Jane strolled out of her office and smiled at me. I rose from my seat and gave her a brief hug. "I don't know about you, but I'm rather hungry," Jane said with a laugh. "The closest food is this way."
I nodded with a smile and walked alongside Jane until we arrived at a sandwich shop.
"What would you like Kynlee? My treat," Jane offered.
"That's not necessary Jane, I asked you to meet."
"I'm the one who suggested lunch. Hurry, time is a wasting," she teased. We placed our orders, Jane paid, and we found a table in a back corner away from prying eyes and would be eavesdroppers. "Okay, you wanted my opinion, let's hear it hon."
When I went to speak, I must have looked like a fish out of water, my mouth opening and closing repeatedly. Jane put her hand over mine, met my eyes and said, "no judgment Kynlee. You can tell me anything and it's just between us."
Closing my mouth I nodded. I took a drink of my soda, cleared my throat, and explained the situation from start to finish. I explained how I quit my job to be with Kedron, how Wam offered me a place to stay, supported me emotionally, and set up a grant to help me financially. I explained about Dr. Adams, her history with Wam, the jealousy, and that Wam and I started dating after Kedron was transferred to the facility she was a benefactor at.
Jane sat and listened and made sounds that she was hearing me while I spilled my guts. I have to admit it felt good to tell someone I could trust. Keeping these secrets had weighed on me. "Well, that's about the whole story," I finally said with a sigh.
Taking her napkin, Jane wiped her mouth and replied, "Oh honey, why didn't you come to me sooner?"
"Mom and Dad taught us to be independent and not rely on others and that's what I was trying to do. Now I realize that Wam could be in a lot of trouble, because he helped me. Dr. Adams seems to think he crossed some boundary."
Jane tilted her head to the side, her eyes wide, "did he cross that professional boundary?"
"I swear there was nothing…" I took a breath and whispered, "sexual, between us until after Kedron was discharged. I actually instigated it the night Kedron was discharged." My face was probably the color of a tomato, because my cheeks felt hot, but I was an adult damn it!
"Hey, no reason to be embarrassed. We are just two friends discussing things. It's okay Kynlee. No judgment, remember?"
I nodded again as I took another drink of my soda. "It's just that I can't stay there and let him get in trouble for helping me. It's not right," I offered with more certainty in my voice than I've had this whole time.
"Do you love him? This doctor?" Jane asked.
I sat for a minute chewing because I'd finally taken a couple bites after explaining the whole situation. Did I? Did I love Wam? Finally I nodded and said, "yeah. Yeah I'm in love with him. So that just makes it harder, but I have to move out to protect him. I just have no place to go," I pleaded.
Jane finished the last bite of her sandwich, took a drink, wiped her mouth, then her face lit up. I just looked at her but she didn't say anything. So I said, "I need to find a job to make some fast money so I can get Kedron and I an accessible apartment soon. Do you have any idea where I can get a job?"
"I have a better idea," Jane expressed, "I've been worried about how I'm going to work with Marve's medical issues. He will have radiation therapy, possibly surgery, and then chemotherapy. He will likely be quite sick and need looking after. Would you be willing to stay with him during the day while I'm at work? I'd pay you an hourly wage."
I looked at Jane in disbelief. She couldn't have just offered me a job, could she? "Ummm, wouldn't you rather have a trained professional stay with him? I know little about medical issues," I answered.
Jane smiled at my answer.
"I'm going to level with you Kynlee," Jane looked around to make sure no one could overhear before continuing to speak. "Marve's cancer is stage four. They either hit it hard and try to kill it, or they put him on…hospice, and keep him comfortable until he passes away. I had to convince him to fight. He was ready to sit back and accept it. The treatment is harsh, and I want to be with him, but…" Jane took a deep calming breath and looked down at her drink. "My insurance is going to allow us to treat the cancer, and without it, we cannot afford to fight it. I need to work, because Marve will have to take a leave from work while he is getting his treatments." When Jane looked back up, her eyes glistened with tears she was trying hard not to let fall.
I reached across the table and this time, I grabbed Jane's hand to comfort her. She looked up and met my eyes with a sniff and a weak smile.
"I'd be happy to help, but I need to find a place to stay soon. Wam has a Board of Directors meeting Thursday, and I'd like to be out before then if I can swing it," I explained.
