Deep End

by Michelle Iannarelli

  Grady handed his sister a plate of bacon and eggs. “I promise.”

  Cassidy picked up her phone and then put it down. She stood and began to pace.

  “Here.” Sheila extended a cup of coffee to Cassidy. “Maybe this will calm you down.”

  Cassidy took the coffee and smiled at Sheila. “Thank you.”

  “Would it help to talk about it?”

  Cassidy shrugged. “Probably not.”

  “This wouldn’t have anything to do with America’s Golden Boy would it?” Sheila giggled.

  “Not anything…everything.”

  “I crossed the line between professional and personal and now I have to live with the fallout.”

  “I don’t know exactly what happened but Cassidy, it takes two to tango.”

  “It does but he was in a very fragile state, his girlfriend left him, and I was there…”

  “Did you initiate whatever it was that happened?”

  “No.”

  “And you’re to blame how?”

  “I said no, but then when he pursued it I…”

  “Let me get this straight…he not only initiated it but then pursued it, yet you think that you’re at fault?”

  “I should have left after the first time and assigned a new doctor to him.”

  “HELLO!” Dr. Keene poked his head inside Cassidy’s door.

  Sheila looked at Cassidy. “This conversation is not over.” Then she smiled and walked out.

  “Come in.”

  “I wanted to thank you for covering for me last night.”

  “No worries.”

  “Are you alright?”

  “I will be once I finish this coffee.” Cassidy smiled.

  “Speaking of coffee, I should go grab a cup before my patients start rolling in. Thank you again.”

  “Anytime.” Cassidy smiled until he was out the door and then she plopped down onto the couch. She was far from alright, if only coffee really could help.

  Grady exhaled before he opened the door. He was both excited and nervous. “Hello, I’d like to see Dr. Scott.”

  Sheila looked up and Grady was standing there with a bouquet of flowers. “She’s with a patient right now.”

  “Ok.” Grady extended the flowers to Sheila. “Would you let her know that I stopped by and give her these.”

  Sheila took the flowers. “I will as soon as she is available.”

  “I have to see Dr. Martin but then I will stop back up. Maybe she’ll be free then.”

  Sheila smiled at Grady. “I hope so.”

  Grady gave Sheila a wave and walked out.

  “Mr. O’Malley, I heard that you regained your sight. That’s great news.”

  “I have.”

  “How are you feeling aside from the obvious?”

  “Obvious?”

  “I also heard that you visited the ER last night.”

  “Oh, yeah, that. Wearing a shoe isn’t the most comfortable but it’s fine.”

  “And everything else?”

  “Good.”

  “So, then you’re just here for medical clearance?”

  Grady nodded. “I want to rejoin my team.”

  “Ok, I want to send you for an MRI before I sign off on anything.”

  “Whatever I have to do.”

  “I’ll call upstairs and let them know I’m sending you.”

  “If the MRI is clear can I compete?”

  “I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to once those stitches are removed.”

  “Thank you.”

  Cassidy walked her patient out and then turned to Sheila. “Flowers! Who is he and how come I’ve never heard you mention him?”

  Sheila picked them up and handed then the Cassidy. “That’s because they’re yours.”

  “Mine?”

  “Grady was here.”

  Cassidy looked at the flowers. “These are from Grady?”

  “Yes. He wanted to see you, but I explained that you were in with a patient.”

  “Thank God.”

  “He said he would come back…”

  “When?”

  “After his appointment with Dr. Martin.”

  “Cancel my appointments. I have to get out of here.” Cassidy ran into her office.

  “Is she still here?”

  Sheila looked up at Jess. “Did you fly here?”

  “I was literally a block away when you called.”

  “She’s in her office.”

  “I can’t believe she is freaking out so badly.”

  “You better get in there.”

  Jess knocked and then opened the door. “Hey!”

  Cassidy was sitting at her desk holding the flowers with tears rolling down her cheeks. “Grady left these for me.”

  Jess’ heart broke when she looked at her friend. “Oh, Cass, he really cares about you. Why can’t you accept that?”

  “Look at me. Once he sees me…” Cassidy broke down.

  “Oh, Sweetie.” Jess comforted her friend.

  “I need to get out of here before he comes back.” Cassidy pulled away and wiped her eyes.

  “Cass, you need to stop running from your past and confront it head on.”

  “Jess, I need a friend not a lecture.”

  “Fine. Grab your things and…”

  Cassidy’s phone buzzed. “Oh God! What if it’s him?”

  “Don’t answer it. I will go out there.”

  Grady stood there waiting and hoping that Cassidy would be willing to see him.

  “She’s not picking up. I’m sorry.”

  Grady’s stomach knotted. It was over. Maybe she never really did care about him. “Ok. Thank you for trying.”

  “Grady!” Jess came walking toward him.

  “Doc?” Grady gave Jess a confused look. She didn’t look anything like what he imagined Cassidy would look like.

  “No, it’s me, Jess.”

  “Oh, hi!”

  “Can we talk for a minute?”

