Chapter 58

DORIS

Even though Joe was very clear, advising me what I should do, I needed another opinion.

I asked Nina the same questions that I asked Joe about what I should do about Noah regarding Jeff Wasserman’s new medicine and having Dr. Mingledorff do that new surgery.

Nina said the same thing that Joe did. The probability that Noah would come out of his coma permanently would make it all worth it.

When I asked Nina if she thought Arthur would be upset that other men were paying for it, Nina said the same thing Joe did. Yes, Arthur would probably be pissed off if he knew. It would be better not to tell Arthur at this point.

I waffled back and forth about what to do. I had to decide by morning. I spent a lot of the afternoon walking up and down Broadway thinking about it.

Finally, I looked up at a billboard for a show, and it was a huge advertisement for a new play called 'Decide Yes.' I considered that a sign.

I called Dr. John and told him to tell Dr. Mingledorff to schedule the surgery. He scheduled it for Monday, two weeks from now. I felt relieved.

But how could I keep this secret from Arthur? Just the idea didn't sit well with me.

Wednesday, Jeff Wasserman called me. I was surprised he had my phone number. Dr. John gave it to him.

It wasn't nice to give out my number without asking me first, but considering that Jeff Wasserman was the contact to set the introduction to Dr. Mingledorff, I couldn't be too upset.

Jeff Wasserman wanted to meet me. I could hardly turn that down. He asked to meet me on Saturday night. I said no, absolutely not.

I explained that I spent Saturday day with my boyfriend, Arthur of AmeriCapital. Jeff acted surprised, but I got a feeling that it wasn't a sincere reaction

Jeff asked me an hour later if I could meet him on Tuesday night. There was no way I could say no. He told me he would pick the place and text me the address.

When I got there, I was surprised to see it was a fancy restaurant. It was really expensive and romantic looking. It immediately made me uncomfortable.

Jeff was younger and dressed in a much more expensive suit than I had anticipated. He was also much more handsome than I expected. Not only was he the president of the biggest pharmaceutical company in the country, he exuded confidence when he told me about some of his business dealings as the CEO of a very big financial conglomerate with offices in Tokyo, London, New York, and L.A.

Jeff was entertaining and interesting to talk to. He talked a bit about Dr. Mingledorff’s work and explained to me a little bit about what the surgery would entail, which made me feel better because I didn't know much about it.

Jeff also explained how safe it was and how respected and successful Dr. Mingledorff was.

This conversation made me feel better. What didn't make me feel better was at the end of the night, Jeff asked me for a date. I was very surprised, and I turned him down gently and politely as we were leaving the restaurant.

These past few months had been strange. Arthur has taken such a clear interest in me. Dr. John had asked me out multiple times. Now Jeff asked me out on a date.

In the two years that I was dating Bob, not a single person hit on me, and now I've had three handsome, successful men ask me out in a very short amount of time.

Life was funny sometimes.

Arthur and I spent more and more time together. Arthur was right. I tried out spending Wednesday through Sunday at the penthouse, Arthur and I had more time together.

It also meant we got to spend more time making love. I didn't think it was possible, but the sex got better and better each time.

Arthur, Mia, and I took more trips around the city and a few into Connecticut. We also spent more time at home… I mean the penthouse.

Mia liked having me around. She seemed more secure that her "mommy" wouldn't leave at a moment's notice.

Suddenly the day for Noah's surgery was here. Part of the surgery involves drilling a very small hole in the back of Noah's skull to reduce some of the cranial pressure. So, of course, I was nervous.

When it was done, Dr. Mingledorff came out to tell me the procedure was a success. The doctor had given Noah heavy sedatives, so I wouldn't know anything concrete until tomorrow.

I went home. When Arthur called me that night and asked me how my day was, I felt terrible and guilty for not telling him about the surgery. But I knew he'd feel angry that Dr. John paid for it.

The next day they gave Noah more sedation, so he still didn't wake up. Wednesday morning early, he squeezed my hand gently, and a few moments later, he turned his toward me.

It took another few moments for his eyes to focus.

"Doris?" Noah said, his voice scratchy.

"Yes!" I got him some water and used the button to raise the head of his bed slightly.

"How are you feeling?"

"Groggy. Where am I?"

"You're in a hospital."

Noah looked around. "Why?"

I paused. I should have expected this. "We were in a car accident."

"We were?"

"Yes, we were."

"I don't remember."

"That's probably normal. It will come back to you."

"Wait, we were in an accident. Are you OK?"

"I'm fine."

"What happened?"

"A big pick-up truck T-boned us on my side. You wrapped your body around me, and that's what saved me."

"I don't remember," he said again.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

"I don't know." He thought for a minute. "We were at that housewarming party."

"That's right!" I said, excited he was doing so well. "Jenny and Richard's party. When we left, it was raining. A truck went through the traffic light. We ended up in a really bad accident."

Noah looked down at his body. "But I just ended up with scratches?"

"No, actually, you ended up in a coma."

"Really? How long was I in a coma? A couple of days?"

I paused. "Five years."

Noah’s gaze snapped to mine. His mouth dropped open. "Five years! No."

"Yes."

"No," he said, drawing in the word out. "That can't be right.”

"I'm sorry, but it is.”

Noah looked at the ceiling again, obviously trying to take it in.

"I know it's a lot to digest," I said.

We were silent for a moment. Then he looked at me. "You look different. I guess that's why you look different."

I chuckled. "I guess that's what five years does do you."

We lapsed into silence again. I held Noah's hand. "I'm glad you're back. I'm really glad you're back. It's been a long time where I didn't know what would happen, and I barely dared to hope."

I paused, hoping that I wasn't tiring him out. Noah looked like he was trying to absorb everything.

"Five years," he said, like he still couldn't believe it.

"We're lucky. It could have been even more."

"You're here," he said. He blinked a few times.

"I am, Dad. I'd never abandon you. I came to visit twice a week all this time. You saved me, and I would never let you go."

"Oh my God, Doris. How did you pay for all the hospital bills?"

“It wasn't always easy, but I knew I would always find a way."

"You are the best, Doris. You really are."

Noah put his hand up to his temple. "My head is throbbing, and I am so tired."

"Rest, Noah." I kissed the top of his head. "I'll be back tomorrow."

I quietly closed Noah's door as I left. I practically danced down the corridor on my way out to the street. When I got to the penthouse, Arthur wanted to know why I was in such a good mood. All I could say was that I was just happy to have a nice evening with my boyfriend and sweet girl.

There was an old lady who lived on the floor below the penthouse who babysat for Mia sometimes. She also made Ecuadorian food. Arthur ordered a feast for us.

Then some real estate contracts that had just been possibilities came through, so it turned out to be an amazing couple of days.

Friday, I told Arthur that Noah had recently woken up. Arthur was appropriately surprised, happy, and supportive.

Saturday, it seemed like Noah was up for a short visit, so I brought Arthur to the hospital. I introduced him to Noah, and they hit it off immediately.

Noah was still a little out of it, so we didn't spend much time with you him, but I could see he would have a speedy recovery.