Page 30 of Hidden Desire

“I’m still walking with a damn cane. How do you think I’m doing?”

She shot a look at his son, and he rolled his eyes. “Dad, it’s not Sage’s fault.”

“That’s what she wants us to believe,” he grumbled. Sage escorted them into the room and closed the door. When she turned back to face him, he continued to grumble. “I should have been done with this cane weeks ago.”

“George, it really hasn’t been all that long,” Sage began.

“Don’t mind him, Sage. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” George Jr. tried to talk calm and collected, just as he always did when he accompanied his father. Sage appreciated it, but she knew the truth. He was just a grumpy old man who couldn’t be satisfied with anything. She even sensed that maybe he would have rather the stroke have killed him. It was a sad situation, but his emotions were intrusive wherever he was.

“I did not,” he argued. “I just don’t know what the point of coming here is. The doctors said I would be better in no time, and still, I’m struggling with this damn cane and relying on you to drive me around everywhere. I’m done. It’s clear that Occupational Therapy is a bullshit science and just something to get my money.” George collapsed dramatically into the chair and stared at Sage.

Sage slowly nodded but held up her hand when his son attempted to apologize. “It’s alright. Every patient can feel the way they feel. I know when I had to go around taking care of my grandfather, he felt the same way.” She shrugged and crossed her arms. “You can’t force the patients to want to try to get better. Besides, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s been a busy day, and I could eat my lunch, if you want to cancel. Your choice.”

George Jr’s eyes darkened, and there was a sort of glare about them. Sage pleaded with her facial expressions for him to just give it a few more minutes, and his face softened.

Sage continued, “So, you have ten more sessions scheduled. Should I cancel them all?”

George glared at her. “So, just like that, you are dismissing me? What kind of hospital is this? I should report you.”

Sage shrugged. “It’s really all relative, George. If you don’t feel it’s working, then why waste your time? I’m just trying to help you out.”

He looked away from her, catching a glimpse of his son’s eyes. “What do you want, Dad? I could take you home. There was a horserace on that you wanted to see, right?”

George huffed and shook his head at the outrageousness of the situation. “I never…” He remained seated. “Fine. Since we are here. I’ll give it a few more sessions,” he hastily replied.

George Jr and Sage shared a look, with George Jr trying to hide his grin. It was something that could have easily gone wrong, but to her relief, she didn’t have to beg him not to go to the hospital regarding her tactics. And he didn’t argue another drop during the rest of his therapy. Maybe she would have to play this card for other patients who were distrusting of the methods.

As she finished documenting in his notes and left the room, she spotted Lena getting off the elevator. Sage gave her a slight wave as she approached. “Marcus is in the cafeteria; wanna grab some lunch?”

“Your timing is impeccable.” Sage glanced at her watch. “I just finished the last patient of the morning, and I have about an hour. Let’s get out of here.” There was a small ounce of hope inside that she would bump into Stassi in the cafeteria, but she had to remind herself that she wasn’t to tell Lena or Marcus anything.

When they got on the elevator, Lena turned to her. “Spotted Stassi earlier. She’s working the ER, and I had to run and check on a patient.”

“Oh really?” Sage asked, keeping her eyes off the wandering nurse.

“Yep, and funny thing, I could have sworn she was wearing your scrubs.” Sage turned to her, and Lena laughed. “Am I wrong?”

“I’m sure there are a ton of those scrubs out there. Seriously, you’re whacko. “

Lena tilted her head. “A ton that have a slight tear on the right side? I remember the day you got hooked on that door on floor 3. Funny thing, I would have thought you would have already gotten that fixed.”

Sage winced. “How close did you get to her? You can’t say anything to anyone. We were together and she got called in to work. There was no time for her to get home and change.”

Lena laughed. “Well, I wasn’t that close, and you just confessed, so now I know it’s true.”

Sage rolled her eyes as the door opened. “You tricked me.”

“All in fun. I won’t say a word, but why are you being so secretive? You can be with whoever you want. I was just surprised when I recognized it, but clearly, you two dig each other.”

“We just decided that keeping it between us is the right way to go. At least for now.” Lena shrugged, and they entered the cafeteria. Sage glanced around to see if she could spot Stassi, but only saw Marcus seated at a corner table. Perhaps she would get a chance to have a few minutes with her before she went back to work. She grabbed a fruit bowl and water, paid, and then went over to Marcus’ table. He looked up, but his face was somber. “What’s wrong?”

Marcus shrugged and grabbed his phone. “So, Wyatt, who is interning in HR, has sort of a crush on me.”

Sage arched an eyebrow. “He knows you’re taken and in a fully committed relationship, right?”

He shrugged. “Never came up.”

“You’re playing with fire, Marcus. Just don’t let anything go where it shouldn’t go. You have too good of a thing going, and you wouldn’t want to screw that up.”

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