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Authors: Tiffany L. Warren

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BOOK: Lies and Alibis
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Camille puts both hands on her hips and then grabs her purse. 
“I know you are not asking me anything about what my husband thinks, when Rod is about to be your ex-husband.”

Why did I say anything to this heffa?  I should just let this whole thing blow up in her face and wait for her to come begging.  Camille can be so self-righteous sometimes.

“I hope you feel better, and that the baby is okay so that you still have an income when Rod runs off with that stripper!” Camille says as she storms out of the room.

I wish I could jump out of this bed and smack her. 

“She didn’t mean that,” Sydney says as the hospital door slams.


Well, she’s right.  Rod is about to leave me for a big booty stripper.”

Sydney sits on the edge of my bed and wraps me in her arms as my tears flow. 
“You’ll be better off without him.  God will send you someone better.”

I let out a deep sigh and gently touch my belly.  I’m glad that Sydney is thinking of God in all of this. 
Someone
needs to be prayerful, and it’s not going to be me.  Right now, all I’m thinking of is revenge.


Sydney, you smell like Burberry London for men.  Who have you been hugged up with?” I ask.  “I’d know that scent anywhere.”

Sydney’s cheeks turn a rosy shade of red. 
“I haven’t been hugged up with anyone.”


Liar.  Do you finally have a boyfriend?  Is that why you skipped out on your birthday trip?  Please say yes, because I could use some good news.”


The baby is good news,” Sydney says. 

I narrow my eyes at Sydney and she looks away.  She is absolutely lying. 

Sydney you better fess up about this new guy before I call Grandma Baker, Grandmere Batiste and Mama, and tell them you’ve got Chlamydia.”


What?  I don’t have any diseases!  I haven’t even slept with him yet.”


Yet?  Oh, you have been holding out.  Who is it?”


No one really.  Just Lucas.  I was feeling sad, he invited me over, and somehow I ended up at his place.


So, are you thinking of getting back with him?”

She shrugs. 
“I don’t know.”

Sydney keeping this from me means one of two things.  Either it’s so unimportant that she just blew it off, or that she is seriously considering hooking back up with him.  I remember how everyone loved Lucas, and how we all thought they would get married and have lots of little brainiac kids.  But I also remember that he cheated on her and broke her heart.

At this very moment, while I’m up here in this bed, with a gut full of my cheating husband’s seed, Lucas gets no holla from me.  As far as I’m concerned, cheaters are slimy dogs not worth anyone’s time or attention.

But, luckily for me, their money is still green and it still spends.  Maybe I’ll be the ex-wife of Rod Knight sooner than I’d like, but I’m sure as hell going out with a bang.

 

 

~
18~

 

Sydney

I can always tell when Nurse Connie has gossip to share.  Her eyes are wide and sparkling and her upper lip trembles as if the juicy news can’t wait to spill out.  Usually it’s about someone’s clandestine tryst or a budding new romance.

“What’s going on Connie?” I ask as I look over my list of surgeries for the day.


I should be asking you that question.  Or maybe I should be asking Lucas.”

My lips form a tight line.  I knew someone would start speculating soon, but I hoped that it wasn’t Connie.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say.

Nurse Connie gives me a knowing grin. 
“Unh-uh, don’t do that Dr. Baker.  I heard, from a very reliable source, that Dr. Jeffries was consoling you after you lost your last patient.”


That doesn’t mean anything.  Doctors console one another all the time. It comes with the job.”


Well, from what I heard this was a little bit more intense than two colleagues sharing war stories.  This was more intimate.  Like how lovers comfort one another.”


Oh good grief!  Are you sure you actually heard all that?  If you did, your source ought to be slapped for extreme embellishment.”

Ming Nah approaches the Nurses’ station with a frown on her face.  Her frown is directed at me.  Apparently, she’s heard from Connie’s source too.  Good grief.

“Dr. Baker,” Ming Nah says as a greeting.


Hello.”

I grab my charts and walk away, not wanting to engage in conversation with Lucas’s ex-girlfriend.  Not when my heart is softening toward him. 

“Dr. Baker, can I ask you a question?” Ming Nah asks just when I’m almost in the clear.

I turn on one heel. 
“Sure.”


Why aren’t you dating anyone?  I-I mean, I don’t understand why you’re not dating anyone.  You should be.  I think.”

I lift a wary eyebrow and say,
“I’m waiting for the right man to come along.”


