Strawberry Wine

by Darly Jamison

  Ushering the couple inside the empty hospital room, a rush of pride washed over me, just as it always did when I spoke of Christopher. “He’s a doctor. He works in Internal Medicine.”

  “A doctor, just like you! That sounds lovely. I bet he’s wonderful.”

  “I’m not a doctor, I’m a physician assistant,” I gently reminded her. “And he absolutely is. He’s very dedicated to his practice.” I flipped on the overhead light and walked over to the bed, turning down the top sheet. “Time for beddy-bye,” I announced, turning toward a disgruntled Mr. Venkrackel. He threw me another dirty look but followed my instructions and slid into bed. I tucked the blankets tightly around him, just as I promised to do, and planted a kiss on top of his nearly bald head.

  “You are so good to us, Addy. Are you this sweet with all of your patients?” Mrs. Venkrackel asked, her wrinkled face a mask of love as her gaze moved from me toward her husband.

  “I treat every patient like family,” I said, thinking of my own family back in Lakeside. I couldn’t wait to get home to see them. “I never want to lose sight of why I first went into medicine. Having the opportunity to help people is such a blessing, one I’ll never take for granted.”

  “You tell that Christopher he’s a lucky young man,” Mrs. Venkrackel said before I left the room.

  “I will. And you two take care of each other. I’ll see you when I get back into town.”

  Half an hour later, I pulled my silver Volvo into a parking space at Uncorked and headed straight for the bar. If I knew my best friend—and of course I did—she would be parked right where the action was.

  “You are late, missy,” Ruby announced, as she stood up from her bar stool and swallowed me in a tight hug. Her pale blond hair was swept into a low bun and she wore a form-fitting violet dress that covered her curves in the most jaw-dropping way. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed. I observed more than one appreciative glance from the males scattered around us as she leaned into our embrace. “Thank God you’re here,” she whispered loudly as we settled into our stools. “The male population is getting pretty creative with their pickup lines these days. You wouldn’t believe the crap that just assaulted my ears. I swear to God, doesn’t anyone see the rock on my finger?” She visibly shuddered, reaching for her glass of white wine and taking a long sip. “Anyway, how are you? You look fab.”

  I set down my purse and waved to the bartender, summoning him over to take my order. “Thanks, so do you.” I smiled at the barman as he handed me a glass of Riesling. I inhaled the sweet scent as I brought the rim to my lips, swirling the crisp taste around in my mouth. “And I’m good. Sorry I’m late, you know how it is.” Ruby was well aware that my hospital rounds didn’t usually end when they were supposed to. Oftentimes I stayed late, making sure every one of my patients was well taken care, questions answered, and Plans of Care up to date. It all came with the territory, and I was nothing if not thorough. “So, you’re drinking tonight? I must admit I’m shocked.”

  Ruby threw me a disappointed smile and shrugged. “Yeah. I just started my period, so I figured why the hell not? Guess I’m not knocked-up this month—not for lack of trying,” she announced, taking a sip of what I assumed was Chardonnay. “Speaking of which. Did you know that ovaries have a life span? Yeah, my doctor dropped that little bombshell on me at my last appointment. I mean, what the hell! Right? I’m starting to think mine might have aged prematurely. Tommy and I have been trying for a baby for almost a year now. You’re in the medical field, Addy,” she said, staring at me with desperate brown eyes. “Do you think my ovaries are over the hill?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek and tried hard not to smile. I knew Ruby and her husband had been trying to get pregnant for quite a while, but these types of things had a mind of their own. You just couldn’t rush fate, but telling Ruby that was not something I intended to do. “I think your ovaries are just fine. Try not to get all worked up, okay? Stressing out about it isn’t going to do you any good.”

  But Ruby was not about to let the subject drop. “My mom said fertility patterns tend to run in families. My parents became pregnant with me on their very first try. And Nana and Grandad were the same way. What’s the matter with me, Addy? Why are my ovaries trying to ruin my life?”

