Chapter 1
My wariness was not due to a lack of trust. Naria promised me she would protect my privacy, and I had no doubts about her word. After the veterinary clinic had closed for the day, we would often have lengthy discussions about males and sex while cleaning cages and doing laundry. It was a massive secret, and what’s worse is that Naria knew Dr.Jonson. She had returned to the same affluent area near the Lowes after finishing college and was living in the converted pool house behind her parents’ house.
She said, somewhat jokingly but seriously, “I’m waiting.”
I had to tell someone. The incredible day I’d spent with Carl had sown sentiments in me that quickly became too large for me to control. When I spoke, my voice dropped, and she moved in closer to listen. It was David’s father, after all.
All she did was blink slowly, as if she couldn’t process what she was hearing.
Is what I heard you say correct? She lowered her voice to a hushed tone. “Dr.Jonson?”
Nodding resolutely, I bit my lips together.
Her face broke into a huge, astonished grin. “Most Holy Mother of God. How? Where? I need answers to everything.
It’s too bad I didn’t think of any solid responses at the time. The exact sequence of events was still hazy in my mind. In reality, when Carl and I had our first kiss, everything became hazy and convoluted. I stumbled over a mumbled “Uh” as I groped for words. Honestly, I have no idea. I hugged him to say goodbye, and then it became something more.
“Where was David?” I felt a flush of embarrassment spread over my cheeks. As in, “Remember when? He had presumably already departed for the office.
“What?” Someone in the waiting room undoubtedly overheard her since her phrase was so acerbic. She started moving in till I was backed into a corner. How often have you shared a bed with him?
Not the first time, at least. Even though nothing about it had felt mild, it had been PG-13 appropriate. Before Carl and I left for the day, David and his pals were still downstairs playing video games.
The name “Carl” was repeated by her. “Holy s***, Jessica,” he said. She looked at me as if I were a completely other person, and then she laughed foolishly. “How did it go?”
“It?” Attempting to seem ignorant, I.
She gave me a sharp glance. There’s “the sex” to consider. It felt like a thousand degrees on my face now. “It was . . .” Unbelievable. Magnificent. “Uh, yeah, it sounds wonderful.”
Her look suggested she didn’t believe me, and she offered a half-chuckled smile to show it. What do you mean, “just great?”
I looked angry. That was fucking awesome, all right? But... I can’t believe I did that.”
You broke up with your boyfriend and then banged his father, right? “Yeah, I’m not into it either. There seemed to be no bounds to her hilarity. Inappropriate: “You are a nasty girl, Jessica. To be honest, I never would have imagined.
As I sat on the side of my bed, I finally accepted the truth that my favorite sweatshirt, the Vanderbilt one I had purchased in the campus shop and had worn virtually every night throughout my first year of college, was gone. What the heck happened to me that I’d lost it? My focus had always been excellent, but since I went to David’s place to break up with him and accidentally kissed his father, things had been going downhill. The previous two days had been particularly trying. After I had a one-night stand with Carl, I could not stop thinking about him. And Naria certainly wasn’t helping matters. That’s why she insisted on supper after work: to hear every little detail from me.
She had been amazing about not judging me, and telling her about the recollection had just made it more powerful. The fact that she didn’t like David very much was definitely a contributing factor.
The hoodie had been so long since its previous outing that I just forgot when I had last put it on. I hadn’t felt chilly in weeks; just remembering Carl always seemed to do the trick. Suddenly, a wave of heat swept over me, down my middle and in between my legs.
As soon as I remembered where I had left my favorite hoodie, I felt a pang of disappointment. After the last time I wore my black and gold sweatshirt, I spilled a glass of water on my sleeve and put it on the back of the bathroom door to dry.
David’s bathroom, not mine.
I could give up or try to reconnect with my ex, but none of them seemed as appealing as the thought that suddenly came to my head. Before I could stop and consider how bad an idea it was, I grabbed my phone, opened my contacts, and sent the message to Dr.Jonson.
Jessica: It’s me, Jessica. I hate to be a nuisance, but I left my hoodie on David’s restroom door. May I pick it up in person if you please?
Jess: Maybe while he’s not around?
In an act of defiance, I hurled the phone on the floor. An anxious sensation welled up in my stomach, similar to the one I’d had when I’d phoned David for the first time, back when we’d been in high school, but this one was stronger. The knot in my stomach tightened. Waiting for an answer to my request was making it difficult to breathe.
Each second seemed like an eternity.
Was he currently undergoing surgery? Had he read the message but been at a loss for words? Perhaps he felt abandoned since I didn’t stay to say goodbye. I covered my mouth with my fingers and grimaced. Messages to him were inappropriate.
When my phone rang, I almost jumped out of my skin with surprise.
You may see him at the office any time, Dr. Johnson.
