4. Jeremy
JEREMY
When Jeremy entered the room, he almost paused in the doorway taken aback by how young and attractive the mother was.
When he had read Tanya’s file, he had imagined a middle-aged black woman with tired eyes, calloused hands and a drawn face.
Typical of single mothers who lived in that area of the city.
He knew it was unfair and stereotypical, but as a doctor he had come to expect stereotypes.
Instead he was confronted with a curvy, breathtakingly beautiful woman with full sensual lips and intelligent, warm, honey-colored eyes.
She was wearing a simple white dress, which showed off glowing, mocha-colored skin.
As he introduced himself, he held out his hand, something he never did.
But he was possessed by an irrational need to touch her.
She murmured a hello, he stared into her eyes for a moment, they were filled with concern and questions but he could imagine them sparkling and shining with laughter.
It was with some difficulty he tore himself away from her gaze and turned his attention to the little girl next to her.
“So this must be Tanya.” He said. Within seconds, he had himself under control and proceeded with the appointment in a cool, matter-of-fact way. They went over Tanya’s history and he scheduled her for several tests.
“Once I get all the results of the tests, we’ll decide on the best course of action for treating her.”
“What’s the worst case scenario?” Violet asked hesitantly.
“Best case, this can be treated with some medications, and worse case, we’ll discuss it if we get there. Heart murmurs are very common in children and a hole in the heart is treatable nowadays.” He turned back to Tanya and smiled at her, “She’s a strong little girl.”
Tanya beamed back at him, she had taken an instant liking to this doctor. Once they had left, Jeremy looked over the file again and added his own notes. He was already looking forward to seeing them again.
The following Saturday as promised, Jeremy put on a tux, grudgingly looped a bow tie around his neck and set out for the charity gala.
When he arrived, his parents were already there and the gala was in full swing.
The hall was tastefully decorated with expensive flowers and a coordinated lighting scheme.
Fine china graced the tables, a live band had been set up in one corner.
He looked at the glittering couples drinking champagne and he shook his head ruefully.
Rather than spend all this money throwing a lavish ‘fundraiser’, why not donate it instead?
His mother would argue galas were designed to attract rich people so they could make bigger contributions.
Taking out his checkbook, Jeremy wrote out a check for a sizeable sum of money and was just tearing it out when his mother arrived, dressed impeccably in black velvet and diamonds.
She was arm in arm with a tall, stunning blonde woman.
“Jeremy, darling! You’ve made it at last, we were getting worried about you.”
“Hello, Mother.” He kissed her cheek fondly; no matter how much she aggravated him, he loved her dearly.
Her dark eyes fell on the check in his hand and lit up, “You’re making a donation I see.
That’s very generous of you, sweetheart,” she turned to the blonde next to her, “I was just telling Venetia here what a big heart you have. You remember me mentioning Venetia don’t you?
The Weinmans’ daughter,” she added pointedly.
Jeremy sighed, could his mother be making this more obvious? He forced himself to smile and nod at her politely. “Hello.” He said holding out his hand.
But Venetia ignored the hand and reached over for a kiss instead. He kissed her perfumed cheek and stepped back. “Jeremy! I’ve heard so much about you,” she said in a husky, breathy voice.
“Oh look!” his mother exclaimed, “Someone I have to say hello to, I’ll leave you kids be.” Beaming from ear to ear, his mother hurried away leaving behind an awkward silence.
“Lovely to meet you,” he said politely. His mother hadn’t been wrong; Venetia was extremely beautiful and, judging by the look on her face, she was well aware of how attractive she was.
Jeremy immediately felt turned off. It was an unfair conclusion to assume she would be like Julia.
Jeremy's first love who had hurt him, and caused more pain than he thought would be possible.But Jeremy couldn’t help the comparison.
She too had carried herself in exactly that same self-satisfied, arrogant manner expecting the world to fall at her feet and worship the ground she walked on.
But to walk away now would be the height of rudeness and at the very least he owed her the benefit of the doubt. Forcing a smile on his face he asked her, “So how are you enjoying the evening?”
“Oh I’m having a marvelous time. It’s been a while since I’ve been among proper civilization again so it’s like a breath of fresh air.”
“Have you been travelling a lot?”
“Building houses in Africa. You know, doing my little bit to help the world and all that jazz.”
Jeremy felt a flicker of respect and interest for her, anyone who wanted to help the under-privileged couldn’t be all that bad. “Is that a passion of yours or do you work for some organization?”
“Jeremy, would you mind terribly if we continued our conversation out in the garden? It’s so hot and crowded here, I would love some clean air.”
“Of course.” He offered her his arm and she linked hers through his. They walked across the ballroom and towards the open French doors, which led out to a garden.
Once outside he repeated his question about her volunteer work.
She laughed and shook her head vigorously, “Oh God no, I got roped into it because this guy I was seeing was going. And then it was too late to back out. Not that it wasn’t a great experience, it really was and I’m glad I did it. But I wouldn’t go back.”
“I see. Well I’m glad it was an enjoyable experience nonetheless.”
Venetia shrugged her slim, fair shoulders, “It was definitely an experience,” she sidled a little closer to Jeremy and coyly batted her lashes at him giving him a demure smile, “but what I really want to do is settle down and take good care of my man. I think every man needs a dutiful, supportive wife, don’t you agree? ”
Her meaning was unmistakable and Jeremy was appalled to find himself in this situation, good grief would she propose marriage to him next?!
“Ummm I haven’t really thought about it,” he said taking a step back.
