10. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Kevin
Licia had been avoiding me ever since the incident at the cave the other day... the kiss. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I tried calling and texting her, but all my efforts so far have proved abortive. The silence was further messing with my already sore disposition.
Has she forgiven me?
Was she still pissed?
Have I complicated things further?
There was no way of knowing if she didn't at least say something. At this point, it didn’t matter if it was pleasant or not, I just needed to hear from her.
I had thought about going to the hospital, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable with my presence or appear too pushy, so I kept the thought at bay, hoping she would come to the house soon enough.
My dad and I were going over the deeds of some new properties I had just acquired when Lexie trotted into the courtyard, distracting us.
She wore a black bandanna on her head, with her cat ear headphones hanging loosely around her neck. It was obvious she must have been playing video games the entire time.
“Dad, sorry to interrupt your meeting, but I have a question for Kevin.”
“It’s fine, Princess.” Dad responded with a smile. “He is all yours.”
Lexie never complained when our dad called her Princess. In fact, she made an issue out of it when he didn’t.
I smiled, leaning back with my arms folded across my chest. “Lexie, how may I help you?”
“Will Licia be coming today?” Her question took me by surprise, but I didn't show it. “It crossed my mind a few minutes ago and I decided to ask.”
“Why do you ask?” I countered.
“Just tell me, already.” She whined, looking intently at me.
“She should... I guess.” I had to keep hope alive, even though I had doubts about my claim.
“On the contrary, I don't think so.” Dad responded.
“Why do you say so?”
“Dr. Shepherd reached out to me this morning. Apparently, you will be getting a new nurse. I was going to tell you after we went over the deeds.”
“A new nurse? How? What about Licia?”
I rolled out the questions in one breath. What did this mean? Now, it was obvious that Licia was deliberately avoiding me.
“He mentioned that she resigned.”
If I didn’t know any better, I would have said Dad was just pulling my leg; but he was not one to play around with sensitive matters like this one.
“Why?” Lexie asked, pegging me with a glare. “Kevin, what did you do?” The accusation was tangible in her tone.
I was utterly speechless. It wasn't making sense to me either. Was I such a horrible person? I was still struggling to figure things out when Mascot strolled in, looking so calm and collected; a stark contrast to what was going on inside me.
“Mr. Brown, your nurse and the physiotherapist are waiting in the living room,” he announced dutifully.
“He will be with them shortly.” Dad replied, discharging Mascot.
I sprung up immediately, steadying myself on the cane before hobbling into the main building. I was hoping that it was all some huge misunderstanding, and that I would see Licia. Alas, I was wrong. It was the new nurse, indeed.
She rose to acknowledge me. “Good morning, Sir. I am Melony Cooper, Licia’s replacement.”
My heart sank at her words. I wanted Licia, not a new nurse... not anyone else. I managed to mask my disappointment and at least welcome Melony with a handshake.
There was no way I could keep it in for much longer, as we reviewed the basics. “Where does Licia live? She's your colleague, right?” I interrogated, leaving her lost for words.
She was hesitant to answer, so I turned to Corbin. “Corbin, do you know where she resides?”
“Sorry, Sir. I'm not at liberty to share her address with you.”
I smiled sadly. I didn't want to come off as unreasonable, so I didn't insist on the details. I could find out from Dr. Shepherd or at least ask my dad.
“It's fine. Let's get started for the day."
***
“1065 Champs Elysee Boulevard.” I kept repeating the address as I got into the car. Dad had called Dr. Shepherd and made Lexie ask for Licia’s address under the guise that she wanted to pay a surprise visit to her—a role she executed persuasively, and Dr. Shepherd rewarded her with the address.
It was already 6 pm, so I knew Licia was probably going to be home. Even if she wasn't, I was going to stay and wait.
It took about twenty-five minutes before I finally located her house. It stood out from the others in the neighborhood, with a well-mown lawn and picket fence.
As I walked up her patio, I hoped for the best alone… not going to expect the worst. I can't be the one to jinx my luck. I could hear soft music coming from her living room, so I knew she was home.
I pressed the doorbell and waited for her to come to the door. Minutes passed, but there was no sign of her. I dialed her number a couple of times, but I was directed to voicemail.
As expected. I resorted to knocking and calling out to her, like it would make any difference.
“Licia, I know you are in there. We really need to talk, please.” I walked to the window, but the blinds were down, so I couldn’t peer through. I limped back to the patio.
Could she possibly be sleeping? I tried the doorbell again, accompanying it with relentless banging on her door, this time more furiously. There was no way I was leaving without seeing her.
“I am going to stand here, till you come out. It's going to cause a build-up of pressure on the leg, which will hurt so much, but I will take the risk.” I shouted.
