Authors: Danielle Sibarium
“Okay. But can we just agree to disagree?”
I couldn't agree, I just couldn't. But I couldn't risk losing her. Not now.
“I don’t know.” I pulled away and sulked. Why wouldn't she just give in?
“Then I’ll just have to convince you.” Elizabeth pressed her lips against mine and climbed on top of me. When I didn't give her the attention she wanted, her hips rocked back and forth against me. She had a plan of attack, and it worked. Within minutes all I could concentrate on was the feeling of being inside her.
Chapter 27
Elizabeth
I planned on arriving at the office early Monday morning. I thought about calling in sick but knew that would only delay the inevitable. Realizing the rising nausea I felt was a side effect of Dr.
Penbrook’s Christmas party, I knew I had to face my colleagues. And in this case the sooner the better.
Knowing rumors were probably flying around the office faster than birds on speed, I arrived fifteen minutes late for work. I knew all eyes would be on me and it was better to get it over with all at once than to have the inquiring glances on me little by little throughout the day.
I paused outside the office holding the doorknob so tight my fingers tingled. I could do this, I told myself, standing there a long while before gathering enough courage to turn it. For the briefest of moments I considered hightailing it as far and fast as I possibly could. I hadn’t been so scared of consequences since I swiped my father’s credit card in high school.
I took long breath after long breath, weighing my options. I had none. Although I wanted to sneak into my office and hide until everyone went home, I knew I couldn’t. Instead I opened the door and walked in
side making my presence known.
“Good morning,” I said in my brightest, cheeriest voice to Joan, a woman in her forties who ran the front desk.
“Morning,” Joan answered sorting through patient files avoiding eye contact.
“Well, well,” Sandy slinked over, I don't know why I never noticed it before, but she moved in a sort of slithery way. “I was wrong about you. I didn’t think you’d have enough chutzpa to show your face here today.”
I swallowed hard and lifted my chin before answering, “Why wouldn’t I?”
“When you didn’t show up at the Christmas party, I would’ve put my hand in fire you’d call in sick today. Your boss invites you to his house, the least you can do is show up.”
I relaxed a moment realizing Sandy didn’t know what happened at Dr. Penbrook’s. She didn’t know about the party or Carter.
If Sandy didn’t know, chances were no one else in the office knew. If Dr.
Penbrook would’ve told anyone it would have been her, as she was his second in charge. But it appeared she was clueless. I let out a sigh of relief. Maybe this wouldn't be as hard as I thought.
“Something came up, and it was just a Christmas party. I’m sure Dr.
Penbrook will understand.” I felt like a suit of amour had been lifted off me.
Sandy continued with one hand on her hip and the other holding her chin between her thumb and forefinger, “I guess we’ll see about that," she said full of arrogance. "The doctor requested you meet with him in his office over lunch.”
All the stress and tension I thought I shrugged off found its way back with a vengeance. “I . . . I don’t’ think that’s a good idea, I have a lot of work to do.”
Sandy shook her head disapprovingly. “But Elizabeth, it was just a Christmas party," she said in a mocking tone. "I know you haven’t been here long, but when the doctor requests a meeting you make it your business to be there.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Sandy interrupted before I could speak.
“Let me give you a quick lesson on how things work here. Dr.
Penbrook runs the show.”
“I understand.”
“He’s the boss and our first priority is to please him. That means making sure work is done timely and efficiently.”
I nodded.
“Be sure to treat patients with patience and courtesy.”
“I do.”
“And indulge him in his requests. If he wants a meeting, sit, listen and follow through.”
“Alright.”
“I hired you Elizabeth. Don’t make me sorry I did.”
Chapter 28
Carter
She was at work. Inevitably Monday had to come, and I knew she'd go. I couldn't stop her. Worry ate away at me. I knew my father would proposition her in some way. I just hoped she wouldn't
accept, whatever it was.
I spent the weekend high, intoxicated on her. No matter how much I had, how much she gave, it wasn't enough. I wanted more. I tried to let her go, to push her far away from me, but I couldn't. She made me weak, brought me to my knees, unable to act of my own free will.
I finished placing the pictures on the small table. This was only our second session. We were focusing on Mark’s immediate family. He didn't know what was expected and I didn't know what motivated him. He was in no mood to work. Each time I pulled him over he fought against me, flailing and flapping his hands.
"Okay, buddy. Where's Mommy?"
Mark didn't respond. I pulled out crayons and paper. His mother said he liked to color. Actually she said he was obsessed with coloring. He perseverated on it, a habit I'd eventually have to break, but for now I hoped to use it to my advantage.
"Mark, look at me."
No response. I had to get in his face. I picked up a crayon. I'd show him his reward if he complied. "Mark, do you want to color?"
He grunted at me before shoving everything off the table, getting up and trying to make a run for it. I shook my head. Not off to a good start. We'd have to turn it around.
I took hold of Mark around his waist, and pulled him back. He needed to understand he wasn't going to get far if he tried to run and break free.
"
Noooooo!" He screamed as he threw himself backwards, knocking his head into my jaw.
I swallowed back the pain and sat him back down at the table. I needed him to calm down before I made him pick up the pictures he sent flying. "Let's blow bubbles." I held up an imaginary wand, took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, preten
ding to blow great big bubbles.
"No!" Mark yelled once again before flipping the table over on its side.
This time I took a deep breath, without pretending. I focused on slowing my breathing and remaining calm. I hoped the technique would rub off on the boy in front of me. No such luck. He threw himself on the floor, pounding his fists and feet into the carpet, screaming and screeching as he did.