“Well surely you must be thinking about it. A handsome, rich doctor like you…life must get lonely, no?”
“Not really, no. My work keeps me pretty busy.” He deliberately looked at his watch and took another step back, “Anyways, I really…”
But Venetia took two steps towards him and placed her hand firmly on his arm, “All work and no play can’t be very healthy, you know.” She giggled and gave him a teasing smile, “And I thought you were a doctor. It’s a beautiful night, is it not? So romantic.”
Ignoring her words, he removed her hand from his arm. Rude or not, he couldn’t continue this anymore and used the one excuse no one could ever argue with, “I’m sorry, you’ll have to forgive me, Venetia, but I have an emergency to take care off at the hospital and I have to run.”
Her eyes flashed with irritation but she quickly covered it up with a pretty pout and grabbed his phone out of his hand. In a few rapid strokes she had put her number in his phone, “You owe me a dance Jeremy. I’ll be expecting your call this week.”
She reached over and slipped his phone into his jacket pocket, pressing herself seductively against his lean, hard body, she brushed her lips over his and whispered, “Call me.”
Without responding, Jeremy stepped away from her and hurried out of the garden and across the ballroom. He considered looking for his parents to tell them he was leaving, but fearing that might give Venetia the chance to catch up to him again, he left.
The cool air of the night was a welcome change and he took in a deep breath trying to get rid of Venetia’s overpowering scent still lingering around him.
If all women were like Venetia then his mother may as well give up all hope of grandchildren.
Or maybe he had been out of the dating game for so long he didn’t know how to play it anymore.
But surely they couldn’t all be like Julia or Venetia… could they?
He thought back to another woman he had met earlier that week, his new little patient’s mother. Ms. Lewis, he couldn’t remember her first name. He had been impressed by how loving and gentle she was with her daughter. Something told him she wasn’t like the Venetias of the world.
No doubt his mother would call first thing in the morning to pick his brain about Venetia; she would not be happy at him leaving so abruptly, and he wasn’t looking forward to telling her he had no connection or any chemistry with her.
He sincerely hoped he wouldn’t have to attend anything else any time soon.
His stomach growled loudly, a reminder that he last ate almost seven hours ago.
He looked around and saw a café across the street.
He hurried across the street and decided to grab a quick sandwich before heading home.
He paid for his food and started walking towards the tables looking for an empty one when he bumped into a woman carrying a bottle of water.
“Oh I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed as she bent down to pick up the bottle she had dropped on the floor.
“No, no, it’s my fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” He apologized as he too knelt down to grab the same bottle. Their fingers grazed as they both grabbed the bottle at the same time.
With neither one letting go, they both got up at the same time, hands still wrapped around the bottle. Violet smiled at the silly sight and laughed lightly. “Thank you for your help, Doctor.”
As Jeremy released his grip, he looked at her and realized she was the woman he had just been thinking about.“You’re Tanya’s mother,” he said
“Yes, I’m Violet.”
“Ah that’s right, I knew it was something floral.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing, I’m just talking to myself.”
An awkward silence fell between them. Jeremy knew he should just excuse himself and leave, but for some reason he didn’t want her to think he was rude or abrupt, yet he could think of nothing remotely interesting to say.
He saw her eyes stray towards exit sign, before she could open her mouth to say she had to go, he said, “Your daughter is an enchanting little girl.”
Violet’s eyes lit up immediately at the praise, “She’s my whole world. She really liked you,” Violet added almost shyly.
“Kids usually do, parents not so much.” Jeremy added dryly.
“I like you.” Her face flushed immediately in embarrassment.
Her candid response took Jeremy by surprise, he was forever being told by his nurses his manner with parents was too brisk and they didn’t feel they could approach him or be friendly with him. He realized he was pleased that she didn’t dislike him.
“I should let you get back to her, I’ve kept you occupied long enough,” he said, not wishing to embarrass her any further.
“Oh it’s no trouble, I was just about to head home.”
“Me too,” he lied. “Let me drop you off at home.”
“No, no I couldn’t.”
“It’s not a problem at all, Ms. Lewis, please, it’s the least I can do for being so rude earlier.”
“I would hate to keep you from your evening.” She gestured to his suit.
He held out the sandwich he had just bought, “My evening is done. I was going to eat on my way home.”
“Are you sure it won’t be a bother?”
“It won’t be a bother at all,” he assured her, wondering even as he said the words why he was insisting so much.
She would think he was behaving in a very bizarre and unprofessional manner.
But somehow he didn’t like the idea of her making her way home by herself so late at night.
Which was such a weird feeling to experience he didn’t even bother to try and deconstruct it.
After thinking about it for a few more seconds, Violet finally relented, “If you’re certain it’s no trouble.”
“If you don’t mind walking a few minutes to the car?” he said in response, remembering at that moment that the car was still in the valet parking lot.
“Not at all.”
They headed out and walked the two blocks to the hotel quietly.
The attendant brought out his car quickly.
The car ride began in silence but they were soon talking comfortably, the darkness surrounding them added an element of intimacy and anonymity.
They found out surprising things about each other.
By the time Jeremy dropped Violet off at home and headed back to his condo across the city, it was very late.
When he had left the party, he had been feeling tired and drained but his run in with Violet had turned an unpleasant evening into a surprisingly happy one.
As Jeremy drifted off to sleep, his final thought was how enchanting Violet had looked bathed in the glow of the moonlight and how he couldn’t wait to see her again.