Restored (15 page)

Ashley shook her head. “Why don’t we just go out for dinner? You’ll feel better.”

“Why not? I feel like my body’s already been violated. Why not get a meal out of it too?” The gynecological examination had been as intrusive as she’d feared, but meeting Corrine was much worse and somehow more intrusive.

“I’ll call Mike and let him know we’re on our way. He’ll make something to salivate over,” Ashley said. “How about we drive by the house and you drop off your SUV?”

Once on the road, Lexi’s cell phone buzzed. “Hello?” She answered the phone without reading the caller ID.

“There you are,” a familiar male voice said. His husky voice calmed her jittery nerves in a way she still didn’t fully understand.

Lexi looked at the screen to verify what she already knew. Caleb. “Here I am.”

“How are you doing? After your appointment, that is,” Caleb asked as he cleared his throat.

“Well, I survived it, but it was touch and go,” Lexi said.

“Well, I’m glad you pulled through. I wanted to let you know that I have to go to a meeting in Bangor tomorrow. I actually have to leave tonight,” Caleb said. “Dr. Hale was supposed to go, but he asked me last minute. One of his older patients is in the hospital, so he wants to be able to check on him tomorrow.”

Lexi’s heart sank. After the afternoon she’d had, his comfort was needed now more than ever. “When will you be back?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“Friday evening. I’ll call you when I get back. Maybe we could got out, or stay in. Whatever you want is fine. Oh, I nearly forgot. Have you ever been camping?”

“No…” The image she conjured was primitive, not something she wanted to do.

“It’s just that I’ve rented a cabin for next weekend, and I wanted to take you there. We’d be gone from Thursday until Sunday. It’s all electric inside, and it’s supposed to be right on the lake,” Caleb said.

Lexi smiled. She hoped that flushing toilets were a part of the all-electric package. Nothing brought a couple down quite like faulty plumbing. She didn’t even consider saying no. “Yes, I’ll go. That sounds great!” Her voice had regained something it’d lacked since her gynecological encounter, something like hope.

“Well good. I’m glad that’s settled. I’ve got to go. I need to get my things together before I leave tonight. I still have a long drive ahead of me.”

Lexi’s throat was raw, though she didn’t want to admit how much she’d miss him. “Okay. Please be careful.”

“Always, baby, you know I will,” Caleb said.

“Bye,” Lexi said as a few tears ran down her face.

“Bye, baby,” Caleb said before disconnecting the call.

***

It was still too early for the dinner crowd at The Chop House, which gave Lexi the semi-isolation she craved. Lexi and Ashley were led to a small table in the bar area. The hostess seemed to know Ashley, and she spoke politely and sported a hundred-watt smile. The table was fashioned out of an old wine barrel and had a polished tabletop. Lexi easily pushed herself up onto the tall chair, while Ashley struggled, finally managing to settle onto the seat. Lexi grinned at her. Ashley’s short legs hadn’t been made for bar-height chairs.

Moments after they sat down, Mike brought them tall mugs of what looked like hot chocolate topped with ample whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Lexi picked hers up and tasted the whipped cream.

“It’s called the Blitzen. Don’t ask me what’s in it, but I wouldn’t drink more than two of these in a sitting. It’ll get you blitzed before you know it!” He kissed Ashley on the forehead and gave her an abbreviated hug. Mike always seemed to make it a habit to touch Ashley whenever she was in close proximity, as if she had a magnetic pull.

“It looks very good. Thank you, sweetheart,” Ashley said as she held the mug in her hands. Mike’s hand lingered on Ashley’s back.

“Well, it sounded like you two needed something to take the edge off?” Mike asked, his quizzical gaze on Lexi.

Lexi sipped her drink, wanting to feel its calming effects. The warm liquid glided down her throat, followed by the burn of the liquor. She didn’t want to hold on to the agitation, but Corrine was going to be a hard face to forget. She sipped again, welcoming the burn.

“Thanks, Mike. You’re right. I could stand to be a little less edgy tonight.” Lexi perched on the chair, with her legs crossed. She leaned on one side, trying to avoid the muscular soreness that still lingered from the earlier injection.

“What happened?” Mike asked.

