Fractured Eden (23 page)

                                         
Chapter 44

Stella knocked on Aaron’s office door the next morning. “Marley Brighton is here. She’d like a prescription refill for Forrester.”

“I’ll be right out.”

Aaron scanned the last page of a patient’s medical record and walked out into the hallway. He saw Marley and cleared his throat. “Good afternoon. How’s Forrester?”

“He’s adjusting. It’s hard, day by day.”

“I can only imagine.”

“I’m sorry to bother you, but can you refill this prescription for him? I figured since I was in the neighborhood . . .”

Aaron looked at the pill bottle. It had contained a muscle relaxant. “Sure, no problem.”

Marley leaned in closer to him. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out between us.”

Aaron shrugged his shoulders. “It wasn’t meant to be.”
I’m already moving on,
he thought.

He wrote a prescription for a muscle relaxant and handed it to Marley.

“Forrester and I appreciate this.” She smiled at him and put the prescription in her purse. “And thanks again for helping out with the Taggett family.”

“I feel good about that, but there’s still a big question mark: Race.” Aaron sighed. “I can’t figure him.”

Marley’s eyes were bright like lasers. “You’ll be fine.”

Aaron looked down.
I wish I could be sure of that.

Just after Marley left, a tall man walked through the front door of the clinic.

“Is Dr. Rovsing here?” he said to Juliana at the registration desk.

“Yes. Who shall I say wants to see him?”

“I’m Red Relford’s son.”

“Is Mr. Relford one of our patients?”

“No. He was a friend of Dr. Rovsing’s. He died three days ago.”

“I’m so sorry. Wait here and I’ll let him know.”

A few minutes later, Aaron followed Juliana to the waiting area.

“I’m happy to meet you,” Aaron said as the two men shook hands.

“Same here. Thanks for being a good friend for Dad. He talked about you.”

Aaron nodded. “I enjoyed my evenings with him at the bar. I’ll miss him.”

“He lived a long, good life. I wish I could’ve seen him more. My job keeps me in Oregon.”

“He told me stories about his life, his experiences. I enjoyed those stories. I’ll never forget them.”

“He was a psychiatrist. He helped a lot of people.”

“I’m sure he did.” Aaron put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “He had a kindness about him.”

“He was happy with his work, until the last few years of his practice.” He sighed and looked down. “We were close to this family, and my dad treated one of the sons. One day, the son flipped out and killed everyone in the family. Dad was never the same after that. He always felt he should’ve done something.”

“Red told me about that. I’m sorry that happened to him. Unfortunately, doctors can’t predict everything.”

“We kept telling him that. Anyway, I’m glad he met you. He seemed happier in the last few weeks.”

Aaron smiled. “Thanks for letting me know.”

Red’s son pulled an envelope from his pocket. “He wrote you a letter. I guess he might’ve known he was dying.”

Aaron opened the envelope and smiled as he scanned the letter. “I’ll keep this letter safe.”

“He’ll be cremated. He wants you and me to spread his ashes in the Big Thicket.”

“Interesting. He never talked to me about that. Ashes in the Big Thicket.”

“Don’t you think it’s a strange request? I mean, I hear that it’s a weird place.”

“You heard right.”

“Why would he want his ashes in there?”

Aaron stared out the front window across the road at the trees in the Big Thicket. “Maybe he felt it would be a good place to dispose of the baggage he left behind.”

“Like bad memories?”

Aaron nodded. “That’s a thought.” He contemplated the trees swaying in the breeze.

Red’s son turned to Aaron. “Oh, one more favor. I wonder if you could take his dog.”

Aaron laughed. “Now that you mention it, I’ve been thinking about getting a dog. Sure, I’ll take him.”

Aaron walked into a patient room, and a woman extended her hand. “I’m Sandra Bogarty. My son is Buck.”

“I remember Buck. Did his hand heal?”

“Oh, yes. That’s all fine.” She looked down. “He wrecked his hot rod a week ago.”

“Is he okay?”

