Chapter Three: If Only
"If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person."- Fred Rogers
Brandon
After I found out that Jasmine had run away with Jeff, I found myself in downward spiral. I became the type of person I always said I wouldn't become. What I didn't realize was that these changes were for the better. College started in the fall and soon after, she began to fade from the forefront of my mind. She was always there, but I found comfort in other girls and a lifestyle often frowned upon. At the beginning of my sophomore year, she had become nothing more than a memory and I found myself in the arms of Carlie; a beautiful, vibrant woman who carried many of the physical attributes of Jasmine, but not the baggage. Carlie was beautiful and funny, her bright hazel eyes, dirty blonde hair, and sweet smile would make any boy feel certain emotions. What started as a physical attraction quickly turned into more, and by graduation, we had made plans to move in together. Once I was enlisted in the Navy, we were living in a small apartment, close to the hospital where she worked as a receptionist while going to nursing school. She stood by me at every turn. Soon after I finished my enlistment, we decided we wanted to move again. I always wanted to go back to my hometown. I sent my resume to the local hospital and within three weeks, we were packing our belongings into a moving truck and heading to the sunny Florida panhandle. We stayed with my parents for a couple of months while the apartment we had found was being finished. Working at the local hospital was great, and being back at home was even better.
One night after work I decide to go down to a little bar down the street to have a beer and unwind. Carlie was out with her new-found friends for a ‘girl’s night out’. I was sitting at the bar, drinking my beer when I hear a familiar voice. "Brandon is that you?” he asks.
I turn around and there's Josh. "Yeah, man, it's me," I reply.
"How the hell are you?” he asks, holding his hand up for a fist bump.
"I'm great, just got a job at the hospital and my girl is out with her friends."
"It's so good to see you, man. It's been a long time," he says smacking me on the back.
"Yes, it has. Grab a seat and have a beer with me," I say tipping my beer in his direction.
"I'll have to take a raincheck on that," he replies, "I was on my way to see Michelle."
"You son of a bitch, you're still with her?" I ask with a laugh.
"Yeah, sure am," he says with a wicked grin.
"Well, I'm at the parents’ house for about another week, get up with me," I say as he's heading towards the door.
I smile and shake my head. The wild one has finally been tamed. I finish my beer and glance at the clock. Its eleven o'clock and I've got to work in the morning, so I head to the house. It's only about a quarter mile so I figure I'll just walk home. I worked too hard to get to where I am to get a DUI. The evening air is cool and crisp and sobers me up almost instantly. I get to the house and Carlie’s car is still gone. My mom is sitting by the front window the way she always did when I was a teenager. I walk through the front door and she looks at me funny.
"You’re home early, sweetheart," she says incredulously.
I snicker at the look she’s giving me, "Mom, I’m not a teenager anymore, besides, six comes early in the morning.”
She just shakes her head. "I'm so proud of you, son."
"Thanks," I say leaning down to hug her.
"I love you, goodnight," she says, kissing my cheek.
I head down the hallway to my room, kick my shoes off and crawl into bed. It's about two in the morning when a thump and a form of laughter wakes me. Carlie comes stumbling over to the bed, nearly tripping over my shoes. She crawls into bed beside me and the smell of stale cigarettes and booze overwhelm my senses.
"Carlie?" I ask.
"Yeah, it's me," she says laughing.
"I'm not trying to be mean, but could you at least change your clothes and brush your teeth? The smell is pretty potent."
She groans, "Okay," and grumbles all the way to the bathroom. I fall back to sleep and I am once again awoken by her. She snuggles up to me, licking my neck.
"Hey, please stop," I ask groggily.
"What? I don't turn you on anymore?" she asks angrily.
I groan loudly, "Carlie, you know you do. I've got to go to work in a few hours and you're wasted."
"Asshole," she mumbles, turning away from me. I just sigh and close my eyes.
When the alarm clock goes off, I'm still exhausted. I get up, shower, and get dressed. I look over to Carlie, still passed out on the bed. Even with her hair a mess and last night’s makeup smeared, she's still beautiful. I walk over and kiss her lightly before leaving.
The walk to my truck is invigorating; the chilly air blowing in my face helps me focus through the exhaustion. I get to work and meet with my mentor, Dr. Iverson; he was my pediatrician as a child. The incessant humming of the equipment and constant paging are wearing on my nerves. After today, I've got a couple days off and I’m definitely going to need them. From a car accident to a kid with a broken arm, the day flies by.
It's just after dark when I start to leave and realize I've left my keys in my locker. "Damn it," I mumble under my breath as I head back inside to my locker, quickly grabbing my keys and heading back to the truck. A deep sigh passes my lips as I sink into the seat. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I look, and it's a text from Carlie:
Hey Babe, I'm sorry about last night. I'll see you when you get home.
I just shake my head. She never has been able to hold her liquor and she is so rude and obnoxious when she's drunk. I put the truck in reverse and leave the parking lot. The drive home is peaceful; no radio, pager, or phone. I pull into the driveway and Carlie is on the front porch swing waiting. She smiles that sexy smile at me when I reach the top step. I collapse on the swing beside her and she begins rubbing my arm. Leaning in to kiss her, I catch a hint of her perfume, the subtle smell is intoxicating. I kiss her softly and her lips become hungry against mine.
"Whoa baby, take it easy," I say in a groan.
She smiles a devilish smile when she pulls away. She stands and takes my hand, pulling me into the house. "You're parents went out to dinner," she says leading me down the hallway to our room.
I press her up against the door, bringing my lips to hers again. The taste of her mouth is a sweet mixture of mint and wine. She moans into my mouth as my tongue slips between her lips. I pull away breathless and open the door. I pick her up and carry her to the bed. She giggles as I crash down on top her. The sweet smell of her perfume and the softness of her skin is a dangerous mixture.
~~~~~
A soft knock on the door wakes me up. I look over at the clock and its four o'clock in the morning. "Yeah?" I ask hoarsely.
"The hospital just called and said they need you," my mother says.
Why didn't they call or page me? I look at my phone and it's dead. "Thanks Mom, I'm up. I'll call them when I'm on my way," I reply and plug my phone in.
"Brandon, I'm sorry I had to wake you up, but I know how much this job means to you," she says.
Her footsteps disappear down the hallway as I stretch. I lean over, kissing Carlie on the cheek. "Baby, I got called into work," I whisper. She nods barely opening her eyes. I shower and dress quickly, grabbing my phone as I walk out of the door. I look back at her and smile.
"Bran," she says sleepily.
"Yeah, baby?"
"I love you."
"I love you, too," I say closing the door behind me.
I rush out to the kitchen, stopping only for a moment to hug my mother. "Have a good day," she says. I nod, grabbing my keys.
I call Dr. Iverson once I'm on the road. "Hey, what's going on?"
"Dr. Simons' wife went into preterm labor so she's been sent via helicopter to a better equipped hospital in Pensacola."
"Damn, that's not good. I hope everyone will be okay."
"Yeah, me too; sorry to have to call you in but we were short as it is," Dr. Iverson replied.
"It’s okay, man. I'll be there shortly."
"Alright, see ya later."
I hang up the phone with a heavy heart. Raina, Dr. Simmons wife, graduated a year after me. I try to focus the haze that has settled in my mind when I turn into the parking lot. It’s going to be a long day. I get inside, start all my paperwork, and prepare for my rounds.