Spot Writers: Flash Fiction Chapter 10
This episode of Remy’s story comes to us from Val Muller. Check out her sweet romance novella, For Whom My Heart Beats Eternal, and her middle-grade mystery series, Corgi Capers. Find out more at valm16.sg-host.com
Next week’s piece comes from Cathy MacKenzie. Check out her three books of short stories available on Smashwords for only $1.99 and $0.99. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/camack.There you can read the first story in each book for free. However, the stories are all different, so the sample stories aren’t a true representation of the other stories.
The Spot Writers’ blogs appear at the end of this story. Don’t forget to check them out.
Chapter 10
Somehow, word of Remy’s night with Dr. Kendrick had made it to Irene. Remy could tell as soon as she stepped into the office. She pretended not to notice Irene’s smirks and sat at her desk, taking a sudden, intense interest in cleaning out her email box. Irene brought over a patient’s folder, taking extra time to set it in front of Remy, extra time to try for eye contact.
But Remy didn’t look up. She pretended not to notice. Irene returned again with another folder—and again, the same intense stare. She seemed to be bringing everything over piecemeal this morning. A patient’s chart. A pen. A piece of discarded mail. Not her usual efficient self. Remy wondered how long she’d be able to avoid the inevitable. She’d never been able to hide things from Irene, and it was only a matter of time.
She finally broke at lunch.
“Alright,” Remy said after locking the door to the office. Dr. Kendrick had gone out for a burger, leaving the two assistants alone, but Remy didn’t want to take any chances. “What’s the smirk all about?”
Irene grinned. “You tell me, Miss I’m-dating-the-boss.”
Remy blushed. “We’re not dating,” she said. For a moment, she couldn’t help but smile.
“That’s not what I heard.”
“Wait.” Remy’s smile faded, and her vision narrowed. “First of all, who told you we were dating?”
Irene shrugged, an over-exaggerated gesture indicting Dr. Kendrick’s office.
“What did he tell you?”
“Just that you two had a hot date at Banjo Dan’s.”
“It wasn’t a hot date,” Remy muttered.
“I heard there were drinks involved.”
Remy scowled. “What else did he tell you?”
“That’s all,” Irene said. “He wouldn’t get into details. But from what he said, it seems like you had quite the night out.”
“What?” Remy knew it was a mistake to date the boss. No. They weren’t dating. They’d just gone out for drinks. And Remy had been upset. And she’d refused Sam’s offer to spend the night. No, not Sam. Dr. Kendrick. Dr. Kendrick, her boss.
Irene smirked. “I think it’s smart.”
“What is?”
“Dating the boss. I mean, you’ve seen his car, right? And I wonder what his house is like. Do you know?” she teased. “Does he have like a million bathrooms and granite counters?”
“No! I didn’t go home with him. Is that what he said?”
Irene raised an eyebrow.
“He did, didn’t he?”
“Not in so many words.”
“Irene, I didn’t go home with him.”
“Well I don’t see why not.”
Remy crossed her arms. “Because.”
“Because why?”
Remy searched for the answer. Why hadn’t she? She’d been terrified of her mysterious stalker, and annoyed at Jeremy for—for what? For having a relationship before he met her? Why did Jeremy bother her so much? She barely knew him. What was it about him that got under her skin? And why hadn’t she gone home with Dr. Kendrick? He had a guest room. He would have let her sleep there. He wouldn’t have bothered her; she knew that deep down. So why did she refuse? Because he was her boss? Because he bought her dinner and drinks? Because he offered to check her apartment for intruders? Because he offered to protect her from a crazy stalker? Why?
“Because why?” Irene asked again.
And the answer came quickly, blurted before Remy could even stop herself. “Because I’m seeing someone else. We have plans after work today.”
“Who?” Irene asked.
But before she had even finished asking, Remy was blurting the answer. “Jeremy.”
The Spot Writers- our members:
Catherine A. MacKenzie
http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/
Jessica Degarmo
http://www.jessicadegarmo.com/
RC Bonitz
Val Muller
Deborah Dera
Leave a Reply