“No bad injuries, but other boys were in the car, and they told me what happened. One of them was on the ground and not breathing at first.”

“They were ejected? Is everyone all right now?”

“Yes, thank goodness, but the wreck really affected Buck. He won’t come out of his bedroom. He barely eats at all, and he won’t talk to me.”

“It sounds like the experience traumatized him emotionally.”

She massaged her temple. “He’s never been like this. He won’t even see his friends when they come over. Should I worry about him?”

“Maybe I can come over and talk with him.”

“Oh, thank you. I would so appreciate it if you did.”

She and Aaron worked out a time for his visit to Buck.

A man sat in a chair in the hallway.

Aaron saw him and stopped. “Tucker Boudreaux. Is it you today?”

Tucker stood and approached Aaron. “It sure is.” His short hair was combed and he wore a dress shirt.

Aaron smiled. “You’re looking well.”

“I feel good. Sometimes I feel even better when I don’t take my medicine, but everyone says the pills help me.”

“Yes, they do. Please remember that.”

“I saw you in the store yesterday, and I had an idea about you.”

Here we go,
Aaron thought.

“You looked so happy. A thought came into my head: if it’s a
fille,
a girl, then you should go for it.”

Aaron grinned and put his hands on Tucker’s shoulders. “I might just do that.”

“Trust me. I can tell. You won’t be sorry.”

“That’s right. Sometimes you can predict things.”

Tucker nodded. “And when I do, you’d best pay attention.”

In the lounge, Aaron poured coffee into his and Stella’s cups. “This has been a crazy month,” he said.

Stella sipped from her cup. “That’s a good word for it. Crazy people have been a challenge to you since you got here. Do you think you attract them?”

Aaron laughed. “Maybe I do.”

They walked out into the hall, and Stella turned to him. “Speaking of this crazy month, it seems that we really do have more than our fair share of addiction and mental illness in this town. What do you think?”

“It’s a problem everywhere, not just here.”

Stella furrowed her brow. “Are you sure about that?”

Aaron nodded. “There aren’t enough behavioral health specialists in this country, and even if there were, we don’t have cures for every mind gone haywire.”

Stella shook her head. “What a world. Maybe all of us will end up someday in the Big Thicket, right along with Race Taggett.”

Aaron frowned.
Is that my fate?

“By the way, I wonder if Keller still feels Wanda’s voodoo curse,” Stella said.

“He told me his poppet broke the spell.”

Stella chuckled. “Maybe it did, but what’s important is that he believes the curse is gone.”

After their workday, Stella held on to Aaron’s elbow and escorted him into the parking area. “You’ve got that look in your eyes. Is there a romantic weekend ahead?”

“I hope so. I’ve got my best boots on,” Aaron said.

Stella laughed. “Good luck. I’ll be cheering for you, cowboy.”

Back home, Aaron sat at his desk and unfolded the letter from Red Relford: “It was nice chatting with you, Aaron. You helped me reconnect with good memories. I’ve been thinking about the Great War. You remind me of a sergeant I served with. A good man, like you. The world needs more good people.”

Aaron sat back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.
Thanks, Red, I needed that.

                                         
Chapter 45

With windows down and radio blaring, Aaron sped to Rachel’s house early Saturday evening. She lived out in the country, about ten miles from Aaron’s town, on the edge of the Big Thicket. He passed only one other house on her road, about one-half mile back.

Aaron hopped out of his car humming a song and turned around in a circle.
I don’t see any other houses.

Rachel walked out onto her front porch and waved. “I’m kind of isolated way out here.”

“It’s a beautiful area.”

“Do you want to have a look around?”

Aaron nodded. “Sure.” He stepped up to the porch and followed her into the living room.
It smells like a vet’s office
.

She led him back through her kitchen and into a family room. Two dogs barked at him from behind a fence, and a few cats roamed in other areas of the spacious room.

“I have some wild things outside.” She led Aaron out the back door and up to a tall fence. “Take a look around the yard. A couple of raccoons might be wandering about.”

