The other side, p.10
The Other Side, page 10
“It is okay, Dr. Holiday, maybe you can help.” Madison said to the handsome doctor. There was really nothing that he could do. He smiled a small smile as he came into the room and held the door open for Madison to leave. She watched as he looked at the chart on the table in front of her.
“Julie, is it okay if I call you that?” Dr. Holiday asked as he sat down across from her. The man had the kindest eyes she could ever remember seeing. She saw that he was wearing a wedding ring.
“Yes.” Julie said as she kept her hands in her lap. What was she supposed to tell this man? She knew that privacy laws prevented him from telling anyone what was said in this room.
“Are you worried about what your parents might think?” He asked and she met his eyes. That had to be the reason most women cried in this situation.
“No, I am worried about what my husband is going to say.” The tears brimmed again and she wiped them away with another Kleenex. He had made Marsha have an abortion. Would he try to make her do the same?
“Well that is not one I have had to deal with before. Is it his?” Well that would be one reason to fear her husband’s response.
“Yes, but he does not want children.” She kept the part about Marsha to herself. It was none of his business about the other woman, and it was really not her place to tell it.
“Are you willing to raise a baby alone?” This man was the perfect one for the situation she thought. Even if she chose to have this baby and raise it on her own she knew she would not have to. Her father would help her and her mother if she were able.
“My parents would help me in any way they could. But he has made it clear that he does not want children. So can he force me to abort this baby?” In her heart she had not accepted the fact that she was pregnant. There would be time for that. At the moment she just wanted to know her options.
“No, Julie, he can not force you to do that.” She wondered for a moment who this man was married to. She was a very lucky woman. That was not going to get her anywhere.
“I chose this office because it is not in the town where I live.” Julie admitted and saw him check her address in the file. “If I have to move and leave Cambridge I did not want to have to change doctors.”
“So you decided before you made the appointment that you were going to keep the baby.” Dr. Holiday said as he met her eyes. Julie nodded.
“In that case I think you have already answered all of your questions. Your husband can not make you do anything that you do not want to. It is your body and yours alone. However, you might find that he will have a change of heart when given the chance.” His words echoed in her brain all the way home.
There was no way Fletcher was going to change his mind. He did not want children. Julie did not return to work nor did she visit her mother, she wanted to go to sleep. Her brain and body were tired. She would deal with everything else later.
“Why did you go to Long Creek?” Fletcher asked the minute her eyes opened from her little nap. Julie stretched a little more than usual as her brain tried to come up with a response.
“I did not want anyone in Cambridge knowing my business.” She admitted and she wished she had thought about this possible scenario. How had he even known? What else did he know?
“They are all going to know it when you cheat on me.” He stated as she stood to go into the bathroom. Shaking her head she closed the door between them. Even if she did not cheat on him she was sure that he was going to make it seem like she did. There was just no way to save face in this situation.
“How did you know I went to Long Creek?” Julie asked when she opened the door again. He was still sitting in one of the chairs in the room.
‘I had Jack put a tracker on your car.” The admission was said like it was just another event. Not like it was the huge invasion of privacy that it was. Julie tried to breathe normally. She did not want to get upset. In her anger she would probably tell him something that she did not want him knowing.
“I think you should have asked me first.” She said calmly as she made her way to the closet to change. A pair of jeans and a favorite blue t-shirt replaced the scrubs.
“You are my wife I do not have to ask you anything.” Fletcher stated as he stood and came to the closet door. Effectively trapping her inside. Her brain was already filled with everything going on and she could not come up with one thing to say to that.
“Excuse me.” She said when it was clear he was not going to let her pass.
“We are going out tonight. Can you dress a little better?” The last thing she wanted at the moment was to be seen out in public with him. Of course it was all part of his plan. Be seen in public together, where he could play loving devoted husband, until she cheated on him. She wondered if there was a place one could place bets on these kinds of marriages. If there wasn’t, well then there should be.
“I am comfortable.” She said not ready to give in to him just yet. Sure it was a simple matter, but she was tired of being dictated too.
“You look like a slob. You really should take a little more time to impress me.” Then he was pushing passed her and looking through her clothes. He pulled a different top from the hanger and held it out to her.
“I do not want to impress you.” Julie said as she accepted the blouse. Pulling her t-shirt off she slid the blouse on. Folding the t-shirt she made to put it back in the drawer.
“That thing is dirty.” He stated as he snatched it from her fingers and tossed it in the hamper.
“I just put it on.” She argued. This man was determined to make her angry. Taking a deep breath she tried to straighten the blouse. The dang thing plunged between her breasts and her modest supply of cleavage was clearly on display.
