“Not nice,” she managed, stifling a morning yawn. “Need coffee.”
“Already on the way up,” I told her and the timing proved me right as there was a knock at the door. I pulled the blankets over her nakedness and grabbed my pants as I headed to open it. The bellboy wheeled in a cart filled with domed dishes. I tipped him and indicated I would take it from there.
I went into the bathroom and came out, tossing a courtesy robe to her. She slid into it as she folded her knee beneath her and came off the bed to inspect the cart of food. Her eyes lighted when she spotted the juice and she drank it quickly. “Geez, I was thirsty,” she said.
“That’s because you snored all night,” I teased and she blushed, quickly wiping the corner of her mouth seeking dried drool. “See what I mean?” I pointed out.
“What?”
“You didn’t snore but my suggestion of it caused you to behave with guilt and embarrassment. That’s what I mean about people… they are what you tell them.”
She wrinkled her nose and took another sip. “Well, you can keep that manipulation to yourself,” she responded saucily. “You’re not as smart as you think you are, you know.”
“Is that so?” I prodded her and was rewarded with a flash of those green eyes.
“Not everyone is as gullible as you might think. It will backfire on you and you’ll lose credibility,” she pointed out.
“There is no shortage of patients, sweet Auggie.”
She looked at me doubtfully and with some disapproval. Why did that suddenly bother me? I don’t remember ever worrying about seeking approval.
“Time I got home,” she commented, picking up the pieces of her wardrobe from the floor.
I took this as a signal and nodded. I had some of those many appointments waiting.
***
She was looking out the window and frowning as I drove her home. “What’s wrong?” I prompted her.
“Do you by any chance know Mrs. Jessup, the lady who had all the marvelous barbecues at Derby?”
“I’ve heard her name, but don’t know her personally… why?”
“Mother asked me to visit her. Her family just put her in Sunset Village. Do you know the place?” she asked in a voice that explained her sadness.
“Yes, I do. I did some interning there one summer.”
“Worth, I don’t ever want to end up in a place like that.”
“You won’t, darling Auggie, I promise.”
“I don’t think Mrs. Jessup ever thought she would, either. Her family manipulated her out of money. Left her penniless. She never worked, you know, so she’s reliant on Medicaid now and that’s where she’s gone. It’s so sad. It’s breaking my heart.”
This was clearly preying on her mind. I knew the Jessups and remembered the old lady. I couldn’t tell Auggie that Mrs. Jessup’s daughter-in-law was on my patient list. “Why don’t you do something to make it better?” I prompted her.
“Like what?” she was truly interested.
“You’ve got that nifty degree. Why don’t you go in and offer some consulting services and see if you can’t get some donations or grants for the place to make life a bit better?”
She scoffed at me. “You mean like a new bench by the front door?”
“Not really,” I said. “More like adding an arts and crafts wing or putting in a small theater where they could watch films. How about a gazebo where they could take tea in a garden with a few flowers?”
“Worth! That’s a wonderful idea! I just thought of something. What if we could buy some of the land behind it, build a stable and keep a few older horses there? We could take the residents on carriage rides. How wonderful would that be? You know, animals are great therapeutic company.”
“So I’ve heard,” I smiled at her. “There, you see? Now you have a challenge. I’m given to understand that you happen to like challenges.”
“I’m with you, aren’t I?” she mocked me, her green eyes luminescent with the delight of her cause.
“Auggie, about that…” I began.
“I know what you’re going to say.” She twisted in her seat and looked out her side window.
“What was I about to say?” I prompted her.
“That we should just consider last night a good time and there’s nothing more to it than that.”
I was dumbstruck by her assumption. Was that my reputation? A goodtime Charlie — love ‘em and leave ‘em? “Actually, Auggie, what I planned to say was that I’m going to consider you my girl, from here on. Would that be agreeable with you?”
Her head swiveled toward me and her eyes were wide. “Like going steady?”
I laughed inwardly at her old-fashioned phrase. “Yes, like going steady,” I agreed good-naturedly. “How does that sound to you?”
“Do I get to wear your class ring?” she asked, smiling.
I could tell this was not a joke with her, but a happy thought. I twisted my college ring off my finger and gave it to her. “I’d be honored,” I said solemnly and she grabbed it, sliding it on her thumb.
“I’ll get a chain for it when I get home,” she said, nodding in approval.
For some reason, everything in my world was so right at that moment. This was a foreign feeling.
***
After dropping Auggie off, I headed toward my office. It was only now that I let myself consider the ramifications of Jervis’ Jezebel Langford. I knew the safest route for the time being was to keep my mouth shut. I doubted very much whether she would blow the whistle on herself and for now, what Auggie didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt her.
I finally arrived at the office, using the back door so I could shower quickly and put on some fresh clothing I had learned to keep there. I poked my head out the door and saw my waiting room held a patient.
“Go in, please, and make yourself comfortable, I’ll be right with you,” I invited her as I made my way into the lobby and headed to Patsy’s desk.
“How long have you been here?” she asked. “I was about to cancel your appointments for the day.”
I ignored her question. “Mrs. Jessup…when is she due in next?”
Patsy looked surprised. “Well, as a matter of fact, she’s coming in this afternoon. She’s your last patient for the day.”
“Good. Call and confirm,” I ordered and left Patsy with a look of bewilderment on her pretty face. I normally didn’t give a damn about who was on my schedule and I knew the request to confirm would throw her. Oh, well…it’s time I became less predictable.
While waiting for the last patient, Mrs. Jessup, I went out to confer with Patsy on the future patient load.
Patsy was in a state of anxiety.
“What’s up?” I asked, concerned by her behavior.
“You’re overbooked.”
“I’m what?” I wasn’t sure I understood why she was freaking out about that.
“Word has gotten out that one of the most eligible bachelors in town is taking appointments and the phone has been ringing off the hook.” She was clearly overwhelmed and her normally flirting demeanor was becoming a bit bitchy.