Always Been You

~Lala~

As I opened the entrance to the porch and stepped outside, I could hear the sound of raindrops pattering down on the emerald grass in front of my home and the vegetable garden. I headed to my flower shop, parked my car outside the shop, and rushed inside.

“Good morning, Lola.” Matthew, my assistant, says.

“Morning, Matthew. How are you doing today?”

“Great, thanks.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Monroe.” My receptionist says.

“Morning, Carol. Any orders for today?”

“Yes, Mrs. Monroe, we have two weddings to cover this weekend.” I made a silly expression because I had no idea if there were going to be enough flowers for the two weddings.

“Do we have enough flowers?” She gave a slight shrug in response. I made my way to the garden at the back of the flower shop. I took a step outside and saw that the shop’s flowers and the gorgeous blossoming foliage all around it were still being sprinkled by the gentle rain that had been falling. I spent months nursing these flowers. I smiled as the flowers were well groomed, and I was confident that we would have enough for the two weddings. I turned around, a grin appearing on my face, and I shut the door behind me.

“We will have enough for the two weddings. I just need to make a few calls.” Carol flashed a grin and volunteered to make the calls.

“Mrs. Monroe, I’ll make the calls. You have an appointment with Dr. Blackwood today at 11:00 a. m.” I muttered an expletive under my breath. It was already 10:30 a. m.

“What would I have done without you, Carol? Thank you. I need to exercise. I would have to walk to the hospital.”

“Are you sure, Mrs. Monroe?” I smiled. After leaving the shop, I took a few moments to look around the area surrounding it, as well as the patch of grass that was stationed outside. I opened my umbrella as I stood on the ledge of the shop’s front porch and watched the rain fall. I make a hasty exit onto the driveway and immediately start walking in the direction of the hospital. After what seemed like 15 minutes of walking and rounding the corner of the street, I finally caught sight of the hospital, and I heaved a sigh of relief as I exhaled deeply. As I started walking toward the door, a smile appeared on my face. However, as I progressed, the rain became steadily more intense, and my feet were unable to carry me as rapidly as I would have liked. I sighed and reminded myself that I couldn’t be any faster than I used to be. I was now pregnant and carrying three beautiful little souls. I squeezed the handle of the umbrella more tightly to protect myself from the onslaught of the rain. I finally made it to the entrance and smiled as I climbed the stairs, heading towards Mason’s office. It seemed like Mason was busy today, so I decided to wait outside until I was called. After sitting outside for 10 minutes with no sign of him, I decided to walk to the reception area to collect my file.

“Morning, Mrs. Monroe. How can I help you today?” Says the lady at the front desk. I gave her a friendly grin and a response while simultaneously looking at her name tag because I had no idea who she was and didn’t want to come across as impolite given that she already knew who I was.

“Morning Lexie, I’m here to see Dr. Blackwood. It’s like he’s busy, so I decided to collect the file myself.”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“That is extremely thoughtful of you, Mrs. Monroe. Let me retrieve your file.” She left and came back with my file, handing it to me. “Um, Mrs. Monroe, I was wondering when I would get to visit Mr. Monroe. You always come to do the checkups alone.” I felt really offended. Why is it that people can’t just stay out of other people’s business? I managed to fake a smile.

“Oh, Lexie, my husband is a busy man, and he’s always traveling. It might take forever till you meet him.”

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Monroe, but your husband must be a loaded man. I mean, you are currently driving the most expensive car in Ozark. No one even comes close to the kind of car you drive.” I muttered an expletive under my breath before responding with a friendly smile. I mean, who checks things like that?

“I guess I’m lucky after all. I’ll get going.” I sighed and left. I was getting closer to Mason’s office when a woman came out and heard him yelling.

“Next!” I entered the room and saw him checking his wristwatch. He cleared his throat.

“Good morning, Mrs. Monroe.” That is not a name that Mason ever calls me; he invariably refers to me as Lola. I’m not sure why he’s calling me Mrs. Monroe today. Aargh, the other day. I regained my composure and went with the flow.

“Good morning, Dr. Blackwood,” I said. I saw him cast a short glance in my direction before returning his attention to the document he was carrying. This is very awkward. I folded my umbrella and set it against the wall.

“Your file, please.” He said, and I handed him my file. He signaled for me to lie down, and I did. He moved closer to me and gently tugged at the bottom of my shirt. I let a nervous breath out and then closed my eyes as I tried to calm down. One of the babies kicked in response to the prickling feeling created by the cold ultrasound gel being moved around my stomach. I gave Mason a grin and looked at him, but his attention was completely focused on the monitor that was in front of him. He looked at the monitor with so much concentration all over his face, but then I felt so offended and almost cried, as it was unlike him. He pays attention to each and every detail and makes jokes when there are little kicks coming from my babies. Mason, avoiding me like this makes me want to cry. I averted my gaze in an attempt to stifle the tears that were welling up in my eyes.

“You’ve been taking the prescribed medications as instructed, and everything seems perfect.” He did not even spare a glance in my direction as he spoke while his attention was fixed on the screen. I didn’t trust my voice to speak because I was afraid that the knot in my throat would untie and the tears would come pouring out. Instead, I just nodded my head. I have been holding back my tears since Dr. Blackwood decided to avoid everything about me. I had the sensation that my brain was going to explode, and I felt really weak. I went to bed last night with high hopes for today, but right now I’m starting to wonder if anything will go according to plan. My eyes started to swell and redden a bit, making me look so pathetic and more like a crybaby.

“Has there been anything else than nausea that you’ve been feeling?”

“It stopped.” I had to remind him.

“I see. Take two of these a day and try to stay off your feet.” I took the drug and nodded. “That would be it for today. You may leave.” I stared at the drugs in my palms and nodded once more, fixing my dress, collecting my umbrella, and holding the doorknob. “Mrs. Monroe, did you drive here?” I gave a little shake of my head and then opened the door.

I regret ever deciding to walk to the hospital. I stood outside with my umbrella. I wasn’t wearing anything too warm as I was feeling a little hot today, but I started to feel cold. The rain was now stronger, and the temperature at my feet seemed to be below freezing. Shit! This is not good. I turn my umbrella so that it faces the direction that the chilly rain is coming from, but I can’t help but groan as it does very little to protect me from the onslaught of precipitation. I closed my eyes and took out my phone, trying to call Carol, but a hand yanked me back.

“Come, let me take you home.” When I looked up, I noticed that Mason was standing right next to me with his own umbrella. I didn’t urge him. He opened the door for me. I went inside, and he walked around and went behind the wheel. He drove me home. He entered my compound, and his car came to a halt. I held the door open but couldn’t walk out. The tension that exists between us is not good for either of us. I slammed the door and let out a groan.

“I’m sorry.” It was low, but I’m sure he heard me. He places his index and thumb on my chin, making me face him. After that, he let out a long sigh.

“Listen, Lola, I know you just moved to this area, but when I say I have a friend, I check on my friends all the time. Anything could have happened that day. I know we just met, but listen. Stop acting so strong. It is not a weakness to accept assistance from others. The actions you took on that day were inappropriate. I wasn’t even done checking on you or the babies. What type of doctor do you think I am? I was not happy with what you did. I am not your husband; I am Mason, your friend, and your doctor.”

“I know I was a pussy, okay! I am sorry. It’s hard for me. I was wrong, and I won’t do it again. Mason, can you stop giving me the cold shoulder?” He let out a sigh and then nodded.

“Get inside; take a shower. I saw your car parked at your shop. I can bring it to you after work. Get some rest and stay warm. Don’t go out! Doctor’s order.” I gave him a friendly grin and then went inside to take a hot shower.