by Barbara Ebel
“Really?”
“I’ll take care of this. I’ll fire off correspondence to her attorney. You bring your pay stubs?”
Danny handed him copies for the last few months.
“You’ve been suspended; she can’t get money out of a rock. If my hunch is correct, she’s the reason for your present pitiful set of circumstances, anyway.” Mark shook his head and took a sip of Thai tea. “A man’s downfall comes from his crotch.”
Danny felt like ducking under the table; Mark was so direct.
“But, for now, you’ll probably have to pay her something extremely minimal. Since she won’t know when or if you resume working, she’ll have to take the chance of paying her own legal fees later if she wants to find out, so she can up the ante.”
“I get it,” Danny said. “But it says in there, she also wants reimbursement for Mr. Barrett’s services.”
“No kidding. You’re not working right now. You’re in the same boat as her. You will both pay your own legal fees. I’ll see to that,” Mark said, emphatically.
“But won’t they say I’m capable of making a ton of money?”
“The occurrence of your circumstances happened independent of hers. You never planned on being jobless so you wouldn’t have to pay her bills. So eat your curry and relax.” Mark placed the papers on the chair next to him. “When you see your baby, why don’t you hand deliver your pay stubs to the mother?”
Chapter 29
Mary closed her wooden paint box and sat down. She’d been painting outside on the patio for several hours and considered the vibrant landscape finished. Casey had worked a seven-to-three shift and came outside longing to relax. He wiggled behind Mary, in the same lounge chair, as the Chessie whiffed the air and hummingbirds zoomed between two red feeders.
“I’m going to find Rachel,” Danny said from a nearby chair as he put his novel aside. “Before Mark gets her address from the attorney in Knoxville.”
Casey pinched Mary on her side. “What are you contemplating?” he asked.
“I want to see my new baby. And give Rachel copies of my zero gross pay stubs.”
Danny squinted at the draining feeders while Casey whispered something in Mary’s ear.
“We can arrange a meeting if you’d like,” Casey said.
“You can?” Clueless, Danny stared at the two lovebirds. Clearly there was more that they were not telling him. “Then let’s go for it.”
“This weekend when I have off?” Casey asked.
“We know a hotel that takes dogs,” Mary said. “Let’s bring Dakota.”
“That’s fine with me,” Danny said, “and I’m sure that would be fine with Dakota.” He hoisted himself out of the chair. “You two haven’t divulged the big day. When is it?”
Casey caressed Mary from behind. “In the fall. You’re going to be my best man, right?”
“Now that I’ve been formally asked, absolutely.”
“Sara, Annabel, and Nancy will be the maid of honor and bridesmaids,” Mary said. “We’re going to do it right here, Danny. Set chairs and trellises of flowers on the lawn. We’ll have a string quartet over there.” She signaled to the oak tree and the excitement in her voice mounted.
“Mom and Dad would be so proud of you and thrilled with the ceremony at the house … and the groom.” Danny laughed and pointed at Casey.
___________
They drove in Casey’s Jeep on Saturday morning. Dakota sat alert, peering out the back window at I-40 traffic as they wound through the Cumberland Plateau passing undeveloped countryside and expansive forests. The valleys between ridges looked fertile and deep green from a wet spring. The lakes and rivers streamed full, replenished from the drought of 2007. The steep mountain curves and windy trip made Mary queasy every time she attempted to read the paper, so she folded it and passed it to Danny sitting in the back seat. She slipped off her leather sandals and turned on Middle Tennessee’s talk radio, which faded as they approached Knoxville. They took a downtown exit, parked in the Crowne Plaza’s garage and walked Dakota. At the lobby’s front desk, clerks complimented Danny on his good-looking, well-mannered Chesapeake, and then the three of them checked into two rooms.
They rode the elevator alone for four floors, Dakota puzzled at the sudden upward start off the ground. “How does it stand right now with Bruce?” Casey asked Danny. “Is there any indication that he’s hoping you resign so he doesn’t have to fire you?” They reached their floor and jockeyed their overnight bags, dog supplies, and Dakota into the hallway.
“Bruce may be the dictatorial grandfather of the group, but I totally trust his business sense and his word. If he’s satisfied with the psychologist’s report, he’ll take me back. Talking with her has gone smoothly. Having input from Linda Atkins was probably to cover the group’s butt that I’m rational, or whatever.”
“I’ve never known you to be rational,” Mary said. “Anybody that goes through neurosurgery training has some screws loose.”
They unlocked their side-by-side bedroom doors. “No canine pillow clutching or curling on the bed in here,” Danny said sternly to Dakota, who made headway first into the room.
Danny unpacked his overnight bag, rechecked the papers he had brought and freshened up in the bathroom. He finished the paper while propped against pillows on the headboard, and at four o’clock, rapped on the door next to him.
Mary slipped her shoes on and fastened her hair while Casey opened the door. “We’ll be early, so we can order something to eat,” Casey said. “Mary and I looked at maps before calling Rachel, so we suggested a good landmark to meet.” He patted Dakota on the head as the dog waited politely.
