Greyson
Sometimes my mouth overloads my ass in the biggest way. I don’t know why I said what I did as that was something I never should’ve. But then I wasn’t expecting what I saw either. Sherry is still the most beautiful person I’ve met before. It’s just that how was I supposed to tell her we couldn’t have sex without making her feel bad. The more I think about it, the more I think Sherry was right. We wouldn’t work. This is why they tell you to not mix business with pleasure or fall for a patient. It always ends badly, no matter how you try to spin it. Not that she’s my patient anymore since Dad got her a new doctor, but her file is still in my care and if anything happens I could be called in to help with a situation. Which if that’s the case, why can’t I stop thinking about her today? I called the restaurant and canceled the reservation that I made for our first date that would be happening tonight. Instead, I’ll go through my files as I need to focus on the practice and not the blonde downstairs from me.
I’m still boggled with the whole allergy thing and how one person can be so allergic to something that she keeps doing it over and over again. I’ve met a few individuals who have bad allergies, and they control their environment instead of inflicting a bad situation onto themselves. Over the short amount of time that I’ve known Sherry, I learned that she has a big heart and would suffer day in and day out to save something. Well, that is except what relationship we could’ve possibly had seems that wasn’t worth saving at all. But then there wasn’t a real relationship in the first place. You have to have a two-way street, an open line of communication along with trust—which I broke. That’s on me, and something I’ll have to move past. Until then I have no idea if we will be friends or even cordial in passing.
My day is full, loaded with patient after patient which I welcome as it keeps my mind busy and off Sherry, who I know is only a few buildings over from me. Whenever I had a slow moment through the day, that’s where my mind drifted to. In order to avoid her and offer up some space, I avoided the deli and pizza joint for lunch. Opting for something to be brought back to me, I ate in my office while doing patient notes. Seeing my last patient out, I notice a familiar face sitting in the waiting room. Glancing down at my watch and over to the clear holder on the wall, I know she’s not here for a professional visit.
“Ava, would you care to come back?” I ask as I hold the door open that separates the waiting room from the block of patient rooms. I watch as she rises from the chair and heads in my direction. “Lock up when you’re done; I’m just going to go over files and leave soon,” I say to Katy, my head nurse before leading Ava toward my office. When we enter, I leave the door open as I don’t want to give a bad impression, especially after being caught kissing Sherry.
Ava takes a seat in front of my desk, while I round the edge and claim my chair. Leaning back, I lock my fingers in place behind my head and speak, “What brings you to see me?”
“Sherry brings me here, but she has no idea that I’m here.”
“Then why come if she doesn’t want you to be here?”
“Because I need for you to understand her more and then maybe you won’t back off.”
“I’m going to have to stop you here, Ava. Our relationship needs to stay professional. She was right about that and as far as I’m concerned she’s still my patient until I get a file request.”
“You’re just as stubborn as she is. I’m not leaving here until you hear me out. Then and only then can you make your mind up. Also, I was never here, are we clear?”
“We’re clear,” I agree, but that doesn’t mean I have to take Ava’s advice.
“Chris, her ex-boyfriend, did a number on her trust factor in men. Not to mention her self-confidence. When she didn’t pass her exam, he left her. Told her that she would never amount to anything and that she wasted his time and everyone else’s who trained her. Needless to say, she refused to ever do anything else in the medical field. Since she has the heart of saving the world, she won’t leave the shelter. In her mind, if she can’t save people, she’ll save animals even though her body protests it daily. I mean, who in their right mind brings all these cats home to risk an allergic reaction every day? Sherry, that’s who. Her body doesn’t like a lot of things: wax, smells, fur, etc. but she still does it with a smile. Then here you come, catching her and causing a shit storm in her life. Did you know that she told me this morning that she’s finding homes for the cats we have? She loves them, and she’s giving them away.” Ava stops to take a moment, glancing around my office and taking a deep breath before she continues.
“You woke something up in her, caused her to see something big—like a future—and I know she’s scared of getting her heartbroken. I know she told you to go away, but in reality, she’s telling you to fight for her. Show her that she makes you feel like nobody else. That’s the way you can win her back, and to sign her file over and shred it when you’re done.”
“You really think I could win her back?”
“I do, but it might take time. She has a very small circle of trust, and once that trust has been broken it’s hard to get invited back in. But if you can do that she’ll forever belong to you. The question is, do you want a forever with her or a little fun? If it’s fun you’re looking for, then you need to move on. Balls in your court, doc, so chose wisely.”
“Can I ask a question?”
“Sure,” Ava says, shrugging her shoulders up.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I know my best friend, and I think you’ll be good for her. Maybe she’ll give up on one crazy dream and follow her heart.”
I don’t respond. I’m taking in all of the spoken words, making sure I ingrain them into my thoughts as I need to make sure I pick the right path.
“Okay, well my time is up and I’ll show myself out,” Ava stands and leaves just as fast as she arrived here. I can tell that their friendship is more like a sisterly love and it makes me feel good that Sherry has someone to care for her in that manner. Now the only thing I need to do is figure out which way I care about her.
Could she be my forever, or just a roll in the sack from time to time? That’s something I need to figure out before I can act on anything else. Until that happens, the practice is my focus. I know what I told Ava, but I also know the trouble flings can cause. It’s the main reason why I’m back in Miami.