Page 33 of Hollyhocks

Entering through the doors, I wipe my boots on the very used cheap rug. The soles squeak on the tile floor, the bright fluorescents gleaming off the freshly polished white squares. The waiting room is quiet with only dozens of empty blue cushioned chairs.

A few TVs play different shows in every corner and there is a small play area for children on the left side of the room.

A sterile hospital scent hits my nose. I swallow so loud, that the person behind the desk looks up at me, smiling.

His name tag says Archie.

“Well, good morning. I didn’t even hear you come in. How can I help you?” He grins so earnestly that it is hard not to remain a grouch.

“I need to see a doctor.”

He snickers, typing on the keyboard. “Of course you do, silly. It’s why you’re here. Have you been here before?”

“I have been. You have all my information. My name is—” I hate saying my full name. “Fitsgerald Wallsworth the Third,” I mutter.

“Wallsworth? Like the candy canes?” His eyes widen in shock.

“Yeah, listen, I’m not really part of that side of the family. So if you could not say anything, that would be great.”

He zips his lips and throws away the key. “Your secret is safe with me. Those are the best candy canes though. I am so curious what they do to them.”

“They infused the wrapper with the tiniest bit of rosemary so when you open it, you get a burst of the aroma. It makes you feel like you’re actually experiencing Christmas. That’s the secret. Can I see a doctor now please?”

He blinks at me in shock. “Um, yeah. Yes. What’s going on so I can let the doctor know?”

“I have a questionable mark.”

“She will be with you in just one moment, okay Mr. Wallsworth?”

I give him a tight smile, tapping my fingers on the front desk before turning around and taking a seat.

I don’t like talking about my family history. That’s something I keep close to my chest. I had a falling out with my family when I was eighteen. My parents and my grandparents disowned my sister for getting pregnant at sixteen with my nephew.

I chose her.

Luckily, I had been entitled to the small trust fund I had set up by my grandparents since I turned eighteen. I left home with her and never looked back. She never got her trust fund, so I gave her most of mine. I have enough to live how I need to live and so does she.

As far as our family, they are dead to us along with those damn Wallsworth Candy Canes.

I won’t be a part of a family that is full of that much hate. To disown your daughter when she needs her family most is an unforgivable act. If my parents ever knocked on my door after all these years, I would slam it in their faces.

As far as I’m concerned, my last name is just a name and holds no meaning. I’m Fitz, the mechanic. I never want to be confused with Fitz, the heir to Wallsworth Candy Canes.

That part of my life is dead to me.

“Fitsgerald?” A nurse pops her head out of the door before swinging it wide open.

I stand, raising my hand to let her know it’s me. Who else would it be? I’m the only one here.

“How are you doing?” I ask as I slip by her.

“I’m great. I need another cup of coffee,” she laughs, gesturing at me to stand on the scale.

“I need my first cup.”

She snickers and then we fall into an awkward silence as she takes my height and blood pressure and asks me a zillion questions that I’ve already answered. They should be in the computer system.

“The doctor will be right in,” she informs, leaving me alone in the patient room.

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