Jillian Chantal

This week’s word is old.  For more stories using the word old as a word prompt, otherwise known as Tuesday Tales, click here. Link to other tales.

“Nonsense. You had no way of knowing how I felt. Don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s merely a personal quirk.” He pointed at her plate with the tines of his fork and, as if to change the subject, said, “But you don’t like the broccoli?”

“How could you tell?”

“The little mound of it on the edge of your plate.” He poked his fork into the vegetables. “May I?”

“Of course.” She slid her plate closer to him. “You may have every stalk of it on the planet as far as I’m concerned.”

“That’s a lot of hatred there, lady.” Ian smiled as he chewed the broccoli in an exaggerated manner.

“You know it.” Lanett kept her head down as she ate, trying to think of something to discuss. After the nut comment, she sure didn’t want to ask about Nancy and if he’d heard anything about her getting out of the mental ward. Lanett was dreading that but hoping the woman would go straight to jail after being released since the charges against her were so severe.

Ian looked up from his food. “You seem quiet tonight. Are you more at ease now that you’ve had a chance to have some down time after Nancy attacked you?”

“I actually do.” Lanett nodded. So much for not bringing up the subject. “It’s amazing what a nap can do for the psyche.”

“I’m really sorry that happened and I hope you’re not blaming yourself. Or me for that matter.”

“Oh no. One thing I learned a while back—and it wasn’t a pleasant way I learned it—is that that you can’t control anyone else’s behavior. No matter how much you may want to. So, to blame either of us for what she did makes no sense.”

“That’s a good attitude to have. Most people aren’t that smart. At least most people our age.”

“Are you saying I’m old before my time?” Lanett chuckled.

“I would never say such a thing.”

“Because you value your life?”

“You know it.” Ian stood. “Let me help with the clearing up.”

“What are we going to do with all these leftovers?” Lanett eyed the containers with trepidation. She was not a fan of reheated food.

“I can leave them for you or I can take them in to work tomorrow. Those people will be happy to have it.”

“Please do take it. It’s way too much food to leave here.”

“Remind me when I leave.” He picked up the bottle of wine. “Let’s finish this by the fire.”

This week, Tuesday Tales, a group of authors writing to prompts each week, we have an awesome photo prompt. I am a massive fan of romantic fires. In the picture prompts, the writers are limited to 300 words.  This time I have 305. Just ignore that last sentence. It’s five words.  Be sure to check out the other writers’ entries with the same picture here. 

She left and after a hot bath, some Excedrin and bundling up in her thick terrycloth robe, she started a fire. Relaxing on the couch in front of the fireplace, she dozed throughout the afternoon.

The doorbell startled her. Standing, she tightened the sash around her waist and peered through the peephole. Ian. Lanett smiled, glad to have him come by to check on her.

When she opened the door, he waggled a bottle of red wine close to her face. “I thought you might need some. Medicinal purposes only, of course.”

“Kind of like doctor’s orders?” She stepped back to let him in.

“You might say that.” In his other hand was a carry-bag.

“What’s in there?”

“Take-out. I figured you might be hungry.”

“Famished actually. I came home early and skipped lunch.”

Ian stepped into the living room. “That fire is brilliant. Perfect for a cozy dinner.”

Lanett grabbed some wine glasses from the rack by the television. “Pour and I’ll get some plates.”

In the kitchen, she thought about her attire and considered changing but decided against it. After all, she did have on undergarments. It wasn’t like she’d be eating dinner with him naked under her robe.

Her cheeks still seemed hot when she returned to the living room. They must’ve been because he stepped over and touched her forehead. “Are you overheated?”

“No. I’m fine.” Suddenly nervous with him standing so close, Lanett fumbled the plates and almost dropped them.

Ian’s hands darted out to steady her and rescue the china. His hand brushed hers.

In her heightened sense of awareness of the heat emanating from him as opposed to the fire, Lanett thought she might actually have a coronary. And that made her laugh. At least if she did, she was with a doctor. How handy would that be?

This week’s word of the week for Tuesday Tales is boredom. I am still in the story of Lanett and Ian. It’s slow going for some reason and I need to kick it up a notch so I can move on to other stories. I don’t know why this one is taking me so long to write. Be sure to check out the other stories here. They’re pretty awesome.

“How in the world did you get hooked up with two British doctors in such a short period of time? It’s not like New York City is teeming with us.”

“I don’t really know. When I advertised for a new partner in the medical journal, I didn’t expect to come across another but you were the best qualified. I also thought we would get along well.”

Ian stood. “I’m convinced now she’s had a psychotic break and somehow has fixated on me. She’s got a long road ahead of her to recovery but I have to say this. If she comes back to work here, I’ll have to leave. There’s no way I’ll be in the same place as her again unless it’s in a courtroom beside the woman she tried to kill.”

“You’re going to encourage your friend in pursuing the charges against Nancy?” Donald rose from his seat.

“No. I’m leaving that to the authorities. If they have their doctors examine her mentally, I will stand by whatever they decide based on those tests. I’ll also suggest my friend do the same. I’m merely putting you on notice that Nancy goes or I go. No matter if she avoids being charged with a crime.”

“I get it. You don’t have to beat me over the head.”

“Just so we’re clear.” Ian pivoted on his heel and headed down the hallway, asking the nurse he passed which room his first appointment of the day was in.

Ian wanted to ring Lanett and discuss what he’d just learned with her but decided it would be better to explain in person. He wasn’t sure if she’d gone to work or was still recovering from her ordeal with Nancy.

He knew he couldn’t try to contact her while the lobby was stacked high with patients. So much for staying ahead of the schedule today. It was important to set the record straight with Donald though, so he couldn’t regret starting the day behind. Hopefully, he’d be able to catch up and talk to Lanett during his lunch break.

The truth of the matter was, he has so much to do, chances of him dying of boredom were slim to none. He suppressed a laugh when he opened the door to exam room two. Bored? Him? Never.

Glancing down at the chart he’d pulled from the bin nailed to the outside of the door, he smiled. This appointment would be fun. It was ten-year-old Matilda, one of his cheekiest patients. She always brightened his day. Lord knew he needed someone like her today.