I'm dragging my feet about the prospect of working at Granville Sports Medicine...why? After all they came after me. Me. Robert thinks I'm an idiot if I don't go for it. Heās probably right.
"Robert, I donāt know. I mean my patients... "
"Youāll get new ones! The old ones who like you will come to where ever you are. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, Eric!. Take it...."
"I feel disloyal..."
"Loyal, schmoyal. Krantz knows just how good you are; I wouldnāt be surprised if she knows that Sybel made you an offer! She wonāt be happy. But sheāll have to understand."
My intercom rang. "Dr. Lewis, your mother, line 2." Shit.
"Iāll be right there," I said the box. "Rob, I gotta go....yes. Iāll call Sybel. Thanks."
I took a deep breath before I picked up the other line. "Hello, Mama...."
Drew found me sitting in the dark in the den, staring at a family photo album.
"Man, what a lousy day at work! Stupid boss's son is -- Eric? Is everything okay?"
ĪOkay, Eric,ā I remind myself. ĪDonāt get excited. Get it all out in one packageā The mere mention of my family sent Drew into an emotional spin and I wanted to make sure I relayed all the info at once.
"Andrew, my parents called. Theyāre coming out to visit."
He tried, unsuccessfully to cover his glee. "Eric, thatās fantastic. What did they say??"
"I -- I ---" I couldnāt manage to get my tongue to work.
"Eric, did you tell them," Andrew asked "You didnāt tell them did you?"
It was all I could do to shake my head, ĪNo.ā Andrew went from blissful to blistering. "You have to deal with this, Eric! Itās not like you can make me disappear. I LIVE HERE, NOW! I donāt want to be kicked out of our house when your mama comes to town!"
"What would I have done!!?! How would I have explained... "
Andrew went on a tirade. I sat there and let his anger wash me clean. After all it was justifiable. And what do I explain? That the man in my bed named Andrew McKinley is the love of my life, and I have made the biggest commitment of my life. Andrewās anger and hurt fill my head --and then it all suddenly seemed so clear.
"I have to tell them. My God, Drew I have to tell them. I know I've been saying yes to you all along -- but I haven't been saying yes to myself. I know that now."
"You mean it?" he asks, his eyes telling me all I need to know about how he feels.
"Yeah, I mean it." He moves into my arms.
"Oh, by the way....youāre looking at the newest orthopedic surgeon at Granville Sports Medicine." He kisses me deep and powerful. He's so damn happy and proud and in love with me.
Did I reach a new place towards coming out of the closet? Or did I just kill some more time? I have no idea.