“You both seem to have this well arranged. I can’t thank you enough. I probably would have lost my temper if I had found her and called.” Danny tugged on Dakota’s leash and they left the front entrance of the hotel. The temperature hovered at seventy, but without a breeze and no clouds, it felt warmer. Dakota lightly panted after they walked down all the steps before Market Square.
Danny, Casey, and Mary leisurely strolled the Market district. They had time before Rachel was to appear, but scanned the faces of local pedestrians and tourists just in case. A gray-haired man wearing a white undershirt fed squirrels from a park bench and a little girl with lighted sneakers tossed a balloon. A man wearing a felt fedora strummed a guitar and a woman sang. They were better than karaoke singers, but not ready for the Music City.
“Doesn’t this sound delicious?” Mary asked. A chalkboard sign placed on the pavement read Mulligatawny Soup and half sandwich – special of the day. “Let’s order and sit outside. We can tether Dakota to this pole.”
Danny looped Dakota’s leash, refastened the snap to his collar, and followed Mary into the gated outside area. They took the empty table and chairs in the corner next to Dakota on the other side. “I’ll go in and order,” Casey said. “Three specials?”
“Sure,” Mary said, while Danny nodded his head.
“Half roast beef and cheese on sourdough?” Casey asked.
“Sounds scrumptious,” Mary said.
“Here,” Danny said, and handed him two twenties.
“Yeah, yeah. Okay, and I’ll get three iced teas.”
They nibbled at their sandwiches and finished the turmeric yellow soup. Mary gazed upward to feel the sun’s warmth on her winter complexion as onlookers passed asking about Dakota. Two little girls, sisters, with their mother in attendance, asked if they could pet him, but stroked him all over before waiting for a response. Dakota’s delight fueled their giggles.
“My turn to go inside,” Danny said. “I’ll buy something to take home tomorrow.”
___________
Casey could spot her anywhere. This time she pushed a blue baby stroller, and her figure had miraculously transformed into the slim, curvy female he had met in the doctor’s lounge, now shapelier than ever. He motioned to Mary, subtly pointing her out. “Wait here,” he said, “I want a few words with her alone.” He s
lid out of the iron chair.
Casey walked briskly, surprising her when he landed dead in front of the carriage. “Rachel, it’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“Very beautiful,” she said, not missing a beat.
A blue canvas top shielded the baby from the sun. A rattle hung from the handrail and a diaper bag fit into the basket underneath. A stuffed koala bear clasped its arms around the front handle, hanging on by Velcro paws. Rachel looked the picture of motherhood.
“May I?” Casey asked, wanting to peer at the baby swaddled in too big a seat, with the smallest white sunhat Casey had ever seen.
Rachel nodded as Casey dropped into a squatting position.
“Thank you for arranging this meeting. Danny is coming with his pay stubs, right?”
Casey looked under the hat and guessed it was a girl by the splashes of pink in the carriage more than by the infant’s facial features. This miniature person encapsulated the essence of innocence and beauty, for that he was sure.
“You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do after you graciously returned Danny’s book. Now he can return the favor and personally deliver those copies. Plus, he’s dying to see his new baby.” Casey took his right hand and smoothed his fingers on the baby’s cheek, as smooth as butter. Her eyes opened and her lips sought for his fingers. “She’s beautiful. Is she hungry?”
“Most of the time.” Rachel laughed.
“What’s her name?”
“Julia.”
Casey hunted for her tiny hand. “But why Danny, Rachel? Why did you pick him?” Casey stayed crouched on purpose, minimizing his intimidating size. He wanted questions and answers to flow between them in a non-confrontational manner.
Rachel liked him giving attention to her infant and stepped to the side to display Julia’s miniature fingers. She kneeled down. “Just like you, I’m single. I want to stay that way and not deal with a full-time, obnoxious man. I didn’t pick just anybody to be the father of my child, you know.”
“I don’t blame you,” Casey said. “I would want the guy to be handsome, smart, and rich.”
“You said it. Danny makes tons. Neurosurgeons with thriving practices are like a tristate lottery win. But his boss, Bruce, is getting up there in age, so I wasn’t interested in hitting on him.”
“But you broke up a family.”
“Hell,” she said abruptly, “I didn’t expect him to leave his wife. Why did he go and do that?”
“I guess he wanted a future with you,” Casey said. Julia squirmed and clasped at his fingers.
“Well, that’s his problem.”
“I still don’t understand why you didn’t just use a sperm bank. Can’t you fire off a check list about the donor… like eye color, and race, and a list of specifications?”
“Jeez,” she said, exasperated, “I want to be a single mom but not a working single mom. I should do just fine with Danny’s child support, and a few other interests I pursue.”
“Like stealing valuable books?”
She glared at him, raised her hand to block the sun as her cotton blouse sleeve fell away from her wrist.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to criminalize you. You had a window of opportunity and you took it.” She lightened back into a smile. “Why Knoxville?”
“I had to get far away enough from the father,” she said softly, almost to herself. “I want to raise my kid on my own.”
___________
Danny strutted outside with a brown bag and looked around. “Where’s Casey?”
“You’re about to meet your baby,” Mary said. “Casey’s over there.”
