The Red Flag

Part XX - "You called for me, Sir?"

(Content Warning: this chapter contained material pertaining to those who suffer from eating disorders)

I sat behind my desk and continued to click through emails recently received from current patients. Those who canceled, those who rescheduled, and those who insisted on seeing Dr. Broderick today.

When I returned from the bathroom I pulled up the day's schedule. And may I just say, I was a tad bit relieved not to see Veronica's name on the list. Perhaps this woman only came here three days out of the week. The only times I had ever seen her in the office was on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That led me to believe those were the exact days she would come in for clinical care.

By two o'clock I was all caught up with my work. I kept tabs on patients who were filling out their assessments all the while finishing up my final paper for my philosophy course. Twenty five pages, single spaced, on the topic of the meaning of life from a graduating student's point of view.

You've got to be kidding me. This has to be some kind of sick joke- right?

I can recall nearly spitting my tea across the classroom when I heard my professor break that news. The meaning of life. Part of me wanted to take the easy way out and write a typical answer. Something along the lines of "figuring out my place in the world". The 'not so original' idea of comparing oneself to a puzzle piece, belonging to one giant picture. I'm a puzzle piece that has a few broken edges, making it impossible to fit anywhere.

That's why I was willing to spend the extra time and write out something more truthful. What happens when you no longer have an interest in finding your place in the world? What happens when you feel as though you've run out of purpose. What sort of life is left for you then? These were a few of the topics I had mentioned in my paper. I just hoped that my professor will take the time to read it thoroughly and not just slap an 'A' on it all because he knows I'm a good student.

I read over the final draft one last time before the phone on my desk began to ring. Instinctively, I picked it up.

"Dr. Broderick's office, this is his secretary speaking, can I help you?"

"Yes, I believe you can. I'm looking for a Ms. Amelia Peterson." The voice on the other end was masculine and way too familiar for me to not notice who it belonged to. Elijah.

I shouldn't want to play long with his little game, but I just can't let go of how hot his voice sounds from over the phone.

Mmm.. I wonder if  he ever considered doing phone sex for a living? 

"This is she," I responded. "Is there something I can help you with, Dr. Broderick?" Hearing him chuckle made my insides flutter uncontrollably. It had been a very long time since someone made me feel so agitated, and in a good way.

This little game we've been playing since the first time we met has been ongoing and unswerving. Part of me wanted to play the role as the secretary who does everything she's told because it's her job. But then there was a part of me that wanted to walk straight into his office and straddle him while in his chair.   

"Please come to my office. Your presence is requested." My what is what? Was he being serious?

His last patient had just finished filling out the form, which meant there was no one else in that office but him. He had ended the call long after I finally placed the phone back down. I stood up from my chair, fixing my skirt back in place and waited until my heart was no longer pounding in my chest.

What's the big deal? He's just a man.

Yes, a man that just so happened to be my boss. Still, I have never encountered someone that made my heart beat so erratically in my life. I knocked on his office door. About a second later I heard his voice, allowing me to come in.