“Aino, this is Cynthia. I have your test results here, and I would like you to come in so we can discuss them.”
“Sorry, no can do. Condor was in a car accident on Friday night, and he is in a coma. I am not leaving him to drive all the way down there. Tell me on the phone, or I will discuss it with you whenever I am down that way.”
“I’m sorry to hear about Condor, and I don’t normally like to discuss surgery over the phone. I guess that I need to make an exception, because you don’t have the luxury of waiting until whenever. You have stage-three intraepithelial lesions. Which in layman’s terms means that what we did a biopsy on is precancerous. This is not something that you want to play around with. The cells have the potential to become cancerous at any point, and then you are in a whole new ballpark. You need to have surgery to have the lesions removed as soon as possible.”
“I am not leaving Condor.”
She sighed heavily into Aino’s ear. “Okay. Look, I had a partner that moved up into that area. Let me try to get in touch with her and see if she is willing to take your case. If you can have the surgery done in the hospital that Condor is in, will you have it done?”
“Of course. He is in Central. I just don’t want to take a chance that he wakes up and I am not here. How long will the surgery take?”
“An hour or two.”
“Fine. I will be at this number until I get back to the hospital and I have to turn the phone off. Call me or have your partner call me. I appreciate you calling me right away and letting me know.”
“One of us will get back to you. Please don’t wait on the surgery, Aino. I can’t stress how imperative it is. I hope Condor recovers quickly.”
“Yeah, well, me, too. I have to go. Thank you.”
Cynthia hung up the phone, and Aino turned her attention to the woman in the doorway. “You must be Susan Barrows?”
“Yes, I am. They sent me up here. Are you Aino?”
“That I am. Please have a seat. How was your flight?” she asked, gesturing with her palm.
The woman sat down, a statement in grace and elegance. “It was good.”
“Glad to hear it. I have read your file and spoke with your trainer and the club manager in Jersey. So tell me why you are willing to move down here for the job.”
“It is a great offer. I hate the cold weather, and I really have nothing to keep me where I am. I work in a health club teaching aerobics. My husband of five years left me last year for a woman he met in the club one night when I wasn’t with him. We were heading down different paths anyway. Last year when our son turned four, his father asked for custody. The schools are better where he lives, and I figured that Gene should be with his father. I love being at the club, and I find myself more and more longing to be with people like myself. The idea of helping others share their fantasies safely is great.”
“What are you trained in, and what have you experienced?”
“I have tried pretty much everything. I like bondage and being blindfolded. I am into fear, but not pain. I enjoy being double-fucked and fisted. I like fantasy where my partner is not afraid to act as someone else. I have found that younger men don’t have the finesse that I enjoy, so I usually pick older men from the crowd. Appearance is not all-important when I have my eyes closed in glorious ecstasy. I like being on the receiving end, but I have the capability to make the rules and play the part. I have been branded, burned, whipped, tormented, paddled, caned, play raped, taken with toys, and been pierced. I know the logistics behind each action, and I think I could explain the sensation to one asking about it. If someone asked me to teach them a skill, I would turn to the lead in that area for help. I am a fast learner.”
“Okay, fair enough. How soon can you start?”
“Really? I have the job?”
“If you want it. I need someone for second shift, which is our busiest time. We have two guides on, and it is really stressing the one who is doing the job now. His name is Kevin, and he can help you with anything you need to know. You will take your instructions directly from Benny or myself. I need someone who is going to show up for work every day and who isn’t late. Your salary will be fifty thousand a year, and you will get a half advance when you sign the contract. I have a realtor who can help you find a place to live, and once you do, let us know and we will arrange to have your things shipped here. If you want to play at the club, do it on your own time before or after your shift. Guides do not get involved in the action, and if you are caught doing so you will be terminated without severance. We have excellent medical and dental that will pick up thirty days after you start. Any questions?”
“No. I can start tonight if you want me to. I came directly here off the plane and I don’t even know where my suitcase is. Can someone get me a hotel?”
