Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
I wake up at seven. Today is Sunday. Jenna, Ben, and I meet for breakfast at eight thirty every Sunday to go over any problems with the patients we have. Throwing on my Batman T-shirt and jeans, I quickly tie my hair up in a ponytail, and put on my Converse tennis shoes. Grabbing my wallet, keys, and phone, I head out the door.
Walking out to get in my truck I swipe my phone and see that Linc messaged me back at 6:00 a.m.
I see my kitten has her claws out this morning.
We will talk later.
Linc.
“This guy is truly insane.” Turning my phone off, I get in my truck and head to the diner.
At the diner, Jenna and Ben are already sitting in the back booth. “Hey, guys.” I slide in next to Ben.
“Hey,” they both answer back.
“I ordered your usual,” Ben informs, pointing to the French toast and soda on the table.
“Awesome, I'm starving.”
“Only two people to really talk about today,” Jenna says, jumping right in with the task at hand.
“Okay, who?” I ask.
“First, the girl I gave you the folder on the other day, they don't want to do it. But I did tell them they could call back if they change their minds.”
“Okay,” I say, nodding. It’s understandable. Parents of a girl that young can have conflicting feelings about the use of cannabis.
“Next is Sadie Rodriquez. She was in for a follow-up on Friday afternoon, she has lost seven pounds in two weeks. Complained of not being able to eat, nausea, and the doctor wrote a note on her chart that she seemed to be less positive this visit.”
“Hmmmm, her brother, Leo, is her caregiver. I’ll go by and talk to him when I leave here, see if he can tell me anything. I doubt we have a Captain Hook on our hands. When someone pushes over someone with cancer and takes their drugs, I call that a Captain Hook. But I'm a little scared she is losing her battle. Fuck, I hope this is not the case. Sadie is so sweet, always gives me homemade cookies when I go by there to drop off her stuff.”
They both nod with sad smiles.
“So, what happen with Linc last night?” Jenna asks, trying to break the sullen mood around us.
“Ugghhh, it was so embarrassing. Did Jenna tell you what happened?” I turn, looking at Ben.
Laughing and nodding his head, he replies, “Yes, she did, so what happened afterward?”
“He kissed me and told me I was beautiful,” I say blushing.
“What!?” they both shout.
“Yes, and then he came back down later while I was cleaning up the water and we talked for a while.”
I'm not going to tell them the rest right now because, for one, it is embarrassing, and for two, I haven't even processed the whole thing.
“Wow, C, he’s definitely into you,” Ben says, quirking his eyebrow up.
“Yep, I think he might like you, C, but be careful, have fun, have sex. Just remember this guy is older and probably has girls all over town swooning and dropping their panties for him, so don't go falling in love with him,” Jenna warns.
“Jesus, Jenna, that's a terrible thing to say. You don't even know the guy, besides, C’s a catch,” Ben replies, frowning at her.
“Of course she is, that's why I want her to be careful,” she retorts.
“Okay, nothing has happened, and if it does, I will remember to keep my emotions in check.” I nod to Jenna. “But also, to keep my mind open.” I nod to Ben.
“That's why you’re the smart one,” Ben voices, chivalrous and charming, patting me on the back while Jenna giggles, nodding in agreement.
“How old do you think Linc is?” Jenna breaks the silence, and my eyes widen, unsure.
“I’d say he’s in his thirties,” Ben suggests.
“Why do you think that?” I ask, curious where he came up with that number.
“Look at me, I know men!” He starts to chuckle, making all of us laugh.
“Oka, well, I'm gonna head out and go see Leo. I really want to find out what is going on with Sadie,” I state, sliding out of the booth and grabbing the bill lying on the table.
“I got this,” Ben says, putting his hand on mine.
“Do you want us to go with you to Leo's?” Jenna asks.
“No, Leo is harmless. And, Ben, you paid last time.” I look at him, trying to get him to give up the check.
“Too late,” he sasses. Grabbing the bill from under my hand, he pushes past me heading to the register.
15
C
Getting out of the truck at Leo's house, I knock on the door. He answers wearing a white button-down shirt and khaki slacks. “Hi, C,” he says, looking shocked to see me. Leo is a Latino man in his late fifties, tall with a thin frame, and salt-and-pepper hair. He has faint wrinkles, just starting to show, around his dark eyes that twinkle when light hits them just right. Arthritis in his legs causes him to walk with a limp now, but something tells me he was quite the ladies’ man back in his day. He is very sweet and checks in on his sister, Sadie, at least once a week.