Doc's Place

Chapter 14 | Part 3

Thursday, October 11, 1984

Hit re-dial and ask for Louise as Lloyd steps out of the room.

She says, "You know, I was waiting for your call, Jill. Eagerly, I might add. What's up?"

"Daily update, Louise. I met with Sam, Charlie and the photographers. Photos are crisp and interesting. Material is priceless. I'll begin writing tomorrow."

"Wow, really? Amazing."

Ignoring her teenage reaction, I say, "Liz selected her graduate assistants. She insists on bringing them over Tuesday so I can meet them."

"That's good," says Louise. "I appreciate your oversight there."

"I confirmed Morty's commitment to host the first dry run Thursday morning at nine and informed Kerry."

"I just got an earful on that subject. I thought you and Kerry were friends," says Louise. "Didn't he and Max bring their wives for lunch at your place?"

"Yeah, but his opinion doesn't matter because it's all set up."

"Well, I think it does matter, Jill. Kerry is VP of Operations."

"He also reports through Phil to Peter. Kerry knows this project has executive approval. He's pissing into the wind."

"Not a good idea to piss off so many people, Jill. I thought you wanted to fit in here."

Ignore that. "I need you to tell Phil, Kerry and Max not to attend either this meeting on Thursday or the dress rehearsal in Dick Scope's meeting, Louise."

Louise laughs. "You must be kidding, Jill. I can't tell Phil and Kerry not to attend a slot operations meeting."

"Would you prefer that I tell them?"

She considers that. "Why tell them at all?"

"Eventually, this team will evaluate the ability of Phil and Kerry to conduct a meeting, Louise. The team needs to build the confidence to do that. Besides, we don't want anyone discussing this project until it starts."

"I don't like being in this situation. I must discuss it with Peter first."

"I appreciate it, Louise. I'd do it myself if I were there."

"Well, I can't complain. You've already accomplished more in two weeks than most people do in a year, Jill. Dick in Purchasing, Sam, Charlie, Kevin McVay, Liz, Carlos, Morty, Glenn and of course Peter, they all think you're tip-top. So do a lot of others," says Louise. "You have people more excited and hopeful than I've seen in years."

"I'm excited and hopeful."

"I am too, so full steam ahead," says Louise. "Anything else?"

"Yes. I meet with the layout folks on Monday."

"Another working luncheon? Are you tracking these expenses?"

"I'll turn in an expense report on Monday for this week. Don't worry. It's reasonable."

"I'm not worried. Hey, you're on a roll. Liz is running around like a kid in a candy store. You're batting a thousand, Jill. Keep it up."

The woman likes to mix her metaphors. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Make it before three. I have the weekend planned so I'm leaving early."

"Good night, Louise." Disconnect, remove the headset and stretch back, ignoring the ripping pain behind my right shoulder.

Lloyd leans against the doorjamb, looking at me. "Soji says its time for therapy and then supper. Are you ready?"

"I need to pee." Struggle to my feet and walk to her standing there in the doorway. Lloyd is a couple inches shorter than I, so I'm looking down into her eyes.

She places one warm hand on my right side, where the biggest, ugliest bruise from my last dojo workout has blossomed. It has a thick, dark line in the middle along my ribs. Around that is a purplish oval surrounded by a green and yellow corona. "Instead of jewelry, you wear bruises," whispers Lloyd. "Instead of clothing, you wear pain. Is it so difficult to want happiness or love?" Lloyd steps close to me, sliding her hand to my back and her other arm around my other side. She pulls me close, hugging me gently.

Respond by hugging her to me. My mouth is beside her ear, so I whisper, "I'm happy, Lloyd. Love is like perfection or indigestion. All are fleeting and illusory."

"Not with Lucy, but with your next relationship, open up a little. Reveal the horror, the yearning and the sweet, little moments of happiness you feel at the moment you feel them," she whispers.

Turn my head and kiss her cheek. "You can't be serious, Lloyd," I whisper. "I don't even think of stuff like that, let alone talk about it."