  I stared at Ruby’s crestfallen face and offered a sympathetic smile. “It’ll happen, I know it will. You’ll get pregnant when you’re meant to get pregnant, and not a moment sooner. Have some faith.”

  She shook her head, her eyes scanning the crowded restaurant. “I told Tommy he should be wearing boxers. If his sperm quality has diminished because of those ridiculous tighty-whities he insists on wearing, I’m going to be so pissed off!”

  “That’s enough.” I laughed and held my hands up in surrender. “Too much information. You’re going to make my ears bleed.”

  Ruby swallowed the rest of her wine and gave me a sheepish grin. “Sorry, but you know how much this means to me. I would give anything to have a baby.”

  My heart swelled thinking of my best friend as a mother, and I covered her hand with mine. “And you will. Just give it some time. I know it will happen for you.”

  The tips of Ruby’s lips turned up slightly. “I suppose. I’m just not a patient person—you know that.”

  That was an understatement if ever I heard one.

  “Well,” I began, taking a deep breath. “You’re further ahead of the game than I am. But . . . I’m closing in on you.”

  Confusion pinched Ruby’s face as she contemplated my words. “What are you talking about, Addy?” she asked slowly, her voice deep with suspicion.

  I held up my left hand, my ring finger catching the light in the most magnificent way.

  Ruby gasped and reached out, grasping my fingers between her own to get a closer look at my engagement ring. “Addy, oh my God!” She stared at the three-carat emerald-cut that adorned my finger and let out a slow breath. “How did I not notice this? I always knew Christopher had amazing taste! This is absolutely beautiful. Come here, you!” she shrieked and threw her arms around my neck for the most bone-crunching hug I’d ever received. “I can’t believe you’re getting married! Tell me how it happened. I want details!”

  Laughing, I untangled myself from her arms. “It happened a couple of days ago, when I met him for dinner after work.”

  “A couple days ago? And you’re just now telling me?”

  “Well, I needed a moment to let it all sink in, you know?” I shrugged. “If it makes you feel any better, you’re the first person I’ve told, other than the Venkrackels, but they don’t count. Not really, anyway.”

  Ruby’s perfect eyebrows crinkled in confusion. “The Ven-what-els?”

  I waved my hand, dismissing what I’d just said. “It doesn’t matter. You’re the first person I’ve told that really matters.”

  A smile reappeared on Ruby’s face and it was wider than before. She brought a manicured hand to her chest and sucked in her breath. “Oh, Addy. I’m so happy for you. You’re going to make a stunning bride.” She lifted her hand and brought it to my hair, gently pushing a soft caramel wave away from my face. “So, how did he ask? Did you know it was coming?”

  “We looked at engagement rings last week. He didn’t have a clue what I would like, so he wanted me to give him some ideas.”

  Ruby’s smile fell. “You’re kidding. You picked out your own engagement ring? That’s not very creative.”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “You know Christopher—he’s not big on surprises. He’d rather know what to expect. Plus, he wanted to make sure I liked my ring.” I couldn’t wipe the silly grin off my face. “Which brings me to why I invited you here tonight.”

  Ruby’s eyes widened and she leaned closer toward me. Her expression was hungry, and I suspected she already knew what I was going to say next. “You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember—and really I think of you more as family. Would you please consider being my matron of honor?”

 
A loud shriek filled the small restaurant as Ruby jumped up from her seat again and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Oh my God! Yes, of course I will, Addy!” She stepped back, her hands still grasping my arms. “And I’ll help you plan everything! Don’t worry about a thing—I’ve totally got this.” Her eyes were bright with enthusiasm.

  I let out a relieved sigh. “I was hoping you would say that. You’re the master when it comes to party plans. I totally suck.” The last time I tried to organize an event, everyone left before the cake was cut. Well, that might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

  It was my grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, and I decided to have it outdoors. It wasn’t my fault a small tornado passed through town that day. It didn’t do much damage to the farm, aside from the cake table tipping over and a few small trees were cracked in half, but the party had dissipated just the same. Planning a wedding sounded terrifying and better left to a professional who knew what they were doing.

