The Unwritten Rule | Randolph Bell

Chapter 8

Jacqueline spoke about everything and Randolph listened. She mainly spoke about her sister and the things that her sister had done. The part that really got him was the brother-in-law and what he had done. Jacqueline had never mentioned it to anyone aside from her brother and the actual court system itself. It had been before Jacqueline's career had actually taken off, but he could see that it could cause damage to her no matter how long it had been.

It seemed like a tough subject that he could only ever imagine. At that point, they had been sitting in Jacqueline's driveway for a good thirty minutes. He didn't interrupt, he didn't say a way, just listened.

"Seems like you've really been through it, Jackie. Your sister part of the reason you became a doctor?" Randolph looked at her. Jacqueline was focused elsewhere, maybe on the sky or on the house, it was hard to say.

Jacqueline shook her head, "in a way... but no. I fell in love with helping people. My parents were.. horrible, that's being nice. After everything that happened when I was growing up, I just decided I wanted to help people. After being in the hospital myself one too many times, it was like a calling for me."

Her eyes focused on the door and she breathed a sigh of relief. It helped, getting everything off her chest. However, it still felt heavy on her heart. It always felt heavy on her heart.

"So, you believe the fact that your tire was slashed, you think it could be your sister?"

Jacqueline chuckled, "honestly, I hope not. I try to keep a positive attitude about whether or not my sister could be behind it, but it's just hard to say. Do you want to come in?"

Randolph nodded, "if you don't mind."

"Not at all. Nice having someone to talk to. My kids and I don't talk about something like this, neither do my brother and I." Jacqueline exited the car at the same time as Randolph and she headed for the door.

Unlocking the door, she entered and Randolph was closely behind her, shutting the door behind him.

This time, the Great Dane sat at the end of the hallway. He didn't move, he just stared. Randolph cleared his throat. "I never asked, what's your dogs name?"

Jacqueline hung her keys up in the same spot and headed for the kitchen. "Buster, I've had him since he was a puppy. He's six now." She patted Buster as she walked by him and Randolph slowly walked by him. He had never been around a dog quite as big as Buster. The dog looked like a horse, the dog could have been a miniature horse. He had to weigh more than even a pony did.

She walked to the fridge, taking out a water. "Want anything to drink?"

Randolph shook his head, standing on the other side of the bar. Unlike the first night, the house wasn't silent. Upstairs, he could hear two girls talking. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but it wasn't important.

"That's why I appreciate you giving me a ride to work and home." Jacqueline opened the water and took a drink, leaning against the counter. "I just don't want to cause any problems."

Randolph raised a brow at the mention of problems, "problems?"

She chuckled, "people talk, Randy, even doctors and nurses. I don't want it to be seen as you giving me special treatment."

This time, Randolph laughed. He could see how it could be taken as her getting special treatment from him, but her record spoke for itself. He didn't give her surgeries because they were involved or because he thought she was beautiful. He gave her surgeries because she was an amazing doctor. Her record was flawless as far as he could tell, Claire believed the same thing. After the heart transplant, everything that was mentioned about her was correct.

"Jackie, your record speaks for itself. I'm not giving you special treatment and anyone who has seen you work or knows your record will know that." Randolph shook his head, sitting down on a barstool. "Your work ethic and your work itself is impeccable. I imagine every hospital on your list would've loved to have you, but you're apart of Chastain now. Just because I give you a ride doesn't mean we are involved or are going to be."

Though his words made her feel at ease, she was still on edge and nervous. Anything could be misconstrued. Lately, with the exception to work, Jacqueline had the worst luck of all time. The only thing she couldn't really complain about was her job and her children. Everything else was always up in the air in terms of outside of work. Her sister, her brother, her brother-in-law, family in general.

"I'm glad you think so," Jacqueline sat the water down. She looked at him, just for a few seconds before rubbing her face. "And thank you for listening to me this entire time."

Randolph smiled at her, "of course, Jackie." He looked at his watch. It was getting late, he needed to get home. Every day always started out early for them both. "Seems I should be going. I'll pick you up in the morning." He smiled at her before walking back towards the door.

She was beautiful, but she seemed to have her reservations. It wasn't like he was planning to act on anything he felt, not right now. She was settling into a new job, it seemed like she had enough going on. If he could be a friend, he was happy to be one.