Page 53 of Picking Pismo

Sarah stared at him. “If that’s what you want me to do…” Her voice trailed off. “Lauren’s on line three.” She shifted back and took the phone off hold, telling Lauren the instructions David gave her.

Shaking his head, David strode into the exam room and finished checking the adjustment on one of his patients. Once he approved the patient to leave, David begrudgingly walked to his office and shut the door behind him. Running a shaky hand through his hair then down his face, he forced himself to take a few deep breaths to dampen the anxiety bubbling up. After David felt his heart rate return to a somewhat normal pace, he sat at his desk and picked up the phone.

He pressed the flashing red button on line three. “Lauren,” said David, forcing his voice to sound even.

“David,” Lauren replied. Her voice was overly upbeat and friendly. “I was calling to check in.”

“Check in!” David hissed. Then he remembered to take it down a notch and not allow Lauren to force him back into the familiar dark hole it took him so long to crawl out of. David leaned forward, leaning his elbow on his desk. “Lauren…” his voice was perfectly neutral. “Why are you calling me at work?”

“Because, I know you blocked my number,” whined Lauren.

For a split-second David almost felt guilty, then he remembered he blocked her number after she played Russian roulette with his heart. Jerking him back and forth for months even though she never planned on reuniting with him.

“I did,” David slowly stated.

“David, it was so good to see you a few months back,” said Lauren. “I’ve missed you.”

“Fine.” David’s jaw clenched. He rubbed it nearly raw. “Again, why are you calling me at work?”

Lauren exhaled, “Like I said. I’ve missed you.”

David closed his eyes for a moment, cupping the back of his neck. This was the Lauren he remembered. One who was always looking around for someone better. She married Zach, but now she called to say she missed him. Nope. This was not happening. He refused to even entertain this entire conversation. Lauren would always be Lauren, and if anything, time taught him he deserved someone who would be faithful to him, encourage him, believe in him, not someone who yanked their love away when someone else caught their eye. Someone like… Claire. He smiled at the thought.

“Lauren,” David sat up straight, regaining his confidence. “I’m going to have to stop you right there.”

“Why?” asked Lauren. “Why, can’t I call to tell you I’ve missed you, and I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that night at the dance performance?”

“No, Lauren.” David stood. Energy pulsated through him. “You can’t call me at work. You are married to Zach. You chose him over me. Remember?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “You need to be faithful to him. We’re divorced. Our relationship is in the past. I wish you and Zach nothing but the best. I hope you two are happy together. But please don’t call me again.”

Speaking the words out loud, settled the pit in David’s stomach. He was moving on, and perhaps he was finding a way to finally forgive Lauren in the process.

“David…” Lauren pleaded. “Please…”

“Lauren…” David sat back down, leaning back in his chair. “Go and be happy. Don’t worry about me. I’m good. Happy even.”

“But David…” Lauren’s voice faded away.

Silence followed. David no longer cared what Lauren hoped to gain by calling him. It didn’t make any difference. If anything, this conversation brought him the closure he desperately needed.

“Lauren, I wish you all the happiness in the world but don’t call me again. It isn’t appropriate. I’ll tell Sarah to take a message if you try again,” stated David with resolve.

“I— I—” stammered Lauren. When she finally continued, her voice was small and quiet, “I’m glad you’re happy. Bye.”

Then the line went dead. David set the phone back on the receiver and breathed a sigh of relief. In the past, a conversation with Lauren would’ve left him reeling for days. Today was different because David knew he didn’t want Lauren. Not even close. Claire was the one he desired, and he needed to win her back.

Standing up, David wandered back to reception to find Sarah. Sarah glanced up when he approached. “Hey, everything okay?” asked Sarah.

David nodded, “I’ve never been better.” Grabbing his next patient’s chart from the stack, he flipped it open. Without looking up, he continued, “I need to win Claire back.”

Sarah laughed. “I wasn’t expecting you to mention Claire.” She shifted, leaning a tad closer. “But I’m happy to hear you’ve come to your senses.”

“We need to table this for now.” David glanced out at the crowded waiting room. “But I’ll need your help and ideas.”

“I’m on it, boss.” Smirking, Sarah wagged a finger at him. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you come up with the perfect game plan.”

His entire being was lighter. “Wonderful.” David smiled.

Then he announced the next patient’s name. The patient stood and David ushered him back. The rest of the day flew by. His back-to-back appointments gave him little time to dwell on his conversation with Lauren.

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