Fragile (13 page)

I faced Dad, panicked, I didn’t want to see him and could hear his footsteps getting closer, “Shit, Dad,” I whispered in my panic, “I can’t...”

“Lu?”

I was freaking out. I couldn’t face him; I wasn’t ready to face him, not after what happened. It was too soon and I was still an emotional wreck. Dad seemed to understand and stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind him. I stepped to the door and listened.

“Derrick, it’s nice to see you again.”

“You too, Ray. Lu’s in there, isn’t she?”

“Yes. She doesn’t want to see you right now.” I could see him in my head, hands in his pockets, nodding in silence to what Dad had just told him.

“I didn’t... I don’t think that she did what Ireland accused her of Ray. It wasn’t out of spite for Ireland. It was more than that. I would never do anything to hurt Lu and I know she wouldn’t do that to me either. She told me so many times that she couldn’t be with me, and I didn’t listen and now...”

“Lucy’s been through a lot these past few months; it’s been stressful and emotional for her.”

“I can’t believe that Ireland would do that. Why would she do that? They were like sisters and then she went and slept with Lu’s fiancé? And it’s not all on Ireland. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending what she did, but he must have been a real asshole to do that to Lu, and now there’s a baby. Did they even think what could happen afterwards?”

“Ireland did it out of spite. We now know Luke did it because he wasn’t faithful. He saw an opportunity and took it. Ireland was willing, and well, one thing led to another.”

“Will she talk to me again?”

“One day.”

“Lu can keep the car. She doesn’t have one and I’ll get her furniture to her apartment tomorrow.”

I gripped the door handle in agony, this was killing me. I wanted to go out there but if I saw him I didn’t know if I could hold myself together long enough to do anything but cry.

“I’m not giving up on her, Ray. I want you to know that I will fight for Lu. I can see that she needs time, and I’ll be here when she needs me.”

“That’s noble of you, Rick. Not many men would stick around after what’s happened.”

“Lu’s worth it.”

“Lu,” his voice was soft and sincere. He was right on the other side of the door. So close, yet so far away. “I’m sorry, Lu. When you’re ready, let me know how I can make it up to you. Be safe. Use the car and don’t argue about it, I won’t take no for an answer. I’ll have your furniture at the apartment by tomorrow night, and I’ll leave my key on the bench so you don’t have to worry about me coming over unannounced. And just...could you just send me a text every now and then so that I know you’re ok? I worry about you.” I heard him move away and the sound of a door shutting quietly.

I backed away from the door as Dad came back in and picked up my suitcase. “I don’t want to keep the car, Dad.” I held the keys in my hand, dangling them above the counter top.

“It’s up to you, honey. Rick said to keep it until you can get a new one.” Having a car would be handy, but it reminded me of Rick too much. I put the keys on the counter and left the apartment.

RICK

I knew she didn’t want to see me but I couldn’t help myself. When I heard her bedroom door open and the movement in the hallway, I crept out of my hiding spot in my own room and walked to the stairs. It took everything in me not to run down those steps, around the corner and gather her up in my arms. I wanted to demand that she stay and promise her anything she wanted because I would do anything for her.

I stood there listening to her move around and the sound of her voice. Even Aiden knew something was up. He just sat there staring at her, his large eyes pleading for an explanation. “It’s going to be ok, boy,” she said softly. “I have to go, but you’ll be ok.” Aiden let out a cry. “Look after him,” she whispered.

“Ready to go?” Ray asked.

“I don’t want to keep the car, Dad.” I could hear the keys rattling. I gripped the railing of the steps, stopping myself from telling her take it with her. How will I get by, knowing that she was catching taxis everywhere?

“It’s up to you, honey. Rick said to keep it until you get a new one.” Thanks, Ray. I thought you were on my side. There was silence, and then I heard the sound of the keys being placed on the counter top, footsteps, and the door opening and closing. Aiden let out a cry, and I felt like doing the same. Releasing my hold on the railing, I stepped into the main area of the apartment and went over to the kitchen counter. There sat the car keys along with the apartment keys.

Needing to see her, I went to the front window, slowly pulling the curtain back. I had the perfect view of her. She and Ray were loading her suitcase into a waiting taxi. As the boot shut, Ray went around to the other side of the car and they both opened their doors. Ray climbed in but Lu stopped.

“Turn around,” I pleaded as I stared at her back. I held my breath as her head turned slightly, her body twisting against the open car door. When our eyes met, she just stood there, frozen like I was. I placed my hand on the window, palm out, and held it there until the taxi drove out of sight.

Watching Lu leave was the hardest thing I ever had to do, she took my heart with her and she didn’t even know it. I finally had my girl, my love, and I just watched her get into a taxi and leave. I should have made her see me, made her listen to me. I should have told her that I loved her and then demanded that she stay here, where she belonged. “I’ll get her back,” I promised myself as I planned my next move.

I picked Dad up the following morning and we went to Lu’s apartment.

“How long until it’s finished?” I asked the contractor.

“Shouldn’t be more than a few days.” He looked around the almost completed bathroom, pointing over to the huge spa bath, “Just have to seal around the tub and make sure that the water runs as it should, and it’ll be right as rain for your little lady.”

“So she’ll be right to move in, in a few days then?” I wanted a day to give Lu. I didn’t like the idea of her being anywhere else other than home, whether it was mine or hers.

“Yes Sir.”

“Here’s my number. Call me when it’s done.” The contractor took my card and placed it in a pocket in his pants.

Stepping out of the bathroom I found my Dad in the main living area. “That’s the last one.” Dad announced as he picked the chair he had just assembled up from the ground.

