Bathrooms & Psychiatric Offices

Bathrooms & Psychiatric Offices

By © Sasha McCallum

Copyright 2017 Sasha McCallum

Smashwords Edition

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Other titles by Sasha McCallum

Sample of Tinderbox

BATHROOMS & PSYCHIATRIC OFFICES

Chapter 1

Dr. Straub? Dr. Straub?

Carly was all but shaking Alex by the shoulder.

Please, don't call me that. It's Alex. I've told you before.

Are you okay?

Yes. Of course.

It's just that you've been standing there staring at the wall for like three full minutes, maybe more. You're totally spacing.

I'm just waiting for a file to print off.

Well...okay, but nothing's happening. The printer's out of paper again. I can refill it now, but I'm going to need you to, she gestured with her hands, you know, back away from the copier. Also, there is a two o'clock waiting in your room.

Oh, sorry. Have they been waiting long?

No, you're all good. Carly checked her tablet screen. A Mrs. Forsyth. She's only just arrived. Her cat's stopped eating.

Good, good. I'll be just a minute. She hurried towards the restroom door.

She dreaded having to face another old cat woman. It was difficult for her even on a good days. Surely, she thought, it would be another one on its way out and she would be forced to try to comfort the poor, old lady with words of science which meant nothing. She was certain that some of these old people saw their ancient cats—who had been their companions for so long—dying as a prelude to their own demise. She sympathized; she understood, and hated it. There were too many thoughts in her head at once as she studied her reflection. I want to go home, she thought for the umpteenth time that day.

No! she said to her dark eyes in the mirror, not intending to be so loud but liking how reassuringly determined she sounded. There is a point to me being here...even if I don't know what it is. I can’t cop out and play hooky for the afternoon. Yes, that's more like it.

I know how you feel.

What the… Mortified, Alex froze and stared at the mirror. Behind, an immaculately dressed woman emerged from one of the stalls and moved towards the sink beside her.

Um...embarrassing. I didn't realize there was someone in here, she mumbled.

You're having an existential crisis. It was a statement, not a question and Alex fumbled with the paper towels, trying to avoid contact with the large, blue eyes peering at her reflection. I've had a few of them myself. I understand it's pretty normal for someone with a decent brain. The way life goes for most of us is highly questionable.

Uh...no doubt. The woman was being awfully familiar. Maybe she felt sorry for her. Perhaps she saw danger in Alex's desperation. Alex looked at her sideways. It's all a game where we go insane, she said lamely, then felt stupid and hurried out of the ladies room with an apologetic glance over her shoulder.

She bustled into her clinic, putting a show of hurried professionalism on for old Mrs. Forsyth.

Right, sorry to— The room was empty save a small carrier cage, where two pale eyes peeped from the front bars. Alex scanned the room again; she was alone. She looked at the tiny, crouched figure in the cage and did an immediate assessment—half-closed, weepy eyes, fur bristled, slight tremor. Might be pneumonia, might not.

Where's your old mom gone then, hey puss? She fingered his fur between the bars.

You've met Stone-age, a familiar voice said from the door and Alex whirled around to find herself face to face again with the woman from the restroom. I'm his old mom. She smiled.

We’re off to a fantastic start. Alex felt a blush. This is terrible, she thought wretchedly, while at the same time was relieved her client wasn't a fragile geriatric who might be devastated by bad news.

Just one of those days, huh? Are you the vet? You're a doctor? I thought you people wore lab coats... She was looking Alex up and down in a way that made her feel only slightly uncomfortable. She crossed the room, pulled her coat off a hook and slipped it over her shoulders.

Better? She reached over and held out her hand. Alex Straub. Yes, I'm one of the vets.

Hello. Lily Forsyth. She took the hand and shook it slowly before quickly withdrawing. Alex wondered fleetingly if her hands were clammy but they felt fine to her. This is Stone-age, she continued, my stepson’s cat. He hasn't eaten anything for three days. Just water now and then. He's not moving much either. Jacob loves him, so do I truth be told, though I rarely admit it. She smiled sheepishly and Alex noticed the dimples forming at the sides of her mouth.

Oh Christ, she's beautiful, she thought, and her heart skipped a beat. They stood staring at each other for several seconds before Alex remembered to breath and shifted her gaze toward the cage.

