[[[-RECOLLECTIONS02.TXT-]]]
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Recollections
Written by: Kaadorix
M/F, F/F and a whole lot more
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Chapter 02: "Beginning"
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-*- Thursday, June 24, 2010 -*-
-*- Basehor, Kansas -*-
(Seven Years Ago // Flashback)
I inhaled the wondrous aroma of specialty coffee and baked
goods as I walked into _Perky's Cafe_ on the morning of June
24, 2010 in nearby Basehor, Kansas. It was finally Thursday,
which meant I just had to get through today and whatever
came my way at the medical office, and I would have the next
three days off. I did not have any patients in the hospital at
the moment (although that could change very quickly), and no
meetings scheduled there downtown tomorrow. All in all, I was
looking forward to a long and relaxing three day weekend.
Off to the side, I noticed that the daily sports page of
the local newspaper was laying upon a booth table, and I was
reminded (thanks to the big, bold headline) of the Kansas City
Royals' 1-0 victory over the Washington Nationals from last
evening. Wins had been scarce as of late. I was quite the
avid baseball fan, and pledged my sports soul to the Royals,
my hometown team, long ago. They would forever be my favorite
baseball team and I would support them to no end, but I felt as
if they were never going to win the World Series again, let
alone make the postseason. The Royals had not even sniffed the
playoffs since winning it all in 1985 (when I was 11) and were
well on their way to losing 95-plus games again this season.
Just once more in my lifetime, I would like to see the
Royals win the World Series. Just once. I was too young
to fully understand and appreciate the significance of their
championship in 1985. But with the way baseball (and sports
in general) is nowadays, with its economics, and the smaller
market teams like Kansas City struggling to maintain success, I
figured another Royals' World Series win would not happen in
my lifetime. No way, no how. Still, I would buy my season
tickets each year and go to the games. I was forever a fan.
But baseball and sports aside, all I could really think
about right now was a smoked butterscotch cappuccino and a
doughnut muffin, one of the things that made _Perky's Cafe_
so famous in our little corner of the world. Doughnut muffins
were always in demand (and oftentimes sold out), and I believe
that I deserved that indulgence after a rough week thus far at
work. A happy death by sugar, they were mini muffins that
tasted like cinnamon sugar doughnut holes, with the cafe's
not-so-secret ingredient being nutmeg.
"Welcome to Perky's," one of the waitresses called out
from behind the front counter, where she was serving a long
line of customers. Her curly dark hair was tied in a
ponytail, trying its best to burst through its protective
netting as she handed a bag across the counter and waved at me.
"Good morning, Anna," I greeted her. I had been coming to
this quaint, little cafe for years in order to get my morning
coffee and the occassional tasty treat on work days, and I do
not ever remember a morning when Anna was not working that
counter. I always enjoyed interacting with her, although she
was probably old enough to be my mother.
I made my way around the small, circular tables, where
customers sat chatting, and around a sofa, where a married
couple sat holding steaming mugs. Oh, what I wouldn't give
to be married myself, and have children. Perhaps one day.
But, at age 36, I felt the clock was starting to tick on me.
At the self-help espresso maker, I patiently filled a
to-go cup of smoked butterscotch cappuccino. I could
practically taste the steaming liquid as I moved to the side
to fetch a lid, then a pretty blonde stepped up next to me.
What, a teen-ager? A student at Kansas University, perhaps?
Whatever the case, the girl flashed a shy smile and averted
her eyes to the machine. My own eyes invariably drifted down
her stretchy halter-top, over her slinky, faded denim cut-off
shorts, to her wondrously sexy ass and lean legs. Good God...
"Where's the cups?" She had said those words so softly
and quietly, I wondered if she was talking to me or herself.
I reached above her, brushing her side in the process.
She smelled so sweet and fresh; like summer rain. I handed
her an empty cup. "Here you go. Sometimes Anna and company
makes us search for 'em. She likes to keep us guessing."
"Thanks. I never would have thought to look up." The
beautiful young lady blinked long enough for me to notice
her effervescent, sky-blue eyes, as well as those plump,
puffy lips. Oh, they looked so kiss-inspiring and satin soft.
But, what was wrong with me? I was way too old for this
girl. Look and admire, but don't touch.
She returned her attention to the automated espresso
machine and picked her preferred flavor, and pressed its button.
Cappuccino steamed into her cup, but quickly fizzled out even
before it was halfway full. Oh, no. The pretty, little
college(?) girl sighed in defeat, her shoulders dipping.
"The hot foam milk chamber must be empty," I theorized.
"But they have other flavors... hundreds of them." I pointed
toward the other self-help machines all around us.
"Thanks. But this is my friend's favorite, and I have no
idea what else she would like. This is the only machine that
dispenses this particular type... smoked butterscotch." The
same type I was holding in my hand? She furrowed her brows,
her gorgeous, vibrant eyes filled with pure sadness. "This is
the fourth time that I've been here this week for my friend.
Merissa is so looking forward to her favorite coffee, but I
suppose that I'm going to have to disappoint her."