She steps back, her hands on my waist. "Will you try?"

Look into her brown eyes and realize, with some shock, that she is of African descent. "That would be awkward, Lloyd. I don't even know how I'd remember to. . . ."

"Stop," she says. "`Yes, I will try.'"

Touch my forehead to hers. "Okay, you pain in the ass. Yes, I will try," I whisper, "but I have no idea why. Nothing will. . . ."

"No," she says, shaking her head slightly. "What you say right now is important. Begin again, after `Yes, I will try.'"

Inhale deeply and release a sigh. "Yes, then. Maybe I will feel something for the next person, Lloyd, whoever it is."

"That's better." She kisses my cheek, releases me and says, "Ten minutes until therapy with Soji." She steps aside so I can move to the bathroom.

"Lloyd?"

"Yes?"

"I never noticed that you are black. I thought you were a retired American serviceman."

She looks at me for a moment, crosses her arms and leans against the wall. "I am," she says, "Except for the serviceman part. What's my last name, Jill?"

Blinking, I say, "I . . . I don't remember. I didn't pay attention because it was your married name."

"Dominguez. After my husband died, I took my family name back. I'm from Florida, but my family emigrated from Cuba. I am actually of African, Spanish and Scottish blood."

"Well, thank you, Lloyd Dominguez, for an intimate and refreshing conversation."

"You're welcome, Jill. I have never met such a responsible, hard-driving woman, and yet you know nothing of your own heart." Pausing, she says, "Maybe that's about to change, uh? You think?"

Shrug and walk into the bathroom as I hear the phone ring. When I come out, Soji walks down the hall carrying the phone. "You want to talk to Susan Walsh?"

"Definitely," I tell him. "I'll take it in the study, but I won't be long. Susan hates talking on the telephone. Thank you, Soji." After I'm ready, I connect. "Hey, Suze."

"How are you doing?"

"Better," I tell her. Susan runs the Montana ranch she inherited from her father. She is a hard-working woman of little patience and few words, especially for a telephone conversation.

"I'm driving down. Be there tomorrow night."

"That would be wonderful."

"Who's in the house with you?"

"Soji is my nurse and therapist until I'm up and around. Lloyd helps me work."

"Two guys?"

"Lloyd is a woman. I think they're shackin' up."

"See you tomorrow night." The phone goes dead.

"An old friend?" asks Lloyd.

Feel the grin on my face. "Yes, Susan and I have been friends since before grade school in Montana. I'm happy she's coming. Susan is one of the people I love, Lloyd."

"Want me to stay the weekend?"

"No, I won't work with Susan here. You and I will work tomorrow, and then you can cut out of here after three for the weekend. Go see those grandbabies."

She grins. "You are happy. That's wonderful."

Soji appears in the doorway. "We have company for the weekend?"

"Yes, my friend Susan will be here late tomorrow. Probably leave Monday morning early, so you two have the weekend off."

"She can change your bandages?" asks Soji.

"Yes. Susan helped care for her father until he died about ten years ago. We'll be fine."

"You are happy. That is good," he says. "It's time for physical therapy now."

"A couple more calls and I'll be ready," I tell him. Call Margaret and ask her to tell Ume that Susan will visit me for the weekend.

"I have a surprise for you," says Margaret. "Ume and her family left this morning on vacation. They went to that Polynesian island she and Marlon bought a few years ago. She'll be back to work in a week or so."

For a moment, I am so shocked that I cannot speak. Ume has never taken a vacation. "What?"

Margaret chuckles. "She said you'd be surprised, but don't worry. I have a phone number, but she told me not to give it to you unless Pere has a crisis."

"She said that?"

"Those are her exact words."

Ume wouldn't say that unless she expected a crisis.

"Well, this does not qualify," I tell her. Ask her to prepare two envelopes, each with a thousand dollars in cash from my personal account. She promises to drop them off on her way home tonight. Sit stunned for a while. Finally, I call Carter's and order a delivery of tasty snacks for tomorrow afternoon.