They walked to one side of the fence. She pointed to a section of the yard with a caged-in area. “There’s a young bald eagle in the aviary part.”

“This is impressive. It’s your own little private zoo. Where do you get these animals?”

“From the rehabilitation group I belong to. I’m trained and licensed to care for certain wild mammals and birds of prey. They’re usually found injured in the Big Thicket and need a place to rest and recover.”

“Do you handle them and get close to them?”

“Not too close. You have to maintain your distance. If they become accustomed to humans, they might not last long back in the wild.”

“Raccoons can carry rabies, but I’ll bet you knew that.”

“Don’t worry. I got my shots. I’m safe.”

Rachel’s cell phone rang as they walked back into the house.

She checked the caller ID and looked at Aaron. “It’s my sister. I’d better take the call.”

Aaron waved his hand. “No problem.” They stood in the kitchen.

“Hello, Diana . . . Dad wandered away? . . . Three hours? . . . A barn? . . .” Rachel put a hand to her forehead. She ended the call and Aaron waited.

“My father is in a nursing home about one hour from here. He’s got dementia and it’s worsening. This is the first time he’s wandered off.” She took a deep breath. “Thank heavens they found him in a barn, and not in the middle of a street somewhere. He was curled up asleep in the hay.”

“They may need to move him to a more secure area,” Aaron said.

“That’s what their plan is.” Rachel sighed. “He worked on a farm as a young boy. Maybe he still has those memories of his past, but he doesn’t know me or my sister most of the time now.”

“It’s painful to watch that happen to someone.”

Rachel nodded. “He was such an active, intelligent man. He rarely got sick.”

“Maybe someday we’ll have an effective treatment or prevention for dementia. Everyone fears that fate in their final years.”

“I hope my end is quick and painless.”

They walked outside. “Are you still up for dinner?” Aaron said.

“Yes. It’ll lift my spirits.”

Aaron started the car, but then hesitated. “I made reservations at a steak place. Is that okay?”

Rachel smiled. “Sure. I’m looking forward to it.”

Aaron’s car radio was on low volume in the background.

“Do you like country music?” Rachel said.

Aaron recognized the song and turned up the volume. “I’m getting into it. I have a list of my favorite country songs in my head.”

Rachel laughed. “That’s wonderful. I’ve been a country music fan since I was a young girl.”

A wave of warmth coursed through Aaron’s body.
Everything is good.

At the restaurant, they strolled into dim lighting and muted music and were ushered to cushioned chairs at a table for two.

“When did you get interested in helping injured animals?” Aaron said.

“One of my college biology professors was into animal rehab as a hobby. We’d visit her home, and she’d teach us about it.” Rachel touched his hand. “I hope you like animals.”

Aaron smiled and grabbed her hand. “Have no fear. I do.”

“Then all is well.”

Rachel ordered merlot and Aaron his cabernet.

“How long have you worked at the hospital?” Aaron said.

“Almost six years. I graduated from nursing school eight years ago, so I’ve been around here most of my career so far.”

“I’m sure you see a lot of pathology in that hospital.”

“Yes, we do.”

Rachel ordered Steak Diane, and Aaron grilled shrimp. After the server walked away, Rachel looked up. “Speaking of pathology, whatever happened to that strange family you were asking me about?”

“The Taggetts. Wanda is in a psychiatric hospital for a long stay. She was poisoning her husband, Sid. He was treated and he’s much better now, feeling healthy. He’s moving to Las Vegas.”

“Vegas.” Rachel laughed. “He’s feeling good, all right. What about the son? I heard on the news that he’s a serial killer?”

Aaron’s voice was hoarse. “Yes. Race Taggett. He’s still at large.”

“That’s scary.” Rachel sipped her merlot. “Isn’t their house near the Belkin Ranch?”

“Yes, right across the road.”

“Did you know Mr. Belkin?”

“Grant Belkin? Sure, I know him well. He’s a patient of mine. Why do you ask?”

