Brett Barney - Remember Me.txt

by Remember Me

  “Sure dear,” Ray returned, "but could you give me a few minutes to make a phone call?”

  “Sure, sweetheart. Who are you calling at this hour?”

  “Just an old classmate from college. I might be a while, so why don’t you wait until I’m

  finished.”

  “Is this the same man who came to visit you a few weeks ago?” questioned Alice.

  “Yes,” answered Ray. “Edward Penn. I’ll make the call from the study. I don’t know how

  long I’ll be on the phone with him.”

  “All right dear. I’ll be in the family room. Just come and get me when you’re ready to eat

  and I’ll come out and keep you company.”

  “Thanks dear.”

  A Novel by Brett Barney Remember Me?

  © 1995 Brett Barney Literary Page 85

  Ray hung up his coat and walked down the hallway to his study. He turned on the light

  switch and walked over to his address book where he thumbed through the alphabetical listings.

  He sat back in the reclining chair behind his desk and dialed the number. He threw his feet up on

  the desk and began to unwind as the call went through.

  The cold surface of the oak desktop numbed his legs. No matter how warm the house got,

  the desk always felt cool. He could still smell the furniture polish that Alice had used when

  cleaning his office earlier this day. The office was his lair of solitude in his home. He escaped

  here often to catch up with his thoughts. The dark decor of the room had a soothing effect on

  him.

  “Hello,” answered the voice on the end of the line.

  “Hello, is Dr. Penn at home please.”

  “This is Edward Penn,” returned the voice.

  “Edward, this is Ray. I’m calling about the proposal you gave me. I think I may have

  found a subject for you.”

  “That’s great, Ray. I hoped you might come through on this one. Can you give me any

  information on the subject?”

  “What do you need to know?” asked Ray.

  “Anything of physical importance. The age of the fetus is my main concern. Information

  about the mother could be of some importance also. I need to start planning.”

  “The mother believes she got pregnant about ten weeks ago. If anything, the fetus is

  younger than that. The mother is eighteen years old, and this will be her third abortion. I

  performed the first two and the babies were in fine health for the stage of development both

  times. I don’t think there will be any problems this time either.”

  “When does she want the procedure performed, Ray?”

  “Well, I threw her a slight curve today,” answered Raymond. “I usually perform the

  procedure on the spot, but I told her I’m backed up until next week. I realize you’ll need some

  time to set everything up and we need to plan how we’ll do everything. I don’t want anyone in

  my office to know what’s going on.”

  “I understand, Ray. How about if I come up there tomorrow and take a look at things. My

  device is rather small. I can fit it inside my van. If there’s a back door to the clinic, I can get

  everything inside in less than three trips.”

  “I don’t think there will be any problems. I scheduled the procedure during the other two

  doctors’ lunch break. The nurse would generally accompany me, but I can tell her that you’re in

  training and will be assisting me on the day we perform the procedure. I’ll need to see some of

  your work and know just what you will be doing to my patient. Her health is still my greatest

  concern.”

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  © 1995 Brett Barney Literary Page 86

  “I realize that, Ray,” Edward assured him. “I figure if we can put her out with some

  sedatives, then she won’t realize what we’re doing. The sedatives will also make the removal of

  the fetus a little bit less stressful on the child. Then your patient will have absolutely no

  recollection of the what occurred.”

  “Why don’t you get your papers together so you can brief me on the procedure tomorrow

  when I show you around. When should I expect you to arrive, Edward?”

  “I’ll be there by ten. Do you want me to come straight to the clinic?”

  “Yes. I’ll schedule my appointments around our meeting to give us at least an hour to talk

  at my office.”

  “Sounds good, Ray. I’ll see you then.”

  Laura walked into the dimly lit gymnasium. The sound of soft music filled the room with

  its relaxing harmony. She had painstakingly prepared for tonight, taking her time with her makeup

  and wearing one of her favorite dresses. The soft, red colored dress fit her snugly, accenting

  her thin, but shapely, figure. For the first time in several weeks, Laura felt happy.

  Tonight she planned to inform Todd of the news. After much time, she had finally built

  up enough confidence to tell him about her condition. She knew that this would involve many

  new changes in her life and that some of her plans would get put off for a while, but she felt

  confident with the decision she had made.

  Laura walked through the dense crowd of people looking for a glimpse of Todd. The

  strong odor of a collage of fragrances gave the room a unique atmosphere. She made her way to

  the punch bowl and proceeded to fill herself a drink. The fruit punch refreshed her dry mouth and

  helped cool her off in the hot gymnasium. She turned around from the table to face the dance

  floor.

  The song was now coming to a close as Laura searched across the floor for Todd. Many

  couples occupied the dance floor, taking advantage of the slow song to get closer to one another.

  Laura’s heart sank to a new low when she witnessed the sight before her.

