Collecting Scars (6 page)

“Someone is here to see you,” came Gemma's usual cheery voice down the line.

“Who is it?”

“Well, why don't you come out and have a look for yourself?”

“Okay smart ass,” Asha laughed. She enjoyed working with Gemma.

Walking to the waiting area she was surprised to see Mrs Arnold sitting in the waiting area with Xavier. Both sets of eyes looked at her as she approached.

“Hi Mrs Arnold, Xavier,” she smiled, looking around the room. “Where's Mr Arnold?”

“Mum wanted to have a word with you alone if that’s okay Ash?”

“Sure, of course. Come through Mrs Arnold,” she gestured towards her office.

Mrs Arnold turned to her son. “Are you happy to wait here, honey?”

“Sure Mum,” Xavier nodded. “Take your time.”

Asha couldn't help but think how sweet they were to each other. Mrs Arnold was looking frail. Asha guessed that she would never have been a large woman, but the years of cancer and treatment had ravaged her body, as the evidence showed. Her eyes were sunken, her face drawn. Wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes and mouth. Hair-loss was always a huge concern for cancer patients and whilst the chemotherapy drugs had improved over the years, it still left a patient's hair looking spindly and grey.

Mrs Arnold took a seat and Asha pulled up the chair beside her.

“Is everything okay Mrs Arnold?”

With a shaky breath, Mrs Arnold turned her eyes to Asha. She had the start of a bruise at the edge of her right eye. Asha gasped in shock but quickly tried to cover it.

“I just wanted to apologise for my husband's behaviour yesterday. He gets very...protective at times.”

Asha could feel her brows crinkle, so protective he hits you? She thought to herself but didn't say it.

“No need for you to apologise to me Mrs Arnold, but if I can help you in any way? I can put you in touch with some services, there are places you can...”

“No,” Mrs Arnold interrupted her abruptly. “No, it's ok. I know what it looks like and really it’s ok.”

Asha shook her head, “No, no it's not okay Mrs Arnold.”

“He loves me, he is a good man. We have been through a lot over the years and sometimes, he gets drunk and a little, um, heavy handed I guess. Mostly I see it coming and have time to get out the way. But last night, he had a bit of a rant, still upset from the meeting with you.”

Asha was taken aback and Mrs Arnold quickly moved to put a comforting her hand on Asha's knee. She did not miss the irony in the situation.

“I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean it was your fault...It's just, I know he loves me and Xave, we are all he has left. He was upset is all. He will come around. Just the thought of losing me is too much for him that’s all.”

“But I don't understand how that makes him angry with you.”

“I know, he just gets angry with the world sometimes.”

“You know we can help you Mrs Arnold and we can get help for you. We can organise accommodation, we can organise counselling.”

“That’s not why I'm here,” she smiled sweetly with that same familiar smile as her son’s, only ageing. “I have lived with the man long enough now, I know how he is. Life is just the way it is sometimes, we learn to live with the hand we are dealt.”

Asha wondered if she would ever understand the mentality of women staying with husbands that beat them. Surely that is not what love is all about. How did they overlook that and just carry on?

It was not for her to judge. She would do all she could to help, but if her help was rejected she could not force it. These were adults she was dealing with after all.

“I just wanted to come by and apologise for his behaviour towards you yesterday. You did not deserve it, you were just doing your job and I appreciate it.”

“That’s okay, Mrs Arnold.” She gave her a genuine smile, she really did like this lady. If only her own mother could have been more like Mrs Arnold. Minus the beating from a tyrant of a husband of course.

“I’m here any time okay?”

Mrs Arnold rose to her feet. “Thank you, dear, now I better get back, before the old grouch realises Xavier and I are not just at the store.”

Asha opened the door walked with her back to the waiting room, where Xavier was waiting.

“All good?” Xavier asked his mum, and then looked up to meet Asha's eyes.

“Yep good to go, thanks again Asha.” She waved as she walked towards the door.

“Yeah, thanks, Asha,” Xavier smiled as he turned and followed after her.

“Oh, he really likes you,” Gemma crooned, as the heavy glass sliding doors closed behind them.

