Cherry on Top (chapters 5&6)

Chapter 5

At around four o’clock, Doc came to collect Cherry. They were going to test out how she was feeling. They were going to take a trip to the auto garage to see what was wrong with Cherry’s car. 

“Ready?” He said as he stood in the doorway of her room at the surgery. 

“I think so,” she replied. She dressed in shorts and a sleeveless top with a fruit pattern on it. The scrapes on her legs were highly visible. “My knees look awful, and my forehead is turning a lovely shade of dark blue.”

“You look great,” he said, and smiled at her. 

“I look a mess, but thank you.” She said, and smiled back. Her hands and knees stung from where the gravel had been ground into the skin. 

“Well, most important is how you feel,” Doc Miller responded. 

“A bit beaten up, but my head feels better after resting, today.”

“I’ve been thinking that, if our little journey goes well, you can be discharged.” Doc said. 

“Oh,” Cherry responded with surprise. She bit her lip and started chewing on the inside of her cheek. Doc noticed she appeared anxious and made a mental note. 

He helped her into his truck and then they were off. He took the scenic route to the garage so Cherry could enjoy the scenery. They drove along the river trail and trees were just starting to change their colours. Cherry was quiet and he caught her closing her eyes on a few occasions. Maybe she wasn’t ready to leave the surgery? 

The drive to the garage didn’t take long. They arrived in about ten minutes. 

“There’s a fault in your coolant system I bet,” Charlie, the man Cherry recognized from when she fell, said to her. “Could also be yer wire casings, or your transmission fluid. When was the last time you had your oil changed?”

“Honestly, it’s been awhile. I don’t drive much back at home,” Cherry responded with a frown. 

“Well, I’ll take them keys of yours and give it a look over and let you know.” Charlie palmed her keys and walked off to the driver’s door. “You’re staying at the b&b right?”

“Actually, give a call to the surgery when you’re finished, Charlie.” Doc piped up. 

“Will do.” He nodded then got into the car to try and start it. When that didn’t work, he called over a couple other guys, popped it into neutral, and they pushed it closer to the garage. 

Cherry let out a whoosh of air. “I have a feeling this is going to be expensive,” she said, recommencing chewing on her cheek. 

They got back into Doc’s truck. As they drove to the garage, he’d been struck by an idea. He didn’t know how Cherry might receive the suggestion, but he wanted to help her and wanted to spend more time with her, too. 

“I have an idea,” he started. 

“Okay,” Cherry turned to look at him. 

“How would you like to stay with me, in my apartment?” He scanned her face watching for clues that he would be arrested for announcing this notion of his. Her eyes widened. He continued, “I have an extra room and you seemed a bit unsure of being discharged. I think you’re ready, but, this way, you won’t be alone. And, you can stay for free. You could cancel your reservation at the b&b and save your money for fixing up your car.” He stopped talking. He knew the words came out fast. He felt like a school boy trying to ask out his very first crush. 

She was quiet, considering his offer. Truth be told, she was nervous to be on her own. Even more truth was that she didn’t really want to leave the company of Doctor Gill Miller. There was something about him she was drawn to, and it wasn’t just his good looks. She had wanted an adventure, to experience something, some place, different. Maybe it was time to experience someone different as well. 

“I accept,” she said and smiled at him. Then she went back to biting her cheek. 

“Oh, great,” he tried to play it cool, but butterflies were swarming his stomach as they pulled back onto the road to return to his place. 

Chapter 6

When Doc slowed the truck to make the turn into the driveway at the surgery, Cherry started to panic, feeling like something bigger than being a house guest was happening. 

“Wanna go to Cup of Joe’s and grab some takeout for dinner,” she blurted. 

“Oh, okay.” He replied, giving her a quick glance. “I hadn’t thought about dinner, to be honest. I don’t even know what you like to eat.”

“Anything really, especially when I’m not the one cooking,” she said, and laughed to ease her own tension. 

“Fair enough,” he replied, with laughter in his voice. 

They parked and walked into the diner. Miss Ivy looked like a friendly creamsicle, dressed in shades of peach and orange from head to toe. 

“Look at you!” She exclaimed, and came over to give Cherry a hug. “You look a little beat up, but not too worse for wear. “You two want a table?”

“We are actually going to be ordering some take out, Miss Ivy.” Doc Miller responded. 

“Fine idea, fine idea. Come on over to the counter and take a look at the menu.” She gestured to them to take a seat and she returned to behind the counter, producing two menus. Cherry took no time to order. 

