Page 91 of Sharkbait
That’s a weird thing for an oral surgeon to say.
“I agree, Louiseisinteresting,” I say slowly. “But what doyoumean by that?”
He stops outside of a private room and faces me.
I’ve known Alec for a long time. He was one of the first people I connected with at AA way back when I first started attending meetings as a teen. The guy hasn’t had a drink in over twentyyears. He’s the epitome of steady and strong and is always willing to lend a hand to whomever needs it.
But right now, he looks shook.
He clears his throat. “Your girl seems to be having a reaction to the anesthesia. Which is not altogether uncommon, but...”
I don’t correct him when he calls her my girl. Partly because I like the way it sounds, but mostly because the look on his face has me freaked out.
“But...?” I prompt.
“Her behavior could get me into a solid amount of trouble as a practicing physician.”
“What did she do?”
“When she woke up, the first thing she did was smile, call me Alex...”
I shrug. “Everyone calls you Alex. Like you’ve always said, ‘That just comes with the territory of being named Alec.’”
“And she grabbed my balls.”
A nurse walks by pushing a cart of medicines and sends us a stern look.
Alec gives her a finger salute, and she keeps walking.
I lower my voice. “Oh. Well, that’s… Yeah, that’s not good.” I pause. “I’m sorry?”
I’m not sure I should be apologizing for my not-girlfriend’s actions, but this certainly wasn’t the post-op discussion I was anticipating, so I’m a bit lost on how to respond.
“It’s okay,” he says. “Well, clearly it’snotokay, but people do some strange things when they come out of sedation. Though, I have to say, this is definitely the first time I’ve been fondled!”
I wince. “Can you not say fondled?”
“You’re right. Poor word choice. Anyway, I’ll take you in now to see her, but I think it’s best I keep my distance until her system settles a bit more.”
“Roger that,” I say.
“We’ll want you to stay with her here for at least a half hour before she’s cleared to go home. So give her a few minutes, then gradually see about getting her on her feet. Then I’ll be by to check on her. In the meantime, if you need us, there‘s a callbutton next to her chair.”
“Sounds good, doc. Thanks for everything. And you’re, um…” I hesitate. “You‘re not going to press charges by any chance, are you?”
“Already did, pal.” He places a hand on my shoulder. “Kidding. I’m kidding. It’s all good. Go take care of your girl.”
My girl.
He holds the door open for me, then promptly gets the hell out of there before Louise can assault him again.
I enter quietly and find her lying on a reclining chair in the center of the room.
She is a beautiful, puffy-faced vision.
Her eyes are droopy, and her mouth is full of gauze, but she still manages a bizarre version of a smile when she sees me.
“James! Hi, babyyyyyyyyyyy.”