Rachel sat forward. “You mean, he’s still alive?”

Aaron coughed and put down his water glass. “As far as I know. Did something happen that I don’t know about?”

“Since you’re his doctor, I suppose it’s okay for me to share: he was at the hospital sometime last year. I heard the doctors say he had a brain tumor.”

“A brain tumor?”

“They said it was inoperable. He wasn’t supposed to last a year, and I’m sure it’s been more than a year now.”

“I had no idea. I’ll talk with him about it.”

They listened to country music during the drive back to Rachel’s house. Aaron kept time drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as they sang along.

During a commercial break, Aaron turned to Rachel. “Do you work out?”

“I jog. Do you?”

“I’m getting back into it. I just need to stick to a routine. My life has been so crazy lately.”

“There’s a 5K run in a couple of months. Let’s do it together. It’ll be good for you.”

Aaron gave her a high five. “It’s a date.”

Aaron walked Rachel to her front door. They stood under the porch light. “Have you read ‘The Great Gatsby’?” Aaron said.

Rachel turned to him. “That takes me back. I’ve read it, but it’s been a while.” Rachel gazed past Aaron, a faraway look in her eyes. “I remember the woman that cheated on her husband, and that led to big problems.”

Aaron smiled and nodded.
This is going really well.

      
Rachel touched her lower lip. “Do I have something on my lip?”

Aaron’s face reddened. “I’m sorry. I was staring. No, your lips are just fine.”

Rachel laughed. “Well then, you can stare at me all you want, and you don’t have to feel embarrassed.”

Aaron leaned toward her. “The reason I was staring . . .”

“Yes.”

“I really like your dimples.”

She touched his elbow. “Do you want to talk more inside?”

Aaron sighed. “I’d love to.”

Two dogs barked at them from the family room at the back. Aaron followed Rachel to her living room. He sat down on a couch as Rachel turned the television to a country station for background music. “Can I offer you a glass of wine?”

“I never turn down wine.”

Rachel poured two glasses of merlot and brought them into the living room. She sat down next to him on the couch. “You’ve got me thinking. I want to read ‘The Great Gatsby’ again.”

Aaron leaned near to her. “I can’t believe you’re unattached.”

Rachel smiled. “Oh, I was attached, a few years ago.”

“Was he a doctor?”

“Yes, but not anymore. He’s in jail. Medicare insurance fraud.”

Aaron’s eyes widened and he sat back. “I don’t think I’ve ever known anybody involved with that. At least, I didn’t know it if they were.” He sipped his wine. “How did he commit fraud?”

Rachel hesitated and looked away from Aaron. “He overcharged Medicare for equipment and patient care that he didn’t provide, so he could line his pockets.”

“Sometimes, I guess you really don’t know people.”

They sat for a short time drinking their wine, and then Rachel grinned at him. “You don’t have any dark secrets, do you?”

Aaron blushed. “Nothing important.”

Rachel touched his hand. “Oh, I’ve embarrassed you again. I’m sorry.”

Aaron chuckled. “That’s okay. When you mentioned dark secrets, a vision popped into my head. I was drunk and hooting it up with some college buddies in a topless bar. That wasn’t one of my stellar moments.”

Rachel nodded. “Everyone has their not-so-stellar moments. I’ve had a few of my own.”

Later that night, Aaron walked into his house and was greeted by his new best friend, Red, a black Labrador retriever, named for Aaron’s recently deceased happy hour comrade. Red was hyperactive in his new environment, jumping and barking and turning in circles.

Aaron stared into Red’s eyes and rubbed his head. “I’m sure you miss our friend like I do, but I think you’ll be happy here.”

Outside, Red completed a thorough inspection of the back yard and adjacent pasture. Aaron looked over at the trees and listened for the owl.
I guess owls have to sleep, too.
With a series of barks, his dog announced that all was well at the Rovsing property.

As he prepared for bed, Aaron’s cheeks were tiring from a continuous grin on his face.