Impulse: A Doctors Obsession

Summer Break

A week later, Christine and Wes packed what they needed for a weekend trip to Manhattan beach. It was a much-needed getaway from everything and everyone. She wanted to feel normal again. The past two months had been a challenge for her. Now she wanted to live the life that was almost ripped away. The drive had been a calm one. Once they arrived they unloaded their overnight bags into the room and went to grab lunch. They ate at a little deli near the beach, then strolled hand in hand along the shore line. "I'm so glad we got away. I miss just the two of us." Wes squeezed her hand. "Me too." "Oh, by the way, I told Dr. Gilman that I didn't need to be checked as often, I'm healing great." She said lifting her tank to reveal the scar. "That's good. He's a little odd anyway." Christine scoffed. "Odd, how?" "I don't know. I just don't like how he looks at you and that bracelet, was way too personal." "Don't be like this, he's just being kind." "He's just nothing." The rest of the night they lounged by the pool outside of their hotel and snacked on food from room service. 

"Good morning." Wes kissed her on the shoulder. "I brought you a coffee." Christine sat up and inhaled the sweet aroma. "Mmm, I love you." "Me or the coffee?" Wes chuckled. "Both." Christine smiled and planted a kiss on his lips.

 An hour later they were walking down the beach when Wes stopped. Christine jerked on his hand, then followed his gaze. "Unbelievable!" Wes mumbled. Christine's smiled faded from her lips. Wes looked at her. "Are you fucking kidding me?!" Wes smiled a sarcastic smile then turned around. "Well, hello Doctor Gilman. What brings you here, of all places?" James stopped a foot away from where Christine and Wes were standing. "Wow, what a coincidence. This really is a small world, huh?" James said. Wes stepped forward. "Not really a fan of coincidence. Anyway, see you later." Wes took Christine by the hand and led her away from James. Once they were out of earshot, Wes said, "Coincidence my ass. Dude creeps me out. He has it bad for you. Stay away from him!" 

Christine agreed that this was weird. She told Wes that she would not be seeing him again and made it a point to make a note to call his office first thing Monday morning to let them know she would not be needing his services anymore. This is crossing the line, even if he claims it was a coincidence. The rest of the day, neither one of them ran into James. Thankfully. By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around Wes checked them out of the hotel while Christine packed the rest of her belongings. Her phone dinged in the other room, alerting her of a text. Dr. Gilman: It was really nice to see you. Hope you had a fun time. 12:23pm. Christine didn't bother to respond. Wes returned ten minutes later and the two left the hotel. The drive home was a quiet ride. Christine didn't bother to tell Wes about the text. He didn't like James to begin with, so it was not a good idea to give him the unpleasant news. 

The following week, Christine managed to avoid James phone calls and text messages concerning her option to stop receiving his care. Maybe Wes was right about him. He was starting to become a nuisance. She really didn't want to go through the whole summer trying to dodge him. How was she going to tell him to stop contacting her without sounding mean? Is that what she needed to do? Be mean? She just didn't want to make things worse. After all, he was the man that saved her life. She was grateful. In all the hustle and bustle of a busy week of studying, Christine called her mother to give her the news of what's been going on. Her mom wasn't as surprised as she thought she would be. "You are a beautiful woman Christine. That can be a good thing or a bad thing. But please, don't engage in anything with him. Giving you that bracelet, that was a mistake. I knew from that moment something was off." Christine thought back to the hospital stay. She remembered that he was too attentive to her. Obviously, there were other patients that needed tending to. But he manage to always be there, with her. By Friday of that week, Christine decided that she was going to intern at Shriners for Children instead of a regular hospital. 

A knock on Doctor Gilmans door distupted him. "Come in." He said in a hurrying manner. The door opened and James's eyes widened. "Wes. What can I do for you?" Wes walked over to James desk and placed his palms down. "Leave Christine alone! I know you're into her." Wes smiled a cocky smile. "She's my girlfriend. Not yours." James stood there. What could he possibly do? He was in his office. "Do I make myself clear?" James smiled. "Crystal." Wes didn't bother to say goodbye, he just simply turned and left. 

Three days later, July Fourth, was a hot day. Kids starting partying early on. Everyone was going to be setting off fireworks and getting drunk. Christine was enjoying her coffee, when her phone rang. It was James. Christine sent it to voicemail. "Hi Christine, it's James. Can you please call me back? I wanted to discuss the internship with you. It has come to my attention that you decided to intern elsewhere. I just wanted to know why. I put in a good word for you here". Then he hung up and sat with his head in his hands regretting having left that message. Her phone pinged. A new message from Dr. Gilman: WHY WON'T YOU TALK TO ME? 10:22am. "Seriously, all caps?" Christine said aloud.

 Julie entered Christine's apartment around eleven that morning. "Hey, Chris. You should really lock your door. I could be a psycho killer for all you know." Julie plopped down on the sofa and put her feet up on the coffee table. Christine came out of the bathroom and sat in the chaise. "You are a psycho, but not a killer." Julie stuck her tongue out at her. "So, what are we doing?" "I really have no idea. Wes is coming around five." "Well are you feeling ok? Can you drink yet?" Christine sat up straight. She had to tell Julie, she was her best friend. "About that. Yeah, I suppose I can. I stopped seeing Dr. Gilman. Jul, he's weird. He showed up in Manhattan Beach when Wes and I were there. I don't think it's a coincidence. He's been calling and texting a lot." Julie shook her head. "Oh Chris. That's not good. He's stalking you?" Christine shrugged. "I didn't say stalking." Julie raised her eyebrow and rolled her eyes. "If you go on vacation somewhere and someone shows up at that same place and constantly calls you, that's stalking honey. What are you going to do? Did you tell your mom?" Christine scoffed. "Ugh, yes I did. She told me not to speak to him."