Declan
I go into the lobby and wait on my final appointment of the day.
Nurse Nancy had to excuse herself early so here I am greeting my own patient before I provide treatment. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing, kind of an old school medical practice where the doctor and the patient have such a close connection right away.
But something tells me it reeks of a lack of professionalism. It makes me look cut-rate, especially to a new patient.
But the one thing I know for sure is how much nurse Nancy is a godsend. Without her my practice wouldn’t be anywhere near where it is today.
But it’s another woman who’s on my mind.
Bella.
Without her why am I even here?
Why do I work? Why do I make money? Why do I help people when I can’t even help myself?
I need her back and after this appointment I’m going to go get her, no matter what.
Suddenly there’s a knock on the door.
When did a car drive up? Did a car drive up?
Mr. Johnson, my five o’clock, is standing so close to the door I can’t even make out his face.
Great…he’s probably planning on robbing me or something.
Well, time to get this over with because as soon as I finish I can go and get my woman.
But when I pull back the door I know immediately this isn’t a “Mr. Johnson.”
“Brandon,” I say.
“Declan,” he replies.
A moment passes.
“Mind if I come in?”
“No, of course not,” I say and stand aside as he enters my office.
“Please take a seat,” I say, but he doesn’t budge from the position where he’s standing. “If you’d like.”
“I won’t be long,” he begins. “I just came to say I made a fool out of myself and I’m sorry. Ashamed actually, which is why I’ll be on my way very shortly.”
I don’t say anything.
“After watching the way Bella reacted to what happened I can see just how real this is. As a matter of fact I didn’t really watch how Bella reacted. It’s how she didn’t react that tells me all I need to know.”
“I don’t understand,” I say.
“It’s like she’s dead to the world…completely shut off. There’s no color in her skin and her eyes look flat. She’s so lethargic it looks like a chore for her just to come downstairs and get a glass of water. And a bite of food? Forget about it. She hasn’t eaten anything, at least that I’ve seen. Her clothes are already starting to fall off her,” he says.
I get a visual of how Bella’s falling apart and feel my fists ball up, but I can’t hit Brandon. He’s her father and he was looking out for her, even at our expense. It wasn’t like he harmed her or meant her any harm, although those were the unintended consequences.
“Is she okay?” I ask. “I mean enough where I can see her.”
“I think you should. I know she would like that. And…I’m sorry for the way I reacted.”
I nod. I don’t want to tell him it’s okay, because it’s not. “You were just looking out for her. You’re her father. It’s what dad’s do. Heck, it’s what your dad did for me and he wasn’t even my father. So if anything I think your strong paternal instincts just run in your family.”
“Maybe you’re right. And I know you have strong protective instincts as well. And I know you’re going to take good care of her and you have my blessing now. I’m sorry it took me a few days to come around to see things as they should be.”
I appreciate when someone admits they made a mistake, especially a man, and even more so one old enough to be set in his ways.
I extend my hand.
“You accept my apology?”
“Of course. We’re still best friends, right?”
“Always,” he says and our two hand meet, but then for the first time in the history of our friendship we actually embrace.
The only time I’ve ever hugged a man before is when the ones hug me after I do something that helps one of their loved ones at my office. I’ve never hugged a guy just because he was my friend.
Maybe it’s because of how my life started out and my inability to fully trust and open up. I guess that’s what a psychologist might say.
But his daughter was the one who showed me there was another side to me, and that side of me is on display right now.
“I’m glad to hear that,” I say, pulling back.
“All right then. Good luck,” he says as he turns to go.
“Brandon,” I say causing him to turn back with his hand on the door and one foot out it, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Are you headed back home?”
“I don’t know where else I’d go.”
“I’ll be right behind you…in my car.”
“Okay,” he says.
“I wouldn’t want you to miss what I’ve got planned.”
He nods. “Nor would I,” he says and then a smile creeps onto his face and I can’t hold back the one on mine as we push through the door and I quickly lock it behind me.
Time to go get my woman for good. And when I say for good, I mean forever.