All the lines to cross

  The sounds stop and there is absolute silence on the phone. She clears her throat. "Is this better?"

  I chuckle, "yeh, much better. What happened, why are you so worked up?"

  Sharon narrates the unfolding drama. Noah has posted a photo of our kiss on twitter with hashtags like #fraternizingwithpatient and #baddoctor, tagging both of us. It has gone viral since my name is involved. She has got a call from her medical association. The State Board has ordered an inquiry.

  I need to take this on myself. Can't let anything happen to her. "Sharon, stay calm. Give me a moment. I will speak to Kevin and set up a meeting right away. Be ready, I will pick you up in thirty minutes."

  "Jon, it may not be a good idea for us to be seen together. The press has been at the hospital since the story broke," Sharon is jittery. She must be devastated. I want to rush in there and hug her. Protect my Tigress from the fallout. She is right though with the press hovering around the hospital my presence can complicate matters.

  "Okay, I will text you Kevin's address. You can come there. Don't worry, Sharon. We will deal with this together." I understand her panic. This is too much for a person who has never faced paparazzi. I am used to this, my life has always been in the news. There is a lot at stake for her. She has worked hard to be where she is. The stakes are high for me as well. I will not let the world ruin the one true relationship that has come my way after a long time.

  I dial Kevin while still in the car. This is an unexpected interception when things were getting better. Noah fucked up our lives. I should have smashed his face at the conference. It is too late for that now. When Kevin picks up, I tell him the story and ask for a meeting.

  "What the hell were you thinking?" For the next few minutes, I get a dressing down. Let me sum up the rant into four words—I told you so.

  "You both meet me in my office at three, and do not come together," Kevin commands me on the phone.

  Kevin would do a swell job at being a school principal. He is six months older than me, but he treats me like a belligerent kid. Any other time, I would give him back in kind. We fight often, but now is not the time; I have to protect her. He always has my back. I suppose him worrying for me is proof of the affection he has for me.

  I take a detour to a hardware store on my way to Kevin's office and ask them to make a special delivery. When I reach his office, Sharon is already there.

  "You both are in trouble." Kevin is facing Sharon when I walk into the room. I sit next to her and give her a light peck on the cheek, holding her hand. Her palms are ice cold. I rub them for a while. Her furrowed face breaks my heart. I wish I had a magic wand to make this shit go away.

  "Can you two explain yourself?" Kevin turns towards me and oh boy, save me from the daggers. "I can understand Sharon being new to all this, but you Jon, where was your head. You have enough experience in the public eye. And Sharon, how did you forget the implications of Jon being your patient. God, what were you two doing, making out in public? Can't you keep your hands off each other for a minute?"

  "It was not like that. You don't know the full story." Sharon is about to lose her cool. When I open my mouth, she stops me. She narrates the entire episode to Kevin.

  "I had things under control until this caveman turned up,"

  I raise my hand in defense. "Hey, not fair. Noah is a jerk. You can't blame me for trying to protect what's mine."

  Kevin snaps at us. "I still think you two should have walked away from it, instead of creating all the drama."

  It is my turn to get upset. "Hold on, Kevin. We are not here so you can scold us like school kids. Don't tell us about the problem, we are the ones staring down that gun. We are here for the solution. What are our options?" My sharp voice brings Kevin to focus on what is more important at the moment.

  "It is a precarious situation, Jon. Both her medical association and the state will investigate. There are strict guidelines." Kevin paces the room.

  He then reads out from a paper he is holding. The code of ethics states that any sexual contact, even in the form of a romantic kiss during a doctor-patient relationship, is misconduct and is liable to investigation and action. The state board can suspend or cancel her license.

  All this is scary and worries me. "But she is no longer my doctor. It's been more than three months."

  Kevin shakes his head. "It may not be of much help. These things are difficult to prove or disprove. The investigation will still happen. How the board decides, is something we cannot control."

  Oh shit, this is worse than I thought. I bite my lip. "What if I say I started the relationship? Will it get her off the hook?"

