Perfect Match (21 page)

The doctor had a question mark on his face, as he looked at
Rachel.

She explained, “Selena is the young girl in room 400 waiting
on a transplant. So far, nothing has matched.” Rachel looked back at Roscoe. “I
might add, Mr. Fallington prevented the hoodlum the other night from further
complicating life for Selena.”

The doctor nodded, averting eye contact with Roscoe.

Roscoe said, “What kind of transplant?”

The doctor quickly returned to “professional” mode. “Look,
it is improper for us to be discussing the health information of another
patient with you.”

Before Roscoe could respond, Rachel said, glancing at the
doctor, “I know you’ve got a busy schedule today. If you need to continue your
rounds, I’ll be glad to assist Mr. Fallington further with how he can cooperate
with us.”

The doctor gave a quick nod. “Good idea. D.R., please
cooperate with us.” He stopped at the door, looking back at him. He spoke in a
lowered tone. “It’s good to see you have a concern for someone else.” He
whisked out the door.

Rachel took the visitor’s chair, and exhaled. She studied
Roscoe closely. “Selena isn’t really your niece and you’re not her uncle,” she
paused, “otherwise you’d know what kind of transplant she needs.”

Roscoe looked at her a moment, nodding his head, knowing
he’d been caught. He realized Rachel was probably his best bridge to finding
out more about Selena. Better be up front with her, he thought. “No, I’m not
her uncle.” He explained how neither Selena nor he wanted to rile Rachel that
day in the sunroom.

Rachel laughed. “I thought I’d heard everything.” She shook
her head. “You’re full of surprises, Fallington.”

He said, “I guess…I guess Selena caught my interest because
she is the exact opposite of how I was when I was her age. I’m mystified by her
strength and maturity, while facing such a challenging situation. I was never
that way when I was her age.” He paused. “I just want her to get better. So,
what can you tell me about Selena?”

She nodded. “I agree with the doctor; it’s really thoughtful
of you to care about Selena.” Her eyes blinked quickly. “But you’ll have to ask
her the questions you have, and I believe she’ll tell you. She’s been in and
out of the hospital a number of times, so I’ve gotten to know her quite well.”
She smiled. “She’s a wonderful young woman, and highly thought of among all the
staff.”

She paused.

“Please understand the hospital is doing everything it can.
We constantly monitor all changes and possibilities. Cobalt Medical Center has
the very highest rating for its transplant healthcare.” She paused. “I wish I
could tell you more, but I can’t.”

His frustration had not receded, but he accepted that Rachel
was his friend. He nodded, “I understand.”

The phones in the Fallington office had been purring all
morning, and there was a backlog of weekend messages waiting. Janice Smithfield
had been coordinating the office, since Rodney was still overseeing the L.A.
office, and Madison would be in the New York office the next few days.

But Janice was delighted to field the next incoming call,
when she saw the caller ID. “Thank Goodness you’ve called to rescue me.
Madison, the phones have gone haywire all weekend and this morning.”

“What? Serious problems?”

Janice laughed. “No problems, but your appearance on the TV
business program and the article in the newspaper stirred the business
community. You’ve got twenty-six invites to speak at various business meetings,
seminars, and civic groups, as far away as Tennessee and Georgia. Two
university business schools want you as part of a seminar. And the governor’s
office called, wanting you to serve on a special business panel.”

Madison exhaled. “I didn’t expect any of that. Oh, my. Well,
let’s see…get details on each invite, size of group, mission or purpose of
each, expected attendance, location…you know what to do Janice. There I go with
micro-details again.”

“Already been working on that; I’m almost finished. Should
have full details later in the day to coordinate with your calendar when we
talk again.” Janice laughed. “You really know how to create the buzz.”

Madison said, “Yeah, like I need all the extracurricular
activities, while trying to grapple with piecing this business together.”

“You can do it. You can do anything, Madison.” Janice was in
cheerleader mode.

“Yeah, just call ‘taco lady.’ She’ll handle it.” Madison
knew she shouldn’t have said it, but it was too late.

There was a moment of silence.

Janice said, “Umm…you’re still bothered by that.”

“Oh, Janice, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, but yes
I’m still bothered by D.R.’s hurtful remarks. I don’t know why it bothers me so
much. Why should I care?”

