4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Kevin
I was roused by an incessant knock on my door, more like someone was doing a tap dance on it with their knuckles. I checked my alarm; it was barely past midnight. Only one person in the entire house was capable of such a disturbance—Lexie.
I reached for my walking cane and hobbled toward the door. Why was she here at this time? I pulled the door open, and she sashayed in as if she hadn’t just interrupted my sleep at such an ungodly hour. I just knew it.
“Lexie, what's the matter? Are you having trouble sleeping?” I was not pleased at all but concerned nonetheless. Going back to bed after an interrupted sleep was always a hassle.
Some nights when Lexie was much younger, she would sneak into my room and crawl into my bed when there was a storm or when she couldn’t fall asleep. But that was years ago, and there was no storm tonight either, so what’s the occasion?
“Sorry, I woke you up, but I needed to talk to you about something very important. Probably then, I can rest peacefully,” she stated calmly.
I surmised that whatever the matter might be must be dire and couldn’t wait till morning, so I dragged myself to the double couch directly facing Lexie, who was perched on the footboard bench.
“I’m all ears.”
She took a deep breath. “It’s about Licia.” She was studying my expression.
Corking my brows, I leaned forward, putting my weight on the cane. “What about her?” I was really curious.
“She’s so cool, and I like her. Please, tell me you are going to win her back?” She folded her hands like she was saying a prayer, rubbing them together.
I sniggered. “Lexie, let me get this straight. You came all the way from your room to mine, by…” I turned to look at the glowing bedside digital clock “...12:27 am to tell me to get back with Licia?”
This girl was unbelievable.
She nodded without any hesitation. “Yes. Wasn’t she your girlfriend far back in high school? I remember seeing her around the house… but she's changed so much. She's a lot more beautiful than I remember.” She rattled, a grin on her face.
“‘Was’, Lexie… was. It means it is in the past. Besides, who said she isn’t dating someone else by now or at best, married? Have you thought about that?”
Lexie and I usually talked about everything since it was just the two of us, irrespective of our age difference. But talking about Licia or better still having her drill me on the matter and play fairy godmother by this time was just unacceptable.
“She isn’t married, Kevin and neither is she dating anyone.” Lexie claimed, with every ounce of seriousness she could display.
I felt relief wash over me. If I was being honest with myself, the thought that she possibly belonged to another gnawed away at my heart, and I secretly prayed she wasn’t.
I needn’t get ahead of myself though. “And how do you know this, detective Lexie?” I probed.
“Halfmoon Bay is a small town, bro. And it hasn't changed in the time you've been away. Everyone knows what's going on with everyone. Besides, have you seen her with a wedding ring?”
“You know it’s not everyone that wears their wedding bands, right? And who is to say she isn't seeing someone quietly?”
he shook her head sadly. “Let me break it down for you. We girls, we talk. So, Licia and I are cool…”
“Okay… so how does that translate to her being single?”
“I indirectly asked her about her relationship status the other day, and it might interest you to know that she’s single.” She kicked about excitedly, clapping her hands together.
“I see.” Pretending that I didn’t appreciate the insight.
“So what’s the plan?” She enquired innocently, after the euphoric display.
I feigned ignorance. “What plan?”
“Have I been talking to a brick wall all along? The plan to get Licia back, of course.”
“Oh, that plan? I don’t have any yet, sweetheart.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you need my help? I can put in a good word for you.”
“No. Stay out of it, Lexie. Let the adults handle their issues.”
“If you say so, but then let me tell you this for free…” She leaned in, covering the corner of her mouth like she was whispering.
“I think Dr. Henshaw likes her.”
“Lexie!?”
“Just saying…” She surrendered with a shrug.
“I have seen the way he looks at her and always offers to help her do stuff. He is completely enamored by her, and he is a fine dude.” She said with a mischievous smirk.
As much as I just wanted to shut my little sister up and bundle her out of my room, I couldn't help the jealousy that stirred in my heart. I suddenly felt possessive of Licia. If Lexie was trying to cajole me into action, it was definitely working.
“So, don’t wait forever to make things right or you might lose her,” Lexie submitted, pulling me away from my thoughts.
“I have heard you. Can I go back to sleep now?”
“Is that all you can say?” She asked, pretending to be hurt.
I played along. “I never asked for the information, did I? What would you have me say?”
She hissed, “How is it that I am related to you, again?”
“You'll have to ask mom and dad.”
Lexie shook her head. “I don't know what to do with you.” She let out a sigh.
“I need to retire to bed. I have a long practice after school tomorrow.”
She rose to leave and I followed behind.
“Good night, Lexie. One more thing…”
She turned back.
“What?”
“Thank you, princess. You are a darling.”
