Fragile (3 page)

“I couldn’t find an address anywhere, just that you work at the Mater Hospital as a Neurologist.”

I took a mouthful of wine trying to buy time. I didn’t want him to report back to Mather or my father that I was living in the hospital. Dad wouldn’t be happy with me if he found out what was going on.

“Lucy,” his voice stunned me, making me look back at him, “Where are you living?”

I took a bite of food much to Rick’s agitation. I took my time chewing and Rick just sat there waiting for me to answer his question. It’s not like I was homeless, I have a secure place to sleep when I get to sleep.

“I have a place close to work.”

“Where are you staying?” He asked quietly.

I ignored him and flagged down the waitress. She came over and I ordered us both another drink and asked about the desserts. She chattered off a list of cakes and tarts, her eyes trained on Rick even though she was talking to me. I was about to tell her to get us some cake when Rick’s voice cut in making us both look at him, “Where are you living, Lucy?”

“I told you that I have a place, now does the chocolate cake sound good to you?”

“We’re alright for dessert.” He sharply told the waitress who looked as shocked at the tone of voice as I was. The waitress nodded and walked away, leaving me alone with an angry looking Rick. “Give me an address Lucy.”

I didn’t know the address of the hospital so I just sat in my chair watching him. He raised an eyebrow waiting for me to answer. This wasn’t going to end well.

“At the hospital, but it works out great. I’m always there as it is so...” I trailed off and looked around the restaurant. To my surprise he didn’t query any further.

“Why didn’t you move with Mather and your siblings?” I was curious as to why this was the first time we’d met after I’d spent the last ten years with the rest of his family.

“We don’t get along. I’m more of my father’s son than my mother’s.”

“Tray speaks of you often,”

Rick froze momentarily, “How is he?”

I smiled at the memory of him, “Good. He’s really smart. He got a scholarship for school. He’s going places.”

Rick smiled, “And Ireland?”

My smile faded, and I dropped my eyes to my food instead of him, “She’s good.”

“What did she do to get that reaction out of you?” I looked up at him finally, and once again he was watching me. “What’s being a lawyer like?” I asked wanting a change in topic.

“Busy. It’s good and I love it.”

“You’re in contract law, right?” Thankfully he allowed the conversation to finally move off his family and onto work. We both had plenty to say on that subject and before I knew it, our plates were cleared and the waitress was back at our table.

“Can I get you anything else tonight?” She asked, definitely sending a different meaning behind her words towards Rick.

I smiled as I stood up and watched Rick stand too, “No, we’re going to head home now.”

She looked disappointed as she led us to the front counter where Rick paid for the bill, refusing to let me pay for my part, then walking us to the door, “Have a good evening.”

“We will,” Rick placed his palm on the small of my back as he escorted me out of the restaurant. “Where did you park?”

“I didn’t. I caught a taxi here,” I told him. He kept walking until we reached a black Audi.

Without saying a word, he took a key out from one of his pockets and opened the passenger door before he looked at me expectantly.

“Can you drive? You’ve had two glasses of scotch…” I eyed Rick up with concern. I knew firsthand what people driving under the influence are capable of, the tragedies they cause, the chaos.

“I didn’t drink that second glass, I’m fine to drive. “Get in the car, Lucy.” “I’m just going to catch a cab back.” I took a step back.

“Get in the car Lucy.” He said more sternly, holding the door wider.

I weighed up my options. I could have walked away, but I wouldn’t put it past him to pick me up and put me in the car himself. Knowing that a fight would be in his favour, I got into the car and Rick closed the door.

When we arrived at the hospital, Rick got out with me. “Ah, what are you doing?” I eyed him as he stood by his side of the car.

“You’re going to need help carrying your belongings out.” I frowned at him in question. “I have a spare room. You can’t stay here. You work here. You need to separate your work and your home. You don’t live at work.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I continued to stare at him. He came to my side and placed his hand on the small of my back as we walked into the hospital, me in shock and he in the lead.

RICK

As we walked into the hospital people turned to look at Lucy. She wasn’t wearing anything revealing beyond a simple black dress but her natural beauty caused people to notice her. It had certainly turned my head the first time I saw her. Wearing light blue scrubs, a stethoscope around her neck and the irritation in her piercing green eyes. I also knew that she knew who I was before I spoke. I couldn’t deny the attraction that I felt when my eyes first landed on her. When we were at the restaurant heads turned when Lucy walked in and what really pissed me off was that some of those male heads had female company with them. After she told me that she’d been staying at the hospital my first thought was fuck that, she’s staying with me.

Knowing that Lucy had been living at the hospital made my stomach turn. She’d been practically homeless, and that didn’t sit well with me. Plus, I wouldn’t be opposed to getting to know her better.

“You look nice tonight Dr. Jackson.”

“You’re not going to tell me that you need me for consultations right now are you?” Her voice had a slight whine in it, but I got the feeling that she would drop everything in a second and go to where she was needed.

“No.” The man told her while eyeing me and I tilted my chin up at him.

“Thank goodness,” Lucy whispered on a smile...a smile I couldn’t help but watch. The elevator chimed and the guy said good night before we stepped into it.

“This is us.” We got off the elevator and headed down the hall, stopping at a door that had a sign on it saying, ‘Private. Do not enter.’

When we stepped into the small room, I saw a single bed that didn’t look at all inviting, a small bench against the far wall, and a suitcase sitting on a chair with clothes hanging out of it. The room was more of a cell than anything. Even the colour of the walls was an ugly yellow brown.

“I’m fine staying here, I have privacy and a bed and I’m close if something happens and I’m needed.”

