Vandy 6.
“Where did you come up with the name Arlo?” I ask an open-ended question, hoping to elicit more than a grunt or one word response from the giant sitting next to me. We’ve just left Arlo’s appointment, and I’d say it went well. Though, it was clear Tevye is still unsure about so much of Arlo’s condition and requirements. Don’t get me wrong, he’s done his research, but based on the doctor’s response to Tevye’s presence, I’m gonna hazard a guess that Tevye hasn’t been very involved in Arlo’s life. Despite being his sole parent, Tev has allowed his parents and sister to handle so much of Arlo’s needs. He’s trying and I am in no position to judge him; I barely know him or what he’s been through.
All I know is that Arlo is the sweetest little boy and with a few tweaks here and there, he should live a long and fulfilling life. And a large part of me really wants to be there to see it.
I receive holiday cards and updates from previous clients, and I love seeing little glimpses of their lives now that they have found their footing. But Arlo…and Tevye, dammit if I don’t want more than just a glimpse. I want a front row seat for the whole epic movie.
The growly grunting giant is growing on me. And I’m not sure how I feel about it.
“Didn’t,” he says, shifting in the driver’s seat of the SUV. “She’d already named him.”
“Did…” I can’t believe I’m about to ask this, but I want to know more. “Did you love her?” I don’t expect him to laugh so hard tears form under his ridiculously long eyelashes. My face heats in embarrassment at his reaction…and maybe a little anger. “Ok, so that’s a no.” I mutter, turning in my seat to face out the passenger window.
“That’s a fuck no. Never loved anybody, woman.”
Well, now that’s interesting. “You love your sister and your parents, right? Seril’s husband?”
He shrugs; his eyes laser-focused on the road. “One doesn’t ‘love’ Tovah…you resign yourself to a lifetime of forced proximity with the devil’s representative on earth.”
“She can’t be that bad.” He laughs again, not quite as hard.
“Right. Give it time.” He chews on the inside of his cheek. Reluctantly, he shares, “I don’t want any of them to hurt. Or die.”
“Sounds like love to me,” I joke, chuckling at the frown he aims briefly my way.
“How about you? You ever love anyone? Some pissant in high school who rocked your world with 3 inches for 3 seconds in the backseat of his mom’s car?”
I clear my throat awkwardly, my hands suddenly quite fascinating in my lap. “I wasn’t in love, but I really liked him…for a while. And I think it was more than 3 inches.”
“If you aren’t sure…it probably wasn’t.” He smirks. “Did you at least cum?”
“Tevye! That is very personal.”
“So?” He shakes his head with a light chuckle. “Never mind, your reaction is a no.”
“Not every woman is capable of…uh…achieving climax during penetrative intercourse.”
“Fuck,” he groans, eyeing me a few times. “Didn’t know I had a nurse kink. You got one of them white hats?”
“Yeah, and a rectal thermometer!”
“I’ve had a few fingers, a couple toys, and a Persian cucumber. Never a thermometer.” I nearly choke on my spit. I can’t believe he just put it all out there like that. “Ha! Your face is so red!”
I sniff haughtily, smoothing out my wrinkleless pants. “This conversation has gotten off track—What’s a Persian cucumber?”
His toothy smile fills his eyes with mirth and it’s a sight to behold. He’s so damn handsome. “Persian cucumbers are typically skinnier and shorter than the cucumbers you normally find in our grocery stores.”
I smile to myself as a retort sticks to my tongue. Oh, what the hell, this is kind of fun. “So, you went with the Persian because the American is too much for even a big guy like you?”
We pull into the long driveway of the family compound and I’m sad to realize our time together is almost over. He parks in the roundabout in the front of the estate. “Why don’t you try my American cucumber and tell me if you prefer Pissant Pete’s Persian cucumber instead.” Tev is inches from my face, his unique eye color mesmerizing up close. The heat of his body surrounds me despite the SUV console between us.
I whisper, “His name was Logan.” Tev’s grin becomes predatory. My self-preservation finally kicks in and I snap back, fumbling with my seatbelt and the door. Fresh air fills the interior, washing over my face and grounding me. His laughter follows me, and I hate how much I like the sound. He opens the back door and pulls Arlo out of his car seat. The little guy is conked out. I don’t blame him; he had blood and urine tests performed plus a full physical exam.
I force myself to be an adult, walking to the front of the SUV as Tev comes around from the other side. “Thank you for today.”
His brow wrinkles, “What?”
“I enjoyed spending time with Arlo…and you.” I rub Arlo’s back, smiling when he sighs in his sleep. “Speaking to his doctor gave me a better insight into what he requires. I’ll have a plan put together for you shortly.” He frowns for just a second before his lips straighten and his posture stiffens. I don’t know what I did or said but something upset him.
“Of course. See you soon, Nurse Gibbs.”
He stomps off and I stare at him with my jaw dropped, unsure what just happened. He doesn’t look at me again, just pushes through the front door and disappears down the hall. Devorah stares after him, shakes her head, and looks at me with a slow smile. She waves cheerily, then slowly closes the front door.
My car is parked off to the side. I get in, start the engine, fiddle with my radio until my favorite playlist on my phone is blasting through the speakers, then I…sit. I can’t bring myself to shift and drive away. Something flashed in his eyes just before he walked away. Irritation? Disappointment? I don’t know. And I’m afraid it is going to haunt me until I can make heads or tails of it.