Later, I lie in bed, tired but excited that Susan is coming. As children we became friends and later, lovers. Susan is steady and true. She knows my history in Montana'the history that made me who and what I am. I think I'll stay up all night wriggling in anticipation of her arrival but no, I doze immediately and sleep all night.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

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Doc's Place Chat
© 2008, Michel Grover.
Chapter 14 | Part 3
Late Spring 2009

Lucia :

Mic has posted in the left frame paragraphs from Doc's Place, one of his copyrighted stories. I'm moderating chat here in the right frame. I post every day, but I don't post everything. I have formed a secondary group from which I may also post comments.

Marcus :

So Kerry vented on Louise for the skirmish he lost to Jill, who simply says that his opinion doesn't matter. She compares his complaining to pissing on himself because he knows her project has executive, meaning Peter's, approval.

Benny :

Don't forget that one reason Jill ignores Kerry is that she is certain he and the other top executives will leave Doc's Place before her project even begins.

Jules :

Haven't heard from you for a while, Benny. Where you been?

Benny :

Alice and I been traveling across Southern Europe, man. We're in Iskenderun, Turkey now. We'll enter Syria tomorrow, on our way to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and then Egypt.

Jules :

Touring the Fertile Crescent, are we? What are you doing over there, Benny? Are they treating you well?

Benny :

I'm visiting local cultural and linguistic archeologists. We're comparing notes and developing ideas I have regarding the earliest known migration patterns in recorded history. The people here are serious about the artifacts but hospitable and gracious.

Jules :

It sounds intriguing. Is Alice having a good time following around a myopic 12yr old?

Alice :

Alice is actually having a wonderful time. I have fulfilled contracts in this area, which helped shift the balance of power in certain subcultures. These people are quite grateful for my effective participation. In fact, I've attained some notoriety among the sleazier elements of society.

As for following around a myopic 12yr old, the usual tourist traps bore both Benny and me. Benny and I have developed a division of labor that suits us well. While he visits the sun-starved human marsupials that manage archive collections in the local museums, I immerse myself in local culture. We compare notes over dinner and then Benny follows me back to select dives each evening to meet the local criminal elite. His reputation precedes us so they treat us like visiting royalty.

Benny :

Alice is my ticket into the Eastern European and Mediterranean underworld, Jules. The woman has worked with almost every major criminal organization in this part of the world. They share insights about developing linguistic and cultural patterns, especially semiotics like eloquent hand signals, shrugs, scarring and tattoos.

Jules :

Your bodyguards must be going nuts.

Alice :

Quite the opposite is true, Jules. You see, I've been recruiting for SIA in this part of the world for more than 2 decades. Before that, I operated here for that long at least. I have almost 50yrs of history with these people. If there is a part of the world I'm most comfortable, it's here and places like this. Our bodyguards are escorts, really, and they guide us to places and people that most of you would find creepy or disgusting.

Benny :

The people I've met here in the Mediterranean area are not that different from the people I grew up with in the projects, man. They started at the bottom and worked their way up in the only organizations that could or would provide a way of life for them and their families. We understand one another.

Jules :

That's fascinating, and so the two of you—an elderly white British broad and a 12-yr-old black kid from the projects—are touring the world together. You make an interesting but apparently quite effective team. Have you been following our discussions?

Benny :

Sure, we really enjoyed your discussion with Marcus about Jill's quick victory over Kerry, Raj. You and your group in Bengaluru did a fine job of analyzing her motives and methods. Your English has improved markedly, by the way.

Raj :

Many thanks to both of you, Alice and Benny. You are too kind. Actually, we do have a faction within our group that wants to provoke discussions, Avani among them, based upon hard data. Based upon your recommendation, we will begin giving more weight to their contributions. Speaking of world travelers, how are Cie and her father doing in Ireland?

Cie :

We're doing great, thanks. Dad and some of his new friends have been drinking and raising hell over half the Irish countryside. Had to post bail for him once, but he's happy so it's worth it, I reckon. My assignment keeps me busy and traveling most of the time.

