Cake Love: All Things Payne(20)

Chapter 8

Payne's Rule Two: Don't do anything that might negatively affect the company





ONE MONTH LATER


"Here's the thing. Ugh, I can't believe I am even telling you this, but I feel you won't judge me and I need that right now."

I stare blankly at the worn stuffed unicorn sitting on the office desk.

"I want to f*ck her. No, no that came out all wrong. I want to...f*ck her, like shove my dick up in it and watch her eyes roll back from my awesomeness. There I said it. Whew, it does feel good to get things off my chest. Perhaps I should get a therapist."

Leaning back in the uncomfortable lightly padded black leather and steel chair I glance back at the clock wondering where the doctor or, for that matter, Tiffany is.

Looking back at the shabby plush toy I shake my head.

"I know. I know I really shouldn't have fingered her… twice. Technically not much happened the first time as I passed out. But, God I can't help it, have you seen Morgana? She's like a real live Jessica Rabbit. What man wouldn't want to hit that?"

I get up and pace the room that reeks of sterilizing chemicals and popcorn.

"Jesus, what is wrong with me? First I get drunk at the holiday party and make a move on her, and then I follow it up a few weeks later on her desk. I'm a monster!"

Glancing at the unicorn I can sense its pity for me.

"Look what I've become. One woman and I lose control. See, this is why I don't date. Women are nothing but trouble. That may sound a bit old fashioned, but in my experience it's true. I don't mind having a regular friendship with them, like what I have with Tiffany, but anything more and everything falls apart. I've worked too damn hard for this job; I'm not going to jeopardize it over her luscious ass. It really is spectacular. You should see it when she's wearing..."

I grab the helpless toy and bring it to my face.

"Grrr! I'm doing it again. Please help me." I squeeze the unicorn tightly in my hands just as the sound of the door opens. Quickly I put down the stuffed animal and take a seat as if I wasn't just talking to a unicorn posing as a therapist.

"Ah, Mr. Payne there you are. I was discussing David's progress with Ms. Blackburn in David's hospital room."

They both come inside and the doctor sits at his desk as Tiffany and I sit across the desk from him. I reach over and entwine my fingers into hers. She gives me a sad smile. Shit, this isn't good.

"So, will he wake up? You only specified a slight chance of him not waking after surgery. I don't understand what’s wrong?"

I’m pissed. He is supposedly the best neurosurgeon in the world; now Tiffany's son won't wake from the surgery he had a few days ago. The surgery that would help improve verbal and physical function in his body. Maybe help the eleven year old boy walk for the first time. This is now all for nothing as he may be in a coma for the rest of his life.

"There’s always a risk Mr. Payne. I know things seem bleak right now, but the brain is an amazing organ. It does what it needs to heal, sometimes better than any doctor can ever do. There is no doubt in my mind that David will wake from the coma. It may take days or weeks, maybe even months, but when he does I believe he will surprise all of us at how quickly things progress. I felt proud of the surgery I performed, and so I can honestly say it was a success, but his brain needs to heal and that is what it is doing. Just give it time."

Tiffany is squeezing my hand and I look over to see her smiling through her tears. We have been through so much together. I feel like David is my son, even though he isn't.

We met in this very hospital ten years ago, a few days before Christmas. I had been at the office holiday party getting shit faced as I did every year. Who am I kidding; I got drunk a lot back then. Maybe a little more than I should, but I was young, newly rich, and powerful. That was a very lethal combination for a twenty-four year old. My parents had called me and asked if I could pick my little sister up from her friend's house as they needed to attend a social function for the Mayor. My dad was a cool guy; he was an engineer who worked for the city. He liked to take things apart and find out what made them tick. My mom on the other hand, was the social climber. She worked her way up the political scene in the city, so the Mayor's event was huge to her.

My dad loved me and my sister, Janice, like any dad should. He was more like a kid himself, while Mom was always yelling at us to keep it down. To her, we were accessories she broke out when she wanted to impress people. After that we were not to be heard from.

So, when my twelve year old sister (as my dad said she was a surprise, though my mom called her an accident) phoned after fighting with her best friend and wanted to come home from a sleep over, guess who my parents turned to? I was in no shape to drive so I told them no.

An hour later I was contacted by the police department to inform me my parents had been in a car accident. I ran to the hospital to be shuffled into a room with Tiffany. Her husband and one year old son had also been in that accident. The only person who lived was her son, David, but the doctors told her he had brain damage that affected the brain's communication to the muscles in his body, telling her he may never walk again.

We helped each other through that time. I was at the hospital every day to check on David. I watched him grow into a very happy and determined child. I made sure he got the best treatment, the best wheelchairs, and an in-home nurse to help Tiffany. I never took no for an answer.