"Here, take mine." I handed her my cup. As a doctor, it
had been ingrained in me over the years to always take care
of others first. For this spellbinding blonde with the
kissable lips and the wisps of long hair falling in front of
her eyes, I would give up anything in the world just to make
her happy. To make her smile at me right now.
"No." She shook her head. "I can't take that from you."
"I don't mind." I set the cup in her hand and she smiled
tentatively, as if she was a kitten, unsure if my outstretched
hand was safe or not. The age-old stereotype was that women
did nothing but take, take, take, seemingly without a care of
who they were taking from. That was certainly the type of
women I had been accustomed to being around, dating, in my
life. But this girl was different. Her cautiousness warmed
my heart. She did not seem self-entitled whatsoever.
"Thank you. That's sweet of you." She accepted the cup.
"Are you sure?"
I smiled at her. "Positive. I'll just grab a muffin, but
then I need get going. I'm already ten minutes late for work.
I hope your friend enjoys the cappuccino."
I walked toward the display case with all of the assorted
pastries to grab a muffin. The young lady followed me over.
Things had been picked through, that was for sure. My eyes
scoured the various labels, looking for the one treat I wanted
more than anything else right now. Yet the girl beside me
snagged a piece of wax paper and reached for the last one of
the type I wanted most, the heavenly doughnut muffin.
"Oh, Merissa will love this when I bring it to her. There's
actually a doughnut muffin left! She will be so happy."
Are you freaking kidding me? I laughed inwardly, yet showed
no disappointment whatsoever. First my cappuccino, and now my
favorite pastry snack? If she wasn't so damn sexy, would I
relinquish my morning delights to what's-her-name so easily?
"Really?" I decided to say, eventually. I could not contain
it. "A doughnut muffin? The last one? Really?"
She trapped her lower lip, trying to pull back on a guilty
smile, and nodded. "Merissa loves these things."
I nodded my head in acceptance and watched the young woman
place the muffin into a small bag.
"Thanks, but now I feel even worse. First I take your
coffee, and now..." She looked down at the bag, and extended
the coffee cup back to me. "Here, you take this, and my
friend can have the doughnut muffin."
"Don't be silly," I scolded her, albeit playfully. I put
a low-fat glazed doughnut into a bag for myself. "I have a
coffee machine where I work; I'll be fine." I smiled and
added, "Your friend is very lucky." Now, it was my turn to
follow her as we stepped into the checkout line to pay for
our goods. "I haven't seen you in here before."
"I don't come over this way very often," she told me. "I
live in Overland Park, but my friend and I are staying with
my aunt and uncle in Lake Quivira for a few weeks." Oh,
really? Lake Quivira? I lived in a big, beautiful log cabin
just off the water in Lake Quivira. "Merissa and I just
graduated from high school, and I suppose this is our way of
celebrating and indulging - staying in a house by the lake -
before we start to think about college in the fall."
She eyed the pastry bag and the coffee cup. "I suppose
this is a bad time for me to be here, for you, since I stole
all of your morning goodies like a thief in the night."
I chuckled inwardly. What would it be like if she were
to allow me to sample some of HER goodies?
"Hardly." I held her gaze until Anna cleared her throat,
indicating that we were holding up the line. The young woman,
fresh out of high school apparently, stepped to the counter
and set the items down with flushed cheeks.
Anna rang the items up on the register and smiled at her.
"That will be $6.44, sweetheart."
The blonde patted her butt, like she was searching for
something that just wasn't there. Did she misplace her money?
"OhmiGod."
I shook my head as the girl's face turned into a crimson
shade of red. "I've got this, Anna." I put my own bag on
the counter and reached into my wallet, handing the waitress
a twenty dollar bill. "Just ring our orders up together,
please." I then looked at the girl. "You should probably
tell me your name. I've never bought breakfast for a woman
whose name I did not even know."
She covered her mouth with her hand, yet an adorable groan
slipped between her fingers regardless. It made me think of
how wonderful it would be if those groans were moans of
pleasure instead. I do not ever remember being interested
in a woman right off the bat like this, but this flustered
blonde with the tight, gymnast-like figure piqued my interest.
It did not matter to me that I was twice her age, apparently.
These past few minutes actually made me feel young again.
"Umm..." Her eyes studied my face, as if she was actually
debating the answer. "Alexa. And... thank you so much?"
"Jeremy."
"Jeremy, thank you. Now if you tell me where I can reach
you, I will gladly repay you. I promise."
"That's a great pickup line, honey," Anna said, her eyebrow
raised, as she handed me the change. "Real smooth. Where did
you learn it, at such a young age?" Anna began chuckling at
Alexa. "I bet you just made the doc's day."
"No!" Alexa said quickly. "Really, it wasn't a pickup
line! I came over here to pick my friend up some breakfast
before we run some errands later today, because she can't on
her own, but I must have left my money back at the house."
"Thanks, Anna." I handed Alexa the coffee cup and the
pastry bag, and we headed for the door. "Relax. Anna is
just giving us a hard time. I've been coming to this coffee
shop for over ten years now. She likes busting on me."
