DOCTOR'S VISIT

DOCTOR'S VISIT


Angel's Pov

Hank is going to be here soon. It’s a few minutes to seven thirty, which is when he said he'd be here.

He stayed late yesterday, content to talk for the both of us. He told me about his hobbies, his parents, his job, just the randomest, most endearing things about himself. While I scrambled. I was only able to tell them flimsy things like how I don't like tea cups and hospitals.

Speaking of hospitals, Hank's about to take me to work with him today, but not for any fun stuff. He wants me to have a full body checkup which is why I'm struggling, trying to get into this dress. Anna usually helps me.

I've chosen one with the cutest sunflowers around the hem, one I've never worn before hence why I didn't know it would take superhuman effort to fasten. It's pink though, so pale it might be mistaken for white in some lighting.

I pause, my right hand still at an awkward angle on my back as I try to yank the zipper higher. The pink scarf I lost would have looked so lovely with this dress.

This thought plunges me down in a car of sadness that makes my eyes water. I remember the time I was on the floor of that warehouse with those other girls, with Myra. . .

Is she okay? Did the plan work? I stand straight, looking around my empty bedroom. I'm hearing free, my biggest problem right now being how my fucking dress and they're still out there.

Is there something I can do? Someone I can talk to?

I don't know if Andrew will be able to help them as well. Even if it's just a few of them. I'll ask him.

I take a deep breath, forcing my mind back to the present. There's nothing I can die for them living in my mind. Once I get this dress in, I'll find my phone.

But what am I going to wear to cover my neck—

My brows furrow, pulling in so deep I feel them over my eyes. Come to think of it, I haven't really been seeing those marks. . . But then again I wasn't looking. Maybe I just glossed them over in my mind.

I straighten, and pad over to the bathroom, clutching my dress across my chest with one arm so it doesn't fall down. Clicking on the light, I stare at myself in the mirror.

I did good on my hair this morning but. . . there's nothing on my neck. It's clear, free of hand prints.

I blink at the mirror, moving closer, so close, my head is almost touching the mirror. It really isn't there. It just vanished without a trace.

Can bruises do that? I think, stepping back. I’m realizing I don't really know how they work but surely it can't have healed so smoothly. It hasn't even been up to a week, if I remember correctly.

A gentle knock at the door pulls me out of my reverie.I take one more look at myself as I walk over to the door and open it.

It's Hank and he smiles when he sees me. “Good morning, Angel.” Then he leans down and brushes his lips against my cheek.

The memory of kissing those lips yesterday, in addition to the feel of them now makes me blush fiercely. “Hi,” I squeak, surprised at this newly developed shyness.

“You always look very beautiful in your dresses, Angel, absolutely delicious and today is no different.” I believe him because he looks like he wants to put his lips on me again, all over this time.

“Thank you,” I smile, looking at him from below my lashes.

“Are you ready?”

Boyfriends help their girlfriends with their dresses, don't they? “Yeah, almost. Just. . . could you please help me with the zipper?”

He nods and I turn around.

I feel the heat of his palm a moment later. He lays one hand flat at the base of my spine, no doubt to keep the dress in place as he moves the zip, then slowly, he closes the dress. His skin brushes mine all the way up and I just barely suppress a shiver.

When he's done, he places a hand on each of my shoulders and turns me around.

He looks at me for a moment longer than he needs to, making another smile, a little less shy, curve my lips. His doesn't seem to have ever left. “Where's your purse?”

“I don't really have one. I have pockets.” I say tapping my hips where the pockets are. Besides I also have nothing to put in a whole purse. I don't even carry my chapstick sometimes.

“Okay,” he says as if I'm about to tell him I'm joking. “Let's go then?”

I sigh, but nod and start dragging my feet to my flats. After I slip them on I drag my feet back to Hank. I lock the apartment door and slide the key into my other pocket.

“Oh come on don't give me that face,” he says, chuckling, his hand coming up to caress my cheek. “You know why we're going. It's just a check up because I'm worried about you.”

This is going to take forever. I'm going to be stuck in one room all day.

“I'll check in on you constantly,” he says, as if he can read my mind. “You can even have me in the room if you want.”

“No it's fine,” I say immediately. “You have work.” And, more importantly, what if there's an embarrassing test or something I have to take my dress off for? I'd rather be naked in a room full of fifty strangers than one Hank.

I blink at the thought, as it occurs to me that Hank may have already seen me naked when I was unconscious after the car crash. I'd wake up with him in the room.

Thought in mind, we walk to the elevator. I can't ask him, I think, glancing over to him as we walk side by side. I mean, that's weird! But I desperately want to know the answer now. Although, do I really?

We're the only ones inside, and the elevator doors close with a soft hiss. As it takes us down, my phone pings in my pocket with a text.

Getting it out, I see it's from Andrew. I perk up as I open it.

‘I know today's your checkup day and I know you won't like it. But you be good and there'll be a surprise waiting for you when you get back to your apartment.’

I blink. Could I quickly sprint back up and see?

No. I shake my head. It's not there yet. We just left. And if anyone was coming to deliver something then they'd be in this elevator right now.

“Don't fret okay, Angel?”

What? I was a little distracted but it only takes me a few seconds to process what I heard. “Yeah. Okay, Hank.”

Except he took the stairs. Or maybe the deliveryman was on this elevator and he stepped off when we got in. I try to wrack my brain to remember but I come up empty.

Ugh, well Andrew's plan worked. Because I'm going to shut my mouth
all day, complain only when absolutely necessary so they finish up quickly and I can come back to the apartment.

I wonder what it is.