“Looks good,” I examined the chair as Dad sat on it.

“Sturdy, too,” Dad got up and placed it under the table we put together earlier. I took in the apartment. With Dad’s help, we’d brought in and assembled all of Lu’s furniture. Lu and I had spoken about how she wanted it set up before Ireland returned to town, and that’s how we had done it. “We better get to the shops before they close.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Lu was still missing some things and I was going to get the last of it for her.

“What do you think she’ll like?” Dad asked as we looked at bedding.

“Something comfy and soft. She’s in those horrid scrubs all day, and they’re rough on her skin.” I saw Dad smiling in the corner of my eye. “What?” I put my hands in my pockets, feeling self-conscious under Dad’s eyes.

“I’m just thinking how having Lucy in your life for a few weeks has changed you. You wouldn’t be doing this for anyone else.”

“Lu’s special, and I have to prove to her that I won’t let anyone get between us, no matter who that person is,” I said before flagging down a sales person.

We decided on pure bamboo cotton sheets because apparently they’re the softest, comfiest sheets in the market. We also got her some towels, and then went off to get her kitchen supplies.

When we arrived back at the apartment the contractors were gone, before Dad and I left I texted Lu.

All of your furniture is at your apartment. I also went and got you what you were missing. I don’t want you to go without. I’ve also left the car in the parking lot, and the keys are in the top drawer in the kitchen. Please use it. The contractor says that he will be finished in a few days and is going to give me a call when it’s done. I’ll let you know.

After I pressed send I stared at my phone and decided to send her another text.

I miss you, Lu.

LUCY

“He’s displaying signs of having seizures,” Dr. Mills announced as he read the chart out, presenting the patient sitting in the bed in front of us. “He has complaints of headaches and soreness behind his eyes. After conducting an EEG, we discovered that the seizures are just a symptom and uncovered a hidden tumour which we believe to be the cause.”

“And how are we going to proceed?” I asked eyeing up my interns.

“Surgery to go in and remove said tumour,” Dr. Mills continued.

“And what will that do?”

“The hope is that the seizures will stop.”

“How does that sound to you, Mr. Fletcher?” I turned my attention back to the patient and his family.

“Sounds like I might be able to start living again. I mean, I’m alive, but not able to do anything because I keep blacking out.” Mr. Fletcher smiled and looked at his wife as he spoke.

“It sounds wonderful,” Mrs. Fletcher announced.

“Great.” I smiled and turned back to my interns. “Dr. Mills, start to prep, and I’ll meet you in the O.R. The rest of you, come on.” I turned back to Mr. Fletcher. “I’ll see you soon,” I told him as I walked out of the room and into the next one.

After the day ended, Dad and I made plans to meet at the bar. I sat at the bar and re-read the message displaying on my phone.

I miss you, Lu.

Those four little words were doing a number on me. “Keep staring at that screen, and I’m about to start asking what’s on it.”

I put my phone in my bag as Dad sat down at the bar next to me. “It’s about time you got here.” I waved to the bar tender, and he came across filling glasses with amber liquid.

“Mather held me up on the phone.” He took a mouthful of his drink. “That woman knows how to talk.” He placed the glass down and signalled for the bartender, who re-filled it.

“She misses you.”

“She should have raised her daughter better.”

“Dad, come on. You can’t...don’t leave her because of Ireland.”

“She doesn’t see that what Ireland did was wrong. Yeah, she knows that it was wrong, but she’s under the impression that Luke should have turned her away.” He took a mouthful of his beer this time. “And he should have, and now they both have a baby to look after.” I started to pick at the counter top of the bar. “Sorry, honey.” Dad wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him.

I placed my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. “Karma got them.”

We headed back to the hotel a few hours later where we passed out and slept in the following morning, until duty called and I was called back to the hospital.

Your apartment is ready for you to move into now.

I read the text message over and over again letting it sink in. Rick had sent the text a few hours ago. It was late as it was and I was in surgery when it was sent and only just got to check my phone. It’s ready and with Dad in tow, I could move out of the hotel and into my own place. I typed out a message to send back. Two words were all that I could come up with.

Thank you.

I hit send and immediately got a reply.

You’re welcome, Lu.

After I finished my final rounds at the hospital, I got into a taxi and went to my apartment. Walking in, I looked around in awe. The furniture was all set up and in the positions that Rick and I had spoken about. There were bags in the kitchen sitting on the bench. Curious, I headed across to them. Inside were some towels and bed sheets. “Oh, Rick,” I muttered to myself, knowing that these weren’t cheap. I entered the kitchen and opened the top drawer, and there sat the car keys and the apartment keys like Rick said they would be.

Picking up the keys, I ventured to the bathroom, wanting to see the final product. It was stunningly beautiful and everything I wanted it to be. Loving what I saw in the bathroom, I did a walk through to reacquaint myself with my new home. Loving it and excited about the prospect of having a home, I left.

RICK

Sitting on the couch with my phone in my hand, I stared at it, willing it to ring, to alert me to an incoming call or chime a new text message. I had done everything that I could think of, short of going to her hotel room and putting my heart on the line.

After talking about it with Dad, I decided not to do that as he thought I might scare her off. Too much too soon and he was right.

The TV was on in the background and Aiden was sitting by my side. I was pathetic, I knew it, but my heart was crushed and I just wanted some form of communication from Lu. I missed her. Aiden missed her. The place wasn’t the same without her.

Aiden’s head popped up and then he got up from his position on the couch and ran to the front door barking. “Aiden!”