  Todd stood in the center of the floor with his arms wrapped tightly around Heather. The

  couple didn’t even notice when the song came to an end. Todd’s lips pressed hard against

  Heather’s and neither had their eyes open. Laura had not prepared for such a scene before her.

  Heather also wore red to the dance. Her dress looked much brighter under the lights, and

  it covered much less of her body. Heather proudly displayed her long legs, covered with white

  nylons. The dress came down almost to mid thigh, leaving little to the imagination. Todd’s hands

  moved up and down her sides, caressing her.

  As the couple released one another from their tight grasp, Heather locked eyes with Laura

  from the distance. A smile came across Heather’s face as she turned and excused herself from

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  © 1995 Brett Barney Literary Page 87

  Todd for a moment to speak with her good friend. Heather raced across the floor to where Laura

  stood, staring back at Todd from the distance.

  As she came closer, Laura noticed the front of the dress, cut low and hanging loosely.

  The outfit made a definite impression, and Heather had the body to fill it. It was one of Heather’s

  “fishing dresses,” as she called them. She used them when she wanted to lure a certain guy in.

  “Hi Laura, great news,” yelled Heather as she gave Laura a big hug.

  “Don’t tell me, you and Todd are back together,” Laura spoke. From the noise in the

  gym, Laura almost had to yell to speak to her friend who only stood inches away.

  “How could you tell?” teased Heather sarcastically.

  “I thought you said everything was over between you,” questioned Lau
ra in a harsh

  voice, still staring directly at Todd. Heather looked over to where Todd stood with a look of guilt

  across his face.

  “Don’t hold it against him for the way he treated me,” defended Heather. “He was angry,

  and I was angry. I called him earlier this evening and we worked things out. I didn’t realize how

  much I loved him until I almost lost him. I’ve learned my lesson though, I’ll never let him go

  again. Please don’t be upset with him. He’s truly sorry for how he treated me too. He said he was

  just as lost without me. He wants us back together.”

  Laura still stared directly at Todd. Her face had taken on a deep redness of anger. Todd

  turned and looked away, while she wondered to herself what she had seen in him. Heather

  realized that something bothered Laura.

  “What if I told you he had cheated on you while you were split up?” asked Laura, still

  with her eyes glued to Todd.

  “I already know about it,” responded Heather. Laura looked back at Heather with a

  frantic expression on her face. “He told me that he had gotten upset the night of homecoming

  game and gone off with some girl, but it’s all right. He told me she meant nothing to him.”

  “Did he tell you who she was?” Laura asked in a shocked voice.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Heather answered. “It’s just a name, nothing that I need to hear. I can

  forgive him for what he did. I did the same thing he did. I think we both just needed that one last

  time of sexual freedom from one another.

  "We’ve already talked it over and we know we want to spend the rest of our lives

  together. Now we just need to put the past behind us. Please, Laura, be happy for us. Don’t be

  upset with Todd for what he did. Someday, when you have a relationship with a guy, you’ll

  understand what we’re going through.”

  Laura looked back at her friend, the anger still covered her face. A couple of guys

  approached the two girls and asked them if they would like to dance. Laura didn’t even look over

  at them.

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  © 1995 Brett Barney Literary Page 88

  “No,” spoke Laura firmly as she grabbed her friend by the arm and drug her over to a

  corner for a little more privacy.

  “How do you ever expect to get a date if you’re so rude to a guy when he asks you to

  dance?” scolded Heather.

  “The last thing on my mind right now is worrying about getting a date with some loser.”

  “Just what is your problem, Laura? You’ve been acting strange for the past few weeks

  now.”

  “What are you going to do about the baby you’re carrying?” asked Laura, ignoring the

  question.

  “Don’t worry about me,” pleaded Heather, feeling as if she understood the root of

  Laura’s emotions. “In a few days, that won’t be a worry of mine anymore.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m having an abortion,” stated Heather. “What do you think I’m talking about. I can’t

  have this baby. What do you think Todd would do if he found out I was carrying number 87’s

  child. I know a doctor from some small town who will take care of everything.”

  “You’re going to have an abortion?” Laura asked, obviously astonished by the new

  information.

  “Sure I’m having an abortion. It’s not like this is the first time I’ve ever had one. It’s

  bound to happen if you never use any birth control.”

  “I thought you said you would take care of this baby?”

  “I am taking care of it,” Heather defended. “What did you think I meant, that I would

  raise it?”

  “I can’t believe what you’re saying,” uttered Laura in disgust. “How can you live with

  yourself.” Laura stood for several moments looking her best friend up and down. “I really

  thought I knew you, Heather. Good-bye.”

  Laura turned and walked away from the friend she had known since a little girl. Tears

  filled her eyes as she made her way to the exit. She ran out the door to the school parking lot in

  the direction of her car. It felt good to get out of the gymnasium and into the fresh air.

