In Full Bloom: Sequel to 'The Crying Rose': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 2) (14 page)

There’s nothing wrong with you
, Pat’s voice consoled him.
You’re acting like any other man would in that situation.

“But I am not any other man; I am her doctor,” he answered the voice.

Mark, be realistic, you’re a man first, then a doctor. You’re not superhuman. Stop badgering yourself. Step back and look at the whole scene
,” she advised.
You are involved with your patients. You care. That’s what makes you a wonderful doctor.

“Care, yes, I’ll agree to that point, but being infatuated with a patient is another thing,” he reasoned.

Give yourself time
, she counseled,
maybe it will pass
.

Getting to his feet, he changed clothes rapidly. Mark gathered his discarded clothes off the floor, and returning to the bathroom, picked up the towels on the floor. When he entered the kitchen on the way to the washing machine, the phone rang. Mark ignored the ringing, knowing it was not for him. He dropped the clothes in the washer.

Mark jumped as a hand touched his shoulder. Turning sharply, he saw Grandma Jo.

“I didn’t mean to spook you,” she began, “but the phone is for you.”  

“What?” he retorted.

“It’s Jan,” Grandma Jo replied.

Mark checked his wrist, but realized that he had taken his watch off to bathe Sami. Reaching over, he turned Grandma Jo’s arm and looked at hers. “Just can’t stand not knowing the time,” he explained to her. Seeing that it was a quarter past nine, he wondered why Jan was calling so late as he made his way to the phone.

“Mrs. Mills?” Mark spoke into the receiver. “What’s wrong?”

“Got that number you wanted,” she replied.

“Are you still at work?” he asked in disbelief.

“Yes.”

“Mrs. Mills, I appreciate your dedication, but don’t you think it is a little overboard?”

“No, Dr. Stevens, once I set a goal in mind, my tenacious nature kicks into high gear. Besides, you know that I love this type of work.”

Mark was pleased to know that she took her work so seriously, but he had no idea she would take it to this extreme. “Go home, Mrs. Mills. That’s an order.”

“I’m on my way out the door now.”

“Good. Take your time coming in tomorrow.”

“That won’t be necessary, Dr. Stevens. I’ll be in early to work on the mess I left in the basement.”

Mark laughed out loud. “Sure, what you consider messy is normal for other people.”

“True, so true,” she joined in the laughter. “But,” she switched to a serious tone, “Dr. Stevens, I would like to meet with you in the morning regarding the files.”

“Okay,” Mark answered, wondering why he heard such displeasure in her voice. “Pencil yourself in for any of the open slots tomorrow.”

“What open slots tomorrow?” she cried. “Your schedule is packed tight starting at 8:00 AM.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot. I’ll come in at 7:00 to meet with you,” he informed her.

“I’ll be here,” she confirmed. “Now, if you have paper and pen handy, I’ll give you Mrs. Clark’s phone number.”

After he obtained the needed items, he responded that he was ready and she provided him with the number listed for the Clarks in Flagstaff. Mark held onto the paper with the number, fearing that if he left it on Grandma Jo’s desk, it would get lost.

“Dr. Stevens, how is Sami tonight?” Jan asked.

“Out of it,” Mark answered, stepping back so he could see Sami in the other room.

“Not again!” Jan cried.

“No, not the same. She has broken her arm and is now on pain killers,” he explained.

“What? How did that happen?” Jan questioned him.

“It’s a long story. I’ll give an update in the morning.”

“Okay, but I can hardly wait. See you in the morning then.”

“It’s a date, and Jan, thanks again for all your time spent today on that project.”

“No problem, boss.”

After he hung up the phone, he scanned the piece of paper in his hand. He knew instinctively that all the players were now identified, but he hadn’t the slightest clue which part any of them were going to play in bringing Sami back in full bloom.

TEN

M
ark rolled over and sat up on the side of the bed. Switching on the lamp, he reached for his watch. Reading the time, he shook his head wondering where the time had gone. It was already 5:30 AM, and he had not slept more than five minutes all night. Feeling exhausted and drained, he recalled that they had gotten Sami settled for the night around 11:00 PM. He had entered his room shortly after that, but sleep was not in the cards for him. He had tossed and turned the whole night away. Each time he would get himself settled, he closed his eyes to the vision of Sami.
This is ridiculous
, he thought.
This woman has gotten under his skin
.

“I give up,” he announced to the room, getting to his feet. He saw Ollie watching him through half-closed eyes from his position in the doorway. “Must be nice to sleep,” he said tartly as he stepped over him.

Mark made his way down the hall to Sami’s room. Standing in the doorway, he heard her whimper softly. Reaching behind him, he turned on the bathroom light. The light illuminated her room enough that he saw her turn her head in his direction. He could see her face. The left eye was almost totally swollen shut and the right eye was wide open and red-rimmed. The sight of her made the man-in-him cry out at the injustice, and the doctor surge forward to offer support.

Her words and tone matched her expression. “I hurt all over,” she cried softly.