  Kevin's gaze makes me uneasy, adding to my frustration. I am not sure what is upsetting me more—Noah, the social media trolls or Kevin's attitude.

  "Will we have a say? I mean, will Sharon get time to explain? Can we be a party to the investigation?"

  Kevin is silent. My patience runs out. "Come on man, give us some hope. What should we do?"

  Kevin takes a deep breath and speaks to both of us. "Let us list out the positives. She is no longer your doctor. The only public kiss happened three months after Dr. Thomas took over your care. Sharon tells me there is no document she has signed or has her name on, after your discharge. The best thing is that the discharge states that you will follow up with Dr. Thomas." He pauses for a moment and sits next to us.

  Kevin turns to Sharon and asks her, "Sharon, can anyone at the conference vouch for the events that took place there? At least it will help us bring context to what happened and discredit Noah. Show his actions as vindictive. I will also file for a restraining order against Noah on your behalf. He is a mean person. He might do anything to use his perverted shot at fame."

  "Now you're is talking! What else, Kevin? I depend on you to clear this mess." I slap my hand on Kevin's shoulder.

  "We might say you both had met before you had the doctor-patient relationship." Kevin doesn't sound so sure about this.

  Sharon is not comfortable with this last bit. "How can we say that? I did not know Jon when we met on the interstate. The next time we met was in the OR."

  "Yes, we can say that. I was interested when we ran into each other on the highway," I interject. She is surprised. "Hey, I would have chased you if you had given me the correct information, instead of posing as a kung fu fighter." It takes a little convincing, but Sharon agrees.

  Kevin goes over the plan once again. "The State Board will call for medical records. Once the date of hearing is decided we can become a party to the investigation. I have spoken to a few of my friends who represented such cases. They will help us prepare."

  I nod and put my arm around Sharon, "Does this lessen the worry, Tigress? Trust Kevin, he will help us out of this."

  Kevin smiles in acknowledgment, but it does little to smoothen the deep furrows from Sharon's face. I put my arm around her shoulder pulling her towards me, holding her tight. "Hey, I am here for you."

  She only sighs and fidgets with her dress. I don't like her bothered and worked up. The whole situation is eating her peace of mind and I can't do anything about it. Not until the investigation begins. However, I need to take the gloom away and help her unwind. An idea forms in my mind.

  "Noah is about to roast me alive and all you can do is stand here and smile."

  Her sharp tone jolts me out of my daydream. It is a definite sign for me to do something. Sharon is on a short fuse and unless I defuse it, she will explode.

  I scratch my stubble and bring out my charming grin. "I was wondering if we can try that caveman stuff while we are alone."

  She grunts. It does not take much to get my growly Tigress out of her slumber. From the corner of my eye, I see the swift movement of her leg. I evade her knee, protecting my crown jewels with my hand. "Ow Tigress, not there! They are too precious for our future."

  The twinkle in her eyes is a sure sign that a sharp retort is coming my way. She doesn't disappoint me. "Po, don't tempt a surgeon else you will
have more than your precious jewels to worry about."

  "Ew. Can you two go take your filthy minds out of my office?" Kevin shoos us away from behind his desk, trying to control his laughter. When we are leaving, he asks us to lie low for the moment and avoid being seen together in public.

  Easier said than done.

  Chapter 41: The Hearing

  Sharon

  Date: 29 June.

  Time: 10.30 a.m.

  My eyes burn, reading the email again. How did I land in this mess? My entire career is at stake. I spent the last few days going over the events at the conference. Could I have avoided kissing Jon at the conference? Perhaps, but I had to protect Jon from that fight.

  The orders to appear before the medical association and the state board came on my mail. The hearings are on the same date separated by a few hours, giving us time to consider all possible angles to respond. I rescheduled all my appointments, keeping them at a bare minimum.

  My phone keeps buzzing. I stopped picking up any calls from unknown numbers and logged off from my social media accounts. Except for a few, the rest of the medical community was supportive.

