Hospitals.
I was practically raised in one.
I never wanted to go back home whenever my mom and I would visit my dad. I was always so amazed, amazed by what you may ask? everything is just so bland, dull and deadening. I saw it differently, I saw my father as Superman, as the best dad in the world because he got to save lives. I spent most of my days in boarding school but whenever summer came around, everyday was follow my dad to work day. No wonder I settled for being a nurse, i got the passion for this career path from my father. He just loved what he did for a living, he never complained. Many people would come from far and wide just to be operated by the greatest surgeon in Los Angeles, Dr. Winters.
Remembering when my father got featured on one of the episodes for a show called Doctors. I watched it attentively even though at the time everything he was saying was practically gibberish. Whenever my dad and I cooked chicken we would always perform what we called the Dr. Rod and Nurse Leona operation. It was always fun even though it was ridiculous. My thoughts wondered back to Eric Ricardo Michelson, i was tempted to try out Eric Ricardo Delgado. It was obvious that there had to have been a huge misunderstanding for him to use his mother's last name maybe his father refused to sign his birth certificate.
Last night, I slept like a baby. I had a dream Eric was telling me a certain story. I don't well actually remember if it happened or if it was a dream. I didn't want to look like a fool by saying 'hey Eric did you by chance tell me a story yesterday.'
He would use this to add some sarcastic comment so I decided against it.
"This place is huge, argh hospitals make me sick." Eric frowned as we got to the reception.
"Why?" I asked a quirky smile on my lips. I had decided to surprise my dad with a visit and maybe take him out to lunch with Eric. He didn't want to leave my side, he said he wouldn't stay at home again with the book club ladies. I laughed at that, he seemed to be enjoying it yesterday when he was talking about so called Grace and William and abuse relationships.
Eric let out a sigh.
"I just don't, it brings unwanted memories. Do hospitals always have this certain smell or what the bloody f**k?" Eric peeved clearly riled up by just the thought of being in a hospital. Was it that bad? Well I had told him that no one was going to sit in the car-
He was forced to come with, besides I wanted both of us to surprise my dad. He had been so busy these couple of days. He didn't even come home the other night, my mom had to bring him supper at work. This was the life of the Winters but I wouldn't change it for anything. Somehow, after hearing about Eric once staying at a orphanage, I really wanted him to feel what it felt like to be part of a family, to be loved, to be appreciated and be surrounded by just people who care and want what's best for you. He clearly had a turf life and I didn't want him to feel like he was part of a job but an actual part of the family.
"Smell like what?" I giggled, putting a strand of my long straight hair behind my ear. Yes, Eric had forced me to put it down as always. "Have you ever been admitted in the hospital before?" I asked him as we were making our way to the reception area, taking really slow strides.
Eric only miffed at my question.
That stung.
Why was he so cold then nice then argh-
"My mom was admitted.." he said under his breath. My heart jumped for joy, yes he was finally opening up. "And Marino too." He scoffed.
I knew exactly who Marino was but I had to play dumb.
"Who is Marino?" I asked.
"Just a regular sperm donor.." he said with so much bitterness. I just wanted to hug him and tell him that it would all be alright. He clearly wasn't over whatever that had been bothering him or his childhood and past.
"Oh okay.." I didn't want him to feel like I was pushing for information when he wanted to tell me, he would. Hopefully..
"Look... I'm sorry Leona." He said out of the blue making me furrow my brows with confusion.
"For what?" I was clearly confused..
"You said I'm never nice to you and I really want to be nice to you. That was rude and I'm sorry."
My heart went soft, this was progress.
"No, it's okay. I just want you to always be yourself around me that's all."
"I can do that." He gave me a glimpse of his straight white teeth. He looked so innocent at times like these and yet so attractive.
"Leona Winters.." the reception, Margarette said with a smile on her lips when she had recognized me.
"The one and only.." I smiled. She walked round her desk to give me a big hug. She was one of the most nicest human beings I had ever came across all my life and she always had nice gossip. Her dark melanin skin that I always envied and her curly black hair now having greys was tied in a neat bun. I spent most of my time right here with her when my father wouldn't allow me to go furthers into the operating wards.
