Something About Aaron

Chapter 3 (Aaron's POV)

My heart skips a beat as I witness the newly programmed number, pop up, on my phone. Having yet to fully conclude the current session with Michael, I reluctantly send her call to voicemail. “Thank you for coming in Michael, I'll see you next week at the same time.” Bidding Michael farewell I see Almarie calling a second time.

While knowing she is probably only calling because she forgot to mention something, I am unable to prevent the excitement that bubbles up within my chest. Taking a deep, calming breath in, I attempt to properly conduct myself. Almarie is a patient, I need to remain professional. The most appropriate action to take would be to recommend a new doctor for her. A pang of guilt and jealousy reverberates inside my soul. She is my patient.

Shaking my head, ashamed at my thoughts, I conclude that my possessive mindset was just another valid reason to widen the distance between us. Although, if I am to recommend her to another doctor I had better have a few more sessions with her. Just to make sure I suggest a good fit for her. Satisfied with my solution and unable to wait a moment longer to hear the music that is Almarie’s pleasant voice, I answer her call. “Hello beautiful,” Wow! So much for keeping it professional! Mentally I slap my forehead in regret. “What'd you forget?"

I hear the panicking crackle as her voice breaks, "Th-Th-They're-re-re-re h-h-h-here!" Almarie whimpers loudly on the other end. Having just only briefly been over the listed symptoms in her file, I have an idea of who she is referring to. One of the many listed items mentioned hallucinated, nightmarish individuals that torment her. My heart reaches out to her, and all thoughts of remaining professional go out the window.

"Where are you? I'm coming."

“I’m n-n-not sh-sh-sure.” Almarie whimpers and the breathing coming through the receiver picks up its pace.

“Almarie, sweetheart, I need you to slow your breathing.”

“I-I-I ca-can’t. It hurts.” Again her breathing quickens. The words straining to come out as she begins to hyperventilate, choking on the fearful cries she fails to stifle.

“Can you remember what you saw? Come on Almarie, think. What did you pass, where did you go?” Trying to coax, a definitive answer from her, yet hide my desperation to get to her from seeping into my voice. I wanted to remain calm and avoid upsetting her more.

“Uhh, coffee shop! I s-saw a coffee shop. That’s when I saw them awful things a-a-and I-I-I…”

“Almarie, love, concentrate on nothing but my voice, breath in deep for me, 2, 3, 4 out, 2, 3, 4, in, 2, 3, 4, out, 2, 3, 4.” Trying her best, I hear Almarie attempt the breathing techniques. “There! I see it! I’m passing the coffee shop now. I’m coming Almarie, hold on. Are you inside somewhere?”

“Uhm, uhm, I entered a different business, with tons of books everywhere. A library or bookstore maybe.”

“I’m right here Almarie, just a few more seconds.”

“I’m…” Her voice drops to a whisper, afraid someone, or thing could find her if voiced aloud. “I’m in the bathroom.”

A young teenage girl briefly looks up from whatever reading material rests between her fingers as I barge through the door. Thankfully, I only receive a dirty look and raised eyebrow, before she blew a bubble from her chewing gum, returning to her book. I rush into the restroom, the door swings quietly closed behind me. Upon entering the irregular breathing that was distinctively hyperventilation, accompanied by silent murmuring could be heard from the only closed stall. Crouching, I slightly look underneath. Almarie is clearly sitting on the floor, her back pressed up against the wall. I straighten my legs to stand and walk to the stall door knocking.

“Almarie?” I call out in what I hope to be a gentle, soothing tone.

Lord, how I just want to bust through, wrap my arms around her, and kiss away her tears; holding her until everything is okay again. I groan inward as my logical side tries to pick an internal debate about pushing the boundaries of a doctor-patient relationship.

"Honey it's okay, it's Aaron, I'm here." I hear myself say out loud in an attempt to calm her without startling her in the process, pushing the boundaries that should be between doctors and their patients. Her silent, frantic murmuring slows down and I only catch bits and pieces of what she says such as, "Shut up Jack."