  My friend Abbey calls. She was the conference chair where the entire incident unfolded. She was upset at what Noah tried to do. She informed me she had filed a complaint against him the same evening and had got few witnesses to sign. The association was investigating him.

  "Sharon, I hope Noah doesn't cause more trouble."

  "The damage is done, Abbey. At this moment, I can't imagine a way out."

  "I understand, but what if Noah tries to harass you again or hurt you?" Abbey voices her concerns.

  "Don't worry. Jon made me file a restraining order the day Noah ranted on Twitter. Hope he keeps himself away." I can only sigh and hope.

  "Sharon, call me if you need any help. I am with you on this." Abbey's words are comforting, but they will not help in solving this issue. All my efforts to distance myself from Jon failed, for various reasons. Despite letting my heart guide me, I have zero regrets about my relationship with Jon.

  I glance at the clock. Time to meet Richard and Tom. They are waiting for me. I do not dare to face Richard. My actions have caused so much damage to the group. He is taking a lot of heat from the other members. He does not show it when we meet.

  "How are you coping, Sharon? Have you eaten anything? Did you sleep?"

  "Richard, I am sorry about all this." My voice breaks. I can never forgive myself for letting my people down.

  He walks over and rubs my shoulder. His soft voice soothes my frayed nerves.

  "Hey, you are not alone. Jon called and connected our lawyer to Kevin. We will take care of this. Our lawyer is joining us and we will go over the strategy once again and prepare for the hearings."

  Both Richard and Tom try to pep me up. It is of little help. My mind is in a constant loop of thoughts, comprising only the worst consequences.

  Later in the day, Jon insists on having dinner together. You can't let them get to you, he says. He is firm in his decision to be my side through all this. I protest, but he doesn't take no for an answer. We end up going to his home to avoid being seen together in public.

  The place is quaint. The house is more like a mansion, built on a slight elevation. There is a low boundary that allows anyone on the outside to get a good view of the garden. The cobblestone driveway leads from the gate to a foyer. In front of the foyer is a fountain with two angels reaching for the sky, their wings spread outwards. There are yellow and red lily blossoms placed on the sides of the staircase in white ceramic pots. We climb the three steps to the front door.

  "Do they teach you to walk like that in football?" Jon is walking backward, facing me as I take each step up the stairs.

  He holds my hands as we reach the front door. "No, I want to cherish each moment as you walk into my home." He turns and then opens the door.

  I gasp when I enter a massive lobby. There is a white sofa on the side of a central staircase that leads to the first floor. On the landing on the first floor, is an exquisite arrangement of purple orchids. Above it is a huge landscape of forests and mountains. Whoever decorated the place has not cluttered it. A soft lavender fragrance permeates the air.

  My eyes land on a wall, textured and painted in bright colors, like a canvas. The pattern makes little sense until I step back and focus to notice the player mid-air with a ball in his arms.

  There is a lamp on a side table. It has a glass base that reflects the light from the bulb above. The lampshade must have a reflective surface as there are multiple bulbs reflected on the base. Light scatters across the roof. The light and dark shades create a cascade of patterns. Below the lamp, is a picture of Jon holding Nate cuddled in his arms. Nate peers back with shimmering blue eyes and a toothy smile, his first incisors peeking between his lips.

  "This is so out of the world, Jon. You never told me your house is so beautiful." I turn to Jon. I am sure my eyes are the size of saucers.

  Jon rubs the back of his neck, sheepish and embarrassed. "Eh, I hope you won't judge me for this extravagance."

  I close the gap between us and hold his head in my hands. "No, why should I? You work hard for this. You deserve it and I know deep down you have an honest and kind heart."

  He rubs his lips against mine. Before he can kiss him, I am pushed towards him by a force. I stumble but he catches me.

  Jon sits on his haunches and pets the dog. "Sharon, meet Notty."

