Three Months Later

I love the mountains in Kentucky. I love everything about them. From their large rolling views, to the way they make you feel sheltered and protected—almost as if you were in God’s arms. They grabbed my attention years ago, and never let me go. It’s the main reason I decided to settle here with Matty. They’re gorgeous any time of the year—from Spring, when new growth takes place and different hues of green call to you, to Autumn, when trees set off a display of colors that no firework show could match. They hold so much beauty, it takes my breath away. They all pale in comparison to what I’m looking at now, however. It’s a beautiful day, and I decided to have lunch on the cement picnic tables out from the courtyard of the hospital. It’s relatively empty, because most of the hospital staff likes to congregate in the food court area. I hate crowds, so this suits me better. The fact that Mr. Kane is staring down at me right now leaves me torn between wondering if I shouldn’t run back towards to the food court, or ask him to sit down. I haven’t seen him in three months. I thought our last encounter had chased him off, and it was for the best. I shouldn’t have missed him—but I did, and not seeing him made me sad.

“Mr. Kane.”

“Hey Doc, did you miss me?” he asks, and he’s smiling while clearly joking, but something about him is different.

“Was I supposed to?”

“Ouch, Doc, that hurts,” he says, sitting down.

“Have a seat,” I tell him, sarcastically.

“What is that you’re eating?” he says, curling up his nose.

I can’t say as I blame him. I look down at my sad chicken wrap and drop it back onto the plate.

“I think it’s a new concoction the hospital cafeteria is working on in case of a zombie apocalypse.”

“Zombie apocalypse?”

“Yeah, something they freeze dried for a year, and it was supposed to keep. Only, I don’t think it did. Oh well, I wasn’t real hungry.”

“Now that’s a shame, Doc, because I come bearing gifts,” he says, and it’s then that I notice he’s holding a paper bag and a drink carrier. I missed it before, because the man is so fine, I find myself glued to his beautiful eyes. The way his t-shirt likes to cling to that stomach, it’s no wonder I fantasize about him. I’m only human after all.

He puts his items on the table, reaches in and brings out two wrapped sandwiches, handing me one, along with a large coffee.

“What are you doing?”

“Having lunch with you? I didn’t know how you liked your coffee, so I got it black, but there’s some creamer and shit in the bag, if you want it.”

I look at him like he’s grown two heads. I haven’t seen or heard from him since our last run in, and I’m not sure what I thought would happen if I saw him again. Fantasies don’t count! But, one thing I do know, I certainly wasn’t expecting this.

“I don’t drink coffee,” I tell him, because I don’t know what else to say.

He stops unwrapping his sandwich to smile at me. “I’ll remember that for next time.”

Next time?

I unwrap my sandwich and nearly groan in appreciation. BLT! Yum! I start eating it and drink the water that I already had. We sit there in silence for a few minutes, just eating, before I must ask him.

“What is this, Mr. Kane?”

“We’re having lunch, Doc.”

“I get that. What I don’t understand is why.”

“Why? Can’t I just want to have lunch with you?”

“Mr. Kane, we discussed this. I can’t and won’t date…”

He reaches into the pocket of the leather vest he’s wearing and pulls out a piece of paper, sliding it across the table to me.

“What’s this?” I ask unfolding it. When I read it, my hand shakes. What does he mean with this?

“Three months clean, Doc. Me and my dick,” he states, biting into his sandwich, as if he’s discussing the weather.

“I’m happy for you, Mr. Kane, but…”

“Relax, Doc. I wanted you to know that I’m not the man you first met, I’ve changed. Plus, I’ve thought on what you said, and I realized I’ve never had a woman friend.”

“This news doesn’t surprise me.”

“Sarcasm can be ugly, Doc,” he says with a wink.

I have to struggle not to choke on the water I’m swallowing.

“Anyways, I hate being called Mr. Kane, and I hate my first name. If I’m ever going to get you to call me Bull, I figure we need to be friends.”

“Friends? Without benefits?” I clarify.

“Why Doc? Are you offering?”

“No. I mean, I just assumed that…I mean I don’t want….”

He starts laughing, and I haven’t heard him laugh before. It’s a good sound. Solid and firm, warm and inviting, and I should not be noticing it.

“Yeah, Doc. Just friends, no benefits, except you calling me Bull, and me spending time with you.”

I ignore the sensation deep down inside of me that feels like disappointment at his offer. I give him my agreement with a smile. “Always happy to make new friends Mr…. I mean, Bull.”

“That right there makes it all worth it.”

“You’ll have to explain that remark,” I tell him drying my hands.

“Hearing you say my name with a smile on your face.”

“And this, all worth it? What exactly does that mean?”

“You’re a sharp one, Doc.”

“Medical school and being a mom,” I explain. “You can’t afford to let a lot slip by you.”

“Gotcha. Well that’s a question for another day.”

“It is?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow? Same place and time?” he asks.

“I don’t work tomorrow.”

“Then meet me for lunch.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t. I have plans,” I tell him, and wave at Buck and Alex, the cardiac floor nurse. Buck is one of the janitors on staff, I wasn’t aware he and Alex were friends, but I like both of them, so it’s nice to see.

“What kind of plans?” Bull persists, demanding my attention.

“Would a friend be asking me that?”

“Well, we’re new friends, so allowances have to be made.”

“That doesn’t make a bit of sense. But, if you must know, I have a parent teacher conference tomorrow.”

“Then meet me after it. Weavers? Come on. You haven’t lived if you don’t try one of their hotdogs.”

I should say no. I almost have the words out, then I hear myself say, “Okay, around two?”

“Perfect,” Bull says, and I don’t know whether to kick myself or him for the cocky look of victory he’s wearing.