Page 40 of Picking Pismo

David controlled his desire to argue and explain he wanted to spend the last month with them in Pismo, but he knew it was fruitless. He didn’t have any way to rectify the situation, and now the month was over, and they were leaving for good.

Lowering the back of her chair to a flatter position, David replied, “Let’s see how your teeth are looking.”

Alexis complied, opening her mouth. With a gloved hand, David poked and prodded her mouth, trying to gauge how many more adjustments were needed to complete Alexis’s treatment. He tightened the necessary braces, then removed and replaced the position of a few brackets.

After stripping off his gloves and making some notes on Alexis’s chart, Alexis asked, “How many more visits do you think it will take before I get my braces off? Claire wanted me to ask.”

Scribbling down the last notes, David shifted to the computer, pulling up x-rays of Alexis’s teeth. He leaned forward double checking the current position of her two back molars. Finally, he peered at Alexis, “I think you will have to come two more times. You’re close. You can get them off before summer ends. How does that sound?”

Alexis smiled for the first time, melting away the permanent scowl on her face since arriving. “I think it will work if Claire can get the time off. She starts back at her physical therapy job on Monday.”

“If you need to come up on a weekend, I can come in on a Saturday to do the adjustments,” replied David.

“Okay, I’ll tell her.” Alexis swung her legs over the side then stood. “See you later, Dr. Clark.”

Her calling him Dr. Clark made his shoulders tense. “Alexis…”

Alexis twisted around, facing him. She raised an eyebrow, waiting.

His shoulders drooped. “Tell Claire I’m sorry, for everything.”

“You tell her.” Alexis moved to leave. “Don’t make me do your dirty work.” She left the exam room, walking through to the waiting room.

David knew Claire was in there, because he’d heard her greet Sarah at reception a few minutes ago. He grabbed Alexis’s chart. With weak knees, David found his balance and forced himself to walk into the waiting room. He went to the reception desk without glancing around.

Sarah glanced up from her desk. “Dr. Clark, they’re completely set. I scheduled Alexis’s next appointment for four weeks from today.”

Clearing his throat, David held out Alexis’s chart to Sarah. “Thanks for scheduling her appointment. Here’s her chart for you to enter the information into the computer.” Sarah took the chart from him.

Finally, David shifted, gazing out at the waiting room. It contained only Claire and Alexis. When David locked eyes with Claire, she shuffled her feet and adjusted her purse on her shoulder. Gripping the strap tightly with one hand, it made her knuckles turn white.

Pushing up her chin, Claire said, “Thanks. We’ll see you in a month.” She moved toward the door, waving for Alexis to follow. “Come on, Alexis. It’s time to go.”

“Bye, Dr. Clark,” Alexis mumbled.

David couldn’t find the words to explain the emotions bottled up in him, but he hated things being this strained between them. They exited, making the chime from the door ring in his ears.

Move. Now. David strode to the lobby door, swinging it open. Alexis and Claire were already halfway to their car.

“Wait!” David called out. In tandem, they both stopped. Rotating to face him, Claire and Alexis exchanged a quick look before staring blankly back at David. “Wait,” he repeated, jogging toward them, “please.”

Alexis folded her arms. David half expected her to make an excuse and go wait in the car, but she didn’t move. Alexis stood her ground, gripping Claire’s forearm.

Scratching his chin, before shoving both shaking hands into his pockets, David cleared his throat, “I’m sorry for how things ended.”

Claire blinked. “Okay,” she said dismissively, looking down at her red painted nails. “We’re good.”

“Okay?” David questioned.

“Okay. Dr. Clark.” Claire half pivoted toward her car. Alexis mirrored her movements. “We’ll see you in a month.” Taking a step away from him, the gap widened between them. “Thank you for generously agreeing not to charge us the remaining balance.”

So, Claire called him Dr. Clark too. Boy, he was in it deep. “Can I call you sometime?” David sputtered out.

David liked being around Claire. He’d missed having her in his life this past month.

Claire glanced over at Alexis. The two exchanged a look David couldn’t quite figure out, but Alexis turned and walked the remaining few yards to the car and climbed in. Claire confirmed Alexis was out of ear shot.

Raising an eyebrow, Claire asked, “And why would you want to call me?”

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