I held the door open for Alexa, squinting against the
harsh morning sun. Now I was running 15 minutes late, and
probably had four or five patients in the waiting room
already. Hopefully my receptionist and nurse would calm
the waters, so to speak, and I would not walk into an angry
storm. I had to get to my office as soon as possible.
"Let me see if I have some money in my car." Alexa
pointed toward a burgundy red _Mercury Tracer_ in the
parking lot. Vintage 1980s model, indeed, and clearly
older than Alexa herself.
"Nice car, but I think I can afford spending seven bucks on
you. Trust me, it's not a problem."
"On my friend," she corrected me.
"On your friend. RIGHT. You think I'm still buying that?"
"OhmiGod! It's really for Merissa!"
I found it adorable the way Alexa's eyes widened and her
cheeks flared when she got all flustered. I debated asking
for her telephone number, but I was not in the habit of
picking up ladies half my age. As much as she intrigued me,
it was probably in my best interest to end this right here
with Alexa, and move on. No matter how beautiful and utterly
attractive she was to me. If anything, talking with Alexa
and doing something simple and nice for her made my week.
I leaned in close, trying to ignore the heat simmering
between us. "Relax. I just like the way you look when you're
all riled up and antsy. It's cute." I smiled at her. "It
was nice to meet you, Alexa. Enjoy your little vacation in
Lake Quivira with your aunt and uncle. It's gorgeous there.
Trust me, I know."
* * *
Thursdays were usually crazy at my medical office, mostly
because it was always closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
None of my patients, unless it was an emergency or they were
admitted to the hospital, would have the opportunity to see
me again until Monday. Many of them did not like that.
Yet I fell so far behind from the get-go today, with the
little pick-me-up I had at the coffee shop earlier, that I
had to skip my lunch break. It was the only way I could
catch up and not delay any further appointments.
I did not mind long hours or taking extra time with my
patients. It was my job, my duty, and I am proud to say that
no matter what I had going on in my personal life, I had never
nudged a patient out the door. Nor will I ever. It was quite
commonplace for me to stay an hour or two over each evening,
past closing time, just so I could see the final patient and
give him or her the attention they deserved.
Thus, the reason my practice was only open four days a
week. I was routinely putting in 44 to 48 hours a week here,
and having to pay my staff overtime. Still, I would make my
rounds at the hospital on Fridays if needed, and attend
meetings and conferences there. Every now and then, I would
help out in the emergency room on Saturday nights. I loved
my job; I loved helping others. It was frustrating at times
(the stress and constant demands), but well worth it.
Yet today had been hectic, non-stop, but I finally saw a
light at the end of the tunnel around 4:30pm in the afternoon.
I only had three appointments left until closing time and
when I walked toward exam room five, which was next in my
rotation, I pulled the patient chart from the holder by the
door and did a quick review. "Merissa [Last Name]," I said
out loud, skimming the information. Ahh yes, I remember her.
The 18-year-old girl from two weeks ago, a cheerleader.
One of my newest patients, though I figured today was likely
going to be her final visit. But... Merissa? Merissa?...
Why did that name seem so damn familiar to me today?
Dismissing the thought, I knocked on the door and then
pushed it open and immediately came across a slender and
attractive teen-age brunette girl, sitting up on the exam
table with her legs outstretched and a cast on her right foot.
A pair of crutches were propped up beside her.
"Merissa, so nice to see you again. I thought you may not
come back and see me after I refused to take your cast off
two weeks ago because your ankle wasn't ready. You did not
seem like a happy camper when you left that day."
But then, my gaze shifted elsewhere, and I noticed a very
familiar and seductively beautiful little blonde sitting in
the corner, blatantly staring at me, her blue eyes as wide as
saucers. All of the air seemed to be sucked from my lungs
at once as I realized that it was Alexa, the sweet and
irresistibly wholesome girl who I had given my cappuccino and
the last doughnut muffin to this morning at _Perky's Cafe_.
"Well, I'll be... Alexa. How are you?"
Her eyes stayed on me for several seconds, and she did not
say a word. Alexa seemed stunned that she had come across me
again in the same day. What were the chances?
"So, Alexa. Are you stalking me? Because dinner is not
for a few hours yet, but if you're hungry and need a few
bucks..." I reached for my wallet and smiled, teasing her.
Merissa's eyes darted between us. "You're the guy who
bought my breakfast?"
"You're the gal who ATE my breakfast?" I retorted with
some friendly zip in my voice, causing her to stifle a laugh.
"I guess so." I noticed Merissa bite her lower lip and
slip what appeared to be a look of complete and total approval
toward Alexa. What? Had they been gossiping about me, our
chance meeting, from earlier today? What was said?
Alexa pulled a money clip from her purse and thrust a ten
dollar bill in my direction. "I have money to pay you back."
I eyed her hand and spoke in a soft, friendly tone, "Keep
it. It was my pleasure to lend you a helping hand this
morning." Our gaze held long enough for my mind to fully
catalog Alexa's dreamy, bliss-blue eyes, her pristine,
flawless face and those puffy, heart-shaped lips. The flirty
halter-top and denim shorts helped showcase an athletically
trim, fit body. Probably a cheerleader, like her friend,
Merissa. Maybe a gymnast, too. Definitely seemed the part.
