AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mr. Hortishire came out of the room and waved goodbye. This was my chance to give Hollis a little warning.
He handed me the chart. “I notated Mr. Hortishire had elevated blood pressure. I gave him a few suggestions to see if we could get it back in the normal range. I’d like to schedule a follow-up in a week.”
I scribbled down the notes. “Consider it done.”
“We really need someone to help out around here.”
Clicking my tongue, I knew this was the perfect opportunity. “Well, you see, we may already have the positioned filled.”
“We may?” Hollis tilted his head at me like I was crazy.
I laid down the chart. Just rip the Band-Aid off. “No, no, we for sure have someone.”
“Okay, am I missing something?”
“Well, our new employee is in the back filling out her paperwork. I need to know what the position pays.”
Hollis considered that for a second. “How about twenty dollars an hour?”
“She’ll be grateful. That’s perfect.”
“Alexa, I have the paperwork.”
“Coming!”
Oh shit, I thought I would have a few more minutes to tell him. Damn, Devney was fast.
Hollis’s face froze. “Is that—I… she… you…”
I clapped him on the shoulder. “Deep breaths, Hollis. I thought you weren’t attracted to Devney.” Giving him a wink, I walked back into the office and took the papers from Devney.
“I just confirmed with Hollis; the pay is twenty dollars an hour.”
“Oh my! I was only expecting half that. I appreciate it. This will help immensely. Thank you so much.” Her eyes turned to the doorway, where I was sure Hollis had joined us. “Dr. Fritz, thank you again.”
“You’re… welcome. I’m—” Hollis started fiddling with this stethoscope. “I’m glad to have you…” Somehow in the next second, the stethoscope was wrapped around his neck. “Damn it. This thing is trying to kill me.”
He tossed the stethoscope across the room, and we all watched it land. The clank of the metal hitting the ground was the only sound to be heard. “Well, that’s one way to get it off,” I said.
Devney gave a small giggle but then remembered herself. An awkward silence filled the room. I was about to speak when Devney said, “I had lunch with Marlena today. She’s excited.”
“Excited?” Hollis asked, perplexed.
Devney’s eyes grew wide, and she looked at me. I had no idea what she was talking about. “Umm about your date this Friday?”
“What?” Hollis’s volume had us jumping. “What date?”
Devney looked to me for help. She probably thought that Hollis was a crazy loon. Sometimes he didn’t have the demeanor of a doctor. The last time she was here, he’d shut his hand in the drawer. Now he’d nearly strangled himself with his stethoscope and was screaming questions.
“I… uh… I’m going to be heading out now. Thank you, Dr. Fritz. I’ll see you Monday, Alexa. Thank you again.”
I waved, saying, “Bye, Devney.”
The door closed behind her, and I turned to Hollis. “You may want to make her feel a little more welcome. You might have scared her.”
“What? I didn’t… damn it.” Hollis took off toward the front door, nearly tripping on his own feet. I heard him say, “Thanks for taking the job, Devney. We’re looking forward to Monday.”
That was a little better. Now he just sounded like a stiff. I wondered if he liked her more than I’d originally thought. Hollis was affected by her in a good way.