  “No need, tell Doc that I won’t bother her again.” Grady exited the office.

  Jess took off after him. “Grady, wait.”

  Grady turned around. “Why? Is she going to talk to me?”

  “Probably not.”

  “Well at least you’re honest.” Grady attempted to turn around, but Jess grabbed his arm.

  “She cares about you, Grady.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “She does but Cass has had a rough life and…”

  “Don’t you think I know that. Just because I was blind doesn’t mean that I’m stupid.”

  “I’m sorry, Grady.”

  “So am I.”

  Jess stood there watching as Grady walked down the hall and entered the elevator.

  Sheila came walking out of Cassidy’s office as Jess walked back in. “Good luck. I’m going to cancel her appointments for the rest of the day.”

  Cassidy turned to Jess. “Is he ok?”

  “NO! He is not ok.”

  “Once he gets back to his team, he will forget all about me and he’ll be fine.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  Jess grabbed Cassidy’s hand. “Hey, it does matter…you matter.”

  “I know that you’re trying to help me but, Jess, I need you to be my friend right now and not my therapist or mother.”

  Jess grabbed Cassidy and hugged her. “You go home. I’ll pick up the wine and ice cream.”

  “Thank you.” Cassidy picked up her purse, grabbed her briefcase and followed Jess out the door.

  Three weeks later…

  “Nervous?” Weston punched Grady in the arm.

  “Honestly, yes, a little.”

  “You’ll do fine. Just follow me.” Weston let out a laugh.

  “You wish.”

  “I’m not going to show you any mercy.”

  “You won’t have to.” Grady grabbed his cap and goggles. “Ready?”

  “Loser buys first round.”r />
  “O’Malley, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure, Coach.”

  Weston tapped Grady on his shoulder. “I’ll see you on deck.”

  “What’s up, Coach?”

  “I want to make certain that you’re feeling good about this?”

  “I’m a bit nervous but once I hit the water, I’ll be ok.”

  “Glad to hear. I know that you weren’t expecting to compete today. We’re lucky we had you here as an alternate since Gabriel broke his toe.”

  “Sucks for him but it’s what I need right now in my life.”

  “You know, Kid, I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Ok, you better get out there.”

  Cassidy sat on the couch holding the remote. She had clicked on and off the sports channel for the last half hour. As much as she wanted to watch in hopes of seeing Grady in the background somewhere, she was also torn about seeing him at all.

  “Cass, you home?”

  “In the living room.”

  Jess came in carrying a bottle of wine, a pizza, and a bag of cookies. “I figured we’d need these.”

  “What’s up?”

  Jess looked at the TV and then back at Cassidy. “That’s a cooking show.”

  “Yeah, why did you assume I’d be watching sports?”

  “Since your Golden Boy is competing I…”

  “Competing?” Cassidy grabbed the remote and changed the channel.

  “His teammate broke his toe and Grady was the alternate.”

  “I guess I may need that wine after all.”

  “I’ll go get us some glasses and a corkscrew.”

  Grady knelt beside the pool and splashed himself with water.

  “Good luck, Buddy!” Weston pulled on his swim cap.

  Grady adjusted his goggles before pulling on his swim cap. “You too.”

  Weston took his place to left of Grady.

  Grady stepped behind the block and did what his dad always referred to as his smackdown. He smacked himself up and down his chest and legs. The whistle sounded and the swimmers climbed up onto their blocks.

  Cassidy sipped her third glass of wine while she anxiously waited for Grady to race.

  “Cass, you may want to slow down on the wine, or you’re going to pass out before his race.” Jess laughed.

  “The Freestyle is up next.”

  “And there he is.”

  “He looks good.”

  Jess wanted to grab Cassidy and shake some sense into her. “Cass…”

  “Shhh!” Cassidy knew what Jess was going to say but she didn’t want to hear it.

  “Fine.” Jess picked up her wine, sat back and sipped it.

  The buzzer rang and the swimmers dove into the water. Grady started out slower than usual but once he focused, he managed to not only catch up but to take the lead. Competing felt different now. As much as Grady wanted to win, he knew that there was more to life than swimming.

  Grady could hear the stadium erupt with screams, whistles and cheers as his hand touched the wall. He pulled off his goggles and looked around at all the people who were celebrating his win but the one he wanted most to share it with wasn’t there.

  “GREEDY GRADY IS BACK!” Weston yelled as he held his hand up for Grady to high five him.

  Grady turned toward Weston and smacked his hand. “Let’s hope it wasn’t beginner’s luck.” Grady winked.

  Cassidy couldn’t sit any longer she put down her glass and stood in front of the screen with her fists balled up cheering Grady on. When he emerged as the winner she turned, grabbed Jess, and hugged her. “He did it! He won!” Then she burst into tears.

  Jess lifted her hand up and pushed Cassidy’s hair away from her face. “Oh, Honey, you need to let go of the past and stop punishing yourself.” Jess grabbed Cassidy’s arms. “Look at me! You did nothing wrong. Go after Grady and find your happy ending.”

