Forgive for Joy's Sake (Part 5)

At the elevator bank, I frantically pushed the down button hoping to grab an elevator before either Wes or Mom caught up to me.

“That never works,” a deep, silky voice spoke from behind me. 

When I turn around, my eyes became scanners and took in the six foot, chocolate covered Dr. Adonis from head to toe. Seriously, his white doctors coat said Dr. Adonis.

The elevator arrived. “Seems like it did this time,” I said as I stepped in, closely followed by Dr. Adonis. I looked up to see Wes and Mom heading toward the elevator and quickly pressed the first floor button to close the door.  It was half closed when Dr. Adonis stuck his hand in between the closing doors and held them.

“Apparently not a surgeon, putting your hand in jeopardy like that,” I said reluctantly stepping back to make room as Mom and Wes entered the elevator.

“Actually, I am a surgeon, but fortunately I know how to hold an elevator without damaging my hand.” He laughed, flashing his pearly whites. 

“Your assumption is that I was referring to the doors damaging your hand.” I gave him a scathing look and watched his smile fade.

“Please excuse my rude daughter, Dr. Adonis. Trust me, I didn’t raise her that way.” My mother shot me an act right look before turning and smiling at the doctor. “She’s just upset and worried about Mel and doesn’t realize she’s taking out her frustration on the man who’s going to save her life.”

“Ah, so this is Joy. Should have known since you are almost as beautiful as your mother here. Nice to meet you. I would shake your hand but I don’t want to take the chance that you will try to injure it.”

Wes put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. “If only her disposition was almost as beautiful too.”

“She can’t be all bad, if she’s going to take care of Mel and her daughter while she’s recovering. I say that’s a person with a big heart, rude or not.” The elevator stopped and the doors open.  “Well, I’ll see you all in the morning. Have a great night.” Dr. Adonis stepped off and the doors closed behind him.

I laid eyes first on my mother and then on Wes. “What is he talking about?”

The two of them looked at each other and my stomach knotted. Before they could explain what was going on, we reached the lobby and the elevator doors opened again. Knowing I wasn’t going to like what was about to be said, I shrugged Wes’ arm off and headed for the exit.

“Hold on Joy, we need to talk.” Wes was quickly by my side and my mother was power walking behind us trying to keep up. Sucks to be 5'3" with a 5'7" daughter right about now, huh?

I know it sucks to be 5'7" trying to out walk a 6'2" man. I dropped my visitor pass on the sign-in desk and kept walking through the sliding doors. The sun had gone down and I didn’t see a cab so I pulled out my phone to call for a car service.

“I’m going to give you a ride home and we are going to talk.” Wes grabbed the phone out my hand, and I almost exploded with anger.

“Give me back my phone,” I said through clinched teeth to keep from screaming.

My mom had caught up to us by then and stepped in between Wes and me. She saw the look on my face. “Calm down, Joy, and just hear us out before you go running off. The doctor spoke out of turn, but we do need to talk to you about Mel and Joi’s care after the surgery.”

“Ma, are you serious? First you don’t tell me about Mel naming her daughter Joi.”

“You know exactly why I didn’t tell you, miss ‘don’t tell me anything about Mel and Jackson’.”  My mother pointed her finger at me for emphasis.

“Mel’s fully capable brother is standing right behind you. Why in the world would either of you even think to ask me to take care of Mel and her daughter?” I held my hand out and gave Wes my best don’t test me look. He gave it right back and slid my phone into the back pocket of his jeans.

“We need to talk, but right now I have to get home and relieve your dad from his babysitting duties. You two come by the house so we can talk and have dinner.”

She didn’t even wait for me to agree. She turned to Wes and held out her hand. He reached into his pocket and handed her my phone, which she dropped into her purse and walked away. I’ll see you both at the house,” she called over her shoulder.

“So you’re not even going to give me a ride?” I called back.

“Nope, and maybe you’ll think twice before using those long legs again to make me race after you.” She crossed the street into one of the hospital’s parking lot and never looked back.

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