Asha watched through the glass as the two figures crossed the parking lot. He really is good looking she thought to herself and so kind and gentle with his poor sick mother, who could not like that in a man? Not that she was looking for a man of course. But if she were…

“Oh stop it Gem,” Asha waved her hand at her friend. “He is gorgeous and he could have any girl he wants.”

“And yet, I do believe Mr Xavier Arnold wants you,” Gemma giggled suggestively.

“I've got to get back to work.” Asha could feel her face starting to heat in a blush, she wished she didn't do that. She quickly walked back to her office, away from prying eyes.

***

The afternoon consisted of two more patients. Both long term. One who just needed his care plan updated to include dietician services.

The other was an elderly gentleman whose wife had passed away recently. He was needing to be linked in with some home care services as he was unable to care for himself but refused to go into hospice. He was still ambulant, but he was not able to cook for himself or attend to the house. His wife had been well until she died suddenly from a burst aneurysm.

Both of his adult children lived locally, but they worked full-time jobs. Asha discussed with him what his needs were, made a few phone calls and set some care packages in place for him. He was so grateful when he left, it reminded Asha of why she loved her job so much.

Yes, there were sad stories, often her patients died, far too young. But she was able to help them along the way to making those last weeks and months a little less stressful.

Chapter 7

IT WAS DARK WHEN ASHA left work at six-thirty. Gemma had offered her a lift but she declined. Walking home the couple blocks to her house was actually a good time to reflect on her day. As she worked in an office all day, it gave her a good opportunity to stretch her legs. She was nearing the corner of her street when she heard a vehicle slow behind her. She did not need to look to know it was that black van again. Most days now, it would come up behind her, and then drive by slowly before taking off. Probably just some old pervert that lived nearby she decided.

A few metres further she heard the unmistakable rumble of a Harley, turning the corner behind her. Without warning the black van sped up and skidded around the corner, onto her street and out of sight. The motorbike neared and slowed as it came closer, coming to a stop beside her. She looked over her shoulder and instantly recognised the face peering back at her through the open helmet.

“Xavier,” she couldn't help the smile spreading across her face at seeing him.

“Hey, Ashy-girl.”

She had always hated being called that, a few of her Mum's boyfriends had called her 'Ashy-girl' but coming from Xavier's lips it made her stomach flutter.

“Want to come for a ride?”

“Ah nah, I really got to get home and cook some dinner. Thanks, though.”

“Liar.”

“Pardon?”

“I know you don't cook,” Xavier laughed. How did he always know when she was lying? He'd called her out again.

“C'mon.” He reached into his saddlebags and handed her a helmet.

“Do you always carry a spare helmet in case you see a girl you want to pluck off the streets on the way home?” she laughed.

Xavier shrugged, “Pretty much, you just never know.”

“Is that right?” she cocked her eyebrow and smirked at him, as she slipped the helmet over her head, then slung her handbag strap around her neck. Luckily she only carried a small bag with her purse and mobile phone.

She rested her hand on Xavier's shoulder and swung her leg up over the back of his bike. Once she was seated she tentatively snaked her arms around his hard middle. Within seconds, Xavier's big hands were over hers pulling her arms in tighter to himself. She liked the way he took control.

He glanced back over his shoulder at her. “Ready?”

She nodded and then they were off.

This was her second time on the back of the bike with Xavier. She had been on bikes at different times and had always felt terrified, but with him, she felt strangely relaxed. As they reached the edge of town she rested her face on his shoulder and watched the world go by. Asha had no idea where he was taking her, but right now, right in this moment, he could have taken her anywhere and she would not have cared. Before long her trance-like state was disrupted as they pulled to the side of the road and came to a stop. Asha looked up blinking a few times, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the blazing lights.

         Xavier kicked the stand down on the bike and just sat there. After a few short seconds, she realised he was waiting for her to alight. She did as expected and Xavier soon followed suit, unbuckling his own helmet then hers. Stowing them both on the handle bars.

“Where are we?” she asked looking towards the lit building, smoothing her wayward hair back down to her head.

