Unchained Memories (4 page)

Charlotte closed her eyes and inhaled. Best not to point out the glaring differences in the way each of them handled family catastrophes. Renee was in bad enough shape without Charlotte heaping on guilt for past offenses.

“You need to do whatever it takes to get back to work. You have a great job. Focusing on something else might help you deal with all of this better.”

Renee shrugged, openly not caring whether she dealt with anything better or not. This was bad.

“Okay. That’s it.” Charlotte pulled out her tough-love. “I’m taking over. Monday, I’m making an appointment for you with a counselor and I’ll drive you there myself to make sure you go. Tonight we are going to make a list for the grocery store, which will include healthy food for you and the kids, finish the laundry, vacuum, dust, and clean the bathrooms. Then we’re going to sit down and come up with a plan for everything else that needs to be done, including a call to your boss to set up your start date.”

Before Renee could protest, Charlotte went over to the cluttered desk in the corner and pulled a pad from one of the drawers. She located a pen, pushed the unfolded laundry to one side of the sofa and sat down with the pad on her knees. “What do the kids like to eat?”

And so began her Saturday evening.

The two of them worked side by side, cleaning up, organizing and making small talk, while Charlotte directed the household duties, steering clear of morbid subjects. The physicality of it all paid off, and the noticeable difference in Renee’s mood lifted both of their spirits.

Even the children seemed to appreciate the forward momentum when they arrived home. That night, they went to sleep in their own beds without insisting they sleep with Renee, as they’d done every other night since their father had died.

Maybe the timing was right, or maybe Charlotte’s refusal to allow Renee another moment of pity had set their world on a straighter axis. Whatever the reason, Renee had actually seemed to appreciate what Charlotte was doing for her for once.

“I have to get going.” Charlotte glanced at the clock nearing ten. “I’m beat and I have to go to the office tomorrow.”

Charlotte was almost out the door when Renee spoke. “I’m so glad you moved back to Princeton.” Her voice was quiet, almost restrained. Charlotte turned and saw in her sister’s eyes the gratitude that hadn’t quite come out in her words.

“I had to. We’re family.”

Charlotte hurried out of the house, not wanting Renee to hear the traitorous catch in her voice. The pain resurfaced without detour. Would Renee ever understand families stuck by each other and helped each other when tragedy struck?

Probably not.

Chapter Four

Charlotte’s heels clicked along the familiar linoleum corridor of Nassau General Hospital, the fluorescent lights bright against white walls decorated with colorful paintings, administration’s efforts to make the depressing place cheery. The faint aroma of disinfectant and the squeak of rubber soles against the floor, as doctors and nurses headed to destinations unknown, conjured up a barrage of memories threatening to overwhelm her.

Not that they were all bad memories. Although, those of the days after the accident were better left locked safely away. Instead, she searched for her recollections of Dr. Collins, her benevolent protector.

Charlotte’s heart expanded as she rounded the corner to the hall of offices where she’d spent a significant amount of time once she’d started to heal—thanks to Dr. Collins. This wing had been her favorite place to visit, hang out, ask questions, meet with her tutors...

She closed her eyes and sighed. And see Clay.

She laughed at her immature antics in trying to get him to notice her back then. But he definitely noticed her the other night. He’d sent her into a tailspin, and even now sparks swept through her at the thought of him.
Please don’t run into him now.
She wasn’t prepared to explain the reason for her visit.

She stopped before reaching Dr. Collins’ office. What was she going to say to him?
I’m sorry I haven’t kept in touch. But now that I’m back, I’m here to sue your hospital.
Her dry mouth and wet palms should have made her turn and high-tail it out of there. But she had gotten this far.

Pushing herself to act the grown-up, Charlotte stepped up to the open door and tapped on it. Dr. Collins looked up, at first bewildered by the interruption. Then a smile erupted and he shot out of his chair.

“Charlotte. What a vision!” He opened his arms as he walked toward her.

She dropped her briefcase and entered his embrace, warmth and caring surrounding her.

“Dr. Collins.” Her voice cracked with emotion. She hadn’t anticipated feeling this rush of joy after so long.