Watching him and trying to shift gears, I found myself jealous. When he didn't want to do something his tactics worked for the time being. No matter how hard I yelled and stomped, Elizabeth wouldn't listen to me. If I resorted to his tactics, sh
e'd just leave me in the dust.
"I know kid. I know just how you feel." I muttered under my breath. Certain only of one thing: this was going to be a long day.
Chapter 29
Elizabeth
Who the hell did she think she was speaking to me like that?
Condescending bitch. I stomped into the partitioned office I shared and dropped into my chair. I let out a long sigh as it rolled backwards from my weight. Confidant I wouldn't fall over, I leaned back and covered my face with my hands.
“What happened to you?” Diane asked.
“Huh?”
“I thought you were coming to the Christmas party.”
“Something came up,” I hoped my answer would dismiss her questions.
“Too bad.
It was a lot of fun." I must have made a face or rolled my eyes. I was still so annoyed with Sandy, I hadn't fully composed myself. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
I took a deep breath realizing I had to give her something. “Sandy laced into me about missing the party.”
Diane smiled, “You really should have been there. It was great. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dr.
Penbrook in such a good mood.”
“He was?”
She nodded. “In the beginning he was his normal standoffish self but then, he really got into the spirit of things. He played the piano. We sang. We danced. It was a lot of fun.”
I
hoped she didn't notice I tapped my foot when she started telling me about it. “Then why is Sandy in such a foul mood?”
Diane shook her head, “I don’t know. I noticed at the party she seemed a bit high strung. I think she had words with Mrs.
Penbrook.”
“Why?” I let my curiosity get t
he better of me.
Diane shrugged, “Rumor has it Mrs. wants to get involved in how the office is run. You know cut back on the extras to yield hig
her profits, things like that.”
“Just let me know if you see Sandy coming.”
“Sure thing.”
Within minutes I submerged myself in the stack of billing statements on my desk. Although lost in thought most of the morning, I worked efficiently and barely noticed the passing of time. It wasn’t until Sandy stood before me and cleared her throat that I realized it was past noon and time for my meeting with Dr.
Penbrook.
*
I sat in the doctor’s office with the door closed waiting for him to finish with his last patient. I’d never been in his personal office and found the waiting nerve racking. I'd rather have teeth pulled then sit there. It wasn’t like I didn’t know what he wanted. Obviously he wanted to know about Carter. That made my stomach roll. Maybe Carter was right; maybe everything was different now.
I tried to get my mind onto something besides the uncomfortable situation that was about to come down. I looked around the room, studying it. I could tell by the organization of the mahogany desk Dr.
Penbrook cherished order. It reminded me of Carter's house, simple and neat. Although a stack of files were placed on the desk, they sat with perfect precision, one on top of the other, in the IN box. No corner poking out of the folder. No stray papers jutting out.
The sun rays spilled in through the dark wood blinds and accentuated the shine of the mahogany wood furniture. I found it curious that the office didn't smell of lemon, orange, or
some other wood cleaning scent.
Mounted diplomas hung behind the executive leather chair boasting universities he attended and societies he belonged to. A library of medical books and journals filled the mahogany bookcase across the room. It was everything I'd expect a doctor’s office to be, if I had an ex
pectation of a doctor’s office.
Trying to pass the time, I walked over to the bookcase. A photograph sat there, on display. I picked up the small frame and
examined the old family photo.
Dr.
Penbrook’s dark hair looked thick and wavy, much like Carter’s. Carter’s thin frame and baby face gave him the appearance of a young teenage boy, maybe fourteen or fifteen. Seated between the two men was an elegant looking blonde woman donned in a cream colored suit and a string of pearls; Carter's mother. She was beautiful.
I wondered how Jamie allowed Dr.
Penbrook to keep that picture out. Especially when there was none of her anywhere to be found. Thinking about it, once again I pondered the fact that I'd never once seen her in the office. Did he even love her?
The door creaked open. I felt like I'd been caught doing something wrong, like a child caught rummaging through her mother’s sexy nightgowns. I stood frozen, unsure of what I should do.
“Please sit.” Dr. Penbrook motioned toward the seat opposite his desk as he walked around to his chair. The doctor sat, folded his hands together and eyed me with a smile on his face.
I wanted to run out.
He pulled his chair in close to the desk and leaned his elbows on the table in front of him. I couldn’t help but notice how much he looked like an older, more sophisticated version of Carter.
“You left so quickly the other
evening, I didn’t have a chance to give you this.” Dr. Penbrook pulled open his top desk drawer and took from it a red envelope. He placed it on the desk in front of me.
“What’s this?”
“Your Christmas bonus,” he smiled. “Go on, open it.”
I stuck my thumb inside the slight opening under the flap and proceeded to rip it open. I tugged the card from its holder and feigned reading it, looking at the check inside all the while.
I gasped. “Dr. Penbrook, you’ve made a terrible mistake.”
“Please call me Steven.”
I shook my head, “I don’t think that’s wise, sir.”
“You can at least indulge me in my request when we a
re in private as we are now.”
Carter wouldn't like it, but he'd have to accept it. I nodded, “But Dr. Pen…, I mean Steven, I can’t accept this,” as much as I wanted to keep it. I thought of all the things I could do with the money; redecorate my apartment, put a down payment on a badly needed new car, go on vacation with Carter. Carter would never be comfortable with me taking that money, and I'd feel too obligated to his father. I handed the check back.