More Than Eyes Alone Can See
15
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to hustle Tessa’s little group out of the airport and into a waiting taxi.
minivan – but she didn’t dispute it. The
sooner Sands sat down, the better. He
was looking unsteady on his feet again and the last thing she wanted was for
him to collapse. He didn’t like to
appear weak in front of her – she didn’t know what he’d do if his infirmities
got the best of him in front of strangers.
Strangers who he hadn’t had time to judge or adjust to yet.
she didn’t need and couldn’t handle another.
“Tía, I’m hungry.”
“We’ll get food
soon,
did, and soon after squabbles broke out in the back seat.
hungry.” The disagreement dissolved as
Tina climbed into the back of the van to provide adult order to the back seats.
Tess sighed with
relief – the woman was a godsend, she was sure.
Now, if only Tina were able to help with Sands, Tess might consider
taking a short break. But that was an
impossible ‘if’. “Sands?”
gotten to? “Sands?”
Unaware of
look of surprise, Tess went in search of her patient.
van, cigarette in hand. “Sands, it’s
time for us to go. I still want to make
sure that you didn’t do any damage to yourself earlier.”
“Ah, earlier.
about, niña.” Sands flicked some ash
from his cigarette. “I don’t like being
left in the dark,” he managed to contain a wry and self-deprecating laugh.
another trip. The kids were getting
rambunctious from being cooped up all day, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to be
in the same room with them, much less
the same vehicle.
He heard footsteps
approach him, and the van sway as someone else leaned against it.
her conversation to be overheard by anyone else.
you’re too weak to keep on your feet at the moment.
the van. I’ll answer all your questions
as best I can, but first I’d like to see us someplace safe . . . out of the
open. I understand that you don’t want to
get in the van –”
He appreciated her
discretion, but the feeling that he had forgotten something important
overwhelmed that. “You understand too
damn much.” Sands dropped the
cigarette. He had to keep this female in
her place – at an arm’s distance. “You’d
better back off before you find yourself ‘understanding’ a hell of a lot more
than you bargained for. Savvy?”
“Loud and clear,
Will Robinson.” He didn’t believe her
for a moment. Sands had come to
understand that Tess was one of those people who’d do anything within their
power for those under their protection.
“Can we go now? The longer we
wait, the louder the kids are going to get.
I don’t know about you,” the tone of her voice made it clear she knew
exactly what he was feeling, “but my head can’t take too many more
decibels.” Her fingertips brushed the
sleeve of his jacket. “Shall we?”
He wanted to jerk
away from her, but he had the feeling that would have sent him to his
knees. He’d ask her not to touch him,
but that would give away too much of what he was thinking and feeling.
followed Tess back the doors of the van and allowed her to give him a hand in
entering the vehicle.
are you whining about? At least with her
help you didn’t bang your head on the ceiling.
slide in after him.
stomach. That’s nice, isn’t it?
“What are you
doing, señorita?”
Tess blushed –
she’d been trying so hard not to touch him.
Still, she kept her voice quiet as she answered.
around made her want to try to protect Sands, but she didn’t know from what or
why. All she knew was that . . . was
that she wanted him to keep his dignity.
Yes, that sounded good. “I know
this was merely an oversight on your part, but I’d appreciate it if you’d wear
your seatbelt. It sets a good example
for the children.” She settled the
buckle in his hand and he heard tnap nap of her own seatbelt being
fastened. With an air of extreme
irritation, Sands did the same.
One thing that Tess had learned long ago was there was no
arguing with
up his mind. Well, of course you
whatsoever. So when
had informed Tess during the ride from the airport that she and her little
company would be staying in a condo owned by his firm for as long as they
stayed in LA for “consulting and possible treatment,” she hadn’t argued.
charity for as long as they might be in
but she was too tired to argue and too tired to arrange for a hotel.
she’d simply been too tired to argue over his paying for dinner.
somewhat guilty over letting him foot the bill.
“I’ll pay you back
for that.”
“T, how many times
did you spring for pizza while we were at school?
dinner.” Tess smiled and shook her
head. They were cleaning up from dinner,
the kids thoroughly engrossed in the newly discovered Disney channel (despite
the fact that Marcos was really the only one who fully understood what was
being said), and Sands had gone outside to smoke.
Outside.
porch. Sands was only visible in the
form of a black silhouette against the lights of the LA skyline.
their center for over a week now. “If
you can do what you say you can, I’ll be the one in your debt.”
hour –
watched her go, still amazed at the task she’d taken on herself.
concerns she had in her life. Tessa was
certainly something, and he was glad to have her back.
she didn’t overdo anything. As her
physician and her friend, of course. “I
talked to Inge the other day,” he called to the upstairs bathroom where Tess
was supervising teeth-brushing.
“How is she?
five times since graduation.
“Didn’t you hear?”
haven’t talked to her lately. I just
said that. “Hear what?”
the upstairs hallway.
