Page 25 of Stat: Love In Scrubs
“Come on.”
She kissed her teeth behind me, causing me to smirk.
“If you hurt your back, I don’t want to hear nothing about it,” she mumbled, while climbing onto my back.
I stood upright once she was on my back, good before I started walking. Yara had her legs wrapped around me, tight as hell. I knew she thought I was going to drop her, but she weighed half of nothing. She had nothing to worry about.
I walked across the grass until I found a good place beneath a tree by the pond. I laid out the blanket all while she was still on my back. Once I finished, I turned around to allow her to slip from my back onto the blanket. Yara immediately removed her heels, then took a seat. I followed suit after placing the basket and the bag down beside her.
“You went and bought all of this today?” she asked, looking at all the things I pulled from the basket.
“Yeah, some of it. I knew I had some making up to do. Not to mention you’ve been ignoring my texts and calls. But I understand, I fucked up for sure. It’s taking some getting used to that there is someone who I want just as much, if not more, than my job. The shit is all new to me.”
I handed her a plate so she could put what she wanted on it. I had bought fresh-cut fruit, different sub sandwiches, variousbrands of chips, and two glasses, along with a bottle of wine. I had gotten different condiment packets and plastic silverware just in case.
“I get that. I can admit I was wrong for ignoring you. Communication is big for me. I understand that being a doctor is a demanding job. I just need realistic expectations. Tell me it’s a possibility that things might be disrupted. I have a question, though.”
“I can do that, and what’s up?” I asked, then took a bite of my sandwich.
“How did you and Esa’s mother work when it came to your job? If you don’t mind me asking.”
I placed my sandwich onto my plate, then gave her my undivided attention.
“We met in college, and she knew the mission early on. As you said earlier, her expectations of what it would be like to be with me were clear. But, I also tried to be considerate of the time that I gave to her. It’s one reason I understood how you felt. It’s still something I’m learning because I haven’t done it in a while, but trust me. I want to see where this could go.”
“I appreciate you being honest with me. I’m willing to be patient. I understand the concept of being devoted to something you've worked so hard for or are passionate about. I’m the same way with the academy. Little Angels Academy was created to give these kids a fighting chance to be seen and understood. To give them the tools I wish I had had as a child.”
I nodded. I could see that in Esa, she had learned so much since being there. Yara had definitely put together something beyond special.
“How was it growing up for you? Did your father have help? I wouldn’t know what the hell I would have done if I didn’t have my parents. Granted, I would have figured it out. But their help was and still is needed today.”
She grabbed a napkin to wipe her hands, then tilted her head to the side as if she was thinking intently on the question.
“My dad is my best friend. I was lucky. In the beginning, it was just us. He had little help, but that’s how he came across Maria. She is his wife now, but she came into my life when I really needed a mother. There are some things that men just can’t help you with. I always say my dad was a blessing. He was always so patient with me.”
“I say all of that to say, no, my mother’s parents were gone, my father’s parents didn’t live here, but they came to visit when they could. I always wondered why he never went back to where he was from, but that’s his story to tell, not mine.”
“I can see understand that. I don’t know what I would have done without my people. Veronica’s parents’ hearts were broken after she passed, and they couldn’t deal with seeing Esa. I do my part and send them pictures of her growth.” I shared.
“That’s not uncommon. I’ve heard this same sentiment from other parents at the Academy. Death and how we deal with it is unique to each person. I hope they come around before it’s too late,” she responded after a few moments of silence.
“I agree. When they realize Esa has all the best parts of Veronica and me, they will realize they missed out on all this time for nothing.”
I hadn’t thought about Ron and Marissa in such a long time. Maybe it was time for me to call and check in. It was the least I could do for Veronica.
We moved on from the conversation and finished our food. Then talked a little more before it was time to take her back to school. We sat in the truck for a moment before she turned to face me and leaned across the armrest to kiss me.
“I’m going to assume I made it back into your good graces.”
Yara shrugged. “Maybe, hopefully, you can stay there.”
I laughed, then shook my head as I hopped out of the truck to open her door. I wrapped my hand around her neck lightly and leaned down to kiss her once more before she turned to walk back to the school, but stopped. Then turned to face me with a smile but continued towards the entrance.
Damn.
TOP GOLF DATE NIGHT
I got Yara to agree to a date redo, but she had to promise to be careful. I was not trying to spend another night in the damn ER. If I brought her ass back, they were going to think I was going upside her head.