I began to wonder what Alexa would look like barefoot,
instead of wearing those pink sneakers. And with that thought,
I realized I was staring, and quickly glanced away.
Feeling as if I had crossed the invisible line with a
patient present, I cleared my throat - and my mind - and set
the chart down upon the counter. Then I looked up and, with
all of the professionalism I could possibly muster, I focused
entirely on Merissa and the task at hand.
"Can I finally get this cast off for good?" Merissa begged.
"Well, let's hope so," I offered, as Alexa put the money
back into her purse. "Let's get this cast off of you and
see how much your ankle has healed in the past two weeks."
Merissa explained to me how her ankle was feeling as I
summoned my nurse, who came in and began removing the cast.
Two weeks ago, she came to my office off of the street with
X-rays and medical documents in hand, and asked me to remove
the cast from her ankle. Merissa did not like her previous
doctor, she said, claiming a bad experience, and just wanted
me to remove her cast. She had broken her ankle cheerleading
during a high school basketball game seven weeks ago.
I examined the X-rays and medical records two weeks ago, and
took a visual of her ankle and leg, but came to the conclusion
that Merissa still needed to wear the cast. She was not healed
enough. Merissa was fuming as a result, but agreed to come
back in two weeks for a follow-up. I believed I would never
see her again. I actually thought she would go home and try
to remove the cast herself. She was pretty upset about it.
In the present time, I told Merissa about the physical
therapy she would need to undergo to help strengthen her
ankle and leg, and even her foot.
"I am staying with Alexa for the summer, and then we are
going to K-U in the fall together," Merissa said. "She can
help with the therapy."
"You need a licensed physical therapist, a professional,
to work with you," I offered, before smiling at Alexa. "No
offense, but proper care is vitally important."
Merissa sighed. "Alexa took massage therapy classes at
the gym, and wants to get involved with physical medicine at
K-U. Doesn't that count? Isn't that good enough?"
Alexa scoffed.
"Only if you're looking for a good masseuse. I can only
recommend working with licensed physical therapists. But if
you're really, truly against it, I can have my receptionist
give you a list of the exercises to do at home. Whatever
you do, Merissa, it's ultimately up to you."
"Just go and see a therapist, Merissa," Alexa advised her.
"The insurance will cover most, if not all, of the cost."
I answered all of Merissa's questions concerning whether or
not she could drive, dance and/or exercise. But I also told
her that I wanted to take one final look at her ankle as a
mere precaution - peace of mind - and I had the necessary
X-ray equipment right here in my office.
"A lateral malleolus fracture is not fun," I said perhaps
20 minutes later, pointing at the latest X-ray image as
Merissa and Alexa looked on curiously. "You see that? This
bony prominence situated at the outer half of your ankle?
That is the lateral malleolus. Yours looks mostly stable now,
but this is what you injured seven weeks ago. It is quite a
common injury for cheerleaders, with all the jumping and the
landing you do. It puts a lot of pressure on your bones."
"I had a pretty nasty tumble during the basketball game,"
Merissa frowned. "They had to stop it, and carry me off in
a cart." She shivered. "It was so embarrassing. But I am
happy that you say the cast can come off for good today."
"You were lucky, as the fracture could have been much
worse, or you could have broken multiple bones. Your PT
time shouldn't be too long, but you really need to watch
yourself - take it easy - until you strengthen your muscles
again. I would hold off on doing anything too strenuous for
the next two or three weeks, and I would give up on any
visions of cheerleading at Kansas University - if that's
what you want to do - until the winter. At least. This
coming football season? A no-go for you." Merissa pouted
and seemed really agitated now. "Pushing through any bone
injury before you are fully healed is very, very risky, and
can lead to a multitude of other problems."
"I'll make sure Merissa takes care of herself."
I smiled at Alexa and my heart warmed, wondering what it
would be like if Alexa were to take care of me instead. Or
me take care of her. Bring her breakfast in bed? All of
the hot cappuccino and doughnut muffins she could handle?
Embarrassed as well, I shook my head and focused on
Merissa, who was splitting curious glances between both
Alexa and yours truly. My God, Alexa was just 18 (I had
officially learned that) and she was only here accompanying
her friend, a PATIENT of mine, who was unable to drive. I
had no business even thinking about Alexa in such a way.
Yet I was a man with urges, a human being, and I spent
the rest of my visit with Merissa trying not to notice
Alexa's slender, coltish legs, or the way her eyes seemed
to linger on me until I had no choice but to meet her gaze.
"Merissa, use the walking boot for the next week if you
go out anywhere," I said in closing. "If you have any
unusual pain or questions, call my office, and we will act
accordingly. If there is pain and it's after-hours, I want
you to go straight to the emergency room. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
When I turned to exit the exam room, and perhaps get away
from Alexa for good (did I really want that?), she reached out
and touched my shoulder, effectively halting me. "If you're in
the mood for breakfast again tomorrow morning," Alexa said to
me, her eyes determined, her voice low but bold, "I'll be at
_Perky's Cafe_ at seven o'clock. This time, I'm buying."