Or maybe you’re waiting on someone you were never meant to be with.  Some people are destined to be together, and some aren’t.”

Okay, can this chick just come out and tell me how she really feels?  She’s about to make me channel all of Dionne’s ghetto rage in a minute, because I’m detecting a tone. 

“Well, I know all about things that were never meant to be,” I say.  “But some people have a problem with not knowing when to let go.  You’ve got to know when to fold ‘em.”

If Ming Nah wants to trade passive aggressive barbs all day, I can roll with it.  Truth is, she needs to move on to another sun-kissed doctor, because Lucas has already closed the door on anything happening with them.

“You could give up, or you could fight,” Ming Nah says.  “Me, I’m a fighter.  I’ll fight to the death for what belongs to me.”

Okay, this girl sounds cuckoo-banana. 

“To the death, huh?” I ask.  “Well, what if you’re the casualty?  Then, I guess all your fighting would be in vain.”

I turn and walk away quickly, not wanting to continue this insane conversation.  And why should I if I haven’t even decided what to do about Lucas?

Every part of my intellect is telling me to forget about how great it felt to be held and comforted by Lucas.  My memories remind me of his cheater tendencies, but they also let me recollect how good he made me feel once upon a time.  And not just physically.  Lucas always made me feel safe.  Until I caught him cheating, I never once doubted that I’d spend the rest of my life with him.

Now, almost ten years later, no one has been able to replace Lucas or erase the feelings I have for him in my heart.  But even though the good recollections are there, Lucas hasn’t done enough to overcome all of the ugliness of my heartbreak.  His apology was a start.

Right before I step into my patient’s room, I see Lucas rushing down the hall in my direction.  I wish my heart didn’t swell at the sight of him.  I wish my lips didn’t want to part into a smile. 


Sydney, how is Dionne?  I’ve been calling and texting you since you left the hospital.”


I’m sorry for not getting back to you.  I’ve been running since I left her.  She’ll be okay.  Fertility medication causing a little bit of trouble.  But she’ll be fine.”

I leave out the facts that she’s pregnant and maybe divorcing her husband, things I would’ve mentioned had Lucas and I been in a relationship.  Currently, he’s just a friendly co-worker asking about the well-being of my family member.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Lucas says.  He touches my arm in a caring gesture, but it sends sparks right through my entire body.  I snatch my arm away.


Thank you.”


And how are you Syd?  Are you okay?  You seemed pretty ragged right before your sister called you.”


I-I’m fine.  I apologize for breaking down like that in front of you.  That was unprofessional.”

Lucas takes a half step that puts him in my personal space zone.  My eyes dart from side to side looking desperately for an escape, but it is futile, because Lucas is so close that his thighs graze mine.

“Unprofessional?  Sydney, we are more than colleagues whether we want to admit it or not.  Our history takes us beyond the professional.  If nothing else, I am your friend.  I always will be.”


You’re my friend.” I repeat his words, because his nearness has me at a loss for any of my own thoughts.

Lucas stares down into my face as if he’s trying to read my soul. 
“I want to be more than friends, Sydney.  I won’t give up until I believe that you don’t still want me.”


You can’t make me be with you.” I am not even convinced by this declaration, so I know that Lucas isn’t either.

He brings his lips close to mine.  His warm breath intoxicates me like a shot of cognac. 
“And you can’t keep pretending that we’re over.”  He kisses me deeply; his intensity scares me.  “We’re not over.”

When his lips connect to mine it's as if we're frozen in time. My limbs turn to gelatin, as the shockwaves course throughout my body.  All I can think about is this moment, and how I wish it could go on forever.  It's like every second we're
connected; the past becomes more and more blurry.  Lucas's indiscretions seem less grave, and I can almost picture us together again.


Why do you keep kissing me without being invited?”


Because you keep kissing me back.”


Maybe you should wait for an invitation.”

A satisfied smile spreads across Lucas's face.  
“Is there one forthcoming?  What can I do to earn it?”


You can't earn it.  If it happens it'll be a gift.”


It would be the best gift I've ever received.  I love you Sydney.  I have never stopped loving you.”


You keep saying that...”


And I'm going to continue saying it until you finally believe me.”


I've got to go and check on my patient.  Can we talk later?”

I untangle myself from Lucas, but he doesn't move from his spot. 

“Don't you have some work to do Dr. Jeffries?” Nurse Connie asks as she switches down the hall with a wicked grin on her face.