“I’ll be right back,” he said as he did an about-face and raced out of the room.

He moved quickly to the kitchen, and turning on the light, located her pain pills, which he inserted into the pocket of his sweats. Stepping to the sink, he secured a glass of water. Knowing the potency of the pills, he opened the refrigerator door and grabbed a tub of yogurt along with a spoon from the drawer. Perhaps, he could get her to eat some spoonfuls before he gave her the pill, since he didn’t want to give her an upset stomach on top of the rest of her aches and pains.

Entering her room, he found her exactly as he had left her moments earlier. Setting the items in his hands on the bedside stand, he turned on the lamp. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned over and gently helped her into a sitting position. He crammed the added pillows, which they had placed there earlier, around her for support. Opening the yogurt first, he spooned several bites into her willing mouth.

Placing the yogurt and spoon on the stand, he reached into his pocket and produced the prescription bottle. Opening the childproof cap, he withdrew a pill.  He set the bottle on the stand. Sami opened her mouth, and Mark dropped the pill on her tongue. Grabbing the glass of water, he raised it to her lips, and she took several sips to wash down the pill. He set the glass back on the stand in front of the prescription bottle. Mark was able to get her to take a few more spoonfuls of yogurt before she shook her head declining any more, and she sat back onto the pile of pillows again.

  “It will take awhile for the pill to give you relief,” he informed her. “You went too long between pills. I will remind Grandma Jo to keep ahead of the pain today,” he promised. “You don’t have to tough it out. Take advantage of the medication. Do you hear me?”

Sami nodded her head. “It’s hard for me to lose control. I have spent such a long time by myself that giving myself over to others is hard for me,” she explained as she reached over and took his hand. “Will you sit with me until it takes effect?” she asked, pleading with her pain-filled eyes.

Mark nodded his agreement, not taking his eyes from her face. Her features softened, and a faint smile appeared on her lips just before she closed her eyes. Wishing he could do more to ease her discomfort, he gently caressed her captured right hand with his thumb.

Viewing her tortured face, Mark was consumed with guilt. If he had not insisted that she be removed from her house, she would not be in this deplorable condition. He closed his eyes to block out her image. Suddenly, he had to squelch an overpowering desire to take her in his arms and beg her forgiveness. Reminding himself that it was an accident, he turned his thought to recovery instead of the cause.
What’s done is done
. Still, he surprised himself by voicing the words in his heart aloud. “I’m sorry, Sami.”

His eyes flew open at the sound of his own voice reaching his ears. Seeing her face, he was slightly disappointed that she had not heard his heartfelt words. The pain pill had taken control and she was back asleep. He sat there several more minutes watching her sleep before he released her hand and rose to his feet.

Switching off the lamp, he leaned over and placed his lips on her forehead in a light kiss, rationalizing to himself that he was only checking for a possible fever. He backed out of the room and turned into the bathroom, closing the door.

***

At 7:00 AM sharp, Jan entered Mark’s office to find him jotting notes onto a yellow legal pad. “Good morning, Doctor,” she said in a professional manner.

Mark glanced up from his notes and smiled at his very efficient employee. Removing his glasses, he indicated to a chair. “Good morning, Jan,” he replied. He watched her as she gingerly seated herself and opened her ever-present memo pad. Positioned on the edge of his chair with his arms resting on the desk, he waited for her to settle before instructing her to begin. “Okay, I’m ‘all ears’. What have you found?”

“First, please tell me about Sami,” Jan said. “I have been so worried all night.”

Mark remembered that he had not fully explained Sami’s accident, and as quickly as he could, gave Jan a brief summary of the prior day’s activities. Jan, of course, was genuinely concerned and offered her support if needed. Mark thanked her, but replied Grandma Jo and David were taking care of her. “Now, getting back to
your
problem, it seems to me that you have your hands full at the moment. Where do you want to begin?”

“I have two requests before I tell you about the basement files,” she began in a very serious tone, looking directly at him.

Caught off guard, Mark sat back in his chair. He had not expected nor was he prepared for this approach. Not trusting his voice, he nodded for her to continue.

Keeping her mannerisms severe, she stated her first request. “Number one – I want permission to buy a padlock for the basement door.”

Mark was confused, but hid it from his expression, “And?”

“I want you to fire everyone on the staff that doesn’t know the alphabet.” Her tone was serious, but Mark could see the merriment in her eyes.

“Explain,” Mark directed, adapting to her serious tone.

The merriment in her eyes died quickly as she turned to her notes. “In the hours that I spent yesterday, I hardly put a dent in the chaos that was in the basement.”

For the next half-hour, Jan reported, in detail, her findings to him. Explaining that each time she would get a handle on one area, she would find more files that needed to be intermixed. Then, there were the interruptions when she was pulled away for another assignment. “I have always prided myself on my organizational skills, and frankly, I was appalled at what I found. There is no way that this task can be completed with the present conditions,” she concluded making eye contact.