I glared back at her for several seconds, dumbfounded, but
did not say a word. I did not utter a sound. Did this girl,
fresh off the bus, even, just ask me out? My medical practice
was not the place for this! What would happen if word got out
that I was hitting on patients, or their accompanying guests?
Or they were hitting on me? I quickly left the room, and
exhaled the breath I found myself suddenly holding in.
"What the heck did I just witness?" I heard Merissa screech
wildly from behind the door, which was now closed.
"You wanted me to come with you and check out your quote,
hottie doctor," Alexa responded, as I moved my ear close to
the door. "I just never imagined that it would be HIM..."
"Oh my God!" I gasped, and promptly ran off to my office.
* * *
I sighed and shut down my computer, and rose from the chair,
where I had been doing medical research. I simply could not
concentrate tonight. In all honesty, I had not been able to
stop thinking about Alexa since I left _Perky's Cafe_ early
this morning. I looked out over the deck of my waterfront
home, wondering what was happening to me. Why was I suddenly
obsessed with an 18-year-old girl? Dammit, I was 36! Twice
Alexa's age! Was this what they call a mid-life crisis?
I had worked all day, spent an hour washing my sailboat
after getting home and enjoying dinner, tried to watch a
baseball game on television and even attempted to busy myself
with research for work, but Alexa was front and center on my
mind. Nothing was going to change that tonight. Nothing.
Alexa was beautiful, no doubt, but I could not get over
how incredibly cute she was this morning when she got all
nervous and flustered at the coffee shop. The way her eyes
seemed to follow me as I tended to her friend, Merissa, in
the medical office later. Alexa had a killer body, but it
wasn't because she was thin and somewhat shapely. Rather,
it was due to the fact that Alexa took care of herself. I
could tell that she worked out and was into athletics.
Truth be told, I wanted to have her ass - oh, that sweet,
picture-perfect ass - for dinner. Hey, I make no bones about
it. I am simply being honest here.
But there were plenty of women with nice bodies in and
around the Kansas City area. Especially here in Lake Quivira,
with its expensive waterfront properties and upscale country
club. A woman with a fantastic body was nice, but that was
not something that typically held my attention for very long.
Not since I had gotten older, and wiser. Somehow, there was
more to Alexa. I knew it from the moment that we met earlier.
Her blue eyes held a strange mix of caution and playfulness.
Could I actually bring myself to be at _Perky's Cafe_ at
7:00am in the morning, like Alexa claimed she would be? Could
I? Did she really ask me out earlier? Did I have the courage
to follow through? Did I have the guts to take that chance?
With an 18-year-old?...
...Again, I was old enough to be her father!
What if Alexa changed her mind? Oh, I would have a super
fall. I would crash and burn like never before if I went
there, and she no-showed on me. Breakfast, with who may very
well be the girl of my dreams? Forget the damn age difference.
Did I have the fortitude, the willpower, to take such a risk?
To venture out of my comfort zone for just once in my life?
To reach for the stars, but know I could fall so far?
On the other hand, how could I not? How many more times
was Miss America going to approach me, and express a genuine
interest? This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.
I had to take it, and whatever risks that came along.
Didn't I?
My cell phone vibrated in my front right pocket and I
retrieved it, and read a text from Suzi [Last Name], the
woman I had dated for two years after ending my 36 month
internal medicine residency at the hospital in Kansas City.
I actually met Suzi during my fellowship training in
nephrology, which was the final step before I was able to
open my own small, private practice in a neighboring town.
"Can't we just forget all the negative stuff and catch
up? Would love to have dinner with you one night. Flying
into town late Thursday."
Suzi had texted me several times over the past few days
and, even though I sometimes responded to her, nothing of
what I said insinuated that I wanted to have a reconciliation
with her. I had not seen Suzi in six years, and I preferred
to keep it that way. I had no idea why Suzi was coming back
to Kansas City, but hoped it was just temporary on her part.
She needed to stay in her new, adopted home of Los Angeles.
At one point, I thought Suzi was the woman for me. I
thought I would marry her, and spend the rest of my life
with her. We would have many screaming babies together. But
she shattered that hope one afternoon, when I came home early
from my duties at the hospital, and found her in bed with
another man. Another man, I repeat, in MY bed.
"I really wish you would stop texting me," I said to my
cell phone, choosing not to type out and send a response to
Suzi this time, before jamming it back into my pocket.
Frustrated, I stood up and decided to go down to the beach.
There, I could find some sort of solace.
I loved the tranquil sound of the water here at night,
as dusk settled in, the loose, powdery sand beneath my feet.
I grew up on a farm in Pleasant Grove, which was out in the
countryside, but I had always wanted to live and settle down
here in Lake Quivira. To me, once a farm boy, Lake Quivira
was like Malibu. It was my Hawaii. Lake Quivira was so
gorgeous and peaceful; like the back of the prettiest
postcard. The lake in the summer, all of the boating and
swimming, the fall festival, its winter wonderland carnival.
Truly, paradise smack-dab here in the heartland of America.
