Sinner Chapter 3 #2
“I have good news. Nothing appears to be broken. However, I can tell there is misalignment in your spine and hips. Likely caused or worsened by the impact. I’d like to do a physical exam and then attempt to realign you.
It will likely take more than one session.
Once out of proper position, it can take a few attempts to realign the joints and bones.
You’ve only been this way a couple of days, which is good.
The body hasn’t grown used to it. If you’ve been this way for weeks or more, it makes it harder to maintain.
Those sorts of patients become regular ones. ”
When she paused, I jumped in. “You know best. Just tell me what to do.”
“Good. I need you to lie on your stomach on the table. Place your face in the center of the headrest. I’ll press around, so if it gets too uncomfortable, tell me. I’ll warn you before I realign something. You may hear snapping sounds or feel things shift. Don’t panic. That’s normal.”
I got into position. As I lay there, she kept up a steady conversation.
“You said you were referred to me. May I ask by whom?”
“One of my employees’ aunts sings your praises. Jesse gave me your name and number.”
“Oh, really. Do you know which patient? I’ll have to tell her thank you.”
“Irma Washington,” I replied.
“Ah, Irma, she’s so sweet. She’s been coming to me for a couple of years.”
“How long have you been doing this?” I asked. I was attempting to figure out how old she was.
“Four years altogether, but having my own practice, two years. I wasn’t able to afford to go straight into independent practice when I graduated, so I worked in an office that employed a handful of chiropractors.”
She paused as she began pressing along my back. I tried to hold in my hiss of discomfort but couldn’t.
“Sorry, I’m trying to be gentle,” she said.
“It’s okay. Do what you have to do?”
She hit more spots that made me groan or hiss. Some hurt worse than others. She started at my shoulders and worked her way to the top of my thighs.
“Alright, you’re tight, and I’m going to do a combination of massage and acupressure to loosen the muscles before I start any manipulation. What I need from you is for you to relax as much as you can. Try not to tense.”
“Go for it,” I replied.
By the time she finished, I appreciated what she had done and wanted to come back.
The manipulations and massage had seemed to have helped.
She gave me instructions for what to do at home and recommended that I come back this week, either Thursday or Friday.
I assured her I would after I thanked her.
I was the last patient, so she walked me to the front desk.
As Morgana checked me out and scheduled my next appointment, I kept things polite.
I wished them a good week. They returned the sentiment, and then I left.
However, on the ride home, I wondered if my desire to return was more to relieve my pain or to see Dr. Shah. That question took root and stuck with me. I had a feeling it wouldn’t diminish anytime soon.
?
Hanging up, I let the satisfied grin crease my face.
Another contract finalized. This one would bring us income for the next three years.
Certain companies retained us to work with them on a variety of developments, not just for disaster rescues.
And to ensure we’d be available when needed, they paid my company an annual retainer.
The longer the contract term, the better the price.
It was simple business economics. I’d been courting this particular client for the past two years.
They’d seen what happened in the mine, and that had been what decided things for them.
The CEO had called me yesterday and then followed up today.
The contract would be finalized and sent to them by Friday.
Not wanting to delay, I typed up the email I’d send to my head of contracts. She’d make sure it was done quickly.
Ten minutes later, I had completed the draft and sent it.
To celebrate, I got up and went to my coffeemaker.
Popping in a K-cup, I hit brew. I stood there, inhaling the scent of robust coffee filling the air and the cup, while I stared out the window.
It was sunny, and the people and vehicles bustled along below.
It was three o’clock in the afternoon. In an hour or two, most would be headed home for the night.
Picking up the cup after the brewing was done, I took a sip.
Mmm, that’s what I needed. I was a pure black coffee kind of guy.
I had barely swallowed when I was interrupted before I could take a second swallow.
Rowan breezed into my office. He barely slowed down to rap twice on the door with his knuckles before continuing inside.
“It’s customary to knock and wait to be invited inside,” I told him, resuming my seat.
“I’m your brother,” he replied.
I hiked up an eyebrow. “Annnnd,” I drawled.
“Come on, Reign, don’t do that. I know you have to act that way when others are around, but they’re not. Besides, if you don’t want anyone in here, you should close the door.”
I refused to remind him that it had never deterred him, either. I was tired and hurting too much to argue. I changed the topic.
“What brings you to my office, Ro?” I asked.
“I heard DeMonte & Sons Enterprises called back. How did it go? Did we get the contract? If so, for how long?” He dropped into a chair and watched me expectantly. He seemed excited, which was unusual for him.
“Mr. DeMonte Sr. and I just got off the phone about twenty minutes ago. He agreed to the terms, and I sent the specs over to contracts two minutes ago. It’s for three years with an option to extend. He met my price.”
Rowan clapped his hands together, rubbed them, and grinned. “Great! That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“Why’re you so happy about it? Contracts aren’t your area,” I pointed out.
“They might not be, but they impact everyone. Hey, I wanted to ask. I need a favor.”
There it was—the reason. He always had something that he wanted when he began a sentence with “I wanted to ask.”
“What is it this time?” I asked, trying not to sound weary.
“It’s nothing big. With DeMonte as a client, you won’t even notice,” my brother assured me.
I said nothing and waited. When he realized I was waiting, he sighed and made his pitch.
“I’ve been working here for two years. And the company keeps growing. I think in order to maintain the appropriate appearances, I should make a change.”
“And what exact change would that be?” I asked dryly.
“A new wardrobe and car in line with my status as the owner’s brother and successor,” Rowan stated bluntly.
I choked on my coffee. It took a few seconds of coughing to clear my throat enough to speak. I stared at him in disbelief while he looked smug.
“Status? Successor?” I croaked.
“Well, yeah. Look, you’re single, Reign.
You have no girlfriend, wife, or kids. And at this rate, based on the way you never date, it’s not happening.
That means I’m your heir. I’ll inherit the company.
And since that’s the case, I should dress better, have a nicer vehicle, and move into a senior position.
It doesn’t look right for me to be a regular grunt. ”
I’d heard enough. I set down my cup. “Rowan, you are my brother, but that doesn’t mean I’ll place you in a senior management role.
Those are earned through experience and time, not because of nepotism.
You skate along at your job within the company.
You come in late, leave early, and only put in enough effort to qualify for your name to be added to projects.
And the bulk of the work is done by others, not you. ”
Rowan frowned, then he made his excuse. “Well, that might be true, but it’s only because the work is beneath me. I can do more. I need to be stimulated to produce my best work.”
“So having a paycheck isn’t enough stimulation?” I asked.
He waved his hand dismissively in the air. “It’s not like that here, and you know it. I’m your brother. No one expects me to do basic work. I’ve let it go for two years, but it’s time to announce your successor and my promotion in the ranks. I think Vice President makes sense.”
He paused. I wanted him to hang himself fully. I kept my hands below the top of the desk so he couldn’t see how I clenched them. When I said nothing, he continued.