  She ran into Todd before she could reach her vehicle. He had stepped outside to escape

  the situation, but his guilt got the best of him and he approached her before she could leave. He

  knew he had to finish things.

  Todd stood between her and her car door. The tie he wore had flown over his shoulder as

  he ran, and he looked flustered. She could see dark patches where sweat collected on his white

  shirt. He had a hand held out to her, trying to get her to talk to him.

  “I’m really sorry about this, Laura,” Todd began. “I didn’t know how deeply I felt for

  Heather. Please forgive me, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

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  © 1995 Brett Barney Literary Page 89

  “Hurt me?” responded Laura, almost yelling back at him. “You used me. I meant nothing

  to you. I thought you were different, Todd.”

  “You know it wasn’t like that, Laura. It was special for me, but I can’t leave Heather

  right now, she needs me.”

  “You’re a real creep, Todd. I can’t believe I allowed myself to see anything in a loser like

  you. You took advantage of me while you were in a slump. Now you’re the school hero and

  you’ve gotten your girl back. I guess I’m not good enough for you when you’re back on top of

  everything.”

  “Don’t end it like this, Laura. What we had was special.”

  “What we had was nothing. You’re not half the man it would take to satisfy my desires. I

  guess I should feel like I lost here, but I don’t. You’re the one who lost this time, Todd. It’s

  better this way, I could never have been satisfied, stuck with you. I look for intelligence in the

  guys I date. I hope you spend the rest of your life with her, because she’s just what you deserve.”

  Laura pushed him away and climbed into her car, starting the engine. As she drove out of

  the parking lot, she saw Todd through the rearview mirror. He watched her disappear and stood

  there for a moment before hurrying back to Heather in the gymnasium.

  The past few weeks had eaten away at her, and now she felt as if everything was lost. Her

  plans of an education and a prosperous life seemed to collapse before her. The idea of herself and

  Todd together had appealed to her, but she had wondered if he was truly the right guy to spend

  the rest of her life with. At least now she knew the answer. There was only one option left to her.

  Laura drove around for a while, trying to build up enough confidence to confront the one

  man who still remained faithful to her. She knew the news would hurt him, but he was all that

  remained for her at this point. After some time, she drove up to the house and walked up to

  where he sat on the steps of his home.

  “Hello Laura, how was your evening.”

  “Dad, we need to talk...”

  Heather sat back against the white paper of the surgery room recliner. The gown she wore

  failed to insulate her body heat, and she had goose bumps across her skin. Heather had her legs

  positioned in the stirrups of the bed and spread open to Dr. Drake’s view. Only the doctor’s eyes

  were visible from behind the operating gown and cap. The mask over his mouth hid his mustache

  fr
om her sight. Heather felt extremely uncomfortable in this position.

  “I’m going to administer a local anesthetic for the pain now Heather. Is the sedative I

  gave you taking effect yet?” he asked in a concerned and professional manner. The bright light

  above her shone in her eyes, making it hard to keep them open.

  A Novel by Brett Barney Remember Me?

  © 1995 Brett Barney Literary Page 90

  “I think so, I’m beginning to feel really faint,” she answered. Heather wanted to pass out,

  she didn’t want to witness the procedure. The room seemed extremely blurry to her and she felt

  as if she were floating on air.

  Ray prepared the pan for the fetus while she continued to drift out of reality. After several

  minutes she had lost all consciousness. Ray walked away from the side of her bed and peeked

  outside the doors of the room. No loud voices extended from the empty waiting room up front.

  The building had an eerie quietness about it.

  The nurse had gone to lunch and the receptionist knew not to come in the back during

  such a procedure. Everything looked clear for the procedure to begin. The back of the clinic had

  only one other occupant besides Ray and his patient.

  Ray walked over to the bed and switched off the brakes. He wheeled the bed out of the

  room and pushed it directly across the hall to an identical room. Both white tiled rooms had a

  distinctive ammonia and rubbing alcohol odor, following sterilization. Stainless steel counters

  and operating trays reflected the bright lights in the ceilings.

  Edward stood waiting in the other room. There were several monitors and a complex

  looking device made from an aquarium hooked up to a system of wires and hoses.

  “Is everything set, Edward?” Ray asked with an eager voice.

  “It looks good. Is she out of it?”

  “Like a rock. I don’t think anything could wake her right now. You have about an hour

  before anyone returns from their lunches. Will that be enough time?”

  “Once I make the incision, there’s only a few minutes before the child looses its oxygen

  stores. If I go over that time, you’ll have to finish the procedure you began. I shouldn’t need

  more than about fifteen minutes.”

  Edward pulled out a swab and began washing the young girl’s legs and lower abdomen

  with a sterilizing solution. He pulled a large, reversible clamp out of a sterilized solution and