He laughed. “Please call me Richard.”

A familiar refrain. He had tried to get her to call him that while she’d been in the hospital. He’d kept telling her they were more than doctor and patient to each other. His friendship with her father had changed their dynamic, compelled him to assure she not only had the best medical care possible, but also assigned her tutors to help with her studies. Even so, she couldn’t bring herself to use his given name at the time.

And she certainly shouldn’t now. Now that she had just deposed Dr. Gallway. Now that she was involved in a lawsuit against the hospital.

“So you finally decided to visit us?”

Another guilty pang shot through her. “I’m sorry I didn’t come back sooner. After college, I went to law school. At Stanford. Following gradation, I worked in San Francisco for two years before I decided to join my parents’ old law firm.” No use getting into the sad tale that had spurred her move.

“So you’re at Cooper, Smith & Bartlett?”

She nodded, afraid to say more.

“Congratulations. That’s a great firm. Very community minded. Your father was on the American Heart Association Board with me. That’s how we met. How we became friends.”

Charlotte had known Dr. Collins and her father were friends, but she never knew the initial connection. As a teen, she’d never thought to ask. All she knew was their friendship had transmuted into a protective relationship surrounding her, keeping her under his care even when she moved to the rehabilitation wing.

“Maybe we’ll see more of you now that you’re back in the area.”

Little did he know he might be seeing a lot of her given the lawsuit. She had to tell him.

“Dr. Collins—Richard—one of the reasons I’m here is because I represent a woman who is suing the hospital and Dr. Gallway. I just deposed him.”

Her mouth felt like a desert, making it impossible to swallow the sour taste of guilt.

“Oh.” His face paled around questioning eyes.

“I’m sorry. But the head of my department turned this case over to me.”
Sure. After she’d badgered him.

“I see.”

If only he would say more.

“The hospital’s lawyer is very good. I’m sure you’re well represented.”

“Of course.”

“I...I don’t really know...” She couldn’t seem to come up with the right words, so she shrugged, an ineffective gesture.

Richard lowered his eyes and nodded. “Don’t worry. These types of lawsuits are the cost of doing business. We know the drill.”

The light in his eyes dimmed and his smile faded with her confession. How could she have thought this visit would be okay?

“My wife, Doris, will be so happy to hear about how well you’re doing.”

So that’s how he was going to play this, by ignoring the elephant in the room. It actually worked for her.

He walked back to his chair and settled into it, definitely less enthusiastic than when she’d first arrived. While this visit hadn’t been such a great idea, it would have been worse for him to have seen her name on the pleadings or discovery requests without having broken the news to him personally. After all, he was the chief of surgery.

“You’ll have to come over for dinner soon. Tell us what you’ve been up to.” His tactful change of subject allowed them to move forward. At least for now.

“I’d love to.” She fished in her bag for her card then scribbled her cell phone number on the back before handing it to him. “Let me know what works.”

“Excuse me,” said a male voice from the doorway. “I see you’re busy—”

Charlotte turned as Dr. Collins looked past her at his visitor.

“Matt, you remember Charlotte Taylor, don’t you?” asked Richard. “She was a patient here about ten years ago. You and Clay tutored her so she could graduate with her high school class.”

She looked up and saw the familiar half-smile of Dr. Matt Branson, the other former intern who’d played a pivotal role in her previous life. After their warm hellos, Richard broke into their little reunion. “Charlotte’s a medical malpractice lawyer.”

The proverbial bucket of cold water had been tossed.

Matt’s smile fell. His eyebrows knit. “Really. You sue doctors.” His incredulous tone slapped at her wrists.

Charlotte clasped her hands behind her protectively. Searching for a less inflammatory response, she said, “I represent injured plaintiffs.”

Why was she sugar-coating her answer as if embarrassed? She was proud of her successes and happy with her career choice. At the office, she felt like a champion of the weak, a spokesperson, no, a gladiator for those who needed an advocate. But here, she felt like a cad. It sounded so wrong, so mean, telling two doctors who saved lives for a living she was one of those lawyers who sued them. Two doctors who had helped her tremendously when she’d needed them most.