“Of course. As per our phone conversations, we already have. Our limo driver said that your luggage was misplaced. We have located it and it has been sent to your hotel. Go down the hall to the second office and talk to Benny. He is a crab with a big mouth, but ignore him. He is a pussycat once you get to know him. It was nice meeting you, and I hope you will be happy here. Let me know if you have any problems or concerns. I wish I could show you around the club, but I have an appointment to keep.” She rolled back her chair, lifting her crutches and pushing herself to her feet. The bandages kept her from wearing anything with pant legs, and she wore a skirt with a shirt.
Susan tried to keep her gaze from the crutches, but didn’t quite manage to do so. “Do you have a call name?” Aino asked.
“Yeah, Seuss, lover of fantasy and imagination.”
“Well, don’t let your imagination travel to far places of horror. I was in a car accident, and I have a combination of Steri-Strips and stitches in my legs. I will be fine. It just looks terrible.”
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.”
“Go down and see Benny. He will get you all the paperwork and find you something to wear before introducing you around. I am the only one who gets to wears shorts and a T-shirt while I am on duty.”
She walked toward the door, leaning on the crutches for support. The cell phone rang, and she stopped, leaning on the door casing to flip it open. “Hello.”
“Hi, is this Aino?”
“Speaking.”
“I am Dr. Amanda Fine, Cynthia’s partner. She asked me to give you a call. She faxed over your biopsy report and told me what happened to your boyfriend. When are you heading back to the hospital?”
“I was on my way there now.”
“Good. Is he in intensive care?”
“Yes.”
“My practice is across the street from Central. I can meet you there if you want to talk.”
“I will be the one on the crutches with the big white bandages. Long story. I will tell you when I meet you. I should be there in ten or fifteen minutes.”
“I will see you there. Just look for the nametag.”
“Will do,” she replied with a laugh. She turned the corner and walked into the emergency lift that Benny had arranged to be installed for her. It was a simple contraption, but saved her from walking the stairs. Susan headed down the hall and disappeared into Benny’s office as Aino rode down the flight and got off, hobbling out to the limo that she kept waiting for her. For her to drive was too difficult, and the motion required of her legs put far too much pressure on the stitches closest to her knees. She rapped on the glass, knowing that Anthony worked a second job and he often took a nap while he was waiting for her. He got out, pushing back his hair and yawning. “Sorry.”
“No problem.”
He opened the door and then handed her the set of crutches. “The traffic is supposed to be light. Did you need to stop anywhere on the way?”
“Yeah, stop and get us a cup of coffee, and I want a bagel with an egg on it. I am hungry.”
“Will do,” he said, shutting her door and getting back behind the wheel. He made the stop for coffee and then drove her directly to the hospital. He parked the car, loading her into a wheelchair and pushing her up to the intensive care unit. “Do you want me to wait?”
“No, I will give you a call if it’s not too late. Otherwise I will take a cab. Thank you, Anthony.”
“You’re welcome. I hope he wakes up soon.”
“Me, too,” she replied, wheeling herself up to the front desk. “How is he?”
“The same. We just finished up his bath. You can go in if you want.”
“Thanks. There is a Dr. Fine coming up to see me. Can you send her in when she gets here?”
“Sure.”
Aino wheeled herself down the hall and into Condor’s room. She maneuvered herself up next to his bed and took his hand, looking at him. His face was still covered with tiny healing gashes, and his nose was taped from the surgery he had received to rebuild it. The subtle sounds of the monitors clicked and beeped around her as she began to speak. “Hey, baby. I’m back. I hired a new guide today. She is nice. Her name is Susan, and I think you will like her. She is attractive, but not too attractive. I don’t want anyone stealing all my attention. Benny is going to pop over in the morning to see you. I spoke with Mark, and he changed the plans to reflect the back chambers. Daniel has gotten the first shipment of wallpaper and is supposed to start on room number one tomorrow. He got the okay for the machines and has faxed me the information he got from California. I haven’t had time to read it yet. I really need you to wake up and be with me. I have so much to do and a wedding to plan. I want your help and your input. I don’t know what color you want the tux to be.”
“Excuse me, are you Aino?” asked a voice from the doorway.
She turned and smiled. “Yes, Dr. Fine, I presume from the nametag.”
