Just The Way You Like It - Under Construction

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Blake sat on the floor, just outside of Alice's room, waiting for Wallace to come back out and hopefully tell him some good news. Nurses and staff walked by, each one giving him a strange look as they passed. Blake knew he probably looked like crap, but he really didn't care what other people thought about him, so long as Alice would take him back.

Finally, after almost two hours, Wallace came out, closing the door behind himself. Blake jumped up, and grabbed Wallace's lapels. “What did she say? Is she okay?”

“Whoa Pal. First of all, let go. Secondly, calm the fuck down. Thirdly, you now owe me a case of beer, and dinner.”

“Oh thank God! Thank you Wal.”

“Blake, you need to shape up and start being straight with Alice. Stop being such an asshole. All she wants is the truth, and she deserves it too. I told her everything, and she told me everything. I'm not gonna hang out and be your middle-man anymore. Shit Blake, just grow up and treat her like an adult.”

“You're right Wal, I'm sorry. I know I've been an ass the last few days. It won't happen again.”

“I told you already, you slip up one more time, and Willub is gonna have your head and your license. Alice is no different than any other patient you've had, don't fuck this up.”

“I won't. Do you think I can go in and talk to her?”

“Jesus Christ, Blake! At least go get some flowers or something, and a hair brush. You look like shit.”

“Yeah, yeah okay.” Blake said softly, running his fingers through his hair. “You're right.” Blake motioned for Tess, who promptly left her station to join Alice. “Thanks again Wal, you're a good friend.” Blake said, as Wallace made his leave. Wallace only waved as he made his way back to the elevators. Turning back to Tess, Blake said, “Tess, I've got to go clean myself up a bit, would you watch Alice for me and tell her I'll be there soon.”

“Certainly Dr. Hansen.”

Blake trudged back to the doctor's lounge for a quick shower and change of clothes before heading back down to the main floor. He had passed the gift shop hundreds if not thousands of times before, but had never actually gone in. The room reeked of flowers, almost to the point of sickness. Get well cards and sympathy cards lined one entire wall, the other three were all stuffed with small overly priced treasures for visitors to quickly snatch up before visiting a loved one or friend. The clerk watched in silence and Blake made his way around the room three times, finding nothing he felt was suitable for Alice.

Blake wanted something nice, something sincere, something that would convey his love for her. The clerk left her station by the register and snuck up behind Blake. “Something in particular you need, Dr. Hansen?”

“What? Um, maybe. I don't know.”

“Can I ask what the occasion is?” The clerk seemed innocent enough, but Blake didn't want everyone in the hospital knowing that he was buying gifts for his patients. He had never done it in the past, and was certainly not planning on doing it in the future.

“It's for my fiance, Holly. She's uh, visiting next week, and I wanted to get her something really nice.”

“Jewelry maybe?” The clerk pried, trying to get a feel for exactly what Dr. Hansen was looking for.

“Yeah, maybe. Do you have any that’s not displayed here?”

“No, but my uncle owns the jewelry store down on Harrison Street. Tell him Susan sent you, he'll give you a nice discount.”