When she lifted Stone-age out gently and began to examine him on the table his owner approached and watched what she was doing closely. It was very distracting to have this woman—Lily, so near. How odd, she thought. It had been such a long time since she had felt even a twinge for anyone. Why this woman? She could smell her perfume and it was intoxicating. The face flashed through her mind, the dimples etched into smooth skin as she had smiled. She had light brown hair pulled into a French twist and big, clear, blue eyes, which radiated sincerity.

How old are you, Mrs. Forsyth?

How old am I? The other woman frowned.

Alex winced and corrected herself. "Excuse me, how old is Stone-age?"

After some questions and completing the examination Alex knew the initial diagnosis had been correct. She explained the situation and reassured Lily Forsyth.

For a cat of this age it's not a death sentence. Keep him inside, warm, and well watered. I’ll prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic to treat the infection, which he'll need to take twice a day.

Are they tablets?

Yes. I can dispense them directly from the clinic and add it to your invoice, if that's okay?

Of course. But he's not eating. How do I get him to take them if I can't put them in his food?

Oh, ya veo. Come, I'll show you with his first pill. Could you hold on to him? She did so and Alex demonstrated how to get the tablet down. You have to get your finger between his back teeth and put the pill as far back on his tongue as you can then push his mouth closed. As a reflex he'll be forced to swallow it. It's a normal practice and it doesn't bother them. I know it seems cruel to someone who hasn't done it before—

No. You did that really well. He's not fussed at all.

I think somehow they understand that you're trying to help them. You'll be able to do it with his next pill?

I think so. Thank you.

You are very welcome.

How are you feeling?

What? Oh... You mean the thing in the ladies. I'm fine really, it's an integral part of my daily routine, nothing to worry about. Alex chuckled cynically through her nose.

Well, I'm glad you didn't run off for the day.

They walked out to the reception area together and Alex tried to scorch the woman's gorgeous figure into her brain. He should start eating again within a couple of days. If not, bring him back in, okay?

Sure, thank you so much.

She nodded and made to turn and walk back to her clinic but was stopped by a hand on her arm.

Would you like to have coffee sometime?

Alex raised her eyebrows in surprise. Um...aren’t you married?

Oh god, I'm not coming on to you or anything. I just think you seem like an interesting person. I especially liked the little speech you gave yourself in the mirror. I'd like to talk to you more, but if I'm out of line, I apologize.

Her eyes were striking, penetrating—Alex couldn't help herself.

Yeah...sure, I mean I guess it couldn't hurt. You have your cell? Lily reached into her bag and handed over her phone.

Okay. That's my number. I'm here every day except Sunday and I usually break for lunch around one pm. We could meet then, if it suits you.

She took the phone back and gave Alex the most dazzling smile.

You'll be hearing from me. Count on it, she said and whisked past, disappearing through the front doors. Alex stared after her, dazed and encircled by a cloud of her delicious scent. That was very weird, she thought, and trudged back towards the depths of the building, shrugging away a questioning look from Carly at reception.

*

Alex felt a distinct unease at having given her number away so easily for a while after, but by the following Thursday she had removed the encounter from her forethoughts, ideas of seeing the other woman again replaced by the monotony of her work days and the blandness of her personal life. Which was, of course, exactly when she received a text message from an unknown number.

Alex, hi. This is Lily from the clinic last week. Can I pick you up for lunch today?

A wave of anxiety and shock made her knees momentarily weak. She sagged against her table and allowed herself a few moments to think about how boring her personal life was. A simple lunch with a married woman was not a big deal for most people, and even Alex needed friends. It would be good for her, despite the warning bells going off in her head. She added Lily's number to her contact list and replied quickly and sparingly before she had time to reconsider.

Hello Lily. Sure. Meet me here at the clinic at 1pm?

The reply was almost instantaneous.

CU then 

Alex checked her watch. Now to get through the next three hours without having a nervous breakdown. She marched out to reception and approached.

Finished your break already? Carly smiled up.

Yes. How's the day looking? I need to keep really busy until one.

Yeah? Well... She scanned her screen. "You've got four dogs, and uh...three cats booked in from ten thirty. But actually, Petersons got