Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (18 page)

Nora placed her hands in her lap and waited.

“You do understand, Dr. Whitmore, why you’re here today?”

“Yes.”

“You barter surgeries for sex.”

Nora stared back unblinkingly. “That is incorr—”

“Would you care to rephrase, Ms. Perkins?” Tom asked.

“Fine. You are being sued for perpetuating a hostile workplace as well as sexual harassment. To clarify, you are here for soliciting sexual favors from a subordinate. Is that correct?”

“No, it’s not correct. I’ve done nothing wrong despite Dr. Fuller’s claims.”

“They all say that, but let’s move on. How many sexual relationships have you engaged in with residents since you’ve worked at Seattle Memorial?”

“Seven.” Nora answered without hesitation.

Angela paused. “Uh, both male and female?”

“Five male, two female.”

“And you would like us to believe that they were all consensual?”

“They were,” Nora said.

“How many since you became an attending?”

“One.”

“So, you’ve only had sex once since you became an attending?” The lawyer scoffed.

“No, I thought it prudent to exclusively seek partners outside the hospital.”

“Why is that?”

“I wanted to prevent the appearance of impropriety,” Nora said.

“I really don’t think you succeeded with that one.”

“Ms. Perkins. We will end this now if you continue along these lines.” Tom tapped his fingers on the table with succinct precision, as if to punctuate his statement.

Nora turned to her lawyer. “I know what she’s referring to. I think it’s important that I address it.”

“Are you sure, Nora?”

“Yes.”

“Ms. Perkins, if you would care to repeat?” Tom said.

Angela nodded. “Do you think you managed the impropriety?”

“No. He, Dr. James Rader, had a difficult time accepting the end of our sexual involvement, but he has since moved on with your client.”

The lawyer smiled. “You sound bitter. Is that why you went after her? To get back at him?”

“I am in no way interested in Dr. Fuller sexually.”

“But you are interested?”

Nora waited for clarification.

“My client details incidents where you humiliated her in front of colleagues and patients.”

“I’ve treated her no differently than I do the other residents when their performance and work ethic are subpar.”

“Dr. Whitmore, I have a detailed list of eight different incidents when you humiliated her, culminating with your demand for sex in exchange for the opportunity to assist you during surgery.”

The lawyer reviewed the list.

“I am aware of the allegations.” Nora maintained her calm facade. She’d had a lifetime of practice at letting things roll off her.

“But what is your response?” Angela raised her voice.

“I believe I made that clear just a few minutes ago.”

“You’re dodging the question,
Ms
. Whitmore.”

Nora remained quiet and unruffled despite the lawyer’s vehemence. In her opinion, she answered the question already. It was all a lie.

“Do you have a conscience, Ms. Whitmore? It doesn’t seem likely.
”

“All right, Ms. Perkins, our time is just about up for today.” Tom stood.

Angela huffed. She gathered her things and left.

Tom cut the camera off. “You did great, Nora. Can you continue to rein in your emotions? I think it will help.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Nora said, her voice held as tightly in check as her emotions.

“Do you still believe that Dr. Fuller and Rader are in collusion?”

“I do, but I suppose the burden of proof is on us?” Nora asked.

“It is. I’ll ask you again. Can you think of any witnesses that have seen them together?”

“As I said before, I’m sure there are plenty, but I don’t have a particular name to give. Talking to the residents may be a viable option or even the charge nurses, but I believe some of them are more interested in adding to the gossip pool.” Nora recalled the words whispered at the nurses’ station the day of her suspension and wondered if the nurse celebrated being correct in her assumptions about Fuller’s complaint.

“Do you think any of them would be sympathetic to you?”

Nora took a moment. Throughout her time at the hospital, she responded to numerous attempts at friendships with disdain. After a while, the staff stopped trying and gave her a wide berth. Today, she regretted that decision. With hindsight, Nora speculated on what could have been. She couldn’t change the past. If Kelli had entered her life earlier, her current existence would be completely different. Her days would be filled with laughter, warmth, and so much more, but she couldn’t dwell on that. She needed to answer based on the current reality. “I’m not sure.” Nora weighed the additional comments from the nurses and decided to inform Tom even if the information wasn’t helpful. “Only that some think that Rader is capable of sexual harassment himself.”