Matt glanced at his watch and spoke to Richard, ignoring her. “We had a meeting scheduled at four. But if you’re too busy...”

Richard let out a curse. “Sorry, but we’ll have to re-schedule.”

“No problem.”

Matt turned back to Charlotte, barely concealing his disappointment over her career choice. “You were such a bright young woman when you were here with us. It’s too bad you didn’t channel that intelligence into a more productive career.” His weak smile did little to ease the accusation.

“Matt, I think you’ve made your point,” Dr. Collins broke in.

Matt scowled and inched out of the office. “I’ll check back with you in an hour or so.” No “good-bye,” or friendly “see you around.”

Richard sighed, seemingly at Matt’s reaction. “You’ll have to excuse him. He’s had a tough year. But enough of Matt.” He moved the file he’d been reading over to the side of his desk. “We’ve missed you, Charlotte. Doris and I. We had hoped you would have kept in touch.”

His gray eyes conveyed a sadness she hadn’t expected, and it tugged at her heart. Charlotte had been negligent, almost rude, in ignoring many of his calls. He had done so much for her while she’d been in the hospital. But she’d had a new life to live, first in Boston, then in San Francisco. There’d been nothing left for her in Princeton. Once she’d gone to college, their house was sold and the proceeds added to the trust for her and her sister. There was nothing to come back to.

And she certainly didn’t wish to keep the memories alive.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Collins. Now that I’m back, I promise to be better.”

“I hope so.” A grudging smile pulled at his lips. “It would mean a lot to me.”

His caring, honest words found their mark and filled her soul with a tenderness she hadn’t felt in a very long time. As she left, a disconcerting feeling attacked her conscience. Although ten years had spanned the distance between her two lives, the bond she’d thought had broken, had only been stretched over that time. And it had sprung back so easily.

Had she chosen a different area of law, perhaps returning to her roots would have been a joyous homecoming.

Instead, it was pierced with confusion and disappointment.

****

“Charley?”

His familiar voice rained over her like fairy dust and her skin tingled as she turned away from the hospital elevator.

“Clay. I was wondering if I would see you here today. I stopped by to visit with Dr. Collins.” She inwardly held her breath, tamping down the niggling uneasiness she predicted over this chance encounter. Guiltily she made the snap decision to leave it at that and not disclose the true reason for her visit.

Clay’s smile quieted some of the sting still smarting from Matt’s caustic comments on her career choice and his kiss on her cheek definitely made it all better. Clay sure had the power to heal.

“I bet Collins was thrilled to see you. He brought your name up over the years with such pride in what you were accomplishing.”

“Really?” Strange since she barely kept in touch with him after she had gone to college, despite his attempts. It just showed what a genuine, caring person he was.

“Did Collins tell you about all the renovations that were made since you left? Especially to the children’s wing. You wouldn’t recognize it.”

“No. We didn’t talk much about the hospital. Maybe you can give me a tour sometime when you’re free.” Charlotte hoped her tone held just the right amount of interest without sounding like she was desperate to spend more time with Clay. Although she had thought about him nonstop since running into him at the gala. And every time she replayed his invitation to dinner in her head, she pummeled herself for not accepting.

“I just got off and was heading to talk to Collins about some administrative issues, but that can wait.”

“Matt Branson was just in there to meet with him as well, but Dr. Collins said he didn’t have time right now.”

“Then I’ll catch up with him later. Let’s go.”

Clay put his hand on her back to guide her in the right direction, an insignificant gesture that burned through her suit jacket and sent crazy atoms zinging through her body.

As they moved along the hall, he explained some of the changes made to other areas of the hospital as well. His enthusiasm was catchy and Charlotte found herself an engrossed and captive audience. Or perhaps she was just caught up in Clay, the man who, once again, starred in her fantasies.

Approaching the children’s wing, Charlotte gasped. The colors burst from the walls; blue, green, purple, yellow, orange. No longer that sanitary eggshell paint she helped decorate with the children’s drawings when she visited them. “This is amazing. I love it.” She turned in every direction to take in the wonderful changes. “This doesn’t look like a hospital wing.”