“Well…we do care what people say and think about us. It just
hurts more, if the hurtful remark comes from someone of significance to us.”

“But I don’t even like D.R.”

Janice waited a moment. “But you see lots of potential in
him. You’d like to like him.”

Madison was silent.

“Madison, I’m a woman. I know what you’re feeling. Been there
several times. Today Fallington Enterprises is a literal wreck, just like
D.R.’s Corvette. You don’t like the condition of the business today, but you
see lots of potential in it. What’s not to like about potential?”

“Never thought of it that way.” Brief pause. “How is D.R.?
Have you heard how his injuries are? Is he out of the hospital?”

“Edna came by the other day, gave me the latest update. He’s
still in the hospital. She said something about him falling and injuring his
right foot again. Said he didn’t seem angry like he was, and he thanked her for
being, quote, “a good grandmother when he was so difficult.” Janice laughed.
“Edna said she immediately made an appointment with her therapist for a reality
check to be sure she wasn’t hearing imaginary voices in her head.” Janice
continued. “She said D.R. seemed…different…humble.”

Madison was silent for a moment. “Well…”

Janice said, “Yes…there’s potential in the air, but we
shouldn’t see what’s not there yet.”

“Oh, Janice, you’re more sensible than I am about stuff like
this.”

“Don’t count on that. But we do agree that D.R. is a
handsome, eligible, unemployed, male, who is a first-class s.o.b…. with lots of
potential.”

When Madison stopped laughing, Janice said, “Speaking of
potential, you also had six invites from five men and one woman wanting you to
be their date, as they put it, at some pretty interesting social events around
the area. How shall I categorize those, Madam CEO?”

“Good grief! Janice, all I want to do is work hard at my
job, not all this…this—”

“Madison, success is hard work. Enjoy.”

Mid-afternoon Roscoe had returned from the fitness center on
the third floor. It had taken an act of congress, along with Rachel’s help, to
persuade his doctors that some careful exercise might be as healthy for his
attitude, as his body. The fitness center was fully equipped, and was
supervised. He’d exercised major body parts, except for the right foot. He’d
never felt better. Funny how physical activity can stimulate the body and mind.

While in the hospital he’d missed his fitness club and his
favorite sports bars. He had a slight urge to get back in the night scene, but
that desire seemed to be fading. Thinking about it now seemed like too much
effort and too much pretense for a shallow good time with women and sometimes
brain-busting headaches the next morning.

He’d become an expert at taking a shower without getting the
right foot soaked with water. After slipping on clean cargo pants and
short-sleeve blue shirt, he wheeled down to the sunroom. He still preferred the
wheelchair for mobility in the hospital, although he felt more like a “man”
when he used the crutches. He thought, I’ve got to get better and get out of
this hospital. The walls are beginning to close in on me. Maybe I should’ve
been cooperating better with the hospital staff. Who knows, I could have
already been out of the hospital by now?

Selena’s door was still closed, but Rachel had assured him,
“not to worry, everything is normal.” But what the hell is “normal” supposed to
mean for someone who is dying? Probably some kind of secret hospital code for
appeasing anyone asking questions, he thought. Hospitals are no place to get
well. Being here really screws with your mind.

After sitting in the sunroom alone for a while, he was ready
to return to his room, when the young man, with a couple of college books
wandered in and took a seat in a chair against the wall, flipping open the book
titled
Advanced Biomedical Statistics
. Roscoe had noticed him before.

He had clean cut blonde hair, blue eyes, with a face that
Roscoe knew would be popular with the girls. He wore khaki pants with a white
hospital coat, and an ID card clipped to the coat.

Roscoe became curious when he noticed him looking in the
direction of Selena’s room. His alarm bells went off, thinking, not another
creep after Selena. I’d better check this out.

He said, “Nice day out there.”

The guy looked up, smiled. “Sure is.” He pointed, “How’s
your foot feeling today? Any better after your latest bump-up?”

“How’d you know about all that?”

“I’m Trevor Drake, one of the Hospital Lab Technicians. I
did your blood work in the lab.” He chuckled. “I know lots of stuff on most of
the patients.”

