Scenes From Her Life: Sixth and Seventh or not (I may be losing count)
Sitting in a chair at 8 a.m., starring out the window.
"Morning. Didn't expect you up this early."
"Couldn't sleep. I really am crazy, you know. What am I doing here?"
Laughing. "Not sure I know you well enough to answer that question."
"Rhetorical. I guess."
Shari smiles and shakes her head. "Well, I know why I'm here. The music. Nothing better."
"Sure. I guess that's part of it."
"Just part of it?"
"I was four. He's part of one of the first memories I have. An album. I wore it out. At four. Listening to the same part over and over, again. It was brand new."
"Four? Kind of out of the demographic."
"Family. Uncle. Do anything to drive his father crazy. Blasting rock music was a favorite pastime."
"I guess I got hooked. For a little while, anyway."
"Worse things to be hooked on. Especially at four."
They laugh together for a minute.
"What am I doing? I can't do this. Last night was a fluke. I felt like breaking away and something gave me a boost. I just don't think. . . I mean, people don't do this do they?"
"Sure they do. When it comes along, I mean. It doesn't come along everyday."
"Sure. A fluke."
"Maybe. You don't believe in fate, do you?"
"Fate? You're kidding me."
"No. Some people do, some people don't. If it is fate you didn't really have a choice. It would have happened come Hell or high water."
"Maybe."
"Okay. Do me a favor, before you decide one way or the other, talk to Dee. She's a better talker than I am. I'm music. All sound and silence."
"Okay."
"And go to lunch with Doc. It won't kill you and you'll regret not doing it forever. Make your decision after that. Okay."
"Sure."
"Perfect. Well, I have a breakfast date that I'm already twenty minutes late for. I hope I see you later."
They shake hands briefly and Teddy says, "Sure. Maybe. No. You'll see me. Tonight."
"That a promise?"
"Yeah. If I don't die at lunch."
"He hasn't killed anyone, yet."
More laughing.
"Cool. See you then."
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Hours later. Teddy waiting. Pacing, doing everything she can not to sweat. She has showered twice, changed clothes four times. Finally decided on the other brand new outfit which was also a birthday gift. Sheer black rose button down blouse. Not too low cut. Black jean skirt with lace up the side. Cute, but not slutty. Maybe. Two inch hills made her feel wonky so she decided on her plain flats.
Looking in the mirror one last time, she decides to change, again. Knock on the door.
"Just a minute."
She goes to the door. "Yes."
"I was sent to get you, Miss. Doc is waiting."
"Thanks. Name's Teddy. What's yours."
"Nate, Miss. You look very nice, by the way."
"Thank you, Nate. Where you from? West or South?"
"South, Miss. Georgia."
"Go Dogs!"
Laughter. "Sorry, Nate. I get a little silly when I'm nervous."
"That's alright, Miss. No need to be nervous. He doesn't bite. Usually."
Laughing. "Thank you, for that, Nate."
"Seriously, though, Teddy, Doc is about the best man I have ever met in my life. He has his moments, 'course, every man does, but my Daddy, rest his soul, respected him. I never ask more of a man than that."
Smiling, Teddy nods. They are walking through a large empty dining room.
"Don't let it shake you, Teddy. He does this. Sometimes."
"Great."
He stands as they approach the table. "Right on time. Thank you, Nate."
"Not a problem, Doc." Nate steps over to his boss and says something close to his ear.
Golden eyes watch her face for a long moment.
A nod and a smile. "Absolutely. My word as a gentleman."
The last was said with a slight drawl. Nate shakes his head and walks away.
He walks to her and pulls out the chair. She sits, slowly. Pulling her knees down and to the side, ankles touching.
"I hope you don't mind I ordered for both of us. I actually ordered last night. The chef is an old friend."
"No. That's fine."
A long silence. "I was wondering. What should I call you? I feel a little strange calling you Doc."
"You do know my name, don't you?"
"Of course."
"Well, first names are always good. Let's try that."
"Okay. David, then."
"Great, and you prefer Teddy?"
She nods. "I've seldom been called anything else."
After another long silence he leans towards her. "You won't relax for me?"
His smile makes it impossible for her to keep her silence.
"Sorry. I'm just nervous I guess. I'm not really sure what I'm doing here."
"You're here because I asked you to be here. Does there need to be another reason?"
"No. I guess I'm just not sure why you asked me."
"Would you believe it just seemed like the right thing to do."
"I could believe that. Fate."
"Maybe. We could say that you were in the exact right place at the exact right time."
"No. I really don't think I can believe in that. Trust me when I say it has never happened before."
He sits back. "There are those who believe in predestination. That every step we take in life is the exact right step, because it is the only step we can take."
"That would mean every single thing -- even all the evil in the world -- is written in stone, somewhere. I'd hate to think something like that could be even possible. All the horrors of the world completely premeditated. For what possible purpose?"
His eyes flash bright for a moment. "There are those who believe that Job received the only possible answer to that question."
"Oh, no. This is a road I will not travel. You know what they say about religion and politics?"
They eat in silence for a few moments, Teddy wondering if she's said something overwhelmingly stupid.
"I apologize for. . ."
"I'm sorry if . . ."
A sound that is more music than laughter, winding through her brain. Dizzy for a second, she puts her hand on the table to steady herself. He covers it with his own and lifts it to his lips.
A gentle kiss that burns her as if he is holding a flame to her skin. She tries to pull away but he doesn't let go. Instead he takes the hand and lowers it to a spot just above his heart and holds it there, making her feel his heartbeat.
"Relax." He draws the last sound into a slow hiss and he moves to kiss her. She pulls back a little and he shakes his head and pulls her to him with a strong left hand, his fingers tangling in her hair. In frustration, he makes the kiss harder than he had intended and she cries out, but opens for him, deepening the kiss impossibly.
His right hand releases hers as he stands up and reaches out to pull her up with him. Without breaking the kiss they are suddenly standing, his right arm around her waist pulling her into him. She can barely breathe and she feels so weak. Half way between standing and falling, her hand still over his heart, she starts to push him away.
With a low growl, he breaks the kiss himself, still holding her. Fire lit, his eyes scare her a little. She closes her eyes gasping for breath, struggling to keep her feet under her. A quick tug on her hair and her eyes open to his still dangerous ones. "You done?" he asks. Without waiting for an answer he lowers his mouth to hers, taking the breath she has just struggled for.
This time the hand over his heart slips around his back, clinging to him. The rushing sound in her ears is her heart exploding. Her mind is screaming at her to be careful, but it can't make itself heard over such an incredible noise.
An incredibly long time later he pulls back, breaking the kiss far more gently than he started it. A deep breath and a swallow, one strong arm supporting her, just keeping her from falling and he says, "We'll call it fate."
