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By Robyn L. Bader Submitted by psychrn2@cstone.net Date: 2002 Apr 25 Comment on this Work [[2002.04.25.16.15.28045]] |
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You know how it is in the middle of the night when the last patient still reeks from your finger tips. You can still smell the stench of his body odor permeating every pore on your body. Marcus Gregory the attending D.O. is thinking "Jesus, did that sorry son of a bitch ever have anything? I doubt it". Feeling guilty from his lack of compassion, Marcus then remembers the vomit on his new Birkenstock shoes and signs the cab voucher offering yet another productive member of this town a hot and a cot. He only hopes his instinct is correct and this is just another drunk and not a future victim of suicide or foul play. How he wishes Leah were here. Yes, Leah would bring some magic into this dump, he thinks. No time for dreaming, the self assured and competent doctor quickly resumes his thoughts back to the clinic. Tampa Bay had made lucky on this deal, after four rounds of salary negotiation and two flights to the Tampa bay area, the clinic had negotiated themselves a top notch, highly skilled and dedicated Medical director, and Marcus Gregory, D.O., and Leah had themselves a new home and bright future. Moving from Oxford, Ohio, the Children Joshua, Sara and Tobin would miss their friends, but like their adoptive parents they were unusually cultured and open to change. The night went quickly as Marcus drove out of the parking lot towards his 15 room ranch on the attractive lake. He knew that home would be quiet and he loved this time to himself. Morning was a time of renewal and a time to be completely alone with his thoughts, as much as he loved the flowing chatter from Leah; he mostly loved her ability to recognize when he needed to be alone. Beyond his wildest dreams, he thinks how can a woman love me for who I am and let me grow and change as I please? Aha, he laughs to himself, she must be cheating, but laughs a true laugh knowing that this was his true love. Pulling into his driveway, he rolls down the window and breathes in the aroma of the morning and feels the dew from the timbers that line his path. Again, he smiles, happy with the fact that he didn't succumb to financial pressure and allow the clear cutting of this wonderful property which they had inherited. Life, He thinks, How simply precious, gazing over the green waves of the pure forest bowing down to greet him, he basks in a warm glow knowing that he made the only decision that he could live with. "Think, Marcus, think, pleaded his ex-wife, I need the money for my vacation in Puerto Rico. No, you dumb shit; I am not going with Donald. Do you think I would mess things up at this point? No, I am sorry; I didn't mean to say that. What I meant was just think about my standard of living. All you ever think about is yourself". Thoughts drift by as Marcus puts his key in the door. Christ, why does that bitch ring in my ears, sometimes I think I must have obsessive compulsive disorder. Quickly the tension begins to flow away and Marcus Gregory breathes a sigh of relief; happy to be home in his haven. No longer must he be the suave, highly attractive Medical Director who constantly redirects his make shift staff, follow behind the do nothing M.D.'s from the registry and request that the diploma nurses who sit and chat about each other get up once in a while and take care of the cardiac patients. Jesus, he thinks, I need to rid my mind of this bullshit. Reaching for a glass of chevis regal, he changes his mind, looking at his Bose 901 system he puts on a CD of BB king and pulls out the New York Times. Wake up darling it is 3 PM and you have an appointment tonight at 6. Opening his eyes slowly, he omits a sly smile seeing Leah radiating over him gentle as a full moon breeze. She giggles lightly and he reaches out to touch her silk gown but misses as she goes to fetch coffee for her man. Leah pours coffee from the flask made from fresh beans that she ground this morning. Giving Marcus time to awaken she prepares a tray and meets him in the terrace where he will begin his morning. Over looking the lake, they sit in privacy. When will the children be home? Asks Leah. You need to pick them up at Kennedy at 3 PM tomorrow. Is that good for you? She answers with a sweet smile; Of course, I have arranged to be off for two days and need to take Josh for his hearing appointment. I am glad you remembered, Marcus mumbled, "Is there anything else we should talk about, Leah?" Business or pleasure? Leah teases. Marcus stiffens up, you know we don't have much time and have to deal with reality. Leah lounges back and takes a drink of her fresh squeezed orange juice savoring its sweetness and pulp. Carefully, she waits to speak. Marcus darling, Were not in St. Louis anymore. Life is for living. You do worry so much. Everything can not be time managed. I do not know ahead of time when I will teach little Sara something invaluable about life. All of our time is precious. It doesn't matter if we are not perfect. We have each other And, have the dream of happiness. Like you taught Josh; Remember to trust your pack when you jump Marcus Gregory. All I know is that you make me feel alive and I love being with you Marcus. Moving toward his angel, he wraps her in his strong firm embrace. You make it all so simple Leah, but life is not that simple. Leah looks longingly at her partner and wonders why he cannot see that in his 52 years he has only gotten better. No question about it, he has matured with grace and wisdom. He is so sexy, ponders Leah. How I could love him if he would only let me inside. Thinking back, she knows that is what first attracted her to him, his mind. His hands caress her back and shoulders; she thinks briefly of the new carpet below them and looks deeply into his brown eyes surrendering to his warm open kisses. Pleased that the children are not coming home until tomorrow, she knows that time management can wait. Now is a good time. Breathing softly with passion she is stirred remembering his taste and touch and she tells him so. |