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 co
DORISMiss Sanchez brought us dinner another night when we were working on the Lego castle. "Look at what you’ve got here, mijita. A castle fit for a princess.""When it's done, I'm going to live inside," Mia said.We all laughed.Arthur and I were in bed 11 PM on Saturday night. Cathy called again. Arthur didn't answer.Then Cathy sent a text saying she wanted to talk to Arthur. He texted her back that it wasn't a good time. She sent a text of her in a sexy dress with a big smile. I assumed it was a publicity photo because there was a microphone next to her. She didn't say anything inappropriate to Arthur, but it still made me insecure.Before I could say anything to Arthur or Arthur could say anything to me about Cathy, she sent another text saying she would like to talk to Mia. How much she enjoyed her visit with Mia, and that she'd like to have more of a
DORISAs I was leaving Noah's room, Jeff cornered me in the hospital, pushing me to date him. This reminded me of Dr. John. How do these men become so self-entitled?"Let's have coffee in the cafeteria," Jeff said, putting his hand on my lower back and guiding me toward the elevators. "My treat. I insist."Ugh. Yuck. It was easier to give in than to keep arguing.Once we were seated, I explained very carefully, thoroughly, and slowly that I was in a committed relationship with Arthur, that I lived with him part-time, and that I was not interested."But you're not married or engaged, so I think you're fair game," Jeff said."I appreciate everything you've done for Noah and me, but you're wasting your time. And if you continue to call me and send texts, eventually, I'm going to have to get a restraining order. I don't want to do that because I am grateful, so I'm asking you, please, please just sto
DORISSomething had been wrong with my relationship with Arthur. I couldn't explain it, but a sense of unease had settled within me.Could he have discovered the secret I've been hiding? Was my guilt apparent in my actions?His distant behavior made me feel insecure, and when I confronted him, he simply brushed it off
ARTHURWhen Doris left, I felt like she took my heart with her. I stared at the door she had closed, not gently, but not loudly either. Wondering how I had gone from being on top of the world to feeling like my whole world was falling apart.I drank a scotch, and I slammed the glass down on my expensive bar table. "Dammit," I said to myself. "This is Doris’s fault, not mine. Why do I feel guilty?"&n
DORIS "I can’t believe you’re still moping around because you haven’t been in contact with Arthur," Nina said. "He’s gone for a week or two, not two months. Get a hold of yourself, Doris." "You are not supposed to be so enmeshed with Arthur that when he goes away for a week, you have a nervous breakdown."
DORIS While we were eating dinner the next day, I said to Arthur, "I forgot to tell you. I got this call out of nowhere. From probably the most thrilling club in all of New York, The Sultan Room. Do you know it?" He smiled slyly, "Yes, I know it." "Well, the c
DORISI knew Arthur was at the main AmeriCapital office today, so I was surprised to see him leaning in the doorway of my office at Heritage Properties."Hi, Little Dove." Arthur's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. "How about tonight, after Mia is asleep, we break away from the ordinary life and have a little adventure?"I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Adventure? What do you have in mind, Arthur?"“You’ll see.”At 9 pm, when it was time to leave, Mrs. Sanchez from downstairs came to keep an eye on sleeping Mia."We might not be back until close to dawn," Arthur said.“No problem, I’ll rest on the couch. Don’t you worry.”Arthur held the door for me as we got in the back of a fancy, blue Lamborghini. "Doris, are you up for a late-night picnic under the stars? Just you, me, and a blanket spread out in this special spot I know."I chuckled, amused by his spontaneity. "Arthur, that sounds like the perfect way to spend the evening!"We went to Brooklyn Bridge Park.“I’ve never been
ARTHURDoris called her old high school friend and planned an amazing weekend for us. On Saturday, we went blueberry picking at the farm part of her friend's estate. On Sunday, we went up in the hot air balloon."Wheeeee...wheeeee..." Mia kept saying over and over and over again. I didn't want to dampen her seven-year-old enthusiasm, but if she said it one more time, she would drive me crazy.Doris started singing and taught Mia the words to "I Think I Can Fly", and "Up In The Air". I shot Doris a grateful look."We should have my birthday party here," Mia said."Birthday?” Doris asked, and I quickly jumped in because, of course, Doris should know when Mia's birthday was. "Pumpkin, your birthday isn't for another three weeks.""That's like forever from now. Can we celebrate it this weekend? I want to have a birthday party here. Can invite Betty and Jennifer? I want to invite my whole class."Before I could say anything, Mia continued, "I want to have blueberry picking, and hot air ba