* Molly *
All week I felt a bit guilty, since James seemed so apologetic about not being able to see me.
He sent me funny texts and photos several times a day. He even drew me a daisy in one of his technical blueprint programs.
I kept telling him that I was busy as well, and even though I was looking forward to our Friday night date, I was in no rush. Maybe he had dated girls in the past who needed constant attention. I was so used to being alone that just having someone to send messages to at any time was exciting.
Friday morning he sent me a message an hour before our appointment.
James: It’s going to be strange not touching you while you’re touching me, but I promise to keep things exactly the same between us at the clinic. I don’t want you to get into trouble.
Me: Thanks for understanding. I think things are going easier with my boss, but she’s still watching me like a hawk.
James: I’ll still rant about how wonderful you are. Because you’re wonderful. But I’ll keep it completely platonic.
Me: So you’ll forgive me if I do my job by bullying you about your exercises?
James: Your job comes first, no matter what. But for the record, I did my exercises every single day this week.
Me: Gold star :)
It was definitely weird seeing him come through the back door of the clinic in his baggy shorts. But now that I’d seen him dressed to the nines, there was somehow more balance.
I went through the usual ritual of praising him for doing his exercises, running him through his stretches and mobility checks. Nobody seemed to be paying any attention to us at all, which was perfect.
When I had him on the table, massaging his shoulder, he groaned again. “I wish there was a tool that hit that little spot you manage to get,” he murmured.
“If you like, I can come over and train your next-door neighbor or something,” I laughed. “Someone you run into all the time.”
Linda walked by the open door giving me a funny look. Replaying what we had just said, it was completely innocent. All of the physical therapists made jokes with their clients as they worked with them. We had to keep things light during situations where we could be causing them some pain and discomfort.
When I got to his leg, I massaged around the affected area, then took a slow breath. James was acting completely relaxed, but I was nervous. I didn’t want to make him angry, but I was concerned about the sore patch. Maybe it was just fluid retention or something, and it had disappeared already.
Sliding my hands up a few inches above the knee, I tentatively grazed my fingers along that spot. Instantly he flinched.
“Just relax,” I said. “Something is a bit swollen here.”
Using almost zero pressure, I cautiously checked the area to see that the lump had definitely grown from last week. Biting my tongue so that I didn’t mutter, “Dammit” out loud, I let my fingertips cruise lightly around the spot, making sure that it was in the same position as last week.
It was definitely bigger, and more tender. The lightest pressure made James grit his teeth.
“Molly, may I see you in the hall?” Linda said sharply from the doorway.
“Sure.” I patted James on the knee. “We’re done, just chill out for a minute.”
As soon as I was in the hall, Linda pinned me with a strange look. “You two seem to be getting along well, and he seems to have stopped being difficult. Why did he look like he was in such pain just now?”
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I guided her back from the doorway, ignoring her shocked expression. “There is an area that was sore and tender last week, and now there is a definite lump,” I whispered. “He’s pretty sensitive, so I don’t want to freak him out.”
Linda’s prickliness dissolved immediately, realizing that this was serious. “You’re contacting his doctor?”
“I was just about to make the note in his chart. I don’t know if it’s urgent, but I also want to make sure he’s being checked by a specialist regularly,” I said.
She sighed. “Damn. Poor guy. I’ ll see that the file is sent to his doctor immediately.”
All I could do was nod and go back into the room to where James was sitting on the table looking worried. “Did I get you in trouble?” he asked quietly.
“No. Everything’s fine.”