I took a seat at lake's edge and simply sighed, admiring
the moon's reflection dancing across the rippling water, and
contemplated my life. Though a bit lonely, I led a really
good life. Didn't I? I was close with my family, though they
were a little too close-minded for me. My medical practice
was really starting to thrive and come into its own.
I had a pretty good friend too, my business partner, Mike
[Last Name]. I trusted him, and we worked well together. He
and I helped each other out whenever we could. Mike was an
internist with a private practice just like me, and we met
and became fast friends years ago in college.
I envied Mike to an extent; his idea of a fun night out was
a blonde and brunette for dinner, and a red-head for dessert.
He was smart and charming, very kind and considerate, and
though Mike was in his mid-thirties, he had the libido of a
reckless teen-ager. And why not? He was like a magnet for
women of all ages, shapes and sizes, backgrounds, ethnicities;
you name it. They literally crawled over him at all times.
But I wanted something much simpler, and that was someone
special in my life. Mike could enjoy his time in the fast
lane, sure, but I wanted to settle down and finally be happy.
Oh, I had dated plenty of women throughout the years, but
something was always missing with them (or something, as in
the case of Suzi, went horribly wrong). I also realized that
when my older sister would scold me for being too damn picky,
she was right. But I had my standards - high as they may be.
What was wrong with wanting a woman as funny as she was
serious? As smart as she was goofy? She did not have to be a
professional model type, as Mike solely preferred; just someone
who was intellectual and grounded, secure and faithful, and a
woman who did not want me simply for my status in this small
town. I was the young and rich, well-off doctor, with a future.
Heh. I did not consider myself that way. I was lonely.
Frustrated, I glanced up and noticed a young blonde woman
walking along the shoreline in a bikini. A college-aged girl?
My mind shifted into immediate overdrive, but I felt a certain
twinge of disappointment when I got a good glimpse of her face.
She was definitely pretty and I watched her for a moment, but I
was not interested. Huh? When was the last time I was not
interested in a voluptuous college girl wearing a bikini?
But then, I realized that the only reason she caught my eye to
begin with was hope. Hope... that she was Alexa.
But this college girl was definitely not Alexa.
Damn!... Alexa had done a number on my brain today. Was I
always going to assume it was her whenever I saw an attractive,
young blonde walk by? Was that healthy for me? Alexa did say
earlier that she was staying in Lake Quivira with her aunt and
uncle, right? They lived near the water, like me? I wondered
if I knew them. Where was Alexa now? Probably helping Merissa,
right? Those two seemed really close. What were the chances
that I spontaneously run into her for a third time today?
I rose to my feet, deciding that it would probably be best
if I went back home and took a cold shower, and went to bed.
I had a big decision to make in the morning.
But then, another young woman seemed to appear on the
opposite side of the beach. Alexa? Oh my God... it was her!
I watched Alexa jog along the sand. Her hair was pinned up in
a ponytail, swinging with every footfall. Her strides were
long and steady, graceful even, her tanned skin glistening
with sweat. I suddenly wondered if my mind had conjured her
up, and I grimaced at the possibility. Was she a mirage?
That question was answered when Alexa noticed me for the first
time, and stopped dead in her tracks. Oh, she was real...
"Alexa?" I quickly closed the distance between us as she
undid her ponytail and took off her windglasses. Alexa was
dressed in a pair of skimpy blue running shorts and a clingy
tank-top. Her thick, luscious hair cascaded down over her
shoulders in long, natural golden waves, giving her a softer,
even more feminine look than she had earlier in the day. And
her eyes, those glorious blue havens of emotion, once again
perplexed me as they darted away. Was this girl shy, or
simply evasive? She couldn't possibly just be a tease?
"Hi." Alexa tucked a water bottle beneath her arm and slid
her fingers into her pockets, and shrugged her shoulders.
"Are you out for a walk? Or maybe a jog, like me?"
"I was out for a sit, actually." I pointed toward my
log cabin home just off of the beach. "I live there. How
about you? You're staying with your aunt and uncle? Do
they live nearby? And Merissa is staying with you, too?"
I realized that just seeing Alexa again - simply being able
to talk to her - had my body churning with hot sensations.
Desire. I had NEVER been this drawn to a woman before, and
WOW, I could feel the beating of my heart and the blood
pumping through my veins like it never had before.
"My aunt and uncle live on the other side of the lake."
She pointed way over yonder. "Not far from the beach, but not
as close as you live to it." She then shrugged her shoulders
with a tentative smile, and I soon realized that the look in
her eyes was one of careful assessment rather than shyness.
"I have friends who live on that side of the lake. I know
it well." I motioned toward my home with my head. "Want to
come up for a bit? I could get you a new bottled water."
Alexa squinted her eyes at me and crossed her arms over her
chest, then shifted her gaze out toward the water. "Ummm, no,
thanks. I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, I barely
know you. And you keep popping up into my life today for some
strange, odd reason. That's... I don't know."
Careful, Jeremy, I said inwardly. Careful. "This time
it is because I live here, in Lake Quivira. I have for many
years. And you're visiting. Smart of you not to accept my
invitation to come up to my house. How about a walk, then?"
Alexa glanced up and down the shoreline, then back at me
with a genuine smile this time. "Sure."