Becoming extremely interested, Roscoe said, “I’m Roscoe
Fallington, but you probably already know that. What are you pursuing in
college?”

“Good to meet you Mr. Fallington, although I’ve already met
you “in the test tube.” He laughed as he put quotes in the air with his hands.
“Supposed to graduate with an associate degree from Asheville-Buncombe
Technical Community College, and hoping to springboard on a scholarship to a
four-year campus for some advanced work.” He paused a few seconds. “I should
end up with a degree in BMET, Biomedical Equipment Technician, and MLT, Medical
Lab Technologist.

“The college is giving me a hard time over two degrees,
saying I didn’t follow all the rules.” He shook his head. “They weren’t paying
attention, while I was loading up on every course I could day and night, online
and campus.”

Trevor looked toward Selena’s door. His brow wrinkled.

“Just curious why I see you on this floor so much? Where’s
the lab?”

“Lab’s on the first floor. I come up here when I take my
break, but sometimes I come in early and read before I go to work. It’s usually
quiet up here in the sunroom.”

Roscoe asked, “Do you know Selena?”

“We went to the same high school. I’m two years ahead of
her. She’s really a nice person. How do you know her?”

Roscoe considered telling Trevor that he was her uncle, but
decided against that approach. It probably wouldn’t work on this whiz-kid, he
thought. “We met in the sunroom here. I agree, she’s a terrific person.”

“She was going with me to the Senior Prom two years ago, but
she was in the hospital at the last minute.” Trevor shook his head, as he
looked again toward Selena’s room.

Roscoe took the risk. “What exactly is her health problem?”

Trevor cut his eyes back at Roscoe. “Can’t discuss any
patient’s private medical information. Against the rules.”

Roscoe nodded. He’d heard that one enough around here.

Trevor spoke. “She’s probably going to win the English award
at graduation this year. Some of her writing was printed in the high school
newspaper. She’s really smart.”

“Selena’s been telling me about her novel she’s working on.
I haven’t read that much, but she’s got me hooked.” Roscoe chuckled.

Trevor studied him a long moment. “You ever meet her mom?”

“No.

“You’d like her too. She’s—”

He grabbed for his phone, listening, gathering his books.
“Emergency. Got to run. This is the kind of day I like. Hospital drama,
intrigue, puzzles and problems to figure out, lives to save…” He spun around.
“Tell Selena I’m thinking of her. Catch you later, Mr. Fallington.” He was gone
in a flash, white lab coat flapping.

So much for that. Still don’t know a damn bit more about
Selena’s condition, than I did a hundred years ago, he thought, as he rolled
back to his room.

He watched the 6:30 news, and then clicked off the remote.
He was restless but didn’t know what to do about it. He’d checked his email on
his Tablet, throughout the day, but no messages from Selena. With her door
closed, he didn’t feel comfortable phoning her. He sulked in his frustration.
He was used to knowing stuff, when he wanted to know it. He thought, I’ve had
to make a hell of a lot of adjustments since being in this damn hospital. Need
a Starbucks ride for attitude adjustment.

A clatter of high heels sounded in the hall. He listened.
They were approaching his room and slowing. He looked up at the smiling faces
of Mindy, Roxy, and Jasmine. “Almost in unison they said, “Hi, how’re you
feeling?”

Surprised by their visit and their business attire, he
stammered, “Better…now that y’all are here.”

 “Don’t get any ideas, D.R., you’re in no shape for monkey
business,” said Jasmine.

There was laughter.

“The three of you look very…professional. How’s work?”

“Hard, but we’re learning lots, and enjoying every day,
aren’t we?” Roxy looked at her two co-blondes.

Both nodded.

Mindy said, “We’re earning our way now, and feel good about
it.”

“Good, good. Glad to hear that.” He was beginning to feel
uncomfortable with the conversation, not sure where it was headed, but he sure
as hell couldn’t escape.

Jasmine looked at the other two, before saying, “We just
wanted to stop by and wish you well and tell you that we don’t have any hard
feelings toward you, but we think it’s best for us not to be intimate
girlfriends and boyfriend with you in the future. We all agree that we had fun
with you, but we are more career-minded now, and need to think about our future
as grown-up women. We want to remain friends with you, but not…intimate.”