“Privacy?” I raised an eyebrow at her, “Let’s try it this way,” I figured a more direct, stern way is the only way to get her to move out of here and into my place, “I won’t take no for an answer, Lucy. I have the space. It’s more space than you have here, and it’s a home, not a closet attached to a busy hallway.” There was no way that she was going to sleep here for another night. It wasn’t safe. The door didn’t even have a lock on it.

“It’s not a closet. It’s an on-call room.” She stood in front of me with her arms crossed across her chest.

“Whatever you call it, it’s not where you’re sleeping anymore.” She looked at me as if I was mad. I could see the stubbornness in her eyes. I mimicked her position, looking down at her. “Pack your things or I’ll pack them for you.”

She looked to her things then back to me, “Did Dad put you up to this?”

“No.” I stepped towards her suitcase with the intent on packing when her hand covered mine.

“I’ll do it.” She whispered. Lucy packed her suitcase and as she zipped it up I stepped to her side, “Do you have any more bags?”

“Yeah over there,” She moved to the side, picked up a large bag and tossed it over her shoulder. “That’s it.” Stunned at her lack of possessions, I picked up the suitcase and headed to the door, opening it for her. Just like on the way in, heads turned and people stared and I didn’t like it, not one bit.

LUCY

Rick pulled into an apartment building parking lot, “You live here by yourself?” I asked stunned as I got out of the car and entered the apartment.

I stood still for a moment and took in the space. The hallway alone was bigger than the room I had been sleeping in. There was a small table to the left of the door where Rick placed his keys. Nothing lined the walls, no pictures, no art just blank walls.

“Yeah well, me and Aiden.” As if on cue, a large black dog came running down the hallway and jumped up on Rick, “Down boy.” He pushed the dog down then the dog noticed me. He stopped for a moment before he came over and rubbed his face on my thigh until I reached down and patted him.

“I’ll show you your room,” Rick said as he picked up my suitcase and my bag.

“This isn’t necessary, Rick.” I tried one more time, “I’m looking for somewhere to live. The hospital was only temporary.” I followed him down the hallway, eyeing the kitchen to the right, then he lounge room and dining area. A large wooden table with what looked to be one of the largest, comfiest couches I had ever seen. There were two matching chairs that faced a large television and what seemed to be attached to all the latest gaming consoles available. We moved up a set of stairs and down another hallway. The walls are all bare here too and I wondered why.

“I won’t have you staying at a hospital. This is your room.” He opened a door, walked in and placed my things down by a chest of drawers that sat by a door.

I allowed myself a second to take the room in. There was a large bed sitting against a wall, the dresser and bed side table. It was just the basic bedroom furniture but it was set off by large windows that overlooked the stunning city. The room was large enough to hold four large beds and then some leading me to wonder again at the bare space. I walked into the room further, finding a closet and a bathroom.

Everything was so big. Evidently Rick didn’t do anything small. A white vanity unit and a large mirror were on one wall, while the shower was long enough to take most of another. It even had a shower head fitted into the middle of the ceiling instead of on the wall. When I turned to leave the bathroom I was surprised to find that Rick was watching me. I cleared my throat and told him, “I’ll be out of your hair as soon as possible. I promise.”

“There’s no rush, Lu. Stay as long as you like.” He smiled at me and I gratefully returned it, taken back by the nickname he gave me. “I’ll leave you to it then, night. Come on, Aiden.” He gestured to the dog to follow, but he had made himself at home on the mat next to the bed. He didn’t seem to be going anywhere and I laughed.

“Night,” I watched as Rick walked out of the room, smiling before he closed the door.

I woke up the next day after the best night of sleep that I’d had in a long time. The bed was beyond comfortable and I felt relaxed, rejuvenated, and refreshed. I hopped out of bed and pulled out some clothes while I also packed some clean scrubs into a bag to take with me to work. After I took a shower I made my way downstairs where I was greeted by Aiden. He jumped up on me, scaring me half to death. “Hey boy, I forgot you were here.” He responded by slobbering all over my face. “Yuck,” I mumbled as I went to wash my face and call a cab before I left for the day. It was still dark and the morning air was crisp. I wrapped myself tighter into my jumper while I waited for the taxi to arrive.

Seeing the city pass by as the sun was rising was a fascinating sight. I had been meaning to get out and sight see but hadn’t had the chance to do anything other than work since I got here. Once I got to the hospital it was all work as normal.

“Doctor your pager.”

“I know Mills, I can hear it. Can you see who it is and find out what they want?” I didn’t want to take my eyes off the artery that was the cause of my patient trying to bleed out in front of me.

“You have a phone call waiting for you,” he called from the phone by the door.

“Ah, I can’t find where all this blood is coming from.” I said before it registered what Mills had told me. “Just take a message for me. Can I get some suction here?” I needed to stay focused on the open body in front of me.

“Got it,” Ryan, the assisting intern told me.

“Great. Let’s get that sucker sealed.”

Mills came back to the table and we completed the surgery successfully.

“Dr. Jackson, your message from earlier.” Mills came up beside me.

“Right, what was it?” I looked up from the chart I was filling out.

“It was a Rick. He asked that you give him a call.”

“Thanks, Mills.” He walked off and I finished filling out the chart before I went to get a cup of coffee and some fresh air. Once I was outside, I pulled out my phone and dialled Rick’s number.

He picked up the phone on the second ring, “Lu.”

“That was quick.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to call.”

“I was in surgery when you called.” The wind whipped through and I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the breeze against my face.

“Yeah, that other guy said that’s what you were doing, something about a bleeder in the cere-something a rather…” He trailed off.