I waved Brett off and watched him disappear at the nearest traffic light. When I got inside my house I went straight to the fridge hoping to get lucky on something decent to help end the hunger pangs. I settled for a pack of crackers and peanut butter. I sat at my wooden kitchen table nearly an hour trying to figure out how I would bring heaven to Earth and get around in the upcoming weeks when my cell phone trilled. It was Michelle checking in. I returned her text, telling her about my dilemma. She was upset at my loss of a car but also emphasized the disappointment of not being debriefed of my evening with Azmir.
The mention of that brought ringing sensations throughout my body. I’d been so busy that day that I didn’t have a moment to recall our sensual and meaningful time together. I’d been introduced to a new level of lovemaking with Azmir, hell—period. I felt sensations with him that I never knew existed, even more than I bargained for.
Michelle offered to pick me up in the morning and we agreed that I’d stay over her place until I found a car with the little pennies I could muster together. Another text alert hitting my phone caught my attention. It was Azmir asking if I was okay and tucked in for the night. I explained that I was in but being tucked in required another individual to do the tucking. He thought it was funny. Before ending our text he asked if I’d come up with a means to get to work. I explained how I had worked out something temporarily with Michelle until I can figure out something more permanent. He didn’t seem too keen on my response when he replied a simple “Okay”. I asked him not to worry about it and assured him that I’d be fine. We said our good nights and I turned down for bed.
The next morning Michelle had given me a lift to work after dropping Erin off to camp. I arrived minutes before my first patient and dug right into work. We agreed that after work we’d shoot over to my place to pick up a few days’ worth of clothing so that I could crash with them until I came up with a plan. I told myself that I’d wait until the weekend to figure something out.
Around eleven a.m., Sharon paged me while I was in the pool room with a patient. She said someone was asking for me at the front desk. I thought it was strange considering I wasn’t expecting anyone, but stranger things have happened. I told her that I’d be out in fifteen minutes.
When I arrived at the front desk Sharon motioned over to a gentleman whose back was turned to me as he perused the art on the wall, art that I was very proud of since I selected all of the décor throughout the office. He was tall with a medium build and salt specks dispersed throughout his dark hair. There was something about his frame that seemed familiar to me.
“Excuse me, are you looking for…” The man turned to me and I was immediately aware of who he was. A warm smile eclipsed his face. “Ray?”
“Ms. Brimm. Always a pleasure.” Azmir’s driver was as pleasant and bubbly as ever, I’d just hoped that my sheer shock of him being at my job didn’t come off as rude.
“Same here, Ray. I’m surprised to see you here. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Actually, you can. Could you follow me outside?” he asked very politely and in an official’s capacity. I instinctively turned to Sharon knowing my next patient was either in the waiting room or in the exam room. Sharon’s eyes widened with confusion as well. Ray had always given off an avuncular vibe when I traveled with Azmir. I had no reason to believe he was mistrusting.
“S-sure. Will this be quick? I have a patient waiting.”
“It will take less than five minutes. We’re going just beyond the doors,” he assured and I looked over to Sharon who nodded her head, gesturing she was aware of me going with Ray.
Once outside, Ray walked me over to a parked car. It was midnight blue and rather massive. He clicked the car key pad as he walked over to the driver’s side and opened the door. I stood at the rear wondering what this was about.