Pulled(3)
Author: A.L. Jackson

My dad Patrick Montgomery was a bril iant surgeon and researcher, devoting his life to breast cancer research and treatment. When I moved back home to Colorado, I’d known it was only temporary. A new practice in Chicago was already in the works. I honestly didn’t care where we settled; she wouldn’t be there, so it made no difference to me.

I wouldn’t begin seeing patients until I got the new building wel under way, and if I was going to meet my deadline, I needed to decide on the contractor by the end of the week.

“Hey, Daniel?” Dad appeared at my office door, his brown hair peppered with gray and the only part of him hinting at his age. Even at fifty-six years, he still had his lean, muscled body, his build the one trait I seemed to have inherited from him. I took more after my mother Julia with her hazel eyes and dark blond curls.

“Yeah, Dad, what’s up?” I took another sip of my coffee as I looked at him.

“Erin is coming into town this weekend, and we’re having dinner at the house on Friday. Can you make it?”

“Erin? Yeah, I’ll be there. How long wil she be in town?” My little sister had been living in Los Angeles for the last three years after accepting a position with a marketing firm. It felt wrong for her to be so far away while the rest of the family lived here in Chicago.

I’d always been close with my family. They’d stood by me during my hardest years, unwavering in their love and support. I owed them everything.

“She’ll be here for the week. Your mom can hardly contain herself.” His brown eyes lit up. You’d think after being with someone for thirty years, a person would get bored, but not Dad. It was obvious he and Mom loved each other just as much today as they did the day they married.

I once believed Melanie and I shared a love like that.

He gestured to my desk with his head. “So, how’s the search coming?”

We’d both felt the pressure of the approaching deadline, but neither of us was willing to settle on anything less than the best.

I held up the smal pile of papers. “I think this may be the one.” I grinned—finally some good news.

A satisfied smile spread over his face. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that.” That satisfaction shifted, looking a lot more like sympathy. “I’m proud of you, son.” I suppressed a groan, shaking my head in frustration. “Dad…don’t.”

I knew exactly where this was heading. What could he say that hadn’t been said before?

“Daniel,” he said, stepping forward and letting the door shut behind him, “it’s been nine years. I’m tired of seeing you this way. It’s time to live your life.”

“I’m fine,” I snapped.

As much as I loved my family and respected my father, I was growing tired of their constant interference.

He shook his head as he retreated to the door. He paused to look over his shoulder, his eyes full of concern as they searched my face for understanding. “We just worry about you.”

With a sigh, I rocked back in my chair, feeling guilty for lashing out at him. “Yeah, I know.” Flopping into my chair, I thumbed through the messages Lisa had taken while I’d stepped out for coffee. I stopped when I came to the one from Nicholas Borel i, happy to see he’d called me back.

I dialed the number. He answered on the third ring, “Nicholas Borel i.”

“Hel o, Mr. Borel i. This is Dr. Daniel Montgomery cal ing you back about the medical building off Chicago Avenue. I spoke with Shane Preston this morning, and I wanted to see when the three of us could get together to go over your proposal in more detail.”

“Yes, I’ve been expecting your call.” His voice was strong, confident, and held a distinct tone of arrogance. It caught me off guard especially after speaking with his partner this morning.

“Wel , uh, I was hoping we could get together in the next couple of days to go over specifics so you could give me a final cost.”

“I was under the impression that there’s a senior Dr. Montgomery? I assumed I’d be working with him,” Borel i said, his voice condescending.

I found myself gritting my teeth, fighting to rein in my temper. Anger was an issue I dealt with constantly. It always simmered just below the surface. I didn’t know if I was angrier with Melanie or myself, but from wherever it came, it was always there ready to unleash its fury on the first person who rubbed me the wrong way.

But losing it now would get me nowhere, so I swal owed my irritation.

“No…,” I drew out, “I’m in charge of all building decisions.”

“I see.” Borel i’s dissatisfaction traveled through the phone. “Wel , I can meet you for dinner on Friday.” There was no way I was giving up dinner with my sister, and beyond that, nights were not good for me. It was hard enough to concentrate during the day and not think about Melanie. By the time evening rol ed around, she’d be all I could think about. “I have plans Friday night. How about Thursday around lunchtime?” It was the only time I had available during the day for the rest of the week.

Borel i paused. “I’m completely booked up Thursday during the day. Are you free for dinner?” Inwardly I groaned. I was up against the wire on this. I ran my free hand over my face, forcing myself to agree.

“Thursday night wil work. Where were you thinking?” I asked.

“How about Cushing Gril on Michigan at seven?”

“Okay, I have you down for seven at Cushing Grill.”

“Shane and I’ll see you then, Daniel. I’m sure our wives wil be very pleased to meet you as well.” This time I couldn’t suppress the exasperated sigh. I wasn’t surprised that they’d try to woo me with an expensive dinner, but what I didn’t get was why they thought they needed to bring their wives along. This wasn’t the first time this sort of thing had happened, and it seemed really inappropriate to me. Did they think that once I met their family and knew a little of their personal life it would somehow sway me? all I cared about was the cost, the quality, and how fast they could get it done. I considered tel ing him to forget it, but then I’d be right back to square one.

“Fine, I’ll see you Thursday.”

Frustrated, I slammed my phone down. Now I’d have to find somebody to go with me, and I had no idea where to start. I thought about asking Lisa, but knew her husband wouldn’t be the only one who thought it was weird.

And I didn’t date.

I left my office at five-thirty completely spent.