Chapter 12
"Really? Well I guess they need to be able to read people too, so you know when people are lying to you," Dr. Huggins reasoned.
"Yes, that comes in handy. Well doctor, I suppose I should let you get home to your husband," AJ suggested.
"I'm in no hurry Bert. I'm divorced, so there's no one waiting on me, not even a cat."
"I'm sorry to hear that…about the divorce, I mean, not the fact that you don't have a cat."
He heard a light laugh before she said, "I figured that's what you meant, but no need to be sorry, it happened quite a while ago. I'm used to it."
"Don't we all have that in our past these days? I'm divorced as well."
"But it's good that you have the courage to try again Bert. Don't let Mary's betrayal spoil the search for love in your life. When you've had time to heal, you need to get back out there and let love find you again."
"Have you followed your own advice doctor?"
"Oh please, since we're not on the air, you can call me Luna."
"Thank you, Luna, that's an unusual name. But you didn't answer my question."
"Yes, I get comments on it all the time. My parents were druids and very into the cycles of the moon and such, hence my name."
"I see, and my question?"
"You are very persistent Bert. I can see that you must be a good lawyer. You keep at someone until they answer you."
"Which you still haven't done, Luna."
He heard her sigh and say, "Alright Bert, the answer to your question is 'no'."
"Why ever not? Someone as caring and open as you are should have no trouble finding someone."
"You don't know the whole story Bert."
"Then tell me," he offered her a willing ear.
For the first time, she lied to him, he could hear it in her voice, "It's a long story and unfortunately I have to go now, they need the line open. Good night Bert and I hope you can get some sleep before you have to go to work."
He was going to call her on her lie when he heard the click of her ending the call before he could say anything. Looking at the dead receiver in his hand, he said, "You can be sure that I'll be calling back, Luna. I will find out how you expect me to take advice that you won't!"
The next morning after his five-mile run, AJ was enjoying a cup of coffee before leaving for the office. He pulled out the phone book and looked up Dr. Huggins. Her home number was not in the white pages, but he could understand having that number unlisted. However he didn't find her in the yellow pages under psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor. Checking the business section, he discovered she wasn't listed there either.
On the drive into work the idea struck him that the show might not be local and that was why he couldn't find her in his area phone book. Placing a call to the station, a recording instructed him to call between the business hours of 8am to 5pm.
At his desk with his third cup of coffee in his hand, AJ called the radio station just after 0800 EST. He was informed that the show was local, but his follow up questions about Dr. Huggins herself got him transferred to the station manager Tim James. "What can I help you with Sir?" he asked.
"I've been listening to your late night call in show and was just curious about Dr. Huggins' qualification?"
"She's a licensed physiatrist and had her own practice for several years."
"I looked in the phone book for her office, but couldn't find it."
"She no longer has a private practice although she keeps her license updated to work here."
"Why doesn't she have a private practice any longer?" AJ asked him.
"That is not for me to say, Sir. Thank you for listening and calling KYJM," Mr. James said and hung up.
"In other words 'you know and just aren't saying'!" AJ muttered as he hung up as well and tried to focus on the work on his desk.
To be continued…
