18. Private conversations
PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS
“Idon’t enjoy our conversations broadcasted.” I hissed at Lucas as I clutched his phone, the caller ID one I wasn’t particularly fond of as ‘Karter’ disappeared as the call ended.
Lucas just shrugged, as if he couldn’t have been bothered to be less obvious, and yet there was a ghost of a smile on his face.
“Well if he wasn’t contemplating his actions, he sure is now. Best if we continue the course.” He spoke as the wand of the ultrasound glided across my belly.
“That whole doctor - patient confidentiality means jack-shit to you huh?” I asked as my fingers locked around the crisp linen sheet I rested on.
“I thought we knew each other better,” he replied. It was an answer without an answer, and I gritted my teeth. Maybe I was thinking about this the wrong way.
“Why does someone who does clinical research for dementia patients happen to have an ultrasound machine anyways? What’s with the woman over there?
” I threw my head over to a woman who appeared to be medically sedated or in some kind of coma; the machine beeped steadily to her pulse.
There were bandages wrapped around her head, covering her eye; a bit of a cast poked out from her covers.
I could only venture to guess what other things this woman was recovering from.
Her hair was neatly braided off to one side, which struck me as odd.
She seemed asleep, but I knew it to be a forced sleep, as her breaths were controlled by a ventilator.
“Someone’s been doing her homework,” he mused, pressing a bit harder in a section of my belly.
I batted his hand away, and he withdrew.
“I’ll answer your question with a question.
” He paused, “Would the answer change your mind about me?” The calm response without any doubt always infuriated me, as if he had skill in just how to get under my skin.
“Not really, but call it professional curiosity.” I shrugged as he entered a bit more data on the screen, and I wiped my stomach down.
“As you should know little tiger, I come prepared for everything. Her name is Casey, she has become a pet project of mine as of late. Are we proceeding with the procedure?”He was typing something on the computer.
“Ah the famous doll making?” I slid off the exam table, walking towards the woman who seemed strangely familiar, but I couldn’t place her. I felt his hand grip my arm before I could come within five feet of the woman. Staring into his cold green eyes, he gave me a warning shake of his head.
“Leave my things alone and we won’t have a problem.” Lucas’s voice was a low, threatening sound. A smile danced on my lips as I contemplated my words.
“She seems lonely? Do you sing to her like you did the young girls back then?” His lips parted, some unspoken thought, and then he corrected his features.
Something about the woman made my stomach tighten, and I glanced back before staring at Lucas.
There was a sickening moment of violence that flashed in his eyes.
I knew it was playing with fire, trudging up our past like that.
We were, of course, a different kind of creature back then.
Two people surviving in a world meant for destruction.
“Get out Mrs. Summers.” He forcefully walked me through the doors of his facility and deposited me on the street.
“Always a pleasure doctor.” I mock-saluted as I clicked the beeper on my car keys. A creeping thought nagged its way through my brain. A girl. Would I be able to care for this one? Would she grow up with a loving sister?