We walked in silence for a few moments, and I tried to
focus on the sounds all around me - the gentle water, the
three teens snorkeling with their parents closeby, the hustle
and bustle of the country club off in the distance - instead
of Alexa's sweet scent, her mere presence, but nothing could
detour or sidetrack me from my attraction to her.
"So, what brought you to Lake Quivira? Besides the fact
that your aunt and uncle live here?"
Alexa did not answer at first, and I chose not to push
her. Not my style. I had learned over the years to read as
much into what people did not say as what they did. Was she
hiding something from me?
"I needed a break from Overland Park, and my parents
suggested I come here and stay for a couple of weeks with
some family. I asked Uncle Kyle and Aunt Becky if I could
bring Merissa along, because she is my best friend. Been
that way since we were three or four years old. Truth be
told, we may just stay in Lake Quivira until school starts
in late August, and Merissa and I head off to Lawrence."
"You must like it here, then." I just wanted to put her
at ease. I wanted to be a friend, not some creepy old guy.
"Myself, I love it in Lake Quivira."
Alexa stopped walking and glanced out at the water. "It
is pretty here. Seems like worlds apart from Overland Park,
although it's just a few towns over."
"Would you like to sit and talk?" I reached for Alexa's
hand without thinking, and felt her fingers stiffen. Dammit!
So much for trying to avoid the creepy old guy stereotype.
She glanced at her fingers momentarily, then sank down
beside me in the sand, leaving a good foot between us. Alexa
set the water bottle in her lap and pulled her knees up to
her chest. Sometimes I wish I did not read so much into other
people and their actions, but that came with being a physician.
A curse, at times. I learned just as much from a person's
facial expressions, their posture, even their breathing, than
I did from their words. Clearly, Alexa was uncomfortable
right now. I could tell. I did not mean to make her feel
that way, but I definitely enjoyed having her beside me.
"Sorry for touching your hand."
She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. When Alexa
opened them, she looked at me directly. "I'm sorry. I'm
usually not this closed-off, this weird."
"I don't find you weird. Not at all. A little guarded,
sure. Definitely beautiful. But not weird." I smiled, and
thankfully the tension in her face turned to embarrassment.
"Who are you?" I gently pressed. "Tell me something about
yourself. Besides being the coffee and muffin monster?"
Her lips curved into a goofy grin, and she dropped her
eyes. "I'm a music lover, a sports freak - but only when
it comes to playing them, not really watching, though
sometimes - and probably not the best friend in the world,
because I left Merissa with my aunt and uncle to come out by
myself tonight. Oh, and I'm a bookaholic. I love to read."
"A bookaholic? That sounds like some heavy duty stuff."
I bumped her knee in a teasing gesture. "Is that who you
really are? Oh, and Merissa needs to stay home and rest her
ankle, by the way. She does not need to go out for a jog on
the beach - of all places - the same day that she got her
cast removed. You're actually being a good friend, Alexa, by
leaving her behind, at least for tonight."
"I needed a little time away from Uncle Kyle and Aunt
Becky, and even Merissa, tonight," she offered. "I needed a
little space and time to think, because..." Alexa cut her
sentence short and went silent, just like that. It seemed
odd, and a little peculiar. Good God, my mind was in doctor
mode again. Did Alexa have an argument with them?
Not wanting to pry, I leaned back on my hands and crossed
my bare feet casually at my ankles. My blue button-up shirt
felt quite comfortable, and I had on my favorite pair of jeans.
I took a deep breath and sighed theatrically, enjoying the
fresh, crisp air. It was good for the lungs.
"Sometimes, we all need a little time to step away and think
for awhile," I said, turning to meet her gaze, catching her
ogling me. What? The 18-year-old cheerleader and athlete was
undressing me with her eyes? My lips curled up into a smile.
Alexa did not shift her eyes away. She knew that I had
caught her red-handed as I stretched on the sand. What could
she do but fess up to it? But at the same time, it was not like
I would say anything about it. Alexa knew that. She had to.
"What about you, Dr. [Last Name]? Just who exactly are
you? I want to know something about you."
"That's a good question," I countered, taking another deep
breath. "I suppose that I am a brother and a son first, a
doctor second. I like to jog and run, like you, and I am a
bookaholic as well. Medical books, but books nonetheless. I
do not have time for any other reading."
"You're also very serious about your job, your practice,"
she offered. "You were very professional with Merissa today -
for the most part - in what was a very awkward situation.
That is one thing I definitely noticed about you, Jeremy.
Merissa... she appreciated the professionalism. Her last
doctor... I don't think he was very professional."
"Oh?" I leaned closer, feeling more confident now. But I
did not want to talk about Merissa's last doctor. "What else
have you noticed about me, Alexa?" Lord, she was beautiful.
Her blue eyes moved slowly over my face, from my eyes to my
mouth, where they seemed to linger way too long. My whole
body felt weak, as if I was going to melt right into her at
any given moment. "Have you noticed... that I find myself
very, very attracted to you?"
I believe Alexa tried to smile, but it came out more like
a nervous twitch.
