The Doctor's Tale Read Online Free Page B

Kapow! I had a blind date. Just like that. Why did I schedule it for my first Saturday night off in two months? Maybe it just seemed like two months. Tonight, the thought of canceling the date definitely crossed my mind, so strongly that I called Rosa with precisely that intention. When she answered the telephone, it was almost as if she expected my forlorn call. Great.
    “Oh hello, Tom. Yeah, just listen to me. My friend is so excited about going out with you! No, don’t you dare say that. Of course, she knows you’re a doctor. No, absolutely not. I refuse to tell her you’re a butcher. What did you say? Now, you’re no accountant, and you know it. What do you mean, why? Because you’re not. You know what’s wrong with you?”
    “No Rosa. Why don’t you give me a list of all of my faults? Please. Look Rosa, I’m just tired. That’s all there is to it.”
    “You’re always tired. You think that’s going to get any better? No, it won’t. In a few more years, you’ll still be tired, but then, they’ll pay you to act like a bigger jerk.”
    “Look, I just don’t know anything about this girl. And tonight, I just want to kick back and relax. For once, I don’t want to have to work so hard.”
    “It’s too late to cancel, Tom. I told her all about you. She’s probably on her way over to your place now. Please don’t hurt her feelings.”
    “I’m really not good company these days, Rosa. She could do so much better.”
    “Take her bowling.”
    “Bowling?”
    “Are you kidding me?”
    “No. I’m dead serious. She’s very coordinated.”
    “I don’t bowl.”
    “Okay, how about target shooting? You sure know a lot about that. Take her to the pistol range. That’s what she really likes to do, anyway.”
    “She likes to shoot?”
    “Yeah. That’s what she said.”
    “Rosa, please—”
    “This friend is good company, trust me. She loves your picture, she’s nice, and super patient…”
    “You showed her my picture?”
    “Sure, why not?”
    “I’m a very private person, Rosa. You should have asked me before you did that.”
    “Look, I have to go now. Call me tomorrow and tell me how tonight went, huh?”
    “Yeah, yeah.” I hadn’t been shooting since Uncle Tony died, almost two years ago. I missed him and, yes, I did miss shooting. A night at the range could be a welcome change. Besides, when I thought about it, there were a lot of things I missed.
    The red Chevy truck rolled up to the curb. She sat behind the wheel, and checked her makeup in the rear view mirror. First impressions made all the difference. She learned that at the Police Academy. Patted her Beretta just to be sure it stayed where she put it. Rosa’s brother and all, but still…
    She stared at the familiar brick building. How many times had she driven by and wondered about the people who lived there? Despite the glow of the streetlights, it lacked that intangible quality known as “curb appeal.” To some people, though, appearances didn’t matter. She wondered if she’d made a mistake. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. The thing was, it was hard to find a guy who wasn’t intimidatedby her job—or her stature. Apparently, Rosa’s brother wasn’t. She braced herself and began the long walk to the front door. She hoped it didn’t lead to another heartache.
    When the doorbell buzzed, my neck stiffened. I really didn’t need more stress and lots of it. I glanced at the grandmother clock. Six o’clock on the dot. My date was punctual. Okay, that was a good sign. I opened the door, and immediately, I recognized her face. I knew her, from somewhere—that prominent jaw stayed with you. Then it hit me. She was the cop—without the uniform.
    Actually, she was quite attractive, in a Western kind of way. A long, tall drink of water with broad shoulders, narrow hips and blue jeans bought to fit and flatter.
    “Hey there, Mr. Intern,” she said. “It’s Gabrielle Burns. Your friendly neighborhood