“So did you get the birth control issue taken care of?” Turning on her heel she made her way to the bathroom. Julie pretended an interest in her perfume choice as she thought that one over. In the end she sprayed his favorite fragrance on. It was a lovely scent.
“Yeah.” She said coming back into the bedroom. “So where are we going to eat at?”
Fletcher crossed his arms over his chest. She could tell that he did not believe her. Or maybe that was just her guilty conscious sneaking up on her. Why would it bother her to lie to him? Was it really a lie?
“What did they put you on?” Fletcher asked and she wished she was a better liar. They had given her some prenatal vitamins, so technically she was on the pill.
“The pill.” She answered not adding what kind of pill it was. Fletcher did not believe her she could tell, but she was not ready to spill her guts out to the man at the moment.
“I think you are lying.” He stated and she shrugged. “Show me.”
“They called it in and I was going to pick it up tomorrow.” What a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive. Julie knew better she really did, but what choice did she have.
“Did you put me down as a person they could discuss your medical issues with?” Why did he have to be so on to her web. The man was picking her apart piece by piece and there was nothing that she could do about it. Her brain was racing to come up with something to tell him.
“No, but I will. I haven’t changed my license yet so it is still under Masters.” There she was offering him a piece of information that she felt he might like.
“Why do you look scared to death?” Fletcher asked but made no move toward her. She really had no need to fear this man. She could disappear, she would disappear, there was nothing keeping her here. Her parents would understand.
“I am tired, Fletcher.” That was the truth, even her little nap had not helped her with the fatigue she was feeling. She could tell that he did not like that response but it was the only one he was getting from her at the moment.
“Don’t you ever lie to me.” The words sounded more like a threat than a warning. Or at least that was the way she took them. She swallowed and headed for the door.
“I am not that stupid.” She said as she opened the door and made her way down the hall. But she was that stupid. Was it a lie? Or was it an omission of the truth? How on earth was she going to get birth control pills now? She was sure that he would not stop asking until she had some to show him.
Thirteen
Another fancy restaurant and he played his role well. For anyone watching they would think he was the perfect husband. And there were people watching. Every move he made was calculated and she tried to go along with him. He constantly touched her and she smiled at him as sweetly as she could manage.
“That smile looks like a horrific clown.” Fletcher said in her ear, and she let the smile fall from her face. So now she looked like a clown. Trust the man to make her feel better about herself.
“You are supposed to be looking at me with love and adoration. Not like you want to kill me.” Fletcher’s words touched a part of her that she was trying to bury. She could look at him with love and adoration if that was what he wanted, and it would not be fake. Although the latter part of his comment was easier to achieve.
“Like this?” Julie asked as she met his eyes. She tried to focus on him and only him. That first night when he had made love to her. The way she had felt, the way her body had felt under his. She must have conveyed some of that in her look, because he leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her lips. Then his hand was cupping her cheek and his fingers were in her hair. His lips trailed kisses along her cheek and back down to her lips. She felt his tongue trace her lips and she opened up to him.
“Yes, this is much better.” Fletcher said as he lowered his hand to her lap. She felt him push her thighs apart. Thank god she was wearing the jeans. His hand rubbed her through the layers.
“Fletcher.” Julie breathed trying to get him to stop. This was not the time or the place.
“I need to smell you.” Fletcher said into her ear and she had no idea what he meant by that.
“Here?” The shock was in her voice. He continued to rub her and she was starting to feel the heat.
“Fletcher.” She warned when it was clear he was not letting up. He kissed her again and slipped his tongue into her mouth.
“Do you want me?” He asked and she did not feel the need to answer that question.
“I could take you right here.” The threat was accompanied by his hand moving up to cup her breast.
“Fletcher, this is a restaurant, now stop.” A crazy part of her said that the restaurant would be emptied if he wanted it to be. She could imagine him snapping his fingers and the place would empty out.
“I need you , my love.” This was all for show, she knew it now. This was what he wanted people to see. The man had no issues with his acting skills. Julie tried to push him away.
He grabbed her wrist and moved her hand to touch his very hard erection. She blushed red all the way to her toes.
The bill was paid and he practically drug her from the restaurant. When they got to his car he opened the back door and shoved her inside.
“What are you doing?” She demanded when he got in the back seat with her.
“Take off your jeans.” Fletcher ordered and she was glad that the parking spot was at least dark. There was no use in arguing with him. She watched as he slid his pants down his legs and placed a condom on. He pulled her onto his lap and had her straddling him. She had never been in this position before. The thought of getting caught was strong and she felt the heat of embarrassment building. Fletcher was gentle as he guided her to accept him. Julie was glad that he had taken the lead because she had no idea what to do. Here they were like two horny teenagers having sex in a parking lot.
