Chapter 4

Melissa had no idea she had driven so far. She was so consumed with thoughts of the day before, she didn't realize she had crossed state lines into Kentucky. Glenn told her he worked at a hospital in Louisville. He kept an apartment in the city for the days when he worked long hours. He thought about joining one of the hospitals in Cincinnati but loved Louisville so much he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Melissa told him she was from Miami, Florida. She'd come to Ohio for college and law school. She did an unpaid internship with Jameson and McLeod and was offered a full time position with the firm. She hadn't thought of leaving since. She missed her family, especially her twin brother, Michael.

They were so caught up in conversation, that Melissa didn't notice, Glenn had pulled into the parking garage for her building.

Turning to him, she said, "Thank you for everything, Glenn. Would you like to come up for a few minutes?"

"I would actually." His answer surprised him.

They rode the elevator to the eighteenth floor of the luxury condominium building. She lived in number 1805. Her home had two bedrooms, living room with a fireplace, dining room, and kitchen. She used her second bedroom as a home office.

"Can I offer you something to drink?" She asked placing her purse on the floor behind the couch.

"Iced tea if you have it." He answered, walking to the French doors that led to the balcony.

She nodded and went into the kitchen and quickly returned with two glasses of iced tea. She handed him one and took the seat across from him on the balcony.

"It's a beautiful view. What do you do in your free time, Glenn?"

"I read a lot.. I also like to do some research on new procedures and new medicines that are being developed." He answered.

They sat and talked for a while longer. Enjoying the ease of their conversation. Melissa noticed the time and said, "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I have to go buy a car."

"Oh, right. I forgot." he said, standing help her inside. She noticed what a gentleman he was, thinking she may have been wrong: male chivalry isn't dead.

She handed him her card with her home and cell numbers written on back.

"Don't think I'm letting you off that easy, Dr. Jacobs. I owe you dinner and you're letting my take you." Realizing where she left her sentence off, she quickly added, "To dinner."

"I know what you meant," he said with a truly amused look in his eyes and smile across his lips. "Would you like me to drive you?"

"No. It's only a couple of blocks. I'll walk, I don't mind. But, thank you for the offer."

She walked him to the door, asking, "So, when you like to have that dinner?"

He handed her a small piece of paper with his cell and home numbers written on it and said, ""How about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is good," she agreed.

They said their good-byes and she watched him leave. She decided to freshen up before going car shopping. She knew she wouldn't be out long, knowing the car she intended on buying that day.

A few hours later, with the car bought, a new Lexus SUV, she stopped at her regular grocery store and bought some food to make her dinner for that night. She went home, cooked her steak and baked potato. After she'd eaten and cleaned up, she went into her office and did some work for a while.

Completely engrossed in the documents before her, the ringing of the phone nearly scared her to death. She answered and was immediately sorry she did. It was her mother. She talked with her for a bit, reassuring her mother she was not lonely and not interested in dating anyone. She tired of her constant urging to find a man and marry. Her mother wanted grandchildren. She heard her mother go on and an about how neither of her children were married and had no children. What had she done so wrong that her children weren't married at twenty-eight. It just wasn't normal.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally calmed the nut case of her mother down enough to end the phone call. Turning her computer off and putting her work away, she stood to leave the room saying, "Gees, woman. You're crazy. I hope I don't end up like her." She went to take a shower and climbed into bed.

Sitting in his own office, Glenn was holding the card Melissa had given him with her phone numbers on the back. He was surprised when Patricia knocked on the door and let herself in. She was carrying a cup of steaming tea meant to help him sleep. He didn't need it, but Patricia enjoyed making it for him, so he never argued.

She sat the tea on his desk in front of him, and said, "Ms. Dothan was certainly a nice lady. Will you be seeing her again, then?"

Glenn put the card down and picked up the mug. "Yes. Tomorrow for dinner. She want to take me to dinner as a thank you for helping her."

She cheerfully said, "Oh, good. Maybe she'll be the one."

"Patricia, stop bugging me about getting married." He reprimanded her.

"I promised your parents years ago when you were just a baby that I would take care of you if anything ever happened to them. I love you, Glenn. You are like my own son. I want you to be happy."

"I am happy, Patricia," he retorted.

"Of course you are. Now drink your tea."

He did what the old woman told him. He had had many conversations over the years about finding a wife and having a family. It seemed Patricia has taken her promise to his parents a little too seriously. He loved her like one would love a favorite aunt. After finishing the tea, he stood and kissed Patricia on the forehead and went to his room on the third floor. He took a shower and went to bed, falling asleep quickly. While sleep was taking over, Glenn decided to find out what exactly was in that tea.