Bad Case of Loving You

Matthew lifted one of my hands up and examined my wrist, where the skin was a little reddened. He kissed the sore skin carefully and rubbed at some of the adhesive that was caught in my wrist hairs. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked.

I shook my head, and Matthew settled his head down on my chest. I stroked his curls, letting them wrap around my fingers.

“I’m in love with you, too,” he said.

Chapter Thirty Seven

The note from F on the kitchen counter had made me chuckle. ‘Bloody hell,’ was all it said, but it had been enough.

My shirt was rumpled, but I buttoned it up and tucked it into my trousers anyway, then put my shoes on and did them up.

Matthew appeared from the bathroom, towel wrapped around him, still damp from his shower, just as I turned my phone back on. I began to wade through the voicemail.

“You need to call Dr. Anderson, at college, to arrange your new placement,” I said when Matthew poured himself a coffee.

“I got that message, too,” he said, sitting beside me on the couch. “I’ll head over to uni from here. What are you up to today?”

“I’ve got to go back to the hospital and retrieve my car. I need to take my personal stuff out of my office, though that’s only really a carton of books.” I looked at Matthew, so perfect and desirable, still not quite believing what had happened. “I need to meet up with Kendra today, too.”

“Kendra is your ex, right?” Matthew said. “Henry’s mum?”

I nodded. “Have you got any time this afternoon? I’d like you to meet Henry.”

“Sure,” Matthew said. “What if he hates me?”

“I think that, as long as you don’t denounce online gaming, Evercrack, Half-Life, Resident Evil, or WOW, he’s going to like you.”

Matthew grinned. “I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. That’s what the long summer break is for.”

* * *

I sat at the back of the rehearsal hall, listening to the string section working their way through the same few pages of Stravinsky over and over again. I didn’t know the actual piece, despite years of living in an environment saturated with the violin. I doubted that Kendra had learnt much medicine in the time we were together either.

The whole day was washed with a euphoric glow for me, and waiting for Kendra was actually quite a soothing way to pass some time. It was a complete indulgence to not be at work. I was kind of disappointed when the director called for a break, and Kendra walked toward me, wiping her hands on her jeans.

“Hi, babe,” she said, kissing my cheek when I stood up.

“Come on, I’m dying for a smoke, and don’t you dare say a thing.”

I followed her out of the building into a courtyard lined with rubbish cans and stood away from the smoke from her cigarette. “We saw you on TV last night. Henry was wildly excited; he’s turning into a regular little socialist. What’s up?

How come you’re not at work? You can’t possibly have taken a sickie.”

“No,” I said. “I was fired yesterday, I’m unemployed.” She grimaced and took a long drag on her cigarette. “That wasn’t actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I guess Henry told you I’m seeing someone?”

Kendra nodded. “He sure did. Some young guy, I think he said.”

“It’s, um, looking pretty serious. I wanted you to know in advance that Matthew will probably be around on the weekends when I have Henry.”

Kendra’ eyes were twinkling when she smiled at me. “I’m glad for you. Unless you’ve been seeing someone without Henry knowing, you’ve been single for quite a while.”

“It’s been too long,” I agreed. “I’d like to pick Henry up this afternoon, so he can meet Matthew. That okay with you?”

“That’s fine. And thanks for letting me know in advance.

You look happy. I haven’t seen you look like this for years.”

I smiled at Kendra. “I haven’t felt like this for years.”

She ground out her cigarette. “I’ve got to go. If we don’t get this passage right by this afternoon, there will be new uses for a violin bow demonstrated, and your medical expertise will be needed.”

“And I’ve got to update my CV,” I said.

Kendra grinned at me over her shoulder as she disappeared into the rehearsal hall.

* * *

I dropped into Jackie’s rooms, and marveled yet again at how polite and efficient his receptionist was. One day, if I was lucky, I’d work somewhere with pleasant staff.

“Dr. Maynard,” Ida said, smiling at me. “Dr. Jackson left a letter here for you, said you’d be dropping in for it.”

“Thank you, Ida,” I said, taking the envelope she was holding out for me.

“You’re welcome, Dr. Maynard. I saw you on the news last night, I think what you were doing was wonderful.”

I held up the reference. “Unfortunately, it also means I’m looking for another job.”

She smiled conspiratorially and said, “Dr. Jackson is doing what he can for you. I thought you’d like to know that.”

“Thanks, it does help,” I said. “I’m sure I’ll see you again, Ida. Please thank Jackie from me for all his support.”

* * *