Snowed in with the Doctor Page 13

  “Who was that?” Belinda asked in a stage whisper.

  “A friend,” Carla said, sipping her now cold coffee.

  “You looked like more than friends,” she said, sliding into a seat. “Lora didn’t tell me you were seeing someone.”

  “She doesn’t know.”

  “Is he supposed to be a secret or something?”

  “He’s my business, that’s all.”

  “Is he babysitting or something?”

  “No, he has a daughter.”

  “You’re dating a child with a child,” she said, laughing at her own attempt at humor. “Is that wise?”

  “Belinda—”

  “I mean, that’s a lot of baggage. You have your career to think about. I’m all for having fun, you know that. And a woman your age has a right to treat herself and throw caution to the wind, but if I were to get a boy toy he would be without accessories.”

  “He’s not that young. And the age difference isn’t that big.”

  Belinda shrugged. “If you say so.”

  Carla felt herself getting angry. Who was Belinda to judge? Who was anyone? She liked her life, and she liked him. No, she loved him. Was that so wrong? Was she really taking on more than she could handle? She hated that Belinda had forced her to ask herself questions she didn’t want to face but knew she had to.

  * * *

  Lora sat in front of her parents at their dining table, realizing that her peace offering wasn’t going to be enough. She’d brought dinner to their house and told them the news she’d been eager to share: she’d won the Pointdexter Fellowship. She’d worked hard for it, and now her dream of funding had come true. After finding out about Justin’s disease, she felt more certain than ever about her proposed research and its importance. She wanted to help him. Cure him. Give him the life he deserved. None of the current treatments had been able to work a hundred percent, but maybe hers would. Now that he’d hired a new team leader they rarely saw each other at work. Fortunately, they made plenty of time for each other after hours.

  She hadn’t told Justin yet about the fellowship, although she was sure he already knew. He was probably disappointed. But at that moment she wished she’d chosen Justin’s disappointment to her father’s scorn.

  “And you came over here to lord it over us, did you?” her father said, his West Indian island lilt even more pronounced.

  “I thought that for one time in your life you’d be proud,” she said.

  “Proud of what? It has nothing to do with us.”

  “We are proud,” her mother said.

  “Where’s that man you brought with you last time? Gone already?”

  Lora clasped her hands. “I’m still seeing him.”

  “That must be a record for you.”

  Lora sighed. She didn’t know why she thought telling her father about the award would change anything. She thought of calling Carla, but getting hold of her outside of work had been difficult lately.

  “I guess I should go.”

  “You’re not going to stay for dessert?” her mother asked, sadness written on her face.

  Dinner had been a struggle enough. “No, I have to run an errand.”

  Her father folded his arms and leaned back in his seat. “She’s got a big fellowship now. She doesn’t need us.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Why did you let that man shame us like that?”

  “Because you were being rude.”

  “I was stating my opinions. That’s not being rude. If he were a real man, he could have taken it.”

  Lora stood and left. She knew she couldn’t win an argument with her father. For some reason, he liked picking fights with others. Growing up, she kept Suzette away from her parents as much as she could. Although she loved her mother, at times she wondered what she saw in her father to have married him. Her mother had grown up in a middle-class household in a nice area and gone to a prestigious boarding school. Upon graduation, at the tender age of seventeen, she had met Bernard Rice and he had swept her off her feet.

  Her mother’s family hadn’t been supportive of their relationship, but her mother had been so in love, she eloped and that was that. Her father had only finished sixth grade and hadn’t had an opportunity to go back to school. As the youngest of eleven children, he had literally been used as a slave to his brothers and sisters in Port Antonio, Jamaica. When he was pulled out of school, he was sent to the country, where he’d lived with his older sister and helped her take care of her five children. He was later forced to work in his brother’s poultry business. He’d worked long hours, seven days a week, without getting paid. Resentment had made him bitter at a very young age. When he’d turned eighteen, he ran away to Kingston where he worked in a factory. He had found different jobs here and there before finally getting an apprenticeship as a painter.

  “Bernard, why must you treat your daughter so?” Grace asked, gathering up the dirty dishes once Lora had gone.

  “I don’t treat her any different than I treat others.”

  “You know that’s not true.”

  “Woman, what do you know?”

  “I know that you resent her achievements because you always see yourself in her and know her life and success could have and should have been yours.” Tears gathered in her eyes as she saw the strained look on her husband’s face. Although he hadn’t been able to complete formal schooling, he was a very bright man, and given the opportunity, he would have gone far.

  “I remember wanting to be a doctor when I grew up,” he said, his voice almost wistful. “I had so many dreams. I would finish high school, go to university then medical school and then open a medical practice. And I could have, if my family had recognized my ability and supported me. But no one saw me beyond someone they could use for their own gain. I didn’t exist to them. Except for Thelma—she was the only one there for me.” He remembered his sister with fondness. She’d been the second born and had treated him more like her child than her brother. She never married, and for the first five years of his life, she’d spoiled him and taken care of him. Unfortunately, she’d fallen ill and died, and he had to return home. “Bernard, it’s time you moved on. You have made a good life for yourself and your family. You need to stop seeing yourself in your children, especially Lora. One day you won’t be here. How would you like her to remember you? As you remember your father, or as something better?”