“I’m not sure if that’s pertinent or not, but settling is still an option—”

Nora paid his firm too much money for him not to listen. “No.” She cut him off. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Sometimes that doesn’t matter.” Tom’s voice was a mix of sympathy and practiced cynicism.

“Are you insinuating they are going to win?” Nora asked brusquely.

“No, their case is weak, but they can drag us along for a while.”

Nora stood. “Earn your retainer, Mr. Young.”

“I usually have more to work with, Nora.”

Exasperated by his implication, Nora said the first thing that came to mind. “I’m sure security has seen plenty as well.”

“Would some of the guards be impartial—”

“Interactions with them have not been typical for me.” Nora was done with this conversation, both emotionally and literally. “Have a good day, Mr. Young.”

* * *

When Nora entered the lounge this time, she found Kelli leafing through a magazine. For several seconds, she simply watched her. Kelli seemed so free with her time, her friendship, and everything else, but Nora knew that wasn’t the case. She considered the possibility that they brought out latent characteristics in each other. It was an interesting theory to say the least, but not one she wanted to dwell on at the moment.

As Nora stepped closer, Kelli glanced up. She gazed at Nora, her expression earnest, concerned. “You okay?”

Nora’s heart stuttered. It was a peculiar feeling. There wasn’t a person at the hospital who thought favorably of her, and it was strange to be face to face with someone on the other end of that spectrum. “I…I suppose.”

“If you’re done, I’ll walk you to your car.”

Nora nodded.

They stood close to each other in a nearly empty elevator. Kelli gazed at her. Nora could actually feel the heaviness of it. The elevator doors opened and other people disembarked. They were now alone.

“You’re not okay. I can tell.”

Warmth invaded Nora’s chest. To have someone know her was intoxicating. No one took the time, nor did she allow such familiarity. “You were right.”

“About?”

“About me not having anyone. I’ve wanted it that way.” Nora looked at Kelli. She tried to figure out what it was about this woman.

“Do you still want that?” Kelli asked softly.

“I…I don’t know.”

The elevator stopped, and the doors opened to the parking garage.

The need to flee overwhelmed Nora. Before she made it out of the elevator, she was stopped, rather abruptly, when Kelli grabbed her arm. She felt burned by the touch and gasped in response. She met Kelli’s gaze. Because of the gentleness in Kelli’s eyes, Nora panicked even more. She couldn’t breathe. Nora didn’t believe in magic, but Kelli had to possess some kind of strange power to be able to do this to her.

“You said that you’d try,” Kelli whispered.

“Well, would you look at this. The day just keeps getting better and better.”

They both turned to find James Rader by the driver’s side of his car. He moved toward them.

“Is that what it was, Nora? You like the ladies more?”

Nora instantly saw red. She stepped forward, but before she could speak, Kelli was in front of her.

“You can’t be that stupid, you slimy piece of shit, to approach her in the parking garage of her lawyer’s office.”

Rader closed the distance between them.

“I take it back. Obviously, you are,” Kelli said with a humorless laugh.

“You stay out of this!” He pointed at Kelli.

“You’re pathetic, but come closer. I’m not sure what I’ll do, but I’m sure it’s gonna be fun.”

Rader stopped and seemed to pale. “Are you threatening me?”

“I don’t recall making a threat of any kind.” Kelli tapped her cane against the concrete.

Nora watched the interaction. It mesmerized her. Heat coiled in her chest. Kelli was doing this all for
her
. No one had ever come to her defense before, not like this. Was this what people did when they cared?

“Just get the fuck out of our way, asshole.”

Kelli brushed against her. Nora’s stomach spiraled then dropped rapidly to the concrete below, leaving her even more breathless than before.

“I’m not—” Rader reddened and stepped back. He didn’t seem to have as much bravado as he did minutes earlier.

“Really, this state isn’t big enough for the two of us right now. Just get in your car and leave.” Kelli gestured toward his vehicle.

Rader stared, but Kelli stared right back.

He was the first to look away. “Fuck you! Fuck both of you!”

Kelli waved and smiled. “No thank you.”

A few seconds later, he sped away. Kelli turned and grasped Nora by the shoulder. Her hand slowly slid downward until it encircled her wrist. “You okay?”