“I’d like a double cheeseburger with extra pickles on the side, and a large glass of your excellent sweet tea, please.” Cherry smiled brightly at Miss Ivy. “And, I’d like that on a separate bill.” She lifted her bag up onto the counter, diving in an arm to fish out her wallet. It appeared and she pulled out a twenty to place on the counter. 

“Alrighty,” Miss Ivy said. She knew when a lady meant business so she daren’t argue. She was intrigued by the unique bag Cherry was using. “That’s a neat purse you have there.” Miss Ivy couldn’t help but notice that it appeared to be fashioned from a man’s business shirt. A blue and white check button down, with a zipper sewn into the neck between the front of the collar and the back. It was ingenious. 

“Thanks. I made it out of one of my dad’s shirts after he passed. A little way to keep him near me.” Cherry smiled wistfully, running her fingers over the buttons. “I’m just going to freshen up.” She carefully slid off her stool and headed off to the ladies room. 

“She’s doing better it seems,” Miss Ivy offered. Doc Miller didn’t answer right away, and instead Miss Ivy watched him, watching Cherry's derrière as she walked toward the restrooms. “Earth the Doc,” she said, trying to get his attention. 

“I’ll take a pot pie, side salad, and a sweet tea please,” he replied, not taking his eyes off Cherry. 

“Tell me something, Gill; is it ethical to be ogling your patient like that?” Miss Ivy scolded. 

Because she had used his first name, he turned his attention to her. Suddenly, he felt as if his mother were watching him. “Technically, she isn’t my patient anymore. And I wasn’t ogling. I was making sure her concussion hadn’t affected her gait,” even he didn’t believe himself. 

“Hmm,” Miss Ivy said, sucking her teeth.

“And, since she isn’t my patient, it’s totally above board that I asked her to stay in my spare bedroom,” Gill continued. 

“You what?” Miss Ivy’s mouth dropped open. 

“I had to, because she was worried about being alone and paying for repairs to her car. It’s really an act of kindness. I’m being a Good Samaritan.” He finished, puffing up his chest a bit. 

“Oh law,” Miss Ivy said. She put in their order, then returned to stand across the counter from Doc. “What are you thinking? You are gunna get into such a mess, son. She’s only here on vacation and you ask her to live with you in your house.” She sucked her teeth again. 

“What?” Gill said, feebly. 

“What, my bunions. Anyone can see you’re sweet on here,” Miss Ivy retorted. 

Gill placed his head in his hands. “Ya.”

“Shoo, you go wait in the car. I’m going to make sure that girl knows what she’s getting into.” She waved him out, after he paid, sending the drinks with him. When Cherry returned, Miss Ivy got right to the point. 

“Cherry, dear, you know the Doc is sweet on you, don’t you?” 

Cherry looked around for him. 

“He’s gone out to the car to wait with your drinks,” Miss Ivy finished. 

“Um,” Cherry hesitated. “I sorta thought, maybe.”

“And, would you invite his advances if he were to try,” Miss Ivy enquired, needing to know. 

“I believe I would,” Cherry said, blushing. 

“Okay,” Miss Ivy clapped her hands. Then she turned, scribbled down something on a note, then grabbed their bag of food, placing the note inside. “I just wanted to make sure your head wasn’t scrambled up from that concussion and that you and he are being safe. Now, off you go, fall in love, or make some love, or, whatever you kids get up to nowadays.”

“Thank you,” Cherry said, wandering out to the car, feeling bewildered. 

“Everything okay,” Gill asked her. 

“Yes,” Cherry replied, buckling in. At least, she thought everything was okay. 

They returned to the surgery, this time, taking a door around the other side of the building. It led into Gill’s apartment. It was bright and spacious, with comfortable looking chairs and a couch in striped fabric. It had a nautical colour scheme. The kitchen island overlooked the living room. A long hallway ran off the opposite side, presumably where the bedrooms were located. 

They ate their dinner at the island. Gill found the note Miss Ivy deposited in with his pot pie. It’s a go! He was certainly not sure what she was getting at, but hoped that meant he didn’t need to feel so nervous about asking Cherry to stay with him. 

After eating, he gave her the tour. All at once, he found himself in the doorway to her room, as she stood ever so closely beside him. 

“Cherry,” he said. He gazed down at her. 
“Yes,” she turned her face up and smiled. He reached out and touched her cheek, lowering his face to within breathing distance of hers. “What did Miss Ivy write on that note?” She asked, as she put her arms around his neck. 
“It’s a go,” he replied, as his warm lips descended onto hers.