“She got a job with
some government agency about three years back.
She’s been so busy ever since that she’s barely had time to e-mail
me. She said that she’d been trying to
e-mail you, but you never replied. It
sent her into a huff, the way she was being ignored by her old roommate, but I
explained that you were on the go in
and didn’t always have Internet access.”
Tess rolled her eyes – they both knew that she had a wireless
connection. She simply hated checking
her e-mail. Every time she went online
she got distracted from whatever it was that she was trying to do.
found someone crazy enough to listen to my ideas.”
“Is that
right?” Tess looked over her
shoulder. “Just a moment.
from the bathroom and disappeared into one of the bedrooms.
Fifteen minutes
later Tess emerged, a baby in one arm.
She trotted down the stairs and came into the kitchen to fix a
bottle. “What is it you were saying?”
“Inge – she was
amazed.”
“That’s right.
“That she had some
vacation time coming up in two months or so, and she thought she might come out
for a visit. Especially if I manage to
‘pull a rabbit out of my hat.’ Her
words, not mine.”
“Where’s she living
now?”
“D.C.”
“Oh.
over in
working for the CDC. Doesn’t she
specialize in the development and evolution of diseases?
thesis on.”
“Yeah.
got up from the table to fetch the bottle for Tess.
“Well, that’s Inge
for you – says one thing then does the exact opposite.”
shrugged. “I’m thirty different people
sometimes. One day you wake up and you’re
somebody else, nowhere near who you were before you went to sleep.”
Tess shook her
head, amazed at how quickly the old routine was picked up between them.
“Umm . . . gimme a
moment. Can’t for the life of me
remember his name. That one guy who was
in that pirate movie this summer.”
Tess bli at at the
man, unable figure out what he was saying, then it clicked.
nodded. “Yeah, that’s the one.”
“Well, that’s a
coincidence.”
looked at her quizzically, but she just shook her head.
fake ID’s and cartels and lying to airport security.
had drifted off. Getting up from the
table, she went to put her change down and then came back.
“God, I’ve missed
you.” Now that her arms were free, Tess
gave her friend a hug, remembering just how nice it was to be able to let down
her guard of normalcy around someone.
knew she was nuts, so she didn’t have to hide the fact around him.
through his own personality, so for the most part, he had no right to judge her
at all.
“I hear you had a
rough flight.” He let her go to look
into her eyes seriously. “That or you’ve
taken up kickboxing again.”
brushed her bruised eye. “Are you
alright?”
Tess looked up at
quizzically. How’d he known about what
had happened on the flight? “I’m
fine. A little sore, and I’ve got a nice
buzz going, but other than that I’m fine.
How’d you know what happened?”
He shrugged.
you. I know she’s done her share of
looking out for me. I hope you don’t
mind.”
“No, not at
all. That woman is worth her weight in
antibacterial salve.” She put on an
injured look when
her comparison. “Well, it’s true.
I could focus on Sands . . . .”
is he?”
“He came in while
you were with the kids and went into one of the downstairs bedrooms.”
Tess nodded and got
up. “I’m sorry to keep interrug oug our
conversation, but I really do need to go check on him.
trip from hell. I’ll be right back.”
It wasn’t hard to
tell which room Sands had gone into.
There were only two bedrooms on the ground floor, and only one had the
door open and a light on. Sands had no
need for light but much need for privacy, so she med med he was in the one with
the door shut. She knocked quietly,
waiting for a reply. When none came, she
knocked a bit louder. Still
nothing. Tess hesitated for a moment,
unsure whether she should go in or not.
Sands had suffered constant intrusions on his solitude and seclusion in
the past eight or nine days – once they’d reached the condo, he’d locked
himself outside. Tess had made sure that
he’d eaten, but other than that she’d left him alone.
just want to see him.
her courage and opened the door to the bedroom.
Light filtered in from
one open window, the sound of cars rumbling faintly under the sound of moving
grass. Tess looked around in the dark,
trying to locate her patient, and found him facedown on the bed.
a pair of beat-up jeans. His back glowed
sliver in the light of the setting moon.
Tessa watched as his body slowly rose and fell with the rhythm of the
deeply asleep. Well, perhaps an examination can wait until tomorrow.
unwilling to make the same mistake the stewardess had made – she’d let him keep
them on.
Still, despite her
decision to let her patient sleep, Tessa was reluctant to leave the room.
were asleep that made them seem safer.
Let threatening. More
inviting. Less guarded.
wonder who he is beneath all the layers of indifference, hostility, and tacky
t-shirts. There must be something
worthwhile, or Marcos wouldn’t like him.
She shook her head.
time. She froze, wanting to avoid
detection and her voice’s sharp tongue.
It was sure to bring this up later, and who knew was Sands would do if
he found her lurking. He didn’t mind
lurking himself, but she got the feeling he hated to have anyone spy on him.