Suddenly, the stall door unlocks and Almarie comes into my view. Even while crying she is a beautiful sight and my groin selfishly twitches in demand.

Almarie looks up at me and with a snuffle, she murmurs my name in a questioning whisper, "Aaron?"

All I can do is reply in a soft tone of voice as my heart goes out to this poor woman before me. "Yes, Almarie, honey I'm here." As I kneel down to her level I try to be more reassuring, no longer caring if I am crossing the line or not. Almarie lunges at me curling herself into my lap like a child would do for comfort. Briefly, I think of the itemized list from her file and recall one symptom being that she may revert to almost a childlike state when exposed to extreme distress. reading something in her file about how she reverts to a childlike state when in distress.

“Oh, Aaron, I feared you would not come.” She weeps softly into my shoulder.

“Of course I came darlin’ shh shh it's okay now. It'll all be ok.” I murmur softly into her ruby red hair before kissing the top of her head. Almarie snuggles in close to me tucking her head under my chin. It's almost as if she is trying to disappear inside me by the way she clings to me for dear life. Almarie’s tiny frame melds into mine as if asking me to save her. Oh, how I long to be her savior. Continuing to rock her petite form, I mentally chide myself for aspiring to be everything this woman needs. I don’t even know her, let alone hardly, really anything about her. I do know that my heart already has a place for this lost soul. She is full of pain and inner torment that I want nothing more than to absolve her of. I also know that it doesn’t work that way and the only way Almarie can ever truly be free of any of it is to work through all of it.

Almarie sniffles then wipes her nose with her hand. I can't help but find this adorable as well, even if a little gross. She looks up at me, red-eyed and puffy-faced, "Sorry, thank you." the way she said it, so defeated and ashamed, broke my heart a little bit, to be honest.

"Hey", I said wrapping her in my arms once more, "It's ok, shh, I got you." Almarie’s body relaxed against me, a sign that I had managed to chip away a little at the walls she held firmly in place for self-protection. A knock at the bathroom’s entry door causes us both to jump apart.

Almarie looks to me, panic evident on her face. Nonchalantly I hold my index finger up, signaling to wait and that I would handle it. Footsteps approach our stall and I clear my throat before speaking.

“Yes?” I ask, opening the stall door and peaking out.

“Yeah, uhm, like I’m getting ready to close and you’ve been in here for some time now.” The teenaged bookkeeper states, seemingly annoyed. She blows a gum bubble until it pops. She chews it back into her mouth before continuing. “Don’t get me wrong, like, I totally get wanting to have a good time quicky in the bathroom, but it’s been like an hour and I need you to like, leave now. Okay?”

I help Almarie to her feet and she shrinks behind me. Her face beats bright red from embarrassment, crying, or both. “We were just leaving.” Clasping Almarie’s hand in mine, I walk out of the stall. With an iron grasp, she follows closely behind.

Popping another bubble, the young girl watches us pass through the door with a raised eyebrow, locking it before rushing out behind us. I assume to finish closing chores, ready to leave for the day. Of course, that could be just because of the awkward scene she just witnessed between a doctor and his patient. I groan inwardly at the reminder. Logically, I am aware that she has no way of knowing that. I mean, she thought we were having s*x for Pete-sakes!

“Let’s go back to your place,” I murmur softly to Almarie without thinking. “Perhaps we can stop for a bite on the way.” I shouldn’t ask but I can't help myself from crossing the line, selfishly wanting nothing more than to be near this woman. After a few moments of me looking at her expectantly waiting for her response, she nods grimly in a hesitant agreeance.

Before heading out the door, hand in hand with Almarie, I bump my shoulder lightly against hers. “You know, you're even beautiful when you cry,” I state with a wink. In return, I am granted an embarrassed blush accompanied by a small smile.