  “I’m a good man.”

  “I know. But you have two wonderful daughters. Not just one. You must love them equally.”

  “I know that. Why do you think you have to tell me what I already know?”

  “Because you only see one. The other one you treat like a pariah. She did nothing to be treated this way, except for the fact that she has brains, does well in school and excels at whatever she does. Bernard, it’s time you let go of false dreams, embrace the children you have and be proud of them.”

  * * *

  A half hour later Lora was at Justin’s door. She knocked and then heard Louis barking.

  “Who is it?” a deep, raspy voice asked.

  “Lora.”

  She heard him swear.

  She took a step back, shocked and hurt by the response. “I could come back another time.”

  “No, it’s not because of you.” She heard the locks disengage and then the door opened. The man who stood before her looked awful. He had the rough makings of a beard and deep circles under his eyes. “It’s just that now is not a good time.”

  Lora knew the signs of a sickle cell crisis. “Why didn’t you call me?” she demanded, pushing her way past him. “What have you taken? Where does it hurt? Why aren’t you lying down?”

  Justin closed the door then rested against it. “One question at a time.”

  “Forget it. Lie d
own.” She went over to help him. “You can lean on me.”

  He held out his hand. “No, I’m too heavy.” He pushed himself from the door and started to limp over to the couch. But the quick movement was too much for him and he started to pitch forward. Lora rushed over to grab him before he hit the ground. But he was too heavy for her so she stumbled back and fell, managing to soften his fall. She gently pushed Justin off her. He’d passed out. She scrambled to her feet and tried to drag him over to his couch. Unfortunately, he was too big and heavy for her to lift up, so she grabbed a small cushion off the couch and placed it under his head. She then put a blanket over him. She glanced at his side table and saw a small prescription bottle. She read the label. It was a strong narcotic, and she knew it would definitely do the trick. He would be knocked out for several hours.

  Lora knelt next to Justin, knowing there wasn’t more she could do for him. He needed to rest and wait for the pain medication to take effect. In the meantime she’d take Louis for a walk. Lora got Louis’s leash and put it on him, but the dog didn’t want to leave Justin’s side. She tugged on his collar. “We’ll be back.”

  Her words and tone seemed to reassure him. Louis licked his master’s hand then wagged his tail enthusiastically to tell Lora that he was ready to go outside.

  * * *

  Where am I? Justin opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. Why was he on the ground? The last thing he remembered, he was on his bed trying to get through a crisis. Wait. He had answered the door for Lora, but that was the last thing he could recall. What had happened? Justin sat up and swore. He hoped he hadn’t passed out on her. He’d hate for her to see him that way. God, he hoped it wasn’t that. Where was Louis?

  He slowly rose to his feet. At least he felt better.

  “Careful or you might fall.”

  He spun around at her voice, lost his balance and fell onto the couch.

  Lora walked over to him. “Glad the couch caught you this time instead of me.”

  “What happened?”

  “You had a crisis.”

  “I know that, but how did I end up on the floor?”

  Lora bent down and lifted his jeans leg.

  Justin swatted her hand away. “Stop that.”

  “I just want to check for any swelling,” she said, sounding hurt.

  He softened his tone. “There isn’t any.”

  “You’re going to need another day of bed rest.”

  She was right; he still felt drowsy. “I know. So what happened?”

  “You tripped and fell.”

  Justin narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying to me.”

  She grinned. “Yes, do you want to hear the truth?”

  “No.”

  “Then lie down and rest some more.”

  Justin sank into the cushions, already feeling his limbs grow heavy. “You’d better still be here when I wake up.”

  “Is that a request or a demand?”

  A wish, Justin thought as he drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 14

  I must be dreaming, Lora thought. The guard at the front desk at the lab had said her mother was waiting for her in the visiting area. Her mother never visited her. Something had to be wrong. Lora raced down the stairs, not bothering to wait for the elevators. She pushed through the first-floor doors and spotted her mother sitting calmly near one of the windows. Lora could see she’d dressed with special care, and her hair was impeccable. She looked as if she were applying for a job instead of coming to meet her daughter.

  Her mother turned and stood when she saw her. Lora rushed up to her.

  “Mom, what are you doing here?” she asked, trying to catch her breath.

  “Why are you breathless?” Grace retorted.

  “When the guard at the front desk told me you were here, I ran down the stairs. What’s the emergency?”

  “There’s no emergency.”

  “Then why are you here? Is something wrong?”

  “Why? Must there be something wrong for me to visit my own daughter?”

  “No, but...”

  “But what?”

  “I mean, you’ve never visited me at work before. You’ve never even expressed interest.”