I do have a surprise for everyone. I ran into Alice and Benny in the south of Greece the other day. My group and I had just finished supper and were leaving the restaurant when I spotted a distinguished-looking, silver-haired woman and a tall, slim black kid deep in conversation. In an instant, I knew who they were so I excused myself, walked over to their table, apologized for interrupting and introduced myself.

Lucia :

Oh my god, you must give us a detailed description of Benny. We girls have an enormous crush on him. Is Benny beautiful, Cie? No offense, Alice.

Alice :

Better him than me.

Cie :

Benny is gorgeous, Lucia. He looks, dresses and acts like a high brow, too-cool-for-the-room little prick, but when his eyes met mine, I almost melted. His eyes are big and brown and his skin is like satin. His head is completely bald but he has dramatic eyebrows and long lashes. Benny's taste in clothing is impeccable, far better than most men I know, and he's a bit of a snob about it, but he doesn't preen or check himself in the mirror. He has a slight scar between his nose and upper lip but it's barely distinguishable unless you know to look for it. He wears braces on his teeth, but he told me those will be coming off soon and he'll be getting caps. They were delighted to meet me and invited me to stay so I had coffee with them.

Amalie :

What about his voice?

Cie :

Light but rich his voice is and as smooth as a baby's bottom, Amalie. His laugh is like warm honey butter. It's completely disarming and so alluring. Benny has this habit of looking at some distant point to your left or right when he begins talking but as he finishes his thought, his eyes settle on yours and his last few words come right to you. The other thing is he reaches over and touches your fingertips with his when he makes a joke. In a few years, he'll own half the women he meets.

Carlo :

How would you describe Alice?

Cie :

Tanned, reserved and cool, very cool. Alice does not say much. She studies you with those glacial blue eyes and when she speaks to you, it's appropriate and friendly enough, but you feel the implicit challenge.

Cyril :

Fair enough. Alice, how would you describe Cie?

Alice :

Striking, and tall. Cie looks like she could kick the shit out of you and wouldn't mind doing it given half a reason. Her hair is abundant, honey brown and naturally curly. Cie's eyes are a silvery green, her skin is pink and she has the most impish freckles I've ever seen. She has the habit of blushing just slightly when she's animated—either laughing or angry. I'll bet she flushes from head to toe when she works out or has an orgasm. Have you anything to add, Benny?

Benny :

Cie didn't like my saying that soccer wasn't really a sport. As Alice says, she got a little flushed and pissed off, but she didn't insult me or call me names. She's comfortable with Gaelic but she didn't correct me even when I made obvious errors of syntax and usage. Cie has the light, layered look down and she's quite obviously athletic. Alice is right. She's striking.

Jules :

You're tall, athletic and intimidating, Cie. All of that could be euphemistic for big. I need some numbers.

Cie :

I'm 8 stone, 8 and 120cm. 92-60-92.

Jules :

So, in US terms, you're 5' 11" and a buck-twenty. 36-24-36 is slinky. You're a snake.

Cie :

Fair is fair so give `em up, Jules.

Jules :

I'm 6' 2" and a buck-ninety. I run every day but I also drink. I still have my hair but it's gone salt and pepper—mostly salt.

Cie :

I don't drink much, I've not gone gray and I'm still in my 20s while you're my da's age.

Jules :

Perhaps you like older guys.

Cie :

Nah, I like the lean and hard bodies like Carlo.

Carlo :

I hereby transfer my allegiance, temporarily, from Jill to Cie.

Annie :

Lucia, you're getting as bad as Mic. Pay attention.

Lucia :

Sorry, everyone. I get caught up in the sexual backbeat. Benny, were you going somewhere with your interjection?

Benny :

Nope, that's it.

Lucia :

Marcus?

Marcus :

What did you make of Jill knowing Lloyd a week before noticing she's black, Benny?

Benny :

It happens in rapidly developing situations. Later, the principals return to cultural norms. Speaking of returning to norms, by the time she falls asleep, Jill has already forgotten her agreement with Lloyd.