Page 13 of So Wrong It's Right

Chapter Six

Christopher

“Ma’am. There is nothingwrong with Fred.”

“I’m so relieved,” Mrs. Abbott says. Mrs. Abbott, whose Pekingese, Fred, has no symptoms of any kind, though she insisted he wasn’t feeling well, is watching me very carefully.

“You seem like quite a catch. How is it that you’re single, dearie?”

If I didn’t know any better, and I don’t, I’d swear Mrs. Abbott, who is Stella’s great-aunt, is only here to try and get gossip from the newest bachelor in town. “I probably work too much, ma’am.”

“That’s not good for a man. You know what they say about all work and no play. I hope you like the cookies I made.” We both glance at the platter of heart-shaped cookies on the counter.

“That was very thoughtful of you. I better not eat them all myself though.”

Like several of the townspeople this week, Mrs. Abbott is trying to make me feel welcome, and I appreciate it, though I’m not sure how a single man could be expected to eat this entire platter of cookies by himself.

She winks at me. “There’s plenty there to share. You’re such a handsome young man. I’m sure you’ll find just the right person to share the cookies with. My special recipe you know. These cookies helped me lure the love of my life to me. Maybe they’ll do the same for you. Very romantic. There is a lovely spot in the park under the trellis...perfect to share cookies with someone special. Maybe the love of your life? You never know.” She winks at me. “Or maybe we do know, yes?”

The love of my life?

I’d known, on some level, that practicing in a small town would be different. I’d expected some concern and some curiosity and some welcome. But I hadn’t expected it on the level to which I’ve been subjected. Everyone is very concerned with my bachelor status. And they all seem convinced I’m dating someone they know.

Fishbowl.

Mrs. Abbott, though, stands out. Not only because of the cookies, but because she’s also dressed in head-to-toe leopard print. Her jaunty little hat is pinned in place to a helmet of shellacked red hair that matches perfectly to the shade of red on her lips. I can’t help but wonder if Stella spends a lot of time with her because their sensibilities are very well synced.

“You seem like a very nice boy, Dr. Lockwood.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Abbott. I’ll pass that on to my parents.”

She squints at me. “A little cheeky, though.”

I hold my arms up in mock surrender.

“We could use more nice boys in this town. You should move here permanently. You’d fit in nicely.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. For now, I’m just here temporarily. My life is in the city.”

“You young people always think life is better in the city.” She shakes her head. She’s packing Fred back into his leopard print carrier. “I expect I’ll see you at my nephew’s wedding. The whole town is coming. Toodles!”

I scoot my rolling stool over to the little writing desk to finish my notes on Fred and think about what she said. I love to kayak the bay in the mornings, just as dawn is breaking and painting the horizon pink. I wouldn’t make as much money here, but I’m practicing real medicine as opposed to some of the more cosmetic things I’m expected to do to pets in the city.

Maybe it’s a good time to put down roots. I’m past thirty now. Maybe when I get back to the city, I’ll start the search a little more seriously. I could offer my wife and children a very stable life—something I never had growing up, despite the neighborhood and money I grew up with. Because my parents are unsuited to each other in every way. They love each other, yes. But they fight constantly.

I open a file for my cancer patient coming in next. Shadow, a yellow lab. The last entry is written in pink glittery ink. I try to tamp down my reaction, but I feel my heartbeat in my temples. Pink, glittery ink is bordering on ludicrous and no way to run a medical office. I slam the jacket closed and stride out the door with it in my hand.

“Stella, we need to have a talk.”

The guileless expression on her face makes me inexplicably more upset. She is pink today. Her lips, her hair scarf, her dress. Well, pink with white polka dots. The dress is tight in the bodice, but how could it not be? Her breasts challenge every bodice they meet. Despite the dots, which seem a bit juvenile to me, but she apparently adores as fifty percent of her wardrobe is spotted similarly, the color isn’t as bold as usual. It’s almost neutral. Calming.

---