"And who is this fine young man?" She said pulling away from our hug. She had always been a bit overweight, it was great seeing her.
"My boyfriend.." I said shyly knowing what she would say.
"A boyfriend.." she gave both Eric and I an awkward look. She then hugged Eric's y'all figure. I knew he felt awkward but never the less he had that beautiful full blown smile on his pouty lips that I really missed-
"When she she was seven years old.."
Here we go again, I looked away feeling embarrassed.
"She told me that she would never have a boyfriend because boys were disgusting."
"Aunt Maggie.." I groaned making both her and Eric laugh.
"It's really nice meeting you son, you got yourself a gem. If I was you, I would tie the knot right now before they steal her.." she whispered to Eric making sure I heard her.
"That's what I plan on doing." Eric laid a chaste kiss on my forehead making Aunt Maggie aw at the cute scene in front of her.
"Wow uhm this is a tad bit unprofessional of you Margaret." I heard a familiar voice disturb our little reunion. I rolled my eyes knowing exactly who it was.
Robbie was a little disrespectful bastard, how he called a woman who was twenty years older than him by her first name was beyond me. He was dressed in his blue uniform and his white coat.
"My apologies, Dr. Anderson anything i can help you with.." Aunt Maggie said immediately going back round her desk.
"Yep, I need the file for that five year old Emma Jenkins and the rest of her records. I'm not her usual doctor so..." Robbie said in a aggravated voice. Did he hate his job? I always assumed he loved it but now I was noticing some things about Robbie. I was so blind.
"Oh yes, Dr. Maurice left for his leave." Aunt Maggie engaged with the asshole I use to call boyfriend. He glared at Eric and I.
"Well look at you two perusing around town like you're unemployed.." Robbie gave a fake smile holding the file that Aunt Maggie had given him.
"Yeah, it has its perks. Was actually asking Leona if she has ever had s*x in a hospital before specifically in her obnoxious d**k head boyfriend's ward." Eric bit back making Robbie fume. Aunt Maggie stifled a laugh.
"I mean Aunt Maggie, you can only understand the hunger a woman must have after being with a man who didn't satisfy her for years.. we're only making up for lost time." Eric shrugged pulling me close, I didn't hesitate snuggling into his arms.
Robbie looked like he could burst with anger.
"Totally understandable Eric dear." Aunt Maggie replied.
"I wonder if your father knows that his little innocent girl is busy f*****g men in his house like the prostitute she is."
I swear it didn't take a second for Eric to untangle himself from me and give Dr. Anderson a hard knock on the face. I didn't feel bad. He deserved it. He had always made me feel unworthy, stupid and not good enough for me but the thing is I always actually deserved better.
"You didn't dare, Michelson." Robbie took back his stance his hand comforting his busted lip. The people passing by only gasped clearly shocked.
"I just did, Dr. Andy and if I'm not wrong a little girl called Emma Jenkins must be waiting with her parent for her arsehole replacement pediatrician." Eric's eyes were blazing and for a second I saw a flash of fear in Robbie's grey somber eyes.
"This isn't over, Michelson."
"Oh yes it is, I have the perfect girl and you have a kid and a fiancée waiting for your arse back home."
Robbie huffed then picked up the file and began to walk away. I couldn't help but smile and hug Eric. He wasn't just a flame that burnt me with the truth but he was a flame that kept parasites away from me.
"That needed to be done." Aunt Maggie laughed.
"You're very welcome." Eric gave a lip-sided smile.
"Well I take back what I said. Leona you better keep him close, he is a gem." She winked and is stood up to my tippy toes laying a soft kiss on Eric's cheek. He was surprised but bluntly covered it up.
"Who is taking me out for lunch, I'm all ready to leave?" I heard my dad's voice then immediately turned back. I was hoping he didn't see that scene.
"Your favorite duo." Eric joked making my father, give him a pat on the shoulder. It was undeniable that they had developed a close bond. I was happy and sad that he would have to leave everything we were creating beautifully.
That day I had lunch with my two favorite men in the world my father and my flame. Even though they spent most of the time making fun of me and talking about me as if I wasn't there and making me feel like I was third wheeling.
I truly adored them.