She nodded, walking in and taking a seat. “How is he?”
“In a coma. I come down here and talk to him until I lose my voice and then usually fall asleep. They don’t bother to throw me out because I will just be back the moment they let me in. So what is going on?”
“Well, I agree with Cynthia. You need to have this surgery done as soon as possible. I can speak to the ward nurse and see if they can put you and Brian in a private room together, because I would want you to stay at least overnight. What happened to your legs?”
“The day of the accident, I was driving a short distance behind him. I ran up to his car, which was upside down, and knelt in to see if he was alive. I wasn’t thinking or feeling, and I ended up with a lot of cuts from the glass on the ground. I have about fifty stitches around my kneecaps and Steri-Strips over the rest of my legs. The doctor said the strips would leave smaller scars, but I can’t imagine how crappy it will look when I get these bandages off. Right now I have better things to worry about than how sexy my legs will be. So when do you want to do this?”
“I usually do surgery on Thursday. I can fit you into my schedule, but it means that you will have to have a battery of tests done tomorrow, blood work, an EKG, X-rays of your chest. They can all be done here at the hospital, and you won’t have to leave Brian.”
“Can you call him Condor? It is disorienting to have someone calling him Brian. No one calls him that. My real name is Samantha Bell, by the way.”
“I know. I have all your records.”
“Oh yeah. I suppose I should just get this done. Can you have someone come up and get me for the tests?”
“I can do that. I will see you on Thursday morning. One of the nurses will give you all the necessary instructions. I hope he wakes up soon.”
“Thank you.”
She watched as Dr. Fine walked out and then leaned her head on Condor’s arm. “Did you hear that? I need you to wake up before Thursday morning, because I won’t be here if you wake up after that. I will probably be gone half the day. She says that if I don’t have the surgery soon, I run a greater risk of having the things turn into cancer. I don’t want to get you better only to have me die. Damn you, Condor. Wake up.”
His head felt fuzzy, and when he opened his eyes, the light seemed too bright. Condor moaned softly, feeling a heavy weight on his arm. It was a struggle to lift his head, and the effort made it pound with pain. He dropped back to the bed, lifting his hand and wiggling it into Aino’s hair. She sat up, appearing startled, her face lighting with a smile as she stared at him. Tears filled Aino’s eyes. “You are awake!”
“I guess. Where am I?”
“You are in the hospital. You’ve been in a coma for two days. Do you remember anything?”
“I remember screaming out your name and having them bring you to me,” he replied in a slurred voice before smacking his lips. “I’m thirsty.”
Aino reached up and pushed the buzzer for the nurse. “What happened to you?”
“I knelt in some glass. Not too bright, huh?”
“No,” he replied, closing his eyes and drifting back away from her.
“Is something wrong, Aino?” Kelly asked from the doorway.
“No, nothing is wrong. He is thirsty. He woke up. I think he went back to sleep, but he was awake for a few minutes. That is good, right?”
“Yes, that is fantastic. I will have the doctor come up and check on him. Do you want a cup of coffee? We ordered you a breakfast.”
“It’s morning, huh?”
“Yeah, it is. We didn’t see much point in kicking you out. Oh, Dr. Fine sent up a schedule for you. A nurse will be in a little later to take blood, and you are set up for an EKG at noon and X-rays right after that. Are you having surgery for your legs?”
“No, it has been a rough week. This started before the accident when I found out that I might have cervical cancer. She says that it is precancer, but they don’t want me to mess around and not have the surgery done to remove it. I’m here anyway. I figured what the hell. I will be closer to Condor.”
Kelly smiled. “At least you have a good attitude about it. Let me go get the doctor.”
Condor opened his eyes again a short while later. Kelly brought him in a cup of ice with a sponge. “Just run it over his lips and let him suck on it if he wants to. You don’t want to let him drink too much. It will make him sick.”
Aino did as the nurse had instructed, and Condor moaned with pleasure at the coolness in his parched mouth. He sat for a long while, sucking on the sponge and then spitting it out to have her refill it with water. Dr. Athens walked in, smiling brightly at Condor. “About time. You had this little lady worried sick. How are you feeling?”