  I bend and rub the huge dog that licks my hands. "Does he like me?"

  "Oh boy, does anyone in my life, not like you? My family and friends are your biggest fans." Jon joins me as we pet Notty together.

  "Forgive me for my ignorance, but what breed is he?" I have little knowledge about dogs.

  "Notty is a Bernese mountain dog." Nate joins us, extending his small arms around me, Jon and Notty. We end up in a group hug and fall on the rug. Jon tackles Nate and a tickling match starts. Notty takes turns licking all three of us. We spend some time wrapped in each other until I get exhausted and raise my hands. "Hey, please stop. Please, I give up."

  Things settle down and we lie on the floor. Jon and Nate on either side of me. Notty spread across our legs. Nate starts narrating his stories and we end up teasing and laughing at each other. I listen to Jon talk to Nate and my heart melts. Can I have this, like forever?

  Before I tear up at these thoughts, I get up. "Anyone of you hungry? I sure could eat a whole chicken."

  Jon jumps up and extends his hand to pull me up. "We better hurry Nate, otherwise this Tigress might eat us."

  He and Nate race me to the kitchen. All three of us get things ready for dinner. Jon and I heat the food. Nate sets up the plates and cutlery. We carry on with the light banter. God, this kid is a non-stop radio station. I hope he never changes and stays full of life.

  After dinner, Jon drops me home. He walks me to my apartment. I rest my head on his shoulder and squeeze his arm, "Never imagined I would be in this place. Walking under a starlit sky with my boyfriend."

  Oops, I did it again. My mouth has an uncanny ability to vocalize my thoughts without taking my mind's permission. When I look up to see Jon's face, his eyes are shining in delight.

  "Tigress, did you call me. . ." Jon's lips twist into a glorious, adorable smile.

  I roll my lips inward to hide my smile. Am I ready to do this? Have a real relationship? I gulp down my doubts but I want to tease Jon. I put on my best pout, "What did your ears pick up, Po?"

  Jon nods his head, but I sense something is cooking in his devilish mind. He picks me up from the ground, lifts me over his shoulder like a sack and swirls around.

  "What are you doing?" I slam my fists on his back. "Put me down, Po!"

  He doesn't stop, "Not happening, Tigress, until you repeat that word and do it every day going forward."

  "Okay". I can't stop laughing. I raise my head to his ear, "Boyfriend, please put me back on the floor."

  Jon smacks my butt and slip
s me down, squeezing me on the way. He brings his lips to my ear, "That is more like it, girlfriend."

  I push him away and point him to his truck, "You better get going. I have a long day tomorrow."

  Jon salutes me and jogs to his car, waving goodbye as he drives away. Jon's support means a lot. Despite my reservations about meeting him, this evening helped me relax.

  Three days later, he accompanies me and Richard. Kevin and our lawyer are waiting for us outside the state board office. The head of the investigating committee reads out the charges and the clauses under which the issue is being investigated. The questions are difficult and personal. Richard takes the ones related to medical records and group practice.

  Jon and Kevin make it clear to the committee that we met well before the injury happened. Kevin emphasizes the fact that I had only done the surgery. Tom did the entire post-op care.

  "Dr. Sharon, did you have any feelings for Mr. Hayes while he was under your care?" a state board official wants to know.

  The question catches me off guard. I regard the official who asked and respond as best I can. "The sole focus was on ensuring he got the best medical care. The relationship was professional. I did the surgery together with Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bradford, the neurosurgeon."

  "Why did you hand over the care to Dr. Thomas?" This time, it is a lady member of the committee.

  I hold her gaze as I respond, "Dr. Thomas is a specialist in sports and rehabilitation medicine with extensive experience in the area. Mr. Hayes is a well-known football player. The medical team needed to ensure he could continue to play. At the time, we discussed this as a team and decided Dr. Thomas should take over."

  "But you continued to meet Mr. Hayes. Did you make any efforts to warn him that this relationship was unacceptable?" the lady is trying to dig deeper.