"What do you think that says about me?" I asked her. "A
man my age - 36 - with his eyes set on a girl your age, 18?
I know society in general would probably frown upon that."
"Who gives a FUCK what society thinks?" Alexa retorted,
and I felt my eyes growing wide. Wow. I did not expect
that type of answer from her, but I liked it. I liked it
a lot. This girl had a little spunk to her personality!
"All that really matters," she added, patting the left side
of her chest, where her heart was, "is what's in here."
"And what's in your heart right now, honey?"
Alexa was the one leaning in closer now. So close, in fact,
that I got the sense that she wanted me to kiss her. There I
went again; reading minds and deciphering body language! But
there was no doubt. I was absolutely positive. God, I wanted
to kiss her too. Could those lips possibly feel anywhere near
as soft and inviting as they looked?
But I chose not to kiss her. I wanted to take things slow,
and do this right. I did not want to jeopardize anything.
"I found that I have a new favorite hobby tonight," I
whispered instead, my lips mere centimeters from hers.
"What's that?" Alexa croaked.
"Right now I am having a whale of a time with this new
hobby - trying to figure out what is going on in that pretty,
little head of yours. Your face is all flushed to the high
heavens, and you're constantly fiddling with the cap on your
bottled water like you are incredibly nervous, on edge."
She trapped the water bottle between her knees and took
her hand away from it. "That's hardly a hobby," Alexa said,
lifting her chin in mock confidence, moving back slightly.
"Maybe not, but it's fun. You know what else, Alexa? I'm
feeling kind of bold tonight. This whole day, from walking
into the coffee shop this morning bright and early, I've been
so out of my element. So out of my normal character. It's...
do you know why? It's actually fun, and makes me feel like
I'm in high school, college, again. It's... invigorating.
Do you know why I feel this way today?"
She bit her lower lip. "Because of me?"
In the distance, if just for a split-second, I noticed a
young father spreading a blanket out while his wife cradled a
little infant in her arms, with a toddler sitting beside her
in the sand. That was what I wanted. With Alexa.
"Let's skip breakfast tomorrow morning at the little coffee
and doughnut shop, even though I love it there," were my words.
"I think you are incredibly beautiful, Alexa, and you intrigue
me so much, in your guarded sort of way. Tomorrow is Friday,
and I am off. I have the next three days off, actually. You
should let me take you out for lunch, and maybe even dinner,
too. Let me show you a good time... no strings attached."
Alexa's jaw had dropped open, and she seemed too foggy to
have a clear enough mind to close it. I offered my kindest,
most gracious expression - I truly had no ulterior motives
here, other than simply getting to know her better - and it
seemed to swallow her whole. She was not expecting this.
I brushed her hair from her shoulder in a move so tender,
so warm and intimate, that it seemed to startle her.
She cast her eyes downward, likely in an effort to center
her thoughts. "Okay," Alexa finally managed, blinking up at me
through the veil of her bangs. "Yes, I'll go out with you
tomorrow. I... I would love to."
Relieved - oh, you have no idea how much - I leaned back
and clapped my hands together. "Okay, then. Awesome." My
heart was racing! Did I just ask Miss America out, and she
said yes? She said YES? Not a little get-together at a
coffee shop, either, but a full-on date. The real deal!
"Let me text you my number," Alexa murmured, removing the
smartphone from the velcro strap on her right forearm. "How
about you call me at nine in the morning? Or I can call you?
We... can figure out what we're gonna do, from there."
I had what I wanted - a committment (if you want to call it
that) for tomorrow - just one date. That's all I wanted for
now. It was all I needed - just get my foot in the door with
her, and see where it went. Although, I must admit, I hoped
and prayed that it eventually led to the image of the husband
and wife, and the two children down the beach.
But it was time to turn around and go back home, and not
ruin things. Call it a night. Not take the chance and say
something stupid on our first night together, perhaps scare
her away. I frightened her once already tonight, didn't I?
I had what I wanted. I had my big date. I stood up, and
stretched my arms out far and wide. Time to go home!
Yet, I prided myself in being a gentleman. It was nearly
pitch black dark outside, and I could not let a beautiful
(and perhaps vulnerable) young woman walk off into the night
by her lonesome without at least offering my assistance.
This may be Kansas, but there were bad people here, too.
I slid my hands into my front pockets and smiled at her.
"Can I walk you back to your aunt and uncle's house?"
"Oh God, yes, please!" she replied without hesitation,
before bringing two fingers to her lips and pressing them
there, her eyes as wide as saucers. Embarrassment seemed
to sweep over her face all at once. Clearly, Alexa did
not mean to give me that specific, EXACT answer.
"Eager, little thing," I teased.
I found her flushed face, her frazzled nature, utterly
adorable. With every ounce of my soul.
As I walked Alexa home that evening - even having the
pleasure of holding her hand while doing so - I knew that
one day, this was going to be the woman that I would marry.
Call me crazy. Insane, if you want. A nut! Forget the age
difference and the fact that I knew very little about her
at the moment. All I knew was that one day, I would marry
this girl, and we would have our own happily ever after...
<<<- End of Chapter 02 ->>>
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"Recollections"
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