  “I’m so afraid that he…”

  “Don’t say it. Cass, you’re a beautiful person inside and that’s what counts.”

  “But he deserves…”

  “What he deserves is someone who loves him.” Jess grabbed Cassidy’s phone and handed it to her. “Call him.”

  Cassidy looked down at the phone and then back at Jess. “I don’t think I can.”

  “You can.”

  “And what would I say?”

  “Tell him that you called to congratulate him on his win and see where the conversation goes.”

  “He’s at the pool now. I’ll call him later.”

  “Call now and leave a message.”

  Cassidy took in a deep breath and dialed the phone. “I hope I don’t regret this.”

  “You won’t.”

  “Uh, Hi, Grady, it’s me, Dr. Scott…Doc. I called to congratulate you on your win. I’m very happy for you. Ok, well…”

  Jess elbowed Cassidy.

  “You can call me back if you want to, but you don’t have to. Bye!” Cassidy put the phone down, filled her glass and took a large gulp of wine.

  “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thanks, but what am I going to do if he calls back?”

  “Answer it and go from there.”

  Grady stepped up onto platform to receive his medals. He’d done it several times before but today felt like the first time allover again. He was so blessed to have been given a second chance.

  Weston looked over at Grady and could see the tears welling up in his eyes. “You ok, Buddy?”

  “Yeah, I just can’t believe I made it back.”

  “I’m happy you did even if it means the silver for me.”

  “Thanks, West.”

  The flags were raised, medals were awarded, and it was time to celebrate. Grady and Weston were headed to the locker room when they were stopped by the press.

  “Grady, how are you feeling?”

  Grady looked over at the reporters. “I’m feeling good, thank you.”

  “Congratulations on the wins, O’Malley.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Mills, how does it feel to be back in O’Malley’s shadow?”

  Weston smiled. “I don’t mind being a shadow as long as it means that my buddy is back.”

  Grady put his arm around Weston and then messed his hair. “You see this guy right here he’s going to be a better version of me one day. Mark my words.”

  “Duly noted.”

  “Well, if that’s all, we need to get going.” Weston and Grady attempted to walk away.

  “One more question, Grady.”

  Grady looked over at the reporter. “Sure.”

  “It was rumored that your longtime girlfriend left you after your accident. Is that true?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, does that mean Grady O’Malley is back on the market?” The reporter winked at Grady.

  Grady shrugged his shoulders. “I guess you could say that.”

  “That doesn’t sound convincing. Is there someone new in your life?”

  “No comment.” Grady moved around the reporter and continued to the locker room.

  Cassidy sat in bed staring down at her phone. As much as she wanted Grady to call her, she almost wished that he wouldn’t. Her phone rang and she almost threw it across the room. She grabbed it, looked down and saw Jess’ picture.

  “Hello!”

  “Did he call?”

  “I don’t think he will.”

  “He will.”

  “What if he doesn’t?”

  “Then you call him again.”

  “Why? I don’t know why I even called him in the first place.”

  “Because you have feelings for him and Cass, I know he has feelings for you.”

  “But…”

  “No buts. You need to eliminate all negative thoughts. When he calls…and yes I said when…you need to answer the phone and tell him how you feel.”

  “You said I could see where the conversation goes. You never mentioned telli
ng him how I feel.”

  “Ugh! Do I need to come back and sit with you while you’re on the phone?”

  “No. I have to pee. I will call you if he calls me.”

  “That would be when and I will be waiting.”

  “Goodbye, Jess.”

  Cassidy lied she didn’t have to pee she just didn’t want to hear Jess’ speech on how she needed to be happy. She laid back on the bed, closed her eyes and allowed the memories she had of Grady to flash through her mind.

  Grady rolled over, stretched, and reached for his phone to check the time. It was then that he realized he had two missed calls and a bunch of text messages. He hit the voicemail button and the first message was from his parents who congratulated him on his win. When the next message played his eyes opened wide and he sat up in bed and began mumbling aloud. “Oh God. She’s going to think that I don’t care. I need to call her.”

  Cassidy cried herself to sleep while holding her phone. When it rang, she shot up like a bolt of lightning, grabbed the phone and answered it without even thinking that it could be Grady.

  “Hello!”

  “I just found your message, or I would have called you sooner.”

  Cassidy looked down at the phone, her hands were shaking, and she felt flushed.

  “Are you still there?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry the phone startled me and…”

  “I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s ok.”

  “To be honest I wasn’t expecting to hear from you.”

  Cassidy’s eyes filled with tears. He’d already settled back into his old life and wrote her off. “I’m sorry I bothered…”

  “Bothered! No, I’m happy that you called me.”

  “You are?” Cassidy smiled.

  “I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but I miss you, Doc.”

  “I miss you too, Grady.”

  “Then why did you push me away?”

  “Because…I’m scared.”

  “Of me?”

  “A little.”

  Grady felt hurt that Cassidy was afraid of him. “But I’d never hurt you.”