Come out - what a great choice of words to use with my mother. Every fiber in my body is screaming at me to tell her, to say it and get the hell over it....but I can't. I get off the phone, I smooth things over, she doesn't suspect -- and I feel like crap.
"Congratulations, Dr. Lewis, on your official appointment as new resident orthopedic surgeon at Granville Sports Medicine Clinic."
"Thank you, Rob." I made sure the door was closed and gave him a hug. "It wouldn't have happened without you."
"Bullshit. It would have happened anyway. It was just a matter of timing."
"Robert, any surgery for you is free of charge."
He does his best Blanche DuBois, "You mean, I'll walk again without the limp, Doctor?"
"Honey, you'll do the LA Marathon when I'm done with you." I can't believe this, everything in my life is so amazing. It's so rare when it all comes together -- Andrew, a new job, a new year...
The intercom buzzes again. "Excuse me, Dr. Lewis. But a Detective Ortiz is on the phone."
"A detective?", Robert yelps. "How fascinating."
My face reddens with embarrassment. "Tell him I'm unavailable, Donny. I'll call him back."
"Do tell," says Robert. He pours more champagne.
I hedge. "No drama, Blanche. I witnessed a car accident last week they may need me to testify...cheers! To new beginnings."
I wanted to tell him the truth about Ortiz -- that I was spying on Drew because of his ex-boyfriend -- that instead of kissing my Drew at midnight on New Year's Eve -- I was locked in the grips of that same ex-boyfriend --
I wanted to tell Robert... but...