"What if you stayed with us for a couple months? You could take Marvin to his appointments, stay with him at our house while I work Monday through Friday, and have your weekends and evenings after 5PM to do what you want. If you save the money you make with us, you should have enough for a place," Jane suggested.
"It doesn't seem fair I'd get room and board plus hourly pay. You can't afford that Jane," I squeezed her hand gently. As much as I wanted to help, I needed to make some real money for first and last months rent and security deposit. Ugh!
"So instead of paying to stay somewhere now while you look, stay with us. As long as you live with us, I'll pay you minimum wage plus room and board. If you move out and we still need help, we will renegotiate your wages. Marve will get disability while he is off because he works through a union. Besides taking Marve to appointments and sitting with him in case he needs help, you can help me with cooking and minor housework. Deal?" She asked.
"If you're sure, yes it's a deal. It can help us both out. Oh Jane, I cannot thank you enough," I got quieter as I thanked her. I felt so emotional about moving from Wam's, but knew it was something I needed to do.
"The home health agencies are already over taxed, so you are doing me a favor too Kynlee. Thank you too. Well as much as I want to keep chatting, my lunch is about finished. Here is our address," Jane grabbed a pen and paper from her purse and wrote the address down as she said it aloud. Once finished, she handed me the paper. "You already have my cell number, but this is the address. When can I expect you to start?"
"I want to be out of Wam's before the Board of Directors' meeting on Thursday. So Wednesday okay for me to bring my clothes and toiletries? The rest of our stuff is in storage. It can remain there for now," I replied to her inquiry.
"I just have to ask Kynlee…if you love this man, are you sure you want to move? We could still give you the job, even if you chose not to stay with us," Jane remarked.
"Thanks for asking, but.." I looked around quickly to make sure no one was close enough to hear before finishing, "I refuse to allow Wam to lose his medical license because he helped me."
"Okay. Wednesday it is," Jane exclaimed as she jumped up and hugged me. I hugged her back gently before she pulled back. "Okay, gotta go. You stay here and finish eating. I'll see you Wednesday when I arrive home from work. Would you like to come get reacquainted with Marvin and see the house tomorrow night?" I nodded in response.
"Good," Jane said and clapped her hands in front of herself. "Be at that address at 7PM and I'll personally reintroduce you two. Until later Kynlee."
Jane began to walk out the restraunt as I waved and yelled after her, "bye Jane."
I finished my food and drink and disposed of my waste prior to strolling out the door and to my truck. Oh wow! That's the first time I've thought of it as mine and not Kedron's. I decided I should stop and visit him prior to going back home.
Kedron's response was different than I expected. I honestly didn't think he would care where I lived or how I made money, just so I had it covered.
"Kynlee, I'm so happy you found a job. I remember how frustrating it was to find a good job. I'll also feel better you aren't sharing a house with a handsome, single, rich Neurosurgeon," he admitted.
"Oh Kedron," I patted his fore arm as I laughed. "You'll never change will you? You'll always be the overprotective big brother." I shook my head at him. I sighed, "oh…so starting Wednesday this week, I won't be able to come until the evenings during the week. I'll be working during the day." I bit the inside of my lower lip as the weight of the decisions I'd made today hit my conscious brain all at once. I put my hand to my mouth as I gasped, then looked up to meet Kedron's gaze before explaining. "I guess we have a lot of changes in our near future, huh K?"
Kedron gave a nice big smile and I about fell over when he said, "elementary my dear Watson." I smiled in return and kissed Kedron's cheek before walking out to the truck and returning to the cabin with my mind made up.
I ate a quick meal of leftovers, showered, and put my pajamas on. When I checked the doors were locked and the lights off, I grabbed Wam's pillow off his bed and took it upstairs to sleep with. I wasn't going to chance falling asleep in his bed again. As I laid down, my phone buzzed to tell me I had a text. When I looked, I couldn't help but smile.
Dr. Wam Teton: Good night beautiful. Was a long day so I'm heading to bed early. Sweet dreams. (Hug emoji)
I shot back a quick text as I lay there.
Kynlee: I hope you get rested up. I'm sure I'll have dreams of you. (Kiss emoji)
With my arms wrapped around Wam's pillow, a smile on my face, and his masculine scent filling my olfactory senses, I fell asleep