She flashed me a wide grin. “Anytime, big bro.”
I took some time to ponder on what Lexie said. I had seen her take a strong liking to Licia in the last couple of days. It was always Licia this or Licia that.
They always talked and laughed like they had no cares in the world, and I envied that. I wanted to be that free with Licia once again, but first, there were bridges to mend.
***
The next morning, Licia pulled up in our driveway a little later than usual, and she came alone. Corbin had earlier hinted that our session for the day would start by noon, so I wasn’t expecting him any time soon.
Lexie and my parents had left almost immediately after breakfast, so I was home alone, busying myself with pep talks and a million rehearsals on how to have ‘the conversation’ with Licia. The one we had been avoiding like a plague.
I heard Licia talking with Mascot in the hallway before she knocked on the door almost inaudibly. My heart rate became erratic instantly. Her presence had a crazy effect on me, even after all these years.
“The door is open,” I responded, leaning up against the bed for composure.
Licia made her way into the room. She always looked smart in her scrubs, with her hair packed into a ponytail and the end rolled into a bun.
For the first time since our encounter at the hospital, I summoned the courage to look at her face without breaking my gaze. She was breathtakingly gorgeous with steely eyes that could make one confess to a crime they didn’t even commit.
“Good morning, Mr. Brown,” she greeted in an icy tone, dropping her tote bag on the footboard bench.
For every time she had addressed me officially, I always felt a pang of guilt and pain gripping tightly at my heart. The pain was inexplicable.
“Good morning, Licia.” I tried softening things, but I could tell she rolled her eyes, although she tried to be subtle about it.
Oh God... She hates me.
“How was your night?” She forced a ghost of a smile. “And your leg?”
It was just the two of us. She didn’t need to act like she was conducting a ward round, but that was exactly what she did.
“It was good. The pain is getting bearable. How was yours?” I enquired, still not taking my eyes off her. I really wanted to know how she was doing… what was going on in her life…
“I am glad you slept well,” she remarked, totally ignoring my question.
She was determined to be cold towards me, but I couldn’t survive that for much longer. It was killing me slowly.
“Licia, I'm sorry,” I blurted. Not stalling anymore. It sounded flimsy, but I meant every syllable that rolled off my tongue.
She looked up from the drawer, from where she was taking out my meds. She glared at me with an emptiness that mirrored her pain but remained quiet.
I went ahead with my appeal. The silence could mean she was listening or that she was speechless. Either way, I had to unburden my heart.
“I am really sorry that I took off like that. I didn’t mean for any of it to happen that way, trust me…”
She laughed out hysterically.
“Trust you? I really doubt you know what that word means. Trust? Nah.”
She shook her head.
I shuffled to the edge of the bed.
“I know I messed up big time, Licia, but I can explain. Just give me the chance to.” I pleaded, resisting the urge to reach out for her.
“Hold that thought, please.” She halted me with her raised hand, dismissively.
“Let’s not do this, okay?
You owe me no explanations, and I am not interested in your apology. So, save it for someone who actually cares.” She blared.
I was grateful no one was home except the domestic staff, because I was sure her voice was echoing through the walls.
She was beginning to hurt badly… I could tell. Beyond her rebuff, I knew her enough to know that she wasn’t immune to the hurt she was covering up.
“Licia, I really wished things were different back then. I had no control over what happened.”
“Quick question though. If you hadn’t seen me at the hospital the other day, would you have thought about explaining yourself?
You act like twelve years was twelve days… what's the point?”
I could hear the accusation in her tone.
I thought I had all my answers figured out but I didn’t.
“I think…” I stuttered.
She interjected again.
“Please, Sir. This is inappropriate. You are my patient, who also doubles as my boss for now, and I am your caregiver. I can’t be seen having this conversation with you, so I would appreciate it if we stick to our nurse-patient relationship.”
I tried to say something else, but the words failed me. My Licia was gone. I could barely recognize the lady standing before me.
Was I really being sentenced without a fair hearing?
“Fair hearing after twelve years?” A voice in my head mocked. “The case had long exceeded the statutes of limitations. It’s been thrown out of court.”
Licia went about her duties in utter silence. The atmosphere was tense. She limited contact with me to the barest minimum until Corbin’s arrival, and we were back to business as usual.
“Mr. Kevin, are we good to go?” Corbin asked with a smile.
I looked in Licia’s direction, but she didn’t meet my gaze. She looked busy or more like pretending to be.
“Yeah, sure.” I said, following Corbin to the gym. I wasn’t feeling like it anymore, but I couldn’t skip the sessions.
Whatever happened, I would get Licia to forgive me; even if it would be the last thing I do. Her forgiveness meant more to me than winning her heart.