Ashley hesitated, and when she was about to answer, Lexi cut her off.

“I was just nervous about my doctor’s appointment, and Caleb is going out of town on business. It’s just a lot at once,” she blurted.

“I see…well, maybe a good meal will take your mind off of that stuff, for a little while anyway.” Mike grinned at Lexi, and his eyes grew wider, as if something had crossed his mind. “I don’t know if this is polite, but I’m going to say it anyway. I really like the idea of you and Caleb. You two just seem right together. Then again, anything would be better than what he had been dating before you…” Mike tried not to laugh, but his feelings were rather transparent. Lexi knew he hadn’t cared for Corrine. “No offense to you, Lexi. You’re great.”

“Thanks, Mike. That’s very sweet,” Lexi said with a smile. Mike’s candor had made her loosen up. She almost felt guilty for not telling him about her encounter with Corrine. It wasn’t that there was any reason not to tell Mike what had happened, or that nothing really had happened other than a chance meeting. For now she just wanted to keep Corrine where she belonged, which was out of her head.

“I’ve got to get back to the kitchen—there’s an office party coming in soon. If there’s anything you two need, just ask for me. I’ve already put in an order that you will both love.” He kissed Ashley on the lips.

Ashley kissed him back. “See you later!”

“Bye, Mike,” Lexi said.

After Mike headed toward the kitchen, Lexi finished her Blitzen despite its hot temperature.

“Why didn’t you want Mike to know about your run-in with Corrine?” Ashley’s words sounded guarded, as she spoke them is a hushed whisper.

“I don’t know really. I just don’t want to give her that power over me. It’s stupid. And it makes me feel stupid,” Lexi said as she looked into her empty mug. A tingling sensation spread over her body, and she was less encumbered than she’d been before the Blitzen. Even her memory was starting to wash Corrine away.

“Don’t feel stupid. She has the ability to make everyone around her feel terrible about themselves. That’s partly why I didn’t want you to meet her. She’s bad mojo.”

Lexi nodded.

“On the bright side, I think that’s our food coming,” Ashley said as she motioned to the food tray.

Mike had outdone himself. First to arrive was a creamy potato soup that had been liberally covered with Vermont white cheddar. A large chunk of sourdough bread came with the soup, for dipping.

Lexi focused only on the soup as she dipped a chunk of her bread into it, but Caleb still arose in her mind. He was going to take her away next weekend, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. After giving so much attention to Corrine and then to Caleb’s going out of town, her mind glossed over any excitement that she had about going away with Caleb.

“So Caleb wants to take me camping next weekend,” Lexi confided. Any break from talking about Corrine would be a welcome change of subject.

“Why didn’t you say anything before? That’s great! Do you know where you’re going?” Ashley asked breathlessly.

“No. I didn’t ask where, but Caleb said that he’s rented a cabin on a lake and that the cabin has electricity,” Lexi said as she stacked her empty dishes and moved them to the side of the table.

“Well, that’s certainly is good. It’s getting too cold to rough it in the wilderness,” Ashley said, her eyes alight. “Did you ask about the sleeping arrangements? Maybe your birth control shot will come to use then?”

“Ashley! I don’t want to jump to any conclusions just yet,” Lexi said as her cheeks reddened. Outwardly, she tried to remain calm, but this was big. She was already so comfortable with Caleb, and the thought of that connection intensifying made her anxious. What if she did something wrong? Even worse, just how much was it going to hurt?

Mike stopped back by the table. “So how are we doing?” he asked. “What are you two ready to eat next? Steak, baked ziti…or maybe some dessert?” Mike would’ve probably liked to feed them until they popped.

“I don’t know how much more we can handle,” Ashley said, having finished her large crock of soup and sourdough bread. Not to mention a few other appetizers Mike had brought out.

“What about you, Lexi? Is your sweet tooth craving something?” Mike asked as he tucked a loose strand of hair back under the handkerchief that was tied around his head.

The image of Corrine eating lava cake ruined any plans for dessert. “No, Mike. I’m stuffed,” Lexi said.

“Have it your way, ladies. You know how much I love to feed you two.”

“I think we’re about to go home. We’ve got work tomorrow. Are you ready to go, Lexi?” Ashley asked.