Danny gave Mary the bag, picked up his envelope, and stepped around the railing to get Dakota. Danny and Mary walked over together.
Rachel stayed planted at the side of the stroller. “Danny, it’s nice to see you.”
“This is my sister, Mary,” Danny said. The two women smiled at each other. “And I take it you just met Casey again.”
“I did,” she said, quickly.
Dakota sniffed at Rachel, wagging his tail. She petted the top of his head. “Hey Dakota.”
Danny and Mary crouched down. “It’s been a long time since I had a newborn,” Danny said to Mary. “I forgot what it’s like. She’s beautiful.”
The baby gurgled at him. Danny took her sunhat off for a moment to study her eyes and her thin light hair. “What’s her name?”
“Julia.”
Casey tapped Mary lightly on her shoulder. “Why don’t we give Danny some time with his daughter? Rachel, too.”
“Good idea.” Casey and Mary walked off to a nearby bench.
“That’s a beautiful name,” Danny said. “You certainly didn’t need my input.”
“Yes, I should do just fine. You won’t have to bother about us, especially after we get all this legal stuff taken care of.”
Julia had Danny mesmerized. He tried to stifle the tears of joy that were pooling in his eyes. Another daughter, as pretty as Annabel and Nancy, as pretty as Melissa was, with her whole life ahead of her. Even though the mother wasn’t Sara, he loved this little girl as much as he loved the others.
Dakota stretched his neck into the carriage to see what all the fuss was about. He pushed his snout around Danny’s hand, planting a cold nose on baby Julia, who reflexively squinted. Danny got up and stamped his foot. “Dakota, sit please.” Dakota obeyed while Rachel jealously noticed their rapport.
“Here, I have your papers,” Danny said. He slipped her the envelope. She opened the clasp, dug inside, and slipped the papers out. She stood with her name brand sunglasses and manicured fingers, and read carefully.
“This doesn’t make sense. This is crazy. It does say The Neurosurgery Group of Middle Tennessee and this is your name. But gross pay can’t be zero, not even for one month.” She tapped her foot.
Danny listened, the tables turning on her. He shifted his eyes back towards his lovely daughter and remained silent.
“This is your sick attempt at a joke, right?”
“I was so love struck by you, I couldn’t work anymore after you disappeared.”
Like the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball, Rachel’s world tumbled down within a minute. With a thud. For once, she couldn’t think of anything to say.
“A great lady once told me, you have to be responsible for your actions,” Danny said. “You are also going to be financially responsible for Julia.”
Casey pinched at Mary’s denim capris. “I think they’re finished,” he said. “Let’s go.”
Danny played with Julia as Casey and Mary stood next to him again.
“Danny,” Casey said. “Rachel is wearing Melissa’s bracelet. She’s keeping it in safekeeping until it fits Julia. You don’t mind, do you?”
Rachel shot Casey a piercing look. Danny stood up. “How …?”
He didn’t know how. But one thing was for sure and he intended to tell her. Now was as good a time as any.
“Rachel, you don’t think this is it, do you? I intend to make Julia a part of my life. I’m going to fight you for custody.”
“Bye-bye, Julia,” Casey and Mary said and tugged at Danny. Danny leaned into the stroller and kissed his daughter. Dakota wagged his tail and they headed away.
“Danny, wait,” Rachel said. She put her arm on her hip. “I want my dog back.”
“Over my dead body,” Danny yelled over his shoulder. Dakota reached for the tail end of the leash and pranced proudly along Danny’s side.
___________
The next morning Danny walked Dakota, the two men paid their bills, and they loaded the Jeep. “Hurry up, Dakota, get in there,” Danny said, holding open the hatchback. Danny also raced around and jumped into a back passenger seat.
“Let’s stop for breakfast,” Mary said, while sliding on her seat belt. Casey started the engine.
“Let’s not stop,” Danny said. He opened the bag of muffins he had bought the day before and shoved it to the front seat. “Have one of these.
”
“Jeez, Danny,” Mary said. “What’s your hurry?”
“I have to get back to Nashville.”
Casey grabbed a cranberry muffin from the bag before putting the car in reverse. “What’s so important right now in Nashville?”
“I want to ask Sara something …”
Mary unbuckled her belt and turned all the way to face her brother.
“To go fishing at the Caney Fork with me.”
Mary smiled.
Danny shrugged. “Maybe I can romance her to fall in love with me again.”
Casey looked in the rearview mirror. “And you need to start working again.”
“Absolutely. In my one and only career passion. Neurosurgery.”
“God knows, you lack instinct about how people think, so you better tinker inside their heads instead.”
“Shut up, Casey, you’re just an ambulance driver.”
“I am not. I’m a highly trained EMT. A paramedic.”
The two men broadly smiled as Mary slipped off her shoes. They headed west and didn’t stop.
END
SILENT FEAR: A Medical Mystery: Book Two
The Dr. Danny Tilson Novels
Barbara Ebel, M.D.
Silent Fear Copyright © 2014 by Barbara Ebel, M.D.
http://barbaraebel.weebly.com
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, persons, or locations is coincidental.