“It's a little cafe I've been riding past for ages, always thought I'd drop in and check it out. Never gotten around to it. I'm hungry, let's go”

He put his hand out grasping hers he pulled her towards the cafe. The promise of food suddenly had Asha's stomach rumbling.

Once inside they were seated at a table on the outside of the building, overlooking the beach. Asha had not realised they had travelled so far out. She had been enjoying the ride so much.

“Wow it's quite beautiful here isn't it,” she breathed, looking out over the ocean.

“Yeah it is isn't it,” Xavier returned.

She turned back to him to find him staring at her. She suddenly felt like a deer in the spotlight,   nervous and awkward.

“Excuse me,” came the waitress’s voice. “Would you like to order some drinks?”

Xavier nodded and proceeded to order for them both, which she thought was kind of sweet, but maybe a little weird.  He smiled at the waitress and she fluttered her eyelashes at him. Asha felt a sudden irrational surge of jealousy spring up inside her chest. Gosh, what was happening to her?

“So Asha,” Xavier returned his attention to her, across the table. “Tell me about you. Obviously, you're a nurse. You never mentioned that before.”

Asha huffed out a laugh. “It's funny really isn't it? We've spent the night together and we know so little about each other.”

“Not so funny,” Xavier gave her a wry smile. “People do that all the time.”

“Yeah I guess you’re right,” Asha conceded. She could list several examples, starting with the woman she lived with. “Just not me.”

Xavier titled his head to the side. “I think I like that about you. How old are you Asha?”

“Twenty-eight and you?”

“Thirty,” Xavier replied. “I find it hard to believe you've gotten to twenty-eight and no man has snaffled you up yet.”

Asha laughed and looked out to the ocean, she liked talking to Xavier, but when he said things like that it made her feel uncomfortable. “Been busy I guess. Having a career and all. So how about yourself? You're thirty and working in a bar, never married? Thought about it? Any kids out there in the world?”

“Ah well, a bit like you I guess. I’ve been busy working on my career.”

“As a bartender?” she raised an eyebrow in question.

“Well actually, it's my bar,” he laughed to himself.

“Really?”

“Really. It's not entirely paid for, but I am working on it. I completed a business degree out of school and worked at the club, as a bartender to pay the bills. When it came up for sale I took a business loan and bought it.”

Just then the waitress returned with their drinks and gave Xavier the eye again. Asha tried very hard to ignore it. Xavier was friendly, but not flirty like he had been with her at the club, for that she was thankful.

“Well, I have to say, I am impressed,” she smiled over her glass at him, the fairy lights that hung overhead sparkled in his beautiful green eyes.

“Not just a pretty face huh?” Xavier laughed.

Indeed, she thought. He was definitely more than a pretty face. He was a good looking man. In a rough, rugged bartender good looking kind of way, not suit wearing businessman, kind of good looking. He was a little scruffy, his dirty blonde hair looked tousled not combed. He wore t-shirts, jeans, and riding boots. Right now he was clean shaven, but she had seen him with a three-day growth. She thought maybe she liked him with that scruff on his face best.

“What about family? Obviously, I know your parents.” She cringed inwardly thinking about Mrs Arnold today. Mr Arnold had always been the picture of the perfect loving, doting husband. She recalled previous visits when Mrs Arnold had come in with bruising to various parts of her body and had given a frivolous excuse, blaming it on her blood-thinning medication. She knew it was not a good time to be bringing that up, but she would need to discuss it with Xavier at some point. She was sure he was well aware that his father was a thug.

“That's all the family I have,” she noticed his eyes cloud over momentarily. “I had a sister. But now it's just me and my parents.”

“Oh I'm so sorry,” she reached across the table and took his hand in hers. She had always hated that as a response to someone losing a loved one. It wasn't her fault. But what else could one say in that situation?

Xavier let her take his hand, folding his fingers over hers. “It's okay. We don’t talk about it much.”

“I lost my dad when I was thirteen,” she disclosed. “I know how hard it is to lose someone you love.”

His grip tightened on her fingers. “Oh Ash, I'm sorry for your loss too,” he gave her a sad broken smile.