If asking nicely didn't work, just maybe, emotional blackmail might be the trump card.
Her door finally creaked open. It worked. She stepped out in a large white T-shirt and denim shorts. She looked adorable in whatever she wore, no doubt. She looked me straight in the eye.
“Why are you here?”
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“Who gave you my address?”
“Can I at least come inside?”
She wasn't eager to let me in, so I decided to use the pain as leverage. It seemed to be effective the first time. “The leg is beginning to hurt.”
Her features softened up, making me smile inwardly. She was a nurse for a reason. Couldn't stand to see a patient in pain. She moved to the side, making room for me to come through.
“Thank you,” I said, following her in.
“You said you wanted to talk. You have the floor,” she said, trying to sound aggressive.
“You have been avoiding me,” I alleged.
“I haven’t. I have just been busy,” she retorted, fiddling with the hem of the toss pillow.
“Really? So, what about your resignation? Is that also because you are busy and can’t juggle things?”
“Kevin, it's not that simple.”
“Help me make sense then. One minute, I get the feeling that we are good, the next, you shut me out. It's confusing, honestly.” I sighed with my whole body.
“What do you want me to say?” Her eyes were already getting misty.
I hoped I wasn’t being too hard on her, but I needed to get answers.
“Tell me what’s going on, please? And not that you have been busy. We both know that’s a lie,” I pleaded with her.
“Kevin, if it makes you feel better, I have forgiven you, okay? We are good…”
“So, what’s with the avoidance then?” I wasn’t going to go easy any more. We have to hash things out once and for all. “I just found out this morning that I have a new nurse assigned to me. You didn’t even give me prior notice.”
“It wasn’t in my place to do that. I am sure Dr. Shepherd did the needful.”
I couldn’t believe she just said that. “Are you being serious? Fine, let’s say we aren’t close, don’t you owe it to your patients to at least tell them that you won’t be administering care to them anymore? Courtesy demands that at least.”
She was quiet for a while before finally apologizing. “I am sorry about that, but I had my reasons for resigning and before you blow it off, just know that they are very cogent.”
What personal reasons could it be? She was doing her job well, even when we didn't see eye to eye. So what could it possibly be?
“Does this have anything to do with the kiss?” I asked, without mincing words.
She looked up instantly, like I had just exposed a secret she was trying to ensure didn’t see the light of day. That was my answer.
“No.” She denied it, but her body language betrayed her.
“See, Licia. The kiss doesn't have to mean anything to you. I wasn’t trying to make you uncomfortable or anything. I am sorry if the kiss put you off, but I am not going to apologize for doing so. I love you, Licia. I know I lost the right to say that long ago, but I always have and I always will.”
“Kevin…”
“You don’t have to tell me you love me. I just need a chance to make it up to you.”
“It’s been such a long time, Kev. Things are not the same as before,” she
pointed out.
My heart leapt for joy. Did she just call me Kev? I was breaking down her walls... little by little.
“I am well aware of that. But I am willing to start all over, if you let me.”
“I will think about it and tell you what I have decided, but I make no promises.”
“Should I take your word for it?”
“Yeah. You know I don’t throw words around.”
She was right. It was one of the things that I admired about her. She was principled down to her words.
“One more thing, Licia. Do you mind coming back to be my nurse, please?”
She shook her head. “That can’t be, Kevin. You have nothing to worry about though. Melony would take good care of you, you don’t need me there.”
“Why do I have a feeling you are the one that put her up to it?”
She laughed heartily, “Not really, but yes, I recommended her to the Chief and he gave her the job.”
“You really went through that much stress to get away from me? I am heartbroken.” I tried acting hurt, but she didn’t fall for it.
“Your acting skills are poor, Kevin. Stick to sports,” she commented, still giggling.
“Probably, you can teach me a few skills.” I winked at her.
I was glad the atmosphere was more cheerful and lively. We even took a bold walk down memory lane, reminiscing on our fun times together, as we laughed.
“What can I get you?” She asked, rising to her feet.
“A glass of water will be just fine,” I responded, adjusting my jacket.
“I won’t have that. This is your first time here.” She insisted.
I tried protesting. “True, but it wasn’t…”
“Join me for dinner.”
I smiled. I would be a fool to refuse the olive branch she extended. Lexie would literally kill me if she found out I declined dinner at Licia's.
“Alright, so what are we having?”
“You will soon find out, just relax.” She said, already strutting towards the kitchen.
“Are you sure you don’t need any help? I know a thing or two about cooking.”
“Not to worry, Kevin. I have it all figured out.” She responded, waving her hands as she disappeared into her kitchen.