Sleeping Beauty (12 page)

I was also grateful that Terry and Tommy were at their sitters place.

I was still in gratitude mode when the doorbell rang. Although I hadnt yet combed my hair or washed my face and I was still holding Chester who had finally decided that anyone nuts enough to stay up all night with him couldnt be all bad. Hed snuggled into my arms like a twiggy bag of pickup sticks and fallen asleep against my chest, my arm tucked beneath his bony little hips. His warm if withered body was as much a comfort to me as mine was to him. I had stayed in my faded sleep pants and bleach-spotted Old Navy sweatshirt all day, holding him. Now I lamented the fact I had to answer the door.

I flung it open, matted and filthy Chester still sleeping, attached to me as if by Velcro. Id assumed the mailman would be standing on my porch with a package.

It was a package all right, a hunky and handsome package in gray trousers, a camel-colored cashmere coat and white shirt.

David? What are you doing here? Chester and I together must have made quite a picture, akin to refugees in a war-ravaged Third World country.

I called your office to talk to you and your friend Darla came on the line. She said youd had a bad nightseveral nights, actuallyand that I should come right over and check on you. He looked me over and the concern on his face deepened. You do look pretty bad. And whats that ratty fur thing youre holding?

Chester took that moment to open one eye.

David stepped back. Its alive!

Barely. This is Chester, my new foster cat. Hes had a hard life.

Obviously. David looked doubtful. He looks disease ridden.

Charley had him checked out. Hes starved, abused and mishandled, has emotional issues and is terrified, but the vet says, miracle of miracles, hes healthy.

I paused to regroup and consider what David had said. And what do you mean I look pretty bad and what business is it of Darlas whether or not I slept last night?

Bad is a relative term, Suze. Youre still beautiful. You just arenterstunning. He looked miserable, and perversely I felt pleased.

Stunned more than stunning, is that what you mean? I sighed and stepped aside so he could come in.

I thought Id sleep last night since Darla was here and I wouldnt have to worry so much about the boys, but the cat howled all night. I had to sleep with my arm over him in order for him to be quiet. Lets just say its not comfortable on my laundry-room floor.

Have you considered that you may take your job too seriously? Arent there rules about letting stray animals overtake you and your home?

Nothing he said could have ruffled my feathers more. What do you mean?

He appeared to realize that hed gone too far but didnt know how to back out. If any stray cat landed on your doorstep, would you bring it inside and let it take over your home?

Of course not. I make it a policy not to fall in love with strays. I make sure I dont have them inside and I certainly dont make a fuss over them. If I were to pet and cuddle them too much wed bond.

Davids eyebrow lifted quizzically.

Well, Id bond a little. Maybe Id play with it or pick it up, but is that so bad?

But youd leave it outside, correct?

I scuffed the toe of my slipper against the floor. I make exceptions. Ive let cats and other critters stay in my laundry room. Its pleasant in there and theres a nice big window so they can laze in the sun.

So you never let them inside and fuss with them unless its an exception?

Isnt that what I just said?

How many exceptions have you had?

Theyve all been exceptions so far, but that doesnt mean anything. Ive still got rules.

Well, at least they cant get any farther than the laundry room. He studied my face with benign amusement. Can they?

If theyre in the house, they arent allowed on the furniture. Okay, some of the furniture, but not the good things. And they certainly cant sharpen their claws on anything! Thats what I bought the scratching post for.

You bought a scratching post for stray cats?

Well, yes

I have to congratulate you, Suze. You certainly have managed to take control of the animals in your life.

Why does he look entertained and amused by me so much of the time?

I certainly dont feel all that fascinating. In fact, I feel like dropping onto the couch and sleeping for days.

Much to my horror, tears came to my eyes.

His expression changed immediately, and he was at my side.

What is it?

Im just so tired, David. Please forgive me. Ill be fine after

He took me by the shoulders and I realized how much taller he was than me. And strong. And how good he smelled close up. You are not okay. You havent been okay for a long time as far as I can tell. What you are is stubborn, obstinate and mulish.

