Page 32 of Crying Shame
“Please wait up," he said. "It’s work, and I need to Zoom with a patient.”
I nodded. “Sam's about done with his homework, so I’ll get him ready for bed. Meet us to tuck him in.”
“I wouldn’t miss that,” Elon said and gazed at me like he was seeing into my soul.
I bounced on my feet, but then his phone rang again, and an image of a pretty, blond young woman with a brilliant smile appeared on his screen.
My stomach twisted. “Who's that?”
“Secretary.” He headed to his office.
I sighed and said, “Perky and young.”
He stopped at the door to his office and called back to me. “Works cheap and wants to go to medical school.”
I supposed answering calls for a doctor was a good way to see how a medical office worked.
And it wasn't like I had the right to be jealous. I crossed the room to the open door of his office, where he was opening his laptop.
“I’m not judging,” I said.
He winked at me. “It’s okay if you’re jealous. I’d like it.”
He hadn’t answered the call from his secretary. The phone was on his desk.
My skin buzzed. “Why would you like it?”
The twinkle in his expression caught me off guard. “Then I’d know you like me a little more than you want to.”
I tapped the frame of the door and stepped back. “Keep dreaming, lover boy.”
Elon started his video call. Sam was through with his homework, so I helped him pack his backpack. Once his bag was ready for tomorrow, we headed up the stairs.
I laid out clothes for him to wear to bed as he showered in his en suite bathroom.
Once he was out, dressed, and in bed, Elon joined us.
He sat on the bed and kissed our son’s forehead. “Good night.”
My heart melted a little.
Sam hugged him, and I stayed still. This was better than anything Elon had bought for him. Moments created memories, and I prayed Sam would remember this one.
When Elon stood, I hugged Sam, and he wiped a tear from my face. I laughed and kissed him. “Good night.”
Elon waited at the door for me. I swiped at my face to ensure no more tears were there and had an extra bounce in my step. He walked next to me in the hall, and I clasped my hands in front of me. “How was the patient?”
We went down the stairs. “Upset we recommended a C-section. She’d been adamant about no drugs and going all-natural.”
I let out a sigh, as that sounded like someone’s broken dream. We headed to the living room. “Then why did you make the recommendation?”
A member of his staff brought out a wine bottle and more glasses and served us. I froze, as I was usually the one serving, but Elon didn't seem to notice. “The cord is around the baby’s neck. If she pushes during labor, the baby could lose the ability to breathe.”
I took the offered glass. Honestly, I never drank much, but being here was relaxing me. “That sucks. Sam’s birth is honestly a blur at this point, but I had no complications, though truthfully, I stayed home on maternity leave for as long as possible.”
He sipped from his glass. “She agreed when I talked to her about the dangers. I don’t understand sometimes why nurses can’t explain the obvious, but at other times, I get it.”
I twirled the stem of my glass. “So why aren’t you running to the hospital to deliver?”
