Chapter 16
Ivan
The familiar street loomed ahead, bustling with people on either side, each one hurrying somewhere. Every building I saw seemed to trigger a memory in my head. Good memories, I thought as I recalled the life I had lived in the city.
I found myself whistling a happy tune as I drove toward the city’s main hospital. It was certainly uncanny that I was such in a happy mood to be returning to a place that had given me nothing but feelings of bitterness and agony.
Glancing toward the pretty girl beside me who was busy retouching her makeup, I smiled. Now there’s the reason for this weird sense of happiness.
Despite her training at the farm and the way she had easily blended into the town culture, she was still very much a woman of the city. The way she dressed, spoke, and carried herself gave that away. I loved every bit of her, farm girl and city dweller rolled into one.
“Look, Ivan!” she suddenly exclaimed, pointing out a coffee shop. “That’s where I always hang out with my best friend Charlene. Oh, I can’t believe you’re finally going to meet her later.”
“Looking forward,” I said with amusement. She was very excited to be back in her home city, though her dad probably wasn’t aware. It was a good thing Aunt Ellen had allowed her to visit with me. I had promised never to let her out of my sight.
“And there’s Night Light!” she said. “That’s where we often get drunk.” She laughed at the memories.
“Get drunk and pick up random strangers?” he asked.
“For your information, I do not do one-night stands,” she said with a frown.
I was pleasantly surprised, but I just smiled and said, “Joking, okay?”
She eventually smiled and went back to pointing out her favorite hangout places and boutiques for shopping.
It was weird how I’d never spent much time on this side of the city except to go to the hospital. I wasn’t much of a coffee shop person, and I spent boys’ nights out in sports bars mostly. I’ve been to plenty of restaurants on dates, though, but never more than twice.
I was totally amused by Cassy’s constant chatter about her life in the city. She seemed to be so comfortable sharing even the miserable parts and the things she wasn’t proud of. She’d always been an open book, I guessed, except when it came to how she felt about me. There was another thing she wasn’t upfront with--- her real feelings about her father. But of course, I didn’t want to push her. After all, I was never one to share about my past and lay out my fears and dreams in the open.
Honestly, I was also playing this relationship by ear. I didn’t know where it was going or where I wanted it to go. But for now, at least we’re both fine with just seeing how it worked out one step at a time.
The hospital came to view, reminding me of that fateful game when I had gotten tangled up in a bad scrimmage on the field. I thought I had gone past all the offensive linemen successfully, but then two huge players of the opposition had tackled me to the ground. I’d hurt my knee pretty bad, twisting in pain. I was patched up by the emergency medical team on standby, and then brought to this very hospital for an x-ray and other tests.
That was the first time I had met Dr. Higgins, an ACL surgeon and specialist. He’d been my trusted doctor and friend since then.
“I see you’ve met a beautiful lady in your hometown,” Dr. Higgins said after I introduced Cassy. He shook her hand and asked us both to sit down.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Cassy said politely.
“She’s originally from here,” I told him. “Just vacationing in Burchnell like me.”
“Isn’t that a coincidence?” he said, raising his eyebrows meaningfully. He actually reminded me of my dad, which is why I had immediately felt at ease with him.
“Maybe,” I answered, grinning.
“Well, I don’t believe in coincidences,” he remarked. “Do you?”
I simply laughed, glancing at Cassy who was smiling.
Dr. Higgins chuckled. “I think you’ve just found the purpose of this accident,” he murmured as he studied my records and recent lab tests and x-rays.
I smiled. He had a very good point there.
We chatted some more as he performed a physical check-up on my knee. It wasn’t painful anymore. I think it was actually improving a lot.
After I went through another x-ray and got the results, I was glad to see that the x-ray generally showed the same. It matched the physical examination.
Dr. Higgins nodded with a smile as he handed me back the x-ray result. “Looking good, Mr. Willard. If your healing continues progressing, you might just get back on that field sooner than expected. Your teammates will certainly be ecstatic to have the best left tackle back.”
I smiled, definitely elated.
“Have you been watching their games?” he asked. “The Windfield Warriors struggle every time. They do win some games, but it’s not the same without you.”
“Thank you for the compliment, doctor,” I said sincerely. “I appreciate it.”
“Take care of your knee,” he said. “Keep taking your meds and don’t get overworked. Don’t put unnecessary strain on the injury.”
“I’ll make sure of that,” Cassy quipped.
“Thank you, young lady,” Dr. Higgins said with a smile. “I think you have a lot to do with the big improvement.”
“Oh, I hope so,” she answered.
We had lunch at her favorite Italian restaurant afterwards where we also met up with her friend Charlene.
“So you’re that famous football player that’s got Cassy so wound up!” Charlene exclaimed after we were introduced.
I laughed. “Great way to put it, I guess.”
Cassy gave me a light punch on the shoulder. “No, you’re the one who’s gone nuts because of me!”
