When I get to Dr. Davis’ office, he’s waiting to talk to me, but apparently not about what I was hoping he’d want to talk to me about— the fact that Davis Technologies is going public.
“Harlow, there’s a patient waiting in Conference Room C for you to talk to,” he says. “He’s post- surgery and will be moving on to physical therapy soon.”
“Oh really?” My ears perk up upon hearing some good news for once. “That’s great.”
“Yeah, he’s a great guy. Reminds me of you. I think you’ll find you have a lot in common.”
“And what about Jesse Morrow?” I ask, remembering his eager, hopeful eyes.
“Jesse Morrow? What about him?”
Dr. Davis seems annoyed and in a hurry to have me talk with the new guy.
“How did his surgery go? Is his mask off yet? Is he headed to PT yet?”
“Harlow, it’s really a breach of patient confidentiality for me to tell you every detail about every patient’s medical treatment. But if you must know, his surgery went fine but he isn’t a candidate for further treatment.”
“Really? Why?”
I feel heartbroken for the guy. He had been so hopeful.
“Because he’s not strong enough. Not all the guys can cut it, and you know that. I have to be selective about who I can help, and a lot of it depends on who can help themselves.”
What a weird way to put it, I think. Especially after he sends me to talk to so many of them, and promises the world to them.
But I don’t have time to dwell on it, because Dr. Davis says, “Go on. The patient’s waiting.”
I shrug and head over to the conference room.
“Hello,” I say, shaking hands with the man. “I’m Harlow Bradford.”
“Harlow, I know. But it’s so nice to meet you in person. I’m Alex Crenshaw. Navy SEAL. Or at least I was, and I’m trying to be again.”
“I know the feeling,” I tell him, wondering about the status of my recertification.
Whitney may have slowed things down, but now that I’m back up and running with Lance, I’m curious as to what the recommendation will be as far as a timeline goes.
“You look like you’re recovering well,” I say, as I note his rosy complexion and the fact that he looks healthy overall.
“I know. And you never would have thought it four months ago, after my accident. I sure didn’t think I would have come this far. But Dr. Davis has been great, and he’s been saying that physical therapy will only continue to help. He told me you’ve been having success with it?”
Not exactly, I think.
But I say, “It does seem to be helping. I’m really amazed with your progress though already.”
“I know. Dr. Davis showed me a video that was filmed of me right after my accident, and I can’t even write my name.”
“Ha, sounds familiar. He shows that awful video of me every time he drags me to a conference.”
“I’ve heard about those,” Alex says. “In fact, Dr. Davis said that we’ll both be at the next one.”
“Oh really?”
I’m not exactly jealous— in fact, it will be nice to have some company on stage, and not be the only monkey performing for the crowd. But I’m hoping that by the time there’s another conference, I’ll be back with my unit and out from under Dr. Davis’ shadow.
Sure, he’s helped me a lot, but how long does he want me to repay him by being in his dog and pony show, especially now that there’s another pony to take my place?
“Yeah, I guess there’s one coming up next week. For the sale of Davis Technologies.”
“I’d heard that happened,” I tell him, but I don’t add, but not from Dr. Davis. Funny that he should tell you and not me.
“Our appearance fee is going to jump up even higher than what he was paying you,” Alex says. “Which is pretty sweet, considering I’m not getting my usual hazard pay or deployment pay or anything.”
“Oh yeah,” I tell him. “Performance fee.”
What performance fee? I’ve never been paid one before.
I want to ask him more questions— which is funny, since I’m supposed to be the one answering his questions— when, as if on cue, Dr. Davis enters the room.
“How are my two favorite patients hitting it off?” he asks, with a smile on his face so fake he could have just painted it on.
“Great,” says Alex, smiling broadly. “I’m really looking forward to working more with Harlow.”
“We can discuss that later,” says Dr. Davis, and it’s funny how visibly uncomfortable he looks. “The point of this meeting was for you to ask Harlow any questions you might have, about your progress, or your treatment, or anything else.”
“Oh.” Alex shrugs, good- naturedly. “I don’t really have any questions. It’s all coming together quite well, and I’ll be back with the SEALS in no time.”
He really does remind me of me. Confident, self- assured, and naïve to think that he can actually get back to his unit soon.
I sigh as I realize what a revelation I’ve just had about myself.
And suddenly, all I want to do is see Whitney. I was going to ask Dr. Davis about the business deal, and appearance fee, but I have a feeling it’s useless.
Maybe he was planning to tell me soon— maybe it’s some big surprise— or maybe that’s just part of my continual delusion. It’s not like I’ll find out the truth from Dr. Davis even if I do ask him. He’s obviously pretty good at hiding the big picture from me.
“I agree,” I tell Alex. “You’ve got this all under control. Congratulations on your progress. And now, I have somewhere I need to be.”
“Harlow, wait—”
Dr. Davis calls after me, but it’s my turn to be in charge.
I need to go find Whitney.
I don’t believe that Whitney was lying about my physical therapy progress. I can’t believe I ever did.
There has to be some other explanation. I can still hear her attempted warning— “I don’t think Dr. Davis is who he seems to be”— and I wish I would have listened harder.
I hope she’ll still give me the chance.