5. Violet
VIOLET
“Mommy, can’t Dr. Waterhouse come over for supper?
” It was their third appointment with him, and by now Tanya had developed a firm friendship with him and she didn’t understand why he couldn’t also see them outside of appointments.
Ever since the night he had dropped her off, Violet felt a giddy joy whenever she thought about him, which she did constantly.
She knew she had a crush on him and she knew it was a hopeless crush; as a result, she remained cool and aloof through their appointments and now here was Tanya inviting him to their home!
“Sweetheart, I’m sure he has a lot of things to do,” she threw an embarrassed smile his way and mouthed the words ‘I’m sorry’ before she turned back to Tanya. “He needs to help a lot of people you know.”
“Sick kids like me?”
Jeremy saved her from answering the question by replying to Tanya, “I’m actually not that busy for the rest of the day, so if your mommy will have me I would love to come for supper.”
“You don’t have to do that, Dr. Waterhouse,” Violet protested. “Tanya understands that you can’t just go and visit with your patients in their homes. Don’t you, Tanya?”
Her sad expression and downcast eyes were answer enough.
“I really don’t mind, Violet,” he replied, she had no way of knowing how much he wanted to spend more time with her and how puzzled he was by her unfriendly behavior.
“I enjoy spending time with…with Tanya and I have no other patients for the rest of the day. I was planning on heading home early myself.”
Unable to see any other way out of it, Violet reluctantly agreed. Even though she told herself it was a simple dinner and that he was just humoring a childish wish, she couldn’t help but feel that something much bigger was at play here.
“Give me a few minutes to wrap up and I’ll drive you gals home.” He leaned down and tweaked Tanya’s nose. She giggled and scrunched up her nose.
“Actually, Dr. Waterhouse, I drove here with my own car so…”
“I can meet you at your house then.”
“Okay. I’ll head out with Tanya now, you can come when you’re ready,” she said, thinking it would give her a few minutes head start to ensure the place was decently clean and to make sure there was actually something good to make for supper. Had she even bought groceries the past week?
A quick search through the fridge and freezer revealed a frozen lasagna she had made two weeks ago.
She popped it into the oven and went over the tiny living room with the vacuum.
Her eyes scanned the shabby furniture and she sighed; one look at this place and the doctor would run for the hills, she was sure.
Twenty minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. She opened it to find Jeremy standing there, armed with a cake.
“The least I could do is bring dessert,” he explained.
“Thank you.” Violet ushered him into the living room and disappeared into the kitchen.
She heard Tanya chatting with him as she set the table.
Once everything was done, she joined them in the living room.
Neither one of them said much, they both focused all their energy into playing with Tanya but she could feel his eyes on her often, and twice their fingers accidentally made contact, sending shocks of desire through Violet’s body.
They had just sat down to eat when there was another knock on the door. It was Violet’s best friend, Debra.
“I thought I would pop in and say hello,” she said in her loud, booming voice before noticing Jeremy, “Oh, you have company, never mind.”
Violet pounced on her gratefully, “No, no, you must stay and have dinner with us.” She dragged her into the kitchen and sat her at the table, not giving her a chance to say no.
Debra, who had an uncanny ability to put everyone at ease, soon dispelled the tension between Jeremy and Violet. They were soon laughing and talking easily again. After dinner, Debra insisted on putting Tanya to bed while Violet cleaned up but she refused to stay for coffee.
“I need to get home. But why don’t you sit down with the doctor while I make you the coffee.
” She practically pushed them both out to the living room while she served the coffee.
Five minutes later she left, leaving Jeremy and Violet completely alone together.
They drank their coffee silently and Violet was grateful when Jeremy got to his feet soon after.
“I should head home too. Thank you for a pleasant evening,” he said politely.
She nodded and saw him to the door.
“Goodnight, Jeremy,” she said and was about to close the door but something in his eyes made her heart start to beat faster. She could have sworn he was going to kiss her but instead he smiled at her.
“Goodnight.” And with that he was gone.