Chapter 10

The day after, we were back to the Center and I had Dr O'Brien called in as soon as he could come. He has such a busy schedule and so many patients to take care of that he only comes late in the afternoon.

"Hello David. Sorry for coming so late. What happened to you? The nurse told me it was urgent, but also that your life was not in danger."

"Doctor, I..."

How could I explain to him what I had experienced last night and the circumstances in which it had happened. What the hell? I had to know for sure.

"Huh, last night, I... I was staying at Alexandra's and, after supper..."

"Count Basie."

"What??"

"After Supper, wonderful jazz by Count Basie."

"Doctor, pleeease!"

During several earlier conversations with him, I had discovered he was fond of jazz and most of all of Count Basie. He was also known to be fond of jokes and was quick on the draw. Part of the job, I guess. When surgeons see so much despair and pain, sounds only logical they gotta protect their mental state one way or another, otherwise they go nuts when they fail to repair.

"Sorry. Go on. What happened?"

"After supper, we..."

Gee, I could not say the words. He must have felt I was uneasy explaining and helped me out.

"You and Alexandra had a pleasant sexual experience?"

"Yeah." I replied with a sigh of relief.

"Okay. And something happened to you?"

"Huh... yeah."

"You felt a sensation where there was none before?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Then he kept silent for a long time.

"Good? That's it? Doctor... w-what does this mean?"

He took a deep breath, looked at me with a large happy smile.

"It means that the last operation may have been a success."

"You mean... I... ?"

"Yes. But hold it, David. It means the machine will work again one day, but that does not mean you won't have to go through more months of rehab' and grease all those stiff joints in your body. It may feel like hell again, but you have a chance to make it now. I'll program a final series of exams to check the spine and nerves. In the meantime, I want you to take it easy."

I nodded in silence. My thoughts were tumbling through my mind.

I'm gonna walk! I'm gonna stand in front of Alex, in front of everyone but most important... in front of Hutch! Fire in the hall!!

The promise I made to myself so many months ago was about to come true at last. I knew that the road to complete recovery was still a long one but at least, I could see the beacon calling me. I couldn't wait to call Hutch and tell him.

°.°.°.°.°.°.°.

I can't get hold of Blondie and I'm worried sick. Alex is trying to convince me that the investigation he is working on must be draining him and he is probably either undercover or trying to catch up on his sleep. But I don't buy it! I know my Hutch, he is deep into something very bad. And I know what it is, dammit! I had to take a lot of drugs for the pain, they put me on morphine and I was afraid to become addicted. But the fear went away as soon as the pain receded.

Anna would not tell me any more, she is as afraid as I am, I guess. Dobey told me Hutch put his resignation letter on his desk and turned away real fast as if the devil was on his toes.

I have been spending more time with Alex than ever and, at night, I often wake up out of breath, panting, trying to come out of a nightmare I wish was not connected to what's really happening. I'm afraid for Hutch.

°.°.°.°.°.°.°.

"Why don't we organize our trip back to Bay City for Christmas?"

Alex is watching me as I stare at nothing, my mind full of Hutch and the mystery I can't solve.

"Our? You mean... you wanna come back home with me?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Huh no, I guess not. But... your job..."

"I can find one over there. I'm qualified now, don't you think?" she replies with a bit of irony in her voice and her thumb pointing to her Master's diploma on the wall.

"Sure. But... where are you gonna live? Well... you could... move in with me, first. And find a place for yourself later on."

"Sure." she says, still ironically smiling.

Then she comes to me and gently kisses my lips.

"I can also move in with you... and stay with you."

Now it's my turn to sound amusingly ironic.

"Now listen, Lady, you don't know what you're exposing yourself to. I work like hell, I don't have regular hours, I'm grouchy in the morning."

"Sounds exciting."

"I'm a sort of maniac where my apartment is concerned."

"Me too. Nice coincidence."

"I drive like a nutcase."

"I love adventure."

"What can I say to convince you I'm not the marrying type?"

"Who ever said I wanted to marry you??"

"Manner of speaking."

"Speak to me some more, handsome! Try to talk me out of it!!"

And so saying, she sits on my lap, which I can now stand without feeling any pain, and grants me with the most passionate kiss she had ever given me since we met.

All I had hoped for from the start! She is coming back home with me. I'll introduce her to Blondie. That'll be something!

°.°.°.°.°.°.°.

/tbc/