Mulish? At least that was animal related. I could handle that.

But David wasnt finished. For some reason youve convinced yourself that theres no help for you and you wont hear any differently. I cant force you to do anything but I can beg you, as a friend, to please let someone try to help you.

He stepped back and I missed the heat of his hands on my shoulders. Let me recommend a man at my clinic. There would be no conflict of interest between us and I could support you as a friend, not as a physician. The man Im suggesting is top notch. What do you have to lose? He eyed me, barefoot, rumpled and hanging on to a cat that looked more like a furry birds nest than an animal.

From your point of view, not much, Im sure. I felt tears at the back of my throat and hated myself for it.

And from yours? His gaze was so intent that it seemed to hook my soul and pull the words up through my throat and out into the open.

Hope, David, hope. Every time Ive gone through these tests, I have had hope. If I do it again and it fails again, do you have any idea of how Ill feel?

If you dont try then you cant fail, you mean?

Skewed, I know, but silly as it sounds, it is true. I paused. If I do this and am disappointed again, theres nowhere else to go. Im afraid Ill quit fighting it, David. I cant do that. I have to keep trying.

He gathered me and Chester into his arms. Chester gave a grunt of disapproval at being made into a cat sandwich, but he didnt try to get away. Let me walk this with you, Suze. I wont let you give up hope or quit trying. Taking another stab at the tests, trying the advances weve made, its not a prescription for failure. Its just another shot at the same target, thats all. If it doesnt work, you still have your sleep disorder. And if it does

I dont know why I agreed. It wasnt because I had any hope whatsoever of a solution to my problem. Instead, it was probably how Davids cologne drifted into my nostrils and how his arms felt around me. And how he said hed walk the path with me this time. At the moment, I would have done almost anything for an opportunity to add that to my life.

Coffee? I asked. Ill make you some. Then I paused, feeling puzzled. And since when does a big-shot neurologist, head of a sleep clinic, VIP doctor make house calls?

Id love some coffee but I want you to get the stuffdecaf, tooout of your house until we figure out whats going on with you. He smiled slightly. And this doctor makes house calls because the six-hour meeting he had scheduled today got called off. He shrugged, grinned and spread his hands, palm up, in a happy-but-helpless gesture.

So everything was moved to tomorrow and Ive been a doctor long enough to know that if a free day comes to jump on it. I also know that if I go to the clinic to see how things are going, Ill never get out again. I look at this as a test. I want to see if the staff can fly without me.

After returning Chester to his ragged hidey-hole, I spooned coffee into the filter basket and took cream out of the refrigerator. Fortunately I had made muffins yesterday so I had something to feed David. Unfortunately they were my grandmothers recipe and something of an acquired taste. My grandmother believes in fiber. And I mean fiber .

When my grandmother talks about having smooth sailing in her life, she means shes got all the fiber she needs in her system. It appears her roughage needs are high because she puts it in everything from soup in the form of unpeeled, undercooked vegetables to mashed potatoes cooked skin-on.

Sometimes Darla complains that our family eats like goats and squirrels, neither of which is known for having a smooth, creamy diet.

I handed David a plate and a mug of coffee, then transferred some muffinssmall but weighing about a half pound eachto another plate. He took one and hefted it as if he might a bag of money. A substantial muffin, he commented cautiously.

Heavy ingredients, I said, taking one myself and breaking it open. Carrots, pecans, pineapple, coconut, wheat flour, flaxseed, prunes, a hint of oatmeal

An organic paradise, he concluded.

I apologize in advance for whatever this might do to your digestive system but theyre good for you.

He looked at me studiously. I have to admit, Suze, you are by far the most exceptional woman I have ever met.

Who? Little ol me? Why thank you, sir, but I bet you say that to all the girls. I fluttered my eyelashes outrageously and handed him the buttermy little rebellion against Grannys good food rules.

Only the ones who appear to have starving animals glued to their chests and proudly serve muffins made out of the same material as bowling balls.

You sweet talker, you. I can see you have exotic tastes.

