Beautiful Stranger

Chapter 2: Tests, Trials, and Unexpected Meetings

Jerry knew he would fail the alcohol test, but, that didn't bother him. His bad luck had

intensified in the last weeks and this was leading the other Doctors to doubt his

competence. Patients transferred to him always had a ten percent chance of survival and that was putting it mildly. He never actually did succeed in any case he really handled and

he almost always made a howler of cases that he had to assist on. His life was really a mess

and he needed a break from all the drama. He watched the lab scientists from outside as

they worked on the samples he had presented for his alcohol test. One thing was evident,

the Director of the Hospital was ready to suspend him for the second time in two years if he failed the test.

Being a Doctor was his lifelong dream. He loved tending to people and saving lives, above

all. He also loved the prestige that came with being called a Doctor. His parents loved that

too. He had been guided by following his passion so that he won't have to see his job as tedious for a day but Medicine was never like that. He had graduated with straight A's in

school and seemed like the perfect Doctor but everything changed when he started

practising. A series of deaths rolled under his watch and this didn't boost his morale. It

couldn't boost anyone's morale to be a failing Doctor.

Emeka popped his head out of the Laboratory and signalled to Jerry to join him in a corner.

"Hey, Bro...you shouldn't be here."

"And I am guessing that you have become a lab scientist?" Jerry asked as he folded

his arms.

Emeka smiled. “I switched the bottles."

"Your urine and mine?"

Emeka nodded with a smile. He expected Jerry to wrap his arms around him in

appreciation of this but Jerry stared at him coldly. "Say something....something good."

"What is good about your urine? For all we know, you might have syphilis."

Emeka scoffed at Jerry's ingratitude. "A thank you would suffice."

"I am not grateful. I am worried about what the Director would say when a

comprehensive test is done."

Emeka smiled. “Thank me later."

The door opened and the Director joined them with a sheet of paper in his hand. He stared

accusingly at the duo and handed the sheet to Jerry. "I don't know what you did to make

your alcohol drinking mess go away...but you are still suspended."

Jerry watched the Director as he disappeared down the hall and turned to Emeka. "Do you

still want the thank you?"

Emeka shook his head. "I am so sorry, man."

"Look, I don't think I'll do any better here than I did in the East. Maybe I should just

go back home. Maybe this profession isn't for me after all. What is the point of going to the

surgical wards when everything I touch is a no? This is tiring. Very exhausting."

Emeka nodded. “You have a point there and it might sound wrong for the moment but I

sincerely do think that this suspension might give you some time to bounce back."

"Bounce back? Did you even ever see my glory days?"

Emeka paused to think.

"I have never had any." Jerry replied and adjusted his coat. "I'll be on my way home."

"How many weeks are you to be suspended for?" Emeka asked.

Jerry checked the sheet. "Two weeks."

***

"Two weeks?" Toni asked with a frown.

Nora nodded as she took off her slippers. "Am I not deserving of it?"

Her sister was silent.

"I worked hard to get that leave."

Toni shrugged. "I am not disputing that, but I am just saying that if the service provider is

naturally that is horrible, what happens when more people such as you get leaves from

work?"

"We are a competent network."

Toni nodded. "Sounds like your motto, right?" she asked with a grin. “Nora, I really don't want you in this house with me for two whole weeks. You will bore me to death with your

principles." Toni continued. Nora ignored her and started to change into her underwear.

"Where are you going with James?" She asked, trying to change the topic.

"He ought to call me in the next hour to let me know. We leave by seven."

"That should be to the movies then..." Toni replied. "I should step out tonight too."

Nora shot at her. “Where to? It rained last night. It might rain today too."

"It's just for a walk." Toni replied. "Besides, I might just go with a car."

Nora nodded. “I think it is safer if you go with a car. You have to be careful."

"Nora, I am fine."

Nora picked her phone. "Toni, I know you are. I am just playing my role."

"I think it is a little too much."

The land phone rang. Toni lifted the receiver. "Hello!"

"Ma'am, there is a man named James here to see Ms Nora."

Toni shrieked as she replaced the receiver with a smile. "James is here. I have to go and see

him." She replied as she leaped off the bed.

"Why is he here so early? Oh my...I have to fix myself up. Go...go and keep him

company." Nora said as she turned towards the mirror.

Toni hurried out of the room.

James stood in the living room in his black suit with a smile. Toni folded her arms as she

smiled at him. "I met the famous James."

He smiled. “Err......I am here to see Nora."

seat."

"Obviously she hasn't told you about me?" she asked as she took a seat. "Take a

James obliged. "You are Toni, right?"

She smiled. "Oh....she did mention me?"

"No...and now I know why she didn't." James replied as he undid the lower button

of his jacket.