I raised my hands in surrender as we laughed. The two women had a lot to chat about, obviously very happy to finally be reunited. It was amusing just listening to them. I was contented watching Cassy’s eyes light up and listening to her endless babble.
From time to time, they would include me in their conversation. Charlene asked me how Cassy was doing at the farm. She was definitely surprised to learn that her friend had adjusted excellently and was no longer appalled by animals and mud.
“She still wears her designer clothes, though, while at work,” I added.
Charlene laughed. “Atta girl!” she said jokingly. “You’re going to ruin your expensive Gucci jeans!”
“No big deal,” Cassy said with a wave of her hand.
Our topic shifted to Cassy’s flourishing career as a fashion designer and dressmaker, which made Charlene beam with pride. “So you’re finally doing it,” Charlene said. “I’m so proud of you! That’s just amazing!”
Cassy gave a pretend bow. “You can have the very first autographed dress, I promise!” she said, giggling.
“Well, at least that’s another good thing that’s come out of your supposed exile,” Charlene pointed out.
Cassy smiled. “You know, it’s not bad at all. A lot of good things have actually happened.” She then glanced at me meaningfully, her smile widening.
“Okay, so tell me more about this love story,” Charlene began, leaning forward with interest. “From what I’ve heard, you guys used to be the best of enemies!”
We both laughed.
“Yeah, well,” Cassy said, still laughing. “The best of enemies turn out to be the best of lovers. But I’ll tell you the details some other time.”
“When I’m not around,” I added.
“Right!” Charlene and Cassy both said at the same time.
After lunch, we headed to their favorite coffee shop. I let them catch up with each other as I quietly read the local newspaper, mostly the sports section.
As I looked up from the paper, my eyes rested on a tall, elegant woman who resembled Cassy a bit. The similarity in appearance was what had gotten my attention in the first place. And to my surprise, she was actually headed to our table right that moment.
I put down the paper and straightened up. I had a really bad feeling about this.
“Cassandra,” the woman uttered. She had a not-so-friendly look on her face.
Cassy looked up, her mouth dropping open in shock. “Mom! I thought you were in Paris!” she exclaimed. “Dad said you’d gone there with your friends last week.”
“Our trip was cut short,” Mrs. Young answered curtly.
“Hi, Mrs. Young!” Charlene greeted cheerfully.
The woman eyed her warily and nodded in acknowledgement. She obviously wasn’t fond of the best friend either. I remember Cassy mentioning how her parents had always thought Charlene was a bad influence on her.
She turned her eyes to me then, scrutinizing me carefully. I felt my heart pounding as I wondered if she knew about my deal with her husband. Silently I prayed that she wouldn’t mention it or hint at it in front of Cassy. After all, that would defeat the purpose, right?
I stood up politely despite my nervousness and put on my most charming smile. I had always been quite talented at delighting older people. “How are you, Mrs. Young?” I said smoothly. “I’m Ivan Willard, your daughter’s friend. We met in Burchnell where I’m originally from, but I’ve lived here in the city too.”
She gave me a curious look. Recognition then dawned on her face. “You’re that football player,” she said. “Sometimes I catch the games on TV when my husband’s watching at home.”
“That’s good to hear,” I told her sincerely. “He must be a fan.”
“Oh, he loves everything Windfield,” she said. Then turning back to Cassy, her eyes narrowed. “So what are you doing back in town, young lady?”
Cassy stood up to face her mom as she made up some story about sourcing materials for her client’s upcoming wedding. Her mother’s face actually softened as she listened. She looked very much surprised as Cassy recounted the progress of her business.
I felt for Cassy then. It must be tough having a mother like that. The woman was nothing like my mom. She didn’t even seem joyful to see her daughter whom she hadn’t been with for a long time.
“We’re actually heading back now,” Cassy added.
“Okay,” Mrs. Young said. “Your father will not be happy about this city visit, though. But I’m glad you’re finally doing something with your life.”
“Of course,” Cassy said, giving what I could tell was a fake smile.
Soon her mom left us alone, and the three of us were finally able to breathe with relief. Cassy groaned. “I thought she was in Paris and I knew Dad would never go to these places, anyway,” she said. “Now I’m busted.”
“It’ll be okay, Cassy,” Charlene tried to assure her. “I’m sure your Aunt Ellen will also vouch for you.”
“Well, let’s see,” Cassy said. “Can’t let her ruin this wonderful day, right?”
“Definitely,” I agreed. My heart went out to her, but I was also relieved that Mrs. Young had not seemed to be aware of my arrangement with her husband. And she had not shown any negative reaction toward my presence.
Guilt began to creep into my heart. I hated lying to Cassy, but I knew she wouldn’t be able to forgive me if she discovered that I was being paid by her father to watch over her and teach her to be responsible. At the same time, her dad would probably have me kicked off the team if he knew I was dating his daughter now. He could surely pull the strings to have it done.
It was an impossible dilemma. I could only pray that things would work out well in the end.