David was easy to tease. The fan of fine laugh lines near his eyes made him approachable. For a man with so much education and importance, he didnt take himself too seriously. If I were to describe him with only one wordand not the obvious ones like handsome, hunky, gorgeou s or adorable the word Id choose is compassionate . A close runner-up would be kind .

He not only didnt hate Grannys health muffins, he actually liked them. I had to stop him after the first one, however. I never know how the muffins will affect people. Darla had a stomachache for two days after her first one. Her stomach had never had to work so hard to digest anything in its life except maybe that pile of peanut shells someone had dared her to eat at a sorority house party.

Just as I was telling David this story, the doorbell rang.

Chester, startled by the sound, began to yowl, so I picked him up before going to answer the door.

Im going to have to change clothes, I muttered. Soon everyone would think I always dress myself out of the garbage can at Goodwill.

Before I could get to the door, Darla bolted into the kitchen with the twins in tow.

She looked wild-eyed. Someone called to have me bring the boys homesomething about backed-up plumbing at day care.

Where have I heard that before? Mickeys on a first-name basis with her plumber. The boys appeared dopey and immediately went to their room and fell asleep. Tired, perhaps, from botching up someones pipes?

Darla peered at me. Are you okay? Im glad to have the opportunity to come to check on you. You were acting really weird this morning. She moved toward the coffeepot. I honestly thought youd passed out on the laundry-room floorOh, hello, David, so nice to see you.

So you sent David on a rescue mission?

I was hoping hed come but I didnt know for sure.

I turned to David. Please send the invoice for this house call to Darla. Make it big. I want her to quit meddling in my life. Ive talked to her about it but it doesnt help. Perhaps a ridiculously large bill for your services will wake her up.

I couldnt, not in good conscience, at least not anymore. In one cup of coffee and one muffin in this house, I had the caloric equivalent of sixteen regular muffins and the caffeine punch of Rocky Balboa.

Its decaffeinated.

And as Ive said before, Id recommend you quit drinking it altogether.

I threw my hands in the air and Chester hung on for dear life. I dont know which of you is worse!

Say its me, please say its me, Darla retorted cheerfully. I want to be the one responsible for helping you to get over this malady you have.

Its not a malady. Its just a little issue.

Right. Thats why I found you sleeping with your head in the cats water dish, because of your little issue.

I was not! I protested but then stopped. Was I?

Darla turned to David triumphantly. See?

He nodded solemnly. Point taken.

I was about to yell at them both but the doorbell rang again. Had someone hung a Welcome to Grand Central Station sign on my front door?

C harley, his Mohawk particularly bright and perky in hot-pink and turquoise, stood at the door staring at my chest and grinning.

I didnt take that in a bad way, especially since Chester was the one he was eyeing, as the cat clung to me like a tree frog.

I see you two have bonded.

Whatever, I said wearily. He likes me in an approach-avoidance sort of way. I peeled the cat off my sweater and handed him to Charley. Chester meowed pitifully but curled up in his arms.

Who is here? Darla skidded to a stop in the doorway of the kitchen to stare at Charley.

He did make quite a sight in holey jeans, a high-necked black turtleneck, his suit coat, bright green sneakers and a collection of peace-symbol necklaces he must have lifted from an aging hippy. I hope he quits doing avant-garde theater soon. Its having a rather nasty effect on his dressing habits.

I came to see how the cat is doing. Well, hello there. Charley locked eyes with Darla and forgot about Chester.

She was framed in the doorway looking like a gorgeous kewpie doll in a vibrant yellow business suit. Darla was a cute little parakeet to Charleys outlandish parrot.

Something weird was going on again; little electrical sparks seemed to be flowing back and forth between Charley and Darla like a mini force field. Charleys brown eyes were telepathically glued to Darlas and whatever was being transmitted between them must have been mighty interesting because neither seemed inclined to break the gaze.

Then Chester put a claw into Charleys chest. He yelped and danced around pulling at the matted furball, and Darla spun around and retreated to the kitchen like a frightened kitten herself.