  Ruby rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far. I mean, yeah, that party was a disaster, but you can hardly be blamed for an act of Mother Nature.”

  “Still, I’d rather have your help, as long as you don’t mind.”

  “You know I don’t mind! I love weddings, they’re my specialty. Just promise me right now you’ll trust whatever I say. I already have so many ideas to share with you! How do you feel about destination weddings? Like say, Playa Mujeres? Or maybe even Europe? You know, I planned the most fantastic wedding in Anguilla a few years back. It was absolutely gorgeous! There’s just something magical about saying ‘I do’ in paradise.” She paused. “Internists make a lot of money, right?”

  I saw a dreamy haze cover her eyes and I knew I was in trouble.

  Chapter Nineteen

  When I got home later that night, I was met by a dark house. Christopher still hadn’t made it back from his rounds at the hospital, even though it was going on eleven, but I understood it came with the territory. He had a heavy patient load, and a few of those patients had been stuck in the intensive care unit for the past several weeks, clinging to life.

  I’d been working in the medical field for just over a year before I met Christopher. He was one of the youngest doctors making rounds, and without question the most attractive. And it wasn’t just me who thought so. Every time he came by, the nurses, young and old alike, seemed to come out of the woodwork like hungry ants flocking toward sugar and gather at the nurses’ station, shamelessly offering coffee and pummeling him with whatever questions that came to mind. “Dr. Bennett, would you like to order a CBC for that patient? Dr. Bennett, do you want Mr. So-and-So on a cardiac diet? Dr. Bennett, do these scrubs make my butt look fat?”

  A few of the braver ones would try to cross that professional/friendship line, sharing what they had done over the weekend and trying to learn more about his personal life. But Christopher was smart, he kept the vultures at bay—which had earned him a bit of a reputation with some of the more aggressive and husband-hungry staff members, because God forbid a man didn’t look at them twice. The nurses who shared the dream of landing a doctor didn’t appreciate the brush-off and worked tirelessly to be the one to break through his tough shell.

  However, Christopher had a strict policy of not mixing business with pleasure, especially after one of his doctor friends had hooked up with a medical surgical nurse. The affair had lasted all of five months and didn’t exactly end well.

  The couple found it next to impossible to keep their relationship professional while at work and on more than one occasion had been known to air their dirty laundry in front of their peers. After the affair fizzled, they were still forced to see each other several times a week at the hospital, and there was no escaping the gossip and accusing stares he now received from the nurses and their loyal aides.

  So when Christopher finally asked me out, I hadn’t seen it coming. He was breaking all of his rules. We had spoken briefly on a number of occasions discussing the status of this patient or that, and he’d always been very friendly. But I’d heard the whispers that took place between the nurses, dissecting the reasons why he never engaged them in conversation—he was already in a committed relationship, he was stuck-up, he was gay—and it never occurred to me that perhaps he might be interested. Then again, I’m not exactly known for grasping the obvious, even when it’s staring me in the face.

  One date led to two, led to three, and before I knew it we were house hunting—which really didn’t sit well with many of the nurses. Getting married was the next logical step in the life we were building together, and I couldn’t have been happier.

  After I entered college, I’d gotten very involved in campus life and my studies before finally deciding to major in medicine. I dated quite a bit during those years, but never really had gotten serious with anyone—not until I met Christopher—and it felt good to finally be in a loving, committed relationship.

  Everything was coming together perfectly, just the way it was supposed to. I had the perfect job, the perfect house, the perfect fiancé—even if he was a little busier than I liked him to be. But how could I not be proud of his dedication to his patients? We’d both gone into medicine for the same reason, to help those in need, and Christopher excelled at it. I looked up to him on so many different levels. He was smart and compassionate, exactly what a doctor should be. Christopher put his patients first, and I felt lucky he was mine.

