Page 71 of Mountain Freedom
“Whoa,” I said, holding a hand up. “I didnotpull strings to get this job. I’m not even sure where you heard that.”
“Oh,” she said, blushing. “Well, maybe assumptions were made. And then when I saw you, I thought the rumor must be true, that you reallywerethe kind of woman who’d sleep with someone just to climb the ladder, but…”
I was completely taken aback. “Actually,” I said, “I’m here because Iwouldn’tdo that.”
“What?” She gave me a confused look.
I put my elbows on the desk and rubbed my temples, suddenly feeling even more tired than before. “Beverly, I was offered a much more prestigious job back in Memphis, making twice what I’m getting paid here, I might add. But when I went to my final interview, I found out that the offer was contingent upon me sleeping with the department head. I said no, and he said I’d never work there and threatened to blacklist me in Memphis.That’swhy I had to uproot my life and take a job somewhere else. Because I’mnotthat kind of woman.”
Beverly stared at me in shock. “Really?”
“Really.”
She swallowed hard, tugging at the collar of her shirt like it was making her uncomfortable. “I guess that rumor really got twisted around, although I’m sure you can understand why.”
“Not really.”
“Well, everyone knows about your mama—” Beverly started, but she cut off when she saw my face. She took a deep breath and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m genuinely sorry, Dr. Bell. I misjudged you in more ways than one.”
“Wait,” I said. “What do you mean everyone knows about my mama?” A wave of nausea rolled over me. There had been little comments about my mother, but I hadn’t paid them too much attention—until now. I had a sinking feeling that I was about to find out the real reason people had shunned me when I first arrived in town.
Beverly just stared at me like she was afraid to speak. “You mean, you don’t know?”
I shook my head.
“Dr. Bell, I don’t…” She trailed off like she didn’t know how to tell me.
“What is it? What does everyone but me seem to know about my family?”
She shifted nervously in her seat. “You’re aware that your daddy liked to play cards, right?”
I nodded. “Yes. It’s one of the reasons we left him.”
“Well, your daddy didn’t always have the money to pay his debts,” she said, biting her lip.
“Right. Mama had to work long hours to make up for it all.”
Beverly nodded slowly. “Your mama ‘worked’ to pay off his debts.” She stared at me, like I still wasn’t understanding.
But then I did. I felt the color drain from my face. “Beverly,” I said, my voice trembling. “Are you suggesting my mother was a prostitute?” It couldn’t be true. Could it? I flashed back tomy childhood memories, remembering her sadness as she’d get dressed up and leave for work long after everyone else was home for the night. I wanted to throw up.
“Not a prostitute,” Beverly said, holding her hands up in defense. “Not exactly, anyway. But it was common knowledge that if your daddy owed more than he could pay, he’d, well, offer something he could give.”
My stomach clenched as the nausea threatened to win. “You mean…” I couldn’t even voice it.
She just nodded.
“I need a minute alone. Please.” I had a patient scheduled first thing, and I had to somehow pull myself together so I could do my job.
She nodded. “I’m sorry, Dr. Bell. I didn’t realize you never knew. Everyone else did.” She looked like she was going to be sick too. She got up and slowly walked to the door. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad your mama left. And I’m sorry for what she went through.”
She slipped out and left me alone in my attempt to process a million memories through new information.
“Alright, Beverly, I’m heading out,”I called that afternoon as I locked up my office after finishing my last patient’s chart.
She appeared around the corner, still looking timid after our earlier conversation. “I heard about the funeral. Give Jackson my condolences. I imagine this is a strange time for him.”
“It is,” I agreed, surprised by her perception—and how she really did seem to know every little thing happening in Rosemary Mountain.
