They got out of the apartment and heard the lock click into place. Chris glanced to his left down the long dark hallway. There was a long, dust wooden railing on the right side of the hall which, if anyone had tripped just a little they would probably tumble over the side, landing on the switchback of stairs. At the end was a lilac colored door. Chris knew that Jerrid’s wife must have picked that color and he felt a wave of sadness for Jerrid sweep through his body.
Katrina lead the way down the steps and out onto the street. She made a swift right turn out of the building and walked towards the forest. “So how do you like this place so far?” She knew that Chris had barely seen any of the town but she just wanted to make small talk.
“Um, it’s hard to tell. It’s a cute little town. Seems like a good place to grow up. Especially if you had friends to go exploring with…or siblings.” He hadn’t forgotten about the birth announcement he found.
“Mmmm.” Katrina took off her thin jacket revealing her small figure. There was not much fat on her body at all Chris noticed, giving her the once over from behind. He admired the softness and even tone of her skin.
“The sun is definitely up!” He said glancing up at the sky shading his eyes with his hand. It was becoming extremely hot and muggy outside. “Glad I wore a T-shirt.”
Katrina didn’t acknowledge him. “We’re almost there. It’s just on the corner there by the forest.” She continued leading the way down the large sidewalk. The passing buildings all seemed unoccupied. If they weren't, someone was doing a poor job of keeping them clean; the cream colored brick was streaked with dark lines of dirt reaching the ground.
Chris hadn’t even noticed that any of the buildings were occupied when he drove by earlier. Now he saw the unmistakable Red Cross next to old ‘Stevenson Family Practice. Est. 1925.’ painted above the door. “So, tell me a little about the Doctor so I can be prepared.”
“Lets see. His father and father’s father were Doctors in this office. He prides himself in his work and has been trying to develop a cure for the infection in his spare time. He loves this town and the town loves him. He’s very warm-hearted and truly cares about the well-being of the town’s people. We don’t have a shrink here but he’ll gladly talk to people about their problems-- especially after the infection hit. OH, and he’s also the mortician, there’s a crematorium in the building next door to his. Just be polite and respectful. ”
“Okay. Good.” They were on the doorstep of the office and Katrina put a hand on Chris’ back to guide him through first. Chris took a minute to look at the brick building. The windowsills on each side of the door were wood, painted the same red as the lettering for the name. The blinds were closed so it would be easy for anyone not familiar with the building to think it was closed—or drive right past.
The door lead into the middle of a square waiting room painted a plain eggshell color. The reception desk was planted straight ahead guarding another closed door, which Chris assumed lead to the doctor and his patients.
“Why hello, how can we help you today?” The receptionist was a perky blonde and looked about twenty-two. Her breasts were bubbling over the rim of her pink shirt like a glass of soda that had been filled too high. In a last-ditch attempt to make her outfit business-casual, she threw a pink unbuttoned cardigan over her shoulders. Chris was immediately attracted to her.
“Umm, well, you see…”
Katrina came around from behind Chris to give him a hand. The receptionist recognized Katrina immediately. “Katrina! You’re back. Everyone said you were in Forest Hills, but I didn’t believe them.” Her smile stayed glued in the same position as she came around from behind the desk to give Katrina a hug.
“Lucy. Good to see you.” Katrina had gone to school with the girl. She was much more popular than Katrina but that didn’t seem to affect her ego. Katrina liked her positive attitude and willingness to get to know everyone no matter how ’cool’ they were. She was a good fit for Dr. Stevesen’s office—even if her clothes weren’t. Katrina elbowed Chris to give him one more shot at presenting himself. “This is my friend Chris. He’s from New York.”
“New ‘Yolk’?” Lucy let out a little gasp “I’ve Always wanted to gaw there!”
“Oh, well. You should.” Chris glanced at Katrina then back at Lucy’s full chest. He quickly corrected his gaze to her teeth and continued: “Well, I’m originally from Virginia, but—um, is the Doctor in?” Chris’ mouth was dry and he really hoped the doctor could see him soon.
“Oh.” Lucy bounced back to the desk and tapped her pencil on the appointment book. “Well, he has one person waiting” She pointed the pencil to a woman sitting in the corner trying to look out the window—regardless if the blinds were shut. “but she should go back in a jiff. Can ya’ll wait?”
“Yeah we’ll wait.” Katrina replied for Chris.
“Great. I’ll tell him you’re here. Oh, can you just fill out this form for me?” Lucy pushed a clipboard with an information sheet towards Chris.
“Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m just here to interview him.”
Lucy’s smile faded a little. “I see. I’ll let him know. Have a seat.” She flashed her teeth at Chris and went through the door behind the desk.
Chris and Katrina went across the room from the waiting woman, next to the coffee table. “ Thanks for coming with me.” Chris wanted Katrina to know that he appreciated and welcomed her presence.
“Don’t mention it. It’s kind of interesting for me to watch.”
“Watch what? Me struggle?”
Katrina laughed, “Well it was interesting watching you try and tear your eyes from Lucy’s bundles of joy. But no, that’s not what I meant.” She was looking right into Chris’ eyes.
“One of your eyes is half green, half brown.” Katrina had a weird feeling take over her emotions. She had felt it before, but didn’t recognize it. Her heart beat a little faster and then she realized she was trying to get Chris’ attention.
“I do? Really? Maybe I should talk to the Dr. after all! Where’d that form go.” Chris smiled to portray his sarcasm.
Katrina smacked him on the arm and looked down to hide her face—now a darker shade of pink. “It’s neat, that’s all.” Katrina smiled and picked up a magazine off the table. ‘National Geographic’; typical Doctor’s office magazine. She looked at the date: March. Only four months behind. Not bad. She flicked through the magazine, looking for the cover story about Wolves. They were her favorite animal regardless if she had never seen one.Chris looked at her just a moment longer before opening his notebook to jot down a few questions for the doctor. He liked how she was unconcerned that her hair was coming undone, letting little wisps of hair out, sticking to the thin sheen of heat-induced sweat on her neck. He quickly looked away because he felt he shouldn’t be concerning himself with such things.
Lucy came bouncing through the door over to Chris. She bent over to talk to him in a whisper. “Um, sorry Chris but Dr. Stevensen would like to know what business you would like to discuss with him.”
Chris took extra effort not to look at the crease of bosom that had just been thrust in front of his face. Katrina laughed through her nose. “Yeah, sure. I’m here trying to get information about the infection.” Chris said in an equally quiet voice.
“Oh. ‘Kay.” Lucy bounced up and went through the door again.
Katrina and Chris looked at each other with raised eyebrows. They both laughed.
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