  My bags were already packed for the upcoming weekend in Lakeside, and all I really wanted to do was hop in the shower and climb into bed. There was no telling what time Christopher would make it home, especially since we’d be out of town all weekend. I knew he wanted to tie up loose ends and make certain everything was taken care of at the hospital before making the two-hour trek to see my family.

  I hopped into the shower, washing away the stress of the day and contemplating the weekend ahead. Introducing Christopher to my family had me so nervous! I was certain they would all get along, but the gesture felt so . . . final. This was a huge commitment, and one I didn’t take lightly.

  Marriage is a sacred event, made in front of God and our families. It’s more than just companionship; it’s an act of total self-giving. It’s a man giving himself completely to his wife and a woman giving herself completely to her husband, in such a way that the two become one. I’d gone through Cosmo and every woman’s mag I could get my hands on, taking every test I found confirming he was the one. And nine times out of ten proved I’d found a perfect match—why that one didn’t agree was beyond me.

  The water started to turn cold by the time I stepped out. Turning off the shower, I heard familiar footfalls coming from the bedroom and I realized Christopher must have arrived. I ran a fluffy peach towel through my hair, then wrapped it around myself before opening the door of the master bath.

  “You’re home,” I said, crossing the room. “I wasn’t sure when to expect you.”

  Christopher looked up from the suitcase he was packing, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, I was hoping to get here earlier, but it wasn’t in the cards.”

  He reached toward me, pulling me close, and I stood on tiptoes to wrap my arms around his neck. Our lips met briefly before I pulled away. “How was your day?”

  “Busy. We almost lost Mrs. Davenport today. She has pneumonia now. The poor thing—she can’t catch a break. Plus, I had patients to see at two different hospitals, and I needed to stop by the office to take care of a couple things before we left town. But it’s over now,” he said with an exasperated sigh. “How was your day? Did you get everything taken care of?”

  He looked at me with those kind, brown eyes and I couldn’t help but smile. He had an irresistible boyish quality about him, with a classic, chiseled bone structure and very short brown hair that tapered down to the nape of his neck. I knew exactly why the nurses did a double take every time he walked past them. Christopher was very handsome, intelligent, and driven. He had a confident air that was impossible to miss. />
  “I had a good day, thanks. Took care of everything I needed to. Now I can go to Lakeside without a care in the world. I’m ready for a little getaway.”

  “Hmmm . . . I know, it’s been a while, huh?” he said, returning to the clothes he had stacked in neat piles on the bed. “Did you meet with Ruby? Will she be our matron of honor?”

  “Of course! How could she say no? We’ve been best friends forever. And on top of all that, she offered to help me organize! Thank God, I’m really no good when it comes to planning parties.”

  Christopher nodded but didn’t look up from his packing. “Yes, I remember your grandparents’ anniversary. Thank goodness they’re forgiving people.”

  I rolled my eyes. “My party was crashed by an unwanted guest—I didn’t send that tornado an invitation. By the way, we need to make plans to visit your parents next.” I didn’t want to get too involved in wedding plans before both of our families knew what was going on. It was then that I noticed the TV in the bedroom was on and an old black-and-white movie was playing. “What’re you watching?”

  Christopher glanced up from his clothes and gave a little huff. “Well, I’m definitely not watching it, you can change the channel if you like.”

  I studied the picture on the screen and noticed it seemed familiar, as if maybe I’d seen it before, only I couldn’t place it. “What is it?”

  “Only the worst movie ever made. Casablanca. You’ve never seen it?”

  Casablanca. I hadn’t thought of that story in a while. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Yes . . . no . . . well, sort of. Not really.”

  Christopher laughed. “Either you’ve seen it or you haven’t.”

  “Then I guess I haven’t.”

  “Well, you’re not missing much, I can tell you that. It’s the most overrated film in the history of cinema.”

  “You think so? I thought it was one of the best. Doesn’t it have some of the most memorable quotes ever written?”