picture was taken the dress I was wearing flew above my waist as the wind caught it. I was mortified. It was embarrassing because not only did people see that happen, but I was also wearing a pair of thongs. Needless to say, the people around us got a full view.
“What’s so funny?” Jenna asked, snickering at me. I showed her the picture and she burst out laughing. I knew she remembered that day, because I called her right after it happened. I think she laughed for ten minutes straight while I died of embarrassment. At the time it wasn’t funny, but now it was quite hilarious. “I wish I could have been there to see it,” she giggled.
“Yeah, and knowing you, you would’ve captured the moment in a painting and put it in one of your galleries,” I said, laughing.
Jenna feigned innocence by looking shocked. “Do you honestly think I would do that?” she asked with a mischievous smirk on her face.
“I don’t think … I know,” I informed her, stating the facts. We both laughed and it lightened my heart to be able to find the joy in the past.