Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
“Why not? It was good enough to convince you to let me take the drive test with you.”
Thirteen
Thankfully, the automatic doors slid open as she approached the entrance. She had held it together when she went to see Viper. This is just another test I have to pass, Megan told herself.
Delivery bag in hand, she passed the reception desk and walked through the empty lobby to the bank of elevators, behind a small grouped sitting area, then pressed the elevator button. The sound of tinkling water was new. She located the sound on a nearby wall near another sitting area. She then turned to find the elevator door had opened. Only through sheer force of will did she manage to step inside and push the button she needed.
“You’ve got this, Megan,” she assured herself in the empty elevator. “You handled nearly being run over like a champ, so this will be a piece of cake.
She stepped out onto the third floor and moved down the familiar hallway until she came to the office she wanted. Repeating the same assurances in her head, she knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
She wanted to puke but went inside.
“Ah … You’re here,” Dr. Price greeted her cordially from behind his desk. “You’re a lifesaver.”
She opened her insulated bag and took out Dr. Price’s order. Remembering Silas’ advice, Megan allowed herself to crack a smile. “Glad to help.”
Standing, Dr. Price came around his desk to take the food. “I’m happy to see you’re back in town. I don’t have to ask how you’re doing—you look amazing.”
She had anticipated her hot air balloon to be shot into smithereens, yet Dr. Price turned what could have been an uncomfortable situation into an opportunity to become reacquainted with an old friend.
“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“I try.” Giving her a wink, he patted his stomach under his white coat. “I’ve been on a diet, which I’m getting ready to ditch, thanks to your delivery service. It isn’t easy being stuck in the hospital fourteen hours a day. Sometimes, I just need a good hamburger to remind me what normal food tastes like.”
“The cafeteria food isn’t too bad.”
Dr. Price grimaced as he sat back down. “Some days are better than others.”
“Do they still serve chicken pot pie on Wednesday?”
“No, they moved it to Saturday, my day off. Wednesday is beef stroganoff. I was considering changing schedules until I found out Treepoint has a delivery driver courageous enough to face the dreaded Marty, who has made mincemeat out of those who have tried before. How are you liking being a delivery driver, by the way?”
“What’s not to like?” She shrugged lightly. “I get to be my own boss.”
“That’s always a plus. It’s been nice seeing you again.”
She bit her lip. Her nervousness had been put at ease by his relaxed attitude, allowing her concern to migrate from herself to someone else.
“Could I bother you for a couple of minutes? I’m worried about something, and I don’t know what to do.”
Dr. Price gave her encouraging smile. “Of course. Go ahead.”
“I have a … friend…” Calling Marty a friend was a stretch, but she didn’t think it was her place to talk about him without his permission. “He isn’t able to stand on his feet for long, and I can tell he’s in a lot of pain. Is there something I can do to help him?”
“Other than offering assistance, I’m afraid not. Your friend doesn’t want to seek medical advice?”
“Nooo … he’s not exactly receptive to any advice, medical or not.”
Dr. Price raised his eyebrows in cynical amusement. “Believe me; when the pain gets bad enough, he will become more receptive to medical advice.”
Megan felt a wave of sadness when the Dr. Price’s expression turned defeated.
“Unfortunately, by then, many times, it will be too late. All you can to do is keep attempting to talk some sense into him.”
“I will. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer my question.”
“Anytime. I’m willing to answer any question whenever you’re ready for me to.”
Sensitive to the meaning Dr. Price was trying to impart without saying so, Megan took the plunge into the murky waters of her past self. There was only one question burning in her mind that she hadn’t been ready for the answer. If she couldn’t handle it when she was in the best mindset of her life, she never would.
Shoving her hand into her pocket, she stared out the window, watching people come and go to and from their cars. “Was it my fault my baby died?”
“No. None of it was your fault. You went into premature labor. No one can say for sure why these things happen. You kept your prenatal appointments faithfully. My grandfather told me you would write questions to ask him in a notebook you would bring to your appointments.”