An electric charge sizzled up Nora’s arms and rushed over her skin. She blinked, completely blindsided by the jolt.

“Nora?” Kelli stepped closer to her.

Nora’s belly twisted again. She stared helplessly into Kelli’s eyes. She changed her mind. Magic…it was definitely sorcery of some kind.

“Are you okay?”

Nora needed to breathe. She needed to think. She pulled away from Kelli’s grasp. “Yes, I—” She had no idea what to say.

Kelli’s face colored. “Are you mad? Don’t be mad. I know you can take care of yourself. I just…that guy pisses me off.”

“I’m not mad.” Nora walked away. She had to move. Nora could hear Kelli not far behind. They reached her car. She noticed that her hands were trembling as she searched her purse for keys.

“Then what are you?” Kelli whispered from behind.

Nora wanted to turn around but couldn’t. “I…don’t know.” The truth fell from her lips. This situation and these feelings were too unfamiliar, too new.

“Nora?”

Nora closed her eyes. She could hear the uncertainty in Kelli’s tone. Nora spoke but she had no idea where the words came from. “I’m trying, but right now, I need to leave.”

Kelli didn’t respond, but Nora took that as understanding. She unlocked the Mercedes and eased into the driver’s seat. Nora could still feel Kelli’s gaze on her. She glanced at her and found it very difficult to look away.

Kelli held up a hand and stepped back.

Nora started the car and fled.

* * *

Kelli shuffled into her mother’s house. After the day she’d had so far, she didn’t know if she was up for this, but she didn’t have a choice. Her family needed her, and that meant she needed to concentrate on them now. She called out, “Mom!”

“I’m in the kitchen!”

“Can you come out here?”

Her mother wiped her hands on a towel as she walked into the living room. “What’s going on? You okay? I can get some pillows so you can stretch that leg out.”

“My leg is fine, Mom.” Kelli lied. It hurt like a bitch.

“Then what is it?”

Kelli licked her lips and moved toward the couch. She waved her mother over. As soon as they sat down, Kelli said, “Sean’s coming. He’s bringing Antony with him.”

Carina smiled. “Oh, that’s good. Maybe we can have dinner. It’s hard to get the three of you together like this nowadays.”

Kelli’s sighed. “I know, but look, I know you want him to be okay, but he’s not. I need you to see that.”

“Who? What are you talking about?” Her mother scrunched up her face and scooted away.

“Tony. C’mon, Mom. You see it. I know you don’t want to, but you can’t keep pretending everything’s roses.”

“It? What’s it?”

“Tony’s on meth again.” Kelli decided to just spit it out.

“What? No, he’s always been high strung. Why do you always have to think the worst about him?” Carina’s face reddened, and her eyes were glassy.

Kelli knew this wasn’t going to be easy. “Spongebob? You remember that? He was talking out the side of his head. Caffeine is a wonderful thing, but it doesn’t make people do that. Think about it, Mom. All the signs are there. I know you know what I’m saying.”

Carina started to cry. “I thought he was trying.”

“I’m sure he was trying at first, but right now the drugs are stronger than he is.”

Her mother covered her face and wept in earnest. “Oh God.”

Kelli gently took her mother’s hands and stared into her eyes. She had never been all that affectionate, especially as an adult, but it seemed like the time. “We have to help him.”

“I don’t know how anymore.”

“Yeah, but we gotta try. I called in some favors and did an involuntary committal. The police should be here soon to take him to the hospital until we can get him to detox.”

“What’s this involuntary committal thing about?”

Kelli squeezed her mother’s hands. She knew this wasn’t going to go over well. Kelli started to feel the first pang of guilt, but she pushed it away. “I was able to put him on a seventy-two-hour psych hold, and we just have to hope a spot opens up in rehab before that time is over.”

Her mother jerked away. “But…he’s not crazy. You lied?”

“Mom,” Kelli said wearily.

There was a thud at the door, and then it burst open.

Sean stumbled in, carrying a groaning Tony over his shoulder. With a loud grunt, Sean laid Tony on the loveseat and then bent over to try to catch his breath.

Tony smelled like he’d been rolling in piss and liquor, and Kelli’s eyes watered from the stench. It had been a long time since she’d seen Tony like this. The sight broke her heart.