Spot Writers: Chapter 21

This week’s chapter comes from Cathy MacKenzie. Check out her books of short stories available on Smashwords for only $1.99 and $0.99. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/camack. Her books of poetry are available there, as well.

 

Next week’s chapter will be written by Deborah Dera. Deborah traditionally ghostwrites articles and stories but is in the process of finishing up her first eBook to be released on the Kindle platform later this year. Keep your eyes peeled!

 

The Spot Writers’ blogs appear at the end of this story. Don’t forget to check them out.

***

CHAPTER 21

“Dr. Kendrick – Sam…” Remy averted her head just in time to avoid his leering lips. If she hadn’t had the desk behind her to grab hold of, she was sure she would have landed flat on her back.

“What’s up with you? I’ve been waiting all week for this. You’ve been avoiding me.”

“No, I haven’t. I’m here to work. That’s what I’ve been doing.” Remy, although proud for standing up for herself, wondered if she spoke a bit too gruffly.

“You’re not busy now. I give you permission to stop whatever you’re doing,” Dr. Kendrick said.

“Sam – Dr. Kendrick – we have to talk.” Remy hesitated. Did she dare go further? Did she dare tell a lie? “I’m in a relationship. Besides, you’re my boss. I don’t want to mix pleasure and business. I should have told you that earlier. I’m sorry.”

“You’re in a relationship? Not with that drunken slob from the other day, I hope.”

“He’s not a drunken slob. He’s just been going through a rough patch. And, yes, that’s him. Jeremy is his name.”

“I don’t believe it,” Dr. Kendrick said. “I just don’t believe it. I thought you and I had something special.”

“Sam.” Remy shook her head. “I’m sorry. I want to keep my job. I need to keep my job, but if this keeps up, I’ll have to quit.” She felt braver with each word she spoke.

Dr. Kendrick backed up a foot. His hand waved in the air, like he was shooing away flies, except there were none around. “Okay, okay,” he said, before muttering words Remy couldn’t catch. He stared at her for a moment before turning back toward his office.

Remy slumped to the chair and let her face fall to her hands.

***

Remy barely had her condo door shut behind her, when her cell phone rang. She grabbed the phone from her coat pocket to see “caller unknown.”

“Damn.” She had almost forgotten that depraved unknown caller or callers and the text messages. Was he –or she – back at work? Or could it be Jeremy calling? But, no, Jeremy wouldn’t show up as unknown caller.

She hesitated, her finger ready to hit the green button, and then thought better of it. She watched the flashing light until it stopped and waited to see if the caller left a message. Nothing.

“Fine, be that way,” she said, before tossing her purse and phone to the hall chair. Tears formed in her eyes when she thought of Jeremy and his poor mother. She desperately wanted to talk to him, but knew she shouldn’t bother him, not when he was visiting his mother. She was also afraid to talk to him, not knowing what she’d say if his mother’s condition had become worse.

The ringing of the doorbell interrupted her thoughts. She peered through the peephole, shocked to see Dr. Kendrick standing there.

What? All sorts of thoughts invaded her head. She backed away from the door, her hand across her mouth to stop herself from screeching. What the heck? What was he doing there? Her stocking feet were soundless on the floor, as she escaped into the bedroom. She hoped he hadn’t heard her earlier when she threw the phone down. Who knew how long he stood there, listening through the door. Did he follow her home?

Remy thought of several possibilities of where she could later say she was. She could be at a neighbor’s. She could be out for a walk. Yes, he’d never know she had been home.

The doorbell rang again, insistent, intruding into her private domain. Then the phone rang.

Remy crept back into the living room to check the call display. Jeremy. Darn, she thought. I can’t pick it up. I can’t answer. Dr. Kendrick will hear and know I’m home. I have to let it ring.

***

The Spot Writers- our members:

 

Catherine A. MacKenzie

http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

 

Jessica Degarmo

http://www.jessicadegarmo.com/

 

RC Bonitz

http://www.rcbonitz.com

 

Val Muller

https://valmuller.com/blog

 

Deborah Dera

http://www.deborahdera.com

 

 

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