Part 29 (2/2)
”I'm thinking about leaving him, Kim.”
The words struck Kim like a cold slap. Suddenly the sleepy haze that followed her throughout the morning began to fade. ”Are you serious?”
”I'm thinking about it.”
”Is he cheating again?”
”He's says he's not.”
”Says he's not? What does that mean? You think he is?”
”The problem is I'm beginning to not care. Last night he proved to me that Stacy was hara.s.sing him, and it just didn't matter. If he was s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g her right now, I don't think I could care. I'm just numb to him now. It's scaring me. Plus-”
”Go on?” Kim plucked out the coffee pot and began to pour into her mug.
”There's this man, a friend.”
”Simone? I know you aren't-”
”Of course not! I would never cheat, girl please. Besides, this man's married. It's not like that. Happily married I guess.”
”Then I'm confused.”
She heard her sister laugh. She missed Simone so much that her laughter actually caused her to wince. It killed her to push her away. She feared what would happen if she didn't. She'd cling to her and never let go.
”It's okay. I stay confused down here. His name is Cain. He's different from the rest of them. He makes me laugh. It's not like that with Keith now. I think Cain is just making me see Keith and all his flaws differently. Does that make sense?”
”Of course it does. You want to divorce him, then come home to us. We'll be fine.”
Simone sighed. ”I just said I was thinking about it. I haven't decided anything yet. Right now he's giving me s.p.a.ce. I just need to get my head right. Oh, guess what? I've started a garden.”
”Why?”
”It's what you do in suburbia, silly.”
”Oh.”
”Besides, Diane loved plants. I got a green thumb from her. It's one of the few good memories I have of Mama as a little girl.”
”Diane grew marijuana, Simone.”
”Huh? That's not true!”
”Of course it is!” Kim heard her son scream. ”Oh-oh, someone's calling my name. Got to go.”
”You okay, Kim? The attorneys, have they settled yet?”
”Not yet, got a meeting this week. Hopefully this will all be over soon. I'm fine though. I made a friend too.”
”What?”
”Mooommmmiiieeeee!!”
Kim looked back. ”I promise to call you back and tell you all about him.”
”Him? Wait?” Simone gasped.
”Gotta go... bye.”
She hung up, smiling. Stealing a quick sip of coffee the hot liquid seared her tongue. ”s.h.i.+t!”
”s.h.i.+t!” Danny said grinning, pulling on her robe.
Kim looked down and found her little parakeet at her side, which meant that Denny was the one in the other room crying. ”Bad word, Danny. Don't say that.”
”s.h.i.+t! s.h.i.+t! s.h.i.+t!” he grinned.
Kim sighed. She picked him up and walked out of the kitchen.
”s.h.i.+t! s.h.i.+t! s.h.i.+t!” Danny yelped, bucking in her arms.
The day had just started, and already there was reason to curse.
”Something I can do for you, doctor?” Patel said dryly, not bothering to look up. Mathew walked inside and closed the door. Patel sat behind his desk scribbling on paperwork. Visions of s.n.a.t.c.hing the pen and breaking it off in Patel's a.s.s clouded Mathew's thoughts. All roads kept leading back to this creep. The moment Kim marched in his office and threw his past in his face, he knew where it came from.
”It's time you and I have a talk,” Mathew said.
”Not now, busy.”
After another long pause, Patel finally did look up. He frowned, removed his spectacles, and then pressed the bridge of his nose with two fingers. ”Are you here to throw another angry tantrum?'
”You told Nurse Jensen about my time at University. I want to know why?”
Patel sat back. ”I did no such thing. I have little interest in you and your crush on that ice queen.”
Mathew stepped forward. Patel's smirk dimmed. ”Which brings me to my next question. If you think so little of her why are you treating her?”
Patel snorted. ”I'm not. She's not my patient.”
”You delivered her sons.”
”And she found another doctor. Trust me, I preferred it. That one needs a shrink. Whatever she's conjured up for your sympathy is most likely a lie.” Patel rocked back in his chair. ”Satisfied? I have no interest in Nurse Jensen and no interest in getting into a p.i.s.sing match with you. If we're going to work together, then we need to get past this hostility, don't you agree?”
Patel was lying. The date on the prescription bottle he found was just a week old. His mind replayed her in his office, how upset she looked and how smug he looked. ”If you're not her doctor, then why are you prescribing Oxycodone to her...800 mg?”
Suddenly the light of humor in Dr. Patel's eyes switched off. The color drained from his face. He sat upright. His mouth opened and then closed. Mathew watched him closely. If Kim was in trouble because of this a.s.shole, he'd make him pay.
<script>