Toni ran her hand across her hair and took a deep breath with her eyes closed. She thought

she was missing something. She shrugged. "Why do you think my sister never mentioned

me?"

"It's obvious. You are a lot prettier than she is. Very stunning and she is very sure

that if I had just one glimpse at your photo before coming here, you would be going out

with me on this date."

Toni smiled. “You flatter yourself."

"I will try. Where is Nora?"

She has to dress up. I think you arrived earlier than scheduled and I think you are

seriously dressed."

James stared at his jacket. "I like to look nice. First impressions count, you know?"

"You won't go far with me. I like to wait for second impressions." She replied as she

rose to her feet. "I have to check in with Nora. I'll be right back."

James nodded as he relaxed in his seat.

"How does he look?" Nora asked as Toni shut the door.

Toni smiled. “He is cute, you have nice eyes."

"I hope he likes me too...so tell me the important thing."

Toni nodded. "He is wearing a suit. He is taking you to a classy restaurant, so you can pour

your hair down for a start."

"I can help myself. Go and talk with him. He is really interesting."

Toni smiled. “He is. You always find the douchebags."

"Stop. James is different. Nothing like the other guys I have met." She said with a

smile as she poured her hair down. "What gown do I wear?"

"I like that black one you wore for a fundraiser last month."

Nora took a seat. “I already wore it once. I want a fresh slate with James."

"You are a clown. It is just a date. It is not your marriage."

Nora hissed. "You are very helpful, Toni. Thanks."

Toni nodded. "You are welcome."

"I think you should go and occupy James."

Her sister grinned. "Of course..."

Nora grabbed her gown as soon as Toni shut the door after her.

"I see I am not very popular around here. You have left for me for like err..."

pulled up his sleeve to check the time. “Fifteen minutes."

"Thirteen minutes." Toni corrected with a smile.

.." James

James smiled. “Did you check the time or are you just trying to wow me with your

intelligence?"

She shrugged. "I don't wow people...it comes effortlessly."

"Have lunch with me sometime." James replied with a grin.

"Hitting on two sisters. Touché!"

He smiled. “It's just lunch, I would like to know you better...maybe hook you up with one of

my single buddies."

"I'll pass."

"Why? You are beautiful, smart. Any guy's catch."

She is so beautiful." Toni said with a smile and flashed her camera. "Souvenir for me. You are having her full beauty. I rarely ever get to see my sister dressed like this, so

cherish the moment, James." Toni said as she nudged him.

Nora smiled at Toni. "Thanks darling. Do take care of yourself."

"What could possibly happen to her, guardian angel?" James asked as he gave Nora

his hand.

Toni grinned. "Yeah....what could possibly happen to me?"

Nora shot a face at her sister and smiled at James. "Shall we?"

***

“Sure." He replied.

Toni smiled as she stepped out of the house that evening. There was no way she was going to drive any of the cars when she could walk. She had only walked past two streets when

she spotted the jerk from the bar sitting alone in a corner. She grinned to herself as she

walked up to him. "Jerk!" she said.

Jerry stared at her and turned his face away.

She took her seat beside him with a smile. “I take it as you were drunk last night."

Jerry ignored her.

"So...do you talk at all? Oh wait! You do talk so much....almost as though you don't

have a lid on it...so, why are you unusually quiet tonight?" Toni asked with a smile.

Jerry took a deep breath and clenched his fists together. He had been doing some self-

evaluation until this lady appeared from nowhere to bug him. His fists were hungry to feast

on her face...but then....it was not his style.

Toni smiled waiting for a response from him. She had expected a response to follow since

he took a deep breath. Nothing followed. She poked her head before him with a smile. “You are ignoring me?"

"Look here, woman!" Jerry growled in a loud tone. “If you don't have anything good

to do with your life other than disturb others, just bloody leave me alone."

Toni sat back with a smile. "That was supposed to hurt me, right?”

Jerry sighed.

"Look man, we all have problems....non, I call them challenges, and we can't overcome

all of them truthfully. But, we are bigger than life and its challenges, we just have to find a

way around them." She said, standing up.

Jerry took a glance at her and then turned his face away remorsefully. "I am sorry." He

muttered.

Toni smiled. "I can't hear you."

Jerry stared at her and nodded. "Okay, I am sorry."

"A little louder?" she asked with a grin.

Jerry smiled faintly. "I am sorry."

"Take care." She said and walked away.

Jerry took a deep breath as he watched her walk away. He'd be a fool not to get her name

this time. He knew it. He hurried after her. "Hey!" he said catching up. "You walk fast, you

know?"

Toni turned at him with a smile. "Apart from the fact that you walk faster or slower when

you walk alone, I also left that spot before you so it is logical that I am a few steps ahead of

you, don't you think?"

Jerry smiled. "That's interesting."

"I am interesting."

He laughed. "You are cocky.