“Yes just like that.” Fletcher coaxed as she moved on him. It was easy to tell what he liked as she moved her hips to enjoy the feel of him inside of her. His head went back to rest on the seat but he still guided her with his hands on her hips. With each roll of her hips she felt him touch a part of her that was delicious. His hands left her hips to grip the blouse and he gave it a good yank. The thing split right down the middle. Well at least she had not bought it. The bra was pushed aside and he was fondling her breasts. His mouth found each peak and then he was grabbing her waist again.
Julie almost hit her head on the roof of the car as he pumped into her. Then she was lost to everything. Her toes curled and the muscles in her legs were twitching. She wondered if he could feel it. When he stilled she rested her head on his shoulder. Neither one was in a a hurry to separate. Breathing was heavy and ragged and she could not tell who was breathing the hardest.
“I am finding it almost impossible to not like you at the moment.” Fletcher’s words made her feel lower than dirt. The man was using her. He had made no secret about it. And here she was just going along with him. What the heck was wrong with her? Carefully she moved off of his lap and tried to fix herself. The blouse was ruined but that was his fault. Everything was his fault.
“I don’t like you at all.” She admitted as he righted himself. She heard his little laugh. Then he was reaching for the door handle.
“Because you love me, you always have.” Well he could believe that if he wanted to. Julie stayed in the back seat as he drove them home. She did not want to be next to him at the moment. She walked ahead of him up the steps and into the bedroom. She was not sure what to do with the blouse so she just placed it on the floor with her other clothes. She needed a shower.
“What are you doing?” Julie asked as Fletcher joined her in the shower. She turned her back to him. Even if her eyes wanted to see him in all of his naked glory her mind did not need the image.
“I am going to wash your back.” He announced as if it was as simple as taking out the trash.
“I am very capable of taking care of myself.” Julie said as his hands roamed over her back. Was he planning on washing her with his bare hands?
“You have been left on your own for far too long. Someone has to take you in hand and get you back on the right path.” His comment was finished with a playful slap on her backside.
“You could be a very beautiful woman if you would stop hiding behind those scrubs.” Well at least he had called them by the proper name. She did not care how he felt about the scrubs, it was not his business what she wore to work in. Fletcher pressed his front to her back and she closed her eyes. This was the last thing that she wanted.
“You are very responsive to me, Julie, I wonder if you will be this responsive with Bradley.” That thought had her wanting to drown herself in the spray of water.
“I am not sleeping with him.” Julie argued because she was not and the sooner he got the idea through his thick skull the better. Fletcher’s arm came around her side and his hand made it’s way to the center of her being. She felt his fingers as they caressed her.
“You will do what you are told.” Fletcher stated as he rubbed circles over her most sensitive peak.
The man had her yearning for his touch and she hated herself for it. His hand left her center and travelled up to her stomach. One of his hands splayed her whole stomach.
“You are not keeping this baby either.” Those words caused her world to shatter. Swallowing she tried to silence the screaming in her ears. It was all inside of her head and for that she was grateful. Tears sprang up like a geyser and she fought so hard to keep them down.
“I told you not to lie to me.” He said as he spun her around to have her facing him.
“But you just can’t help it can you?” Oh she could help a lot of things. The tears falling from her eyes was not one of them.
“Why, Julie, why would you lie to me about this?” There was something in his tone that she could not quite identify. She could almost believe he was hurt by her lie. That was the stupidest thought she had ever had.
“I don’t want to have an abortion like Marsha.” It took everything in her to get those words out. Fletcher released a deep breath.
“I was not the father of her baby. I did not ask her to do it.” Well that was something she guessed, but at the moment it was not something that she wanted to think about.
“You do not want children.” She reminded him as the tears continued to fall from her eyes. Fletcher took her face in his hands.
“I said I did not want children, that does not mean I do not want this baby.” Well Dr. Holiday had said he might have a change of heart if given the chance.
“You said I can’t keep it.” Julie looked into his eyes and wanted so much for things to be different.
“You are in no position to raise a child. I know all about your parents financial situation. Your father is steps away from losing the family home. You barely make enough to pay the bills. How are you going to raise a baby?” Of course he would know all of that about her family. The man did not play fair. Lowering her face she studied their feet. Fletcher was right on so many counts, but she did not want to admit that to him. She did not want to agree with him either. She had only just found out she was pregnant. Who could expect her to have all the answers?