Lucas chuckles as he jogs in the opposite direction, toward the nurse station.  Every few steps, he skips.  He reminds me of a little boy on the way to the ice cream truck to get his favorite
Popsicle. 

Does the very thought of us getting together again give Lucas that much joy?  I'm afraid to let myself feel the same way.  What if he hurts me again?  I never want to revisit that dark and depressing period of my life.

I step into my patient's room.  She's seven years old, and her foster mother brought her in when she complained of a sore throat.  I hadn't performed the tonsillectomy, but I'm the one taking care of her now.  The little girl, Nasheka, has her hair pulled into two messy, lopsided and clumpy ponytails.  Obviously, her Caucasian foster mother has no idea what to do with natural hair.


How are you feeling Nasheka?  Does your throat hurt?”

Nasheka grimaces and nods. 
“A little.  I'm hungry too.”


I will have them bring you some ice cream.  How does that sound?” I ask as I read her chart.  No fever.  That's wonderful.  This little baby will be going home soon.


Will she be able to go home today?” the foster mother asks.

I scan over Nasheka's medical history.  Several broken bones in the past year.  A concussion and deliberately inflicted second degree burns.  She's been abused, probably by her own mother, but her foster parent seems kind enough.

“I think we'll keep her overnight.  It's late in the afternoon, and I'd like to make sure she doesn't show any sign of infection.”

Nasheka frowns. 
“I want to go home.”


The doctor wants to make sure that you're well.  Why don't I go home and bring back your pretty hair bows?  We can fix you up really pretty before you go home. “

I am so glad she brought up the subject of hair, but Nasheka isn't.  Her tiny face scrunches into an immediate frown.

“What are you using on her hair, if you don't mind my asking?”


Oh, I bought a big jar of Vaseline, and I have a spray bottle of water. It gives her a great shine, don't you think?”

I shake my head. 
“I'm going to write down a list of products and leave it with her take home instructions.  Also, you might want to run her down to Hairtastical in Lithonia.  They will condition her hair and give her a style that you don't have to touch for weeks.”

The foster mother's eyes light up.  I knew that
Vaseline comment was a cry for help. 


Thank you so much!” she says.  “I will take her tomorrow!”


I'd let her rest a couple of days.  Then take her.”

Nasheka grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. 
“Thank you!”

I want to laugh at her very adult and very serious gesture.  This patient is going to be okay!  I needed this win to lift my spirits, and for a moment at least, keep me from obsessing over Lucas.

I say goodbye to Nasheka and step back into the hallway.  It's a quiet day at the hospital, so I'll probably be able to get some charts completed before the early evening emergency room rush.  Nurse Connie is waiting for me, and she's wearing a smile.


Guess what I just heard,” she says.


That Dr. Jeffries just ran off to marry Ming Nah.”

Connie smacks my arm. 
“I wish you would stop with the Ming Nah talk.  You could probably tell me what he ate for lunch, the way I saw you two canoodling a few minutes ago.”


Um...okay...whatever.  What did you hear?”


Dr. Jeffries just got offered a position at the Mayo Clinic.”


What?  What department?” I can't hide my surprise.  Lucas hadn't mentioned this to me.


Oncology.  They were impressed with that study he did on chemotherapy and stem cells.”

I remember the study.  He and Ming Nah had bonded during that study - it's when they started sleeping together.  I stayed as far away from that budding romance as possible.  Now it seems like it all paid off.  A job offer from the Mayo Clinic is all Lucas has ever talked about.  He had it on his vision board at Emory. 

“He accepted the offer?” I ask.

Connie cackles. 
“Girl, what do you think?  That's why Ming Nah's been in panic mode this past week!  She wants to go with him.”

I take in a deep breath and blow the air out through my nose.  I can't believe he didn't tell me that he's moving to Minnesota!  He's whispering sweet nothings in my ear and stealing kisses, and all the while he's planning to leave.  That is so like him!

What am I supposed to be?  The in-between time booty calls to tide him over until he gets to Minnesota? He's got me totally confused!  He can catch fire if he thinks he's gonna get any going away nookie from me.


Then, I guess you are gonna be planning a going away party, huh?” I ask Connie as I storm down the hall.

It feels like I just dodged a bullet.  I was getting used to the idea of letting Lucas back into my heart, even fantasizing about a life with him.  I am stupid, stupid, stupid! 
Lucas hasn’t changed one bit.

Ming Nah can fight to the death for him if she wants.  I’m throwing in the towel.

BOOK: Lies and Alibis
4.75Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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