  “So, I guess you think I’m too old to change.” She turned, ready to leave.

  Lora grabbed her mother’s arm. “No, it just that I was surprised. It’s wonderful to see you.”

  Grace sat like a queen indulging a peasant. “So, do you have the time to show me what you do?”

  Lora cringed. She was in the middle of writing a proposal that was due in two days, and no, she really didn’t have the time. But she wasn’t going to tell her mother. They rode the elevator to the second floor, where Lora’s lab was located. Lora introduced Grace to the other members of her staff and later took her to meet Carla.

  They went to the cafeteria, and Lora ordered a cup of hot tea and a chicken sandwich for her mother.

  “So, is this what you do all day?” Grace said with interest.

  “Yes, I’m looking for ways to make people with sickle cell anemia live longer, pain-free lives.”

  “Do you work with white rats and such, like they show on TV?”

  “No. Most of my research involves looking at what current treatments are available and analyzing why some work for some and not for others, so I study data taken from live subjects. Human beings, not animals.”

  “I see.” Then her mother paused. “I wanted to apologize for the way your father behaved when you brought that young man to visit. What’s his name again?”

  “Justin. Dr. Justin Silver. And you don’t have to apologize for Dad.”

  “But I do.”

  “Mom, I’m used to Dad by now.”

  “You may be, but I’m not going to tolerate him shaming you anymore.”

  Lora was too shocked to speak. Her mother, although not a wallflower, had never approached her like this. Lora shifted, uncomfortable with her mother being so honest.

  “Justin was right to leave,” her mother continued. “Yes, your father was offended, but that was the first time I have ever seen anyone let him know that his behavior, at times, is unacceptable.” She adjusted her hair. “As for me, I was disappointed. I so wanted this holiday gathering to be without the typical insults your father is used to throwing at you. Lora, I know I don’t always say it, but I love you. I am proud of you, and you mean a lot to us. We are so proud of what you have done.” She grabbed a napkin to dab at her eyes. Lora knew her mother hated to cry, especially where anyone could see. “When you came and told us that you won that scholarship, my heart jumped for joy, but as usual, your father doused my enthusiasm. I couldn’t say much. Don’t hate him.”

  “I don’t hate him.” Lora shrugged. “But I’ve always known that Belinda’s his favorite.”

  “You’d have a right to hate him. But he loves you. He just can’t show it.”

  Lora didn’t fully believe her mother but was touched that she had taken the time to tell her. “Mom, I love you and Dad very much.”

  “Are you still seeing your young man?”

  Lora grinned at her mother’s formal tone. “Yes.”

  “Perhaps I can see him again for lunch or something?”

  “It’s a date,” she said, and to her delight her mother smiled.

  * * *

  Carla glanced at her watch, her heart sinking. He wasn’t going to make it. It was already 11:45, the groundbreaking ceremony was well under way and Griffin hadn’t shown up yet. Didn’t he know how much this day meant to her? Did he even care?

  Lora sidled up to her. “You keep checking your watch. Are you bored already?”

  Carla thought of lying, then decided against it. “No, I was expecting someone.”

 
“Oh, yes, Belinda told me you’re seeing someone. I’m happy for you. She’s says he’s a real cutie. Good for you.” She looked at Carla’s outfit. “Wow, you look fantastic. You must really like this guy.”

  Carla blushed. She had taken a lot of time to get ready for the event. She had bought a new ivory two-piece suit with an embroidered trim and a pair of lime-green sling-back heels, and she was wearing a very expensive pair of stockings. The skirt had a side slit that allowed it to fall at the perfect angle to emphasize her shapely legs. She had also had her hair colored to cover up her few strands of gray.

  “Thanks,” Carla said. “I’d better go and see what’s keeping him. Excuse me.” She moved away from the crowd and dialed his number.

  A sleepy voice picked up. “Hello?”

  “Griffin, where are you?”

  “Hi, Carla. I’m in bed. Why?”

  She sighed. “You forgot.”

  “Forgot about what?”

  “The groundbreaking ceremony.”

  Griffin swore, suddenly sounding wide awake. “Carla, I’m so sorry. I crammed to get a paper in and then had to work and Ariel had a bad night, so I totally forgot. I don’t think I’ll be able to get a babysitter but—”

  “Forget it.”

  “I’m truly sorry.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “You don’t have to. Get some sleep.” She hung up before he could reply. Perhaps this was a sign. They both had different lives and different obligations. She didn’t want to pull on him. She’d wanted him to meet Lora and see her world, but perhaps this was how it was supposed to be.

  Chapter 15

  The dog park bustled with the sound of happy dogs playing and owners chatting while the early-June sun beat down on them. Justin threw Louis a yellow Frisbee, which he easily caught and brought back to him. It had been more than a month since his mini crisis and he felt better than ever.

  He handed Lora the Frisbee. “So when are you going to tell me you won the fellowship?”

  Lora looked at him, unsure. “I didn’t think you’d want to talk about it.”