Moving slowly, Tess
left the room, closing the door behind her.
When he was sure
that he was alone, Sands sat up.
Maybe now he’d get some answers.
“So, how much can you tell me of what you’ve been up to
lately, Trouble?”
Tess rolled her
eyes at the old nickname. “Gee, if you
want a complete accounting, maybe we should move into the living room – this
may take awhile.” Tess grabbed her can
of Lipton’s Brisk Ice Tea, and went and seated herself in an overstuffed
armchair.
followed and sat across from her on the sofa, lounging across the
cushions. Tessa noticed how he’d grown
into his looks – he’d always been a good-looking guy, but now he seemed more
comfortable inside his own skin. “How’s
Jessica?”
“T–”
“I don’t want to
talk about it,
share, though, for good reasons. I’m
here – that’s enough for me. Let it be
enough for you.”
“Doesn’t that ever
get tiring, Teresa? Don’t you ever wish
that you could actually talk to
someone about all the things you hold back?
That’s what friends are there to listen to.” What I’m here to listen to.
“
–”
“How do you know
you’re not fearing something that doesn’t even exist?” he demanded.
Tess stared at him
for a moment before her eyes lost focus, as if she were seeing something other
than the room she was in. “We make the
dragons as we make the gods, because we need them, because somewhere deep in
out hearts, we recognize that a world without them is not worth living in.
without dragons, as I would not want to live in a world without magic, for that
is a world without mystery, and that is a world without faith.”
“Very
impressive. What is that supposed to
mean at the moment?”
watched as her eyes focused on him once again.
“Don’t you ever give up? Can’t
you tell when things are complicated”
“No.
them be. Answer the question please.”
Tess thought for a
moment. “What that means for me . . . at
the moment at least . is. is that . . . .”
She wasn’t good at putting her thoughts into words.
words. “It means . . . that . . . for so
long I’ve held what was bad in my world just as close as I held the few things
that were good. And despite the fact
that . . . that I was often – and am still – surrounded by dragons, I don’t
know what my life would be like without them, because they’ve motivated me for
so long. But now my dragons are dead and
I have the care of a wounded knight and four children, but I don’t know were
I’m supposed to find my motivation now.
My life is changing, and seemingly for the better, and I don’t know how
to handle that.” She sighed and rubbed
her eyes. “I’m so used to running
headlong through the dark, that now that there’s light around me again, I don’t
know what to do with it. ‘The darkness
that surrounds us cannot hurt us. It is
the darkness of your own heart you should fear.’
still, I see all that can go wrong inside myself, and I doubt the wisdom of the
choices I’ve made.”
“Anything I’ve ever
done that ultimately was worthwhile initially scared me to death.”
“I don’t think
stealing the pants of every member of the football team applies at this
instance.”
“Hey, I’m not the
one who said that.”
“Who did then?”
“I don’t know, but
it was on that quote-a-day calendar you gave me for graduation.”
Tess laughed, able
to let go of her musings for the time being.
“You still have that thing?”
“Yep.
colleagues and patients wonder why I’m still using a calendar from 1996.”
“What do you tell
them?”
“I tell them that
the love of my life, the woman who broke my heart by leaving, gave it to me on
our anniversary.”
“Do you now?”
“Would I lie to
you, T?”
“Yes.
back now.”
“Oh, she’s doing
alright . . . for a girl.”
“She’d kick your
but back to your undergrad days if she heard you say that.”
“Nah, she’d just
tell Mom and then let her handle it.”
“The women of your
family are very outspoken, aren’t they?”
“Why are you asking
me? You’ve met them.
as bad as Mom yet. It’s only a matter of
time before my twin gives into it though.”
“Into what?”
PMS.” Tess broke out laughing.
in the darkened kitchen. He’d never
heard that amount of freedom in his companion’s voice before and he realized
how guarded she was around him. “I
didn’t say that, Dad did.” Again the
laughter.
girl to be on the look-out around you.
She must know a predator when she sees one.
things. There was no telliow mow much
she assumed or knew. He’d have to get
her to answer some questions. Soon.
paid attention as the two friends started talking again.
“So, your flight .
. . .”
“Oh od.
flight.” Sands heard the weariness
return to Tessa’s voice. “Things started
going wrong from the beginning. I don’t
even know what I can tell you without telling everything, and I don’t want to
tell another’s story, so by all rights Sands’ should be here to tell what he
feels comfortable with before I say what I think is safe to be said –”
“Relax.
“Most likely.
he plays things very close to the vest.
I don’t know if he’s always been that way, or if it’s a recent
development due to the nature of how he gained his injuries.
or at t ant an exaggeration of a previous personality trait.”
“How did he get his
injuries?”
“As far as I can
tell, his eyes were . . . removed by rather primitive means.”
a whisper. This was a gruesome topic
that by all ri, sh, should be explained by someone else.
procedure wasn’t entirely finished