“Yes, I think so,” Lexi replied. “Thanks again, Mike. It was terrific.” Lexi took Ashley’s keys and went to warm up the car while Ashley said good-bye to Mike. On her way to the lobby, a wall of photographs caught her eye. There were hundreds of pictures that wallpapered the wall, but out of them all, one in particular stood out. There was Caleb and Corrine, their faces pressed together. Their dark hair seemed continuous, as if they were physically connected. Their eyes seemed to be alive as they peered back at Lexi. If they’d been unhappy together, it wasn’t evident in this photograph. Although the two were no longer an item, they certainly didn’t seem destined for a life apart. Caleb had claimed that there had always been something missing in his relationship with Corrine. However, this visual of them together seemed like a perfect image of two lovers. Lexi stifled her tears as she headed for the door. She wiped at her face and fanned herself to hide all evidence of crying. Ashley would try and comfort her, but all Lexi wanted now was isolation so that she could think it all through. They weren’t together. Caleb was hers now. She needed to let her insecurities go…

***

Caleb groaned and looked at his watch. The conference dragged on. It was already 6:00 p.m. on Friday… If he left now, it’d be well after 9:00 p.m. when he finally got home. Would Lexi be awake? Maybe he could stop by…

“Hey, Caleb,” Frank Andrews said. Frank was an acquaintance Caleb had met at another conference.

“Frank! How are things?” As much as he wanted to get on the road, he had to talk to Frank.

Frank pulled out his phone and slid his finger across the screen. He flashed the image of twin babies in Caleb’s direction. “Kaylee and Jemma. They’re just under two months old.” Frank smiled as he turned the picture around to view it for himself.

Caleb clapped Frank on his shoulder. “That’s great, man. I’m really happy for you.”

“Finally after two rounds of fertility treatments, we were blessed with those two angels.” Frank put his phone back into his pocket. “So how long are you here for? Maybe we could get some dinner together?”

“Sorry. I’m going to be leaving soon. I have a long ride ahead of me tonight.” Dinner would be nice, but nothing could beat being near Lexi. He’d pick up a sandwich on the drive home.

“You not going to the natural antibiotic alternative seminar on Sunday?” Frank worked at a clinic similar to Hale Health.

“What seminar? I didn’t see that on the agenda.” Dr. Hale would lose his mind if Caleb ditched that seminar. It was one of the older doctor’s primary areas of interest.

Frank gestured to the posters mounted on each side of the hall that boasted the natural antibiotic alternative seminar that was added after the agendas were printed.

Crap!
There wasn’t even a conscious choice. He had to stay. Caleb usually delighted in his work, but now it was like a shackle. His face fell. He had to call Dr. Hale. “Well, that changes things… How about I give you a call in about a half hour? I’ll have to stay for that seminar, no doubt.”

Frank disappeared down the hall. The news of Caleb staying seemed to excite him, whereas Caleb’s chest contracted.

“Caleb, how’s the conference?” Dr. Hale asked.

“It’s been fine…”
Just spit it out.

“Great!”

“Actually, that’s why I was calling. There’s a workshop on Sunday on antibiotic overuse and natural alternatives.” He hoped that Lexi would understand. It wasn’t an unreasonable expectation, but she wouldn’t like it either. Not after he’d made it a point to tell her he’d be home Friday evening.

“Gee, Caleb. I’d love to get that information. You know how we’re pressed to write a prescription for every sniffle? I’d like to be able to give some new options to patients. Do you think you could stay over the weekend? It’d be so helpful in our practice,” he said, as if there were a real choice in the matter.

It was inevitable and unavoidable. “Of course. When I heard about it, I thought it’d be something you’d want me to attend.” Caleb’s voice sounded flat, but his words were appropriate. Dr. Hale wouldn’t know the inner turmoil, which was just as well.

“Thanks, Caleb. I’ll arrange things with the hotel to extend your stay.”

“Thanks, Walter. See you in a few days.” Two more nights in a strange bed, without the comforts of home. He’d have to call Mike to check on Benjamin. He’d need fresh water and food.

Staying longer hadn’t been his plan. Being without Lexi… Unbearable. If she only knew how vital she was.

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