Snowed in with the Doctor

“I tried a relationship, remember? It didn’t work out.”

Justin had been working at the Johns Hopkins University Medical School as a research fellow when he’d met Devina. She was of African-Mediterranean descent, and although not a great beauty, she was very bright. It was love at first sight. Because of his illness, he had never really dated in high school and college—which didn’t mean he hadn’t gone out with girls. Quite the opposite. The girls asked him out, and his sisters and parents were always fielding calls from one girl or another. But he had never fallen in love or anything even close. With Devina, it had been different.

On their first date he had taken her to see the Alvin Ailey dance troupe at the Kennedy Center. Before long, she was spending nights at his place and their relationship blossomed. Then it happened. He suffered a major crisis and spent two weeks in the hospital. Devina came to visit him the first day he was admitted, but after that she was gone. Oliver had never liked her and had told Justin to be careful, but he hadn’t listened. His sisters also didn’t take to her, but by the time he realized the kind of person she was, she’d left. He never saw her again.

Six months later, he saw an article in a newspaper announcing the appointment of Dr. Devina Davis as director of research at Abbot Labs. It was then Justin realized she had conned him. They had been extremely close, and he’d shared some of his research with her, including the white paper he hadn’t submitted yet for publication. The article mentioned Dr. Davis’s research: stem-cell theory and the cellular manifestation of abnormal hemoglobin. It was the title of his research project. She had stolen his work. No, Devina had been enough of an experience. “This is the best life for me,” he said.

Oliver brushed the thought aside with a quick flick of his wrist. “She was nothing. I told you she was a user and wrong for you, but you didn’t listen. She said things that were not true. I don’t know everything, but I do know this.” He pointed at Justin. “There is a woman out there for you, and I plan to dance at your wedding.”

Justin grinned. “That I’d like to see.”

“And you will. I love you like a son. I want to see you happy.”

“I am happy. I will be happier when I win the fellowship.”

“You’ve already won it twice.”

“I want it again.”

Oliver threw up his hands. “Why? Your reputation is stellar. You could work in any lab you choose. You’ve been quoted and printed in all the leading science journals, and you serve on the board of two nationally recognized science organizations. You sold a science patent to Siesmen for nearly a million dollars, and even though you gave the proceeds to research I know you still get royalties. You’ve achieved more than most men do in their entire lifetime. You don’t need another trophy.”

“I like to win.”

“Even if you win, it won’t be enough. It will be a hollow victory. You need a life.”

“I have a life—my family and my work. It suits me. It always has, and it always will.”

“You’ve given up on women?”

“No.”

“Yes, you have, and that’s why you’re here locked away.”

Justin shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I just needed to get away and think.”

“About what? What’s bothering you?”

Justin sighed. “There is a woman but...forget it.”

Oliver’s eyes brightened. “Really? You’re interested in someone? Who is she? What’s her name? Do I know her?”

Yes, he did know her, but Oliver didn’t need to know that. “There’s a problem.”

“She’s married?”

“She hates me.”

Oliver waved his hand, annoyed. “Then she’s a stupid woman, and you’re better off without her.”

“Exactly, which is why I am here.”

Oliver folded his arms. “Forget this woman and find another. There are so many.” A sly grin spread across his face. “If I were your age and had that face of yours, I’d hardly be in the office, and every morning I’d have bags under my eyes.” He snapped his fingers. “Actually, there is this one woman in particular that Anya has been eyeing for you.”

Justin laughed. “For how long?”

“A couple of months. She met her at one of her grief counseling sessions.” Oliver’s wife, Anya, had started attending the group after the death of their three-year-old granddaughter from a rare form of leukemia. “She says the woman is smart, kind and in her thirties, the right age for marriage and children.”

“I’ll be lucky if I make it to forty.”

Oliver’s tone hardened. “You promised me never to speak like that again. You will live a long, full life.”

“I’m sorry,” Justin said quickly. He hated to see his friend upset. “Okay, what’s her name?”

“They don’t share real names in the group to keep a sense of anonymity, so, Anya calls her Lillian.”

Justin poured apple juice from his thermos, then took a long swallow. A date would be something to distract him from thinking of Lora. What was the harm? “If she’s willing to meet me, I’m open.”

Oliver beamed and patted him on the back. “Good boy. That’s my Justin. You’ll really like her. Just remember to be a bit more...” He searched for words.

“What?”

“Gracious.”

“I am gracious.”

“Tactful then. At times you can be too ‘to the point’ with people.”

“I like to be honest.”

“You can be honest without being inconsiderate. Those who know you understand you, but to others...”

“I’m a cold bastard. I know what they say. I’m not going to soften my words because people have self-esteem issues. I’m running a lab, not a kindergarten class. And when it comes to women, I don’t believe in false flattery.”

“You’ll have to soften your stance for the right woman, and she’ll be worth it.”

“Have you met her?”

“No, but from everything Anya has said, you’ll like her. Also, we have a great gift for you this holiday. Remember that party I told you we’re having this Saturday?”

“Yes.”

“We’re expecting quite a crowd, so we rented a hall for the event. There’ll be great food, live music and great company. I want to see you there. Let’s head out now, and I’ll tell you more. You need to eat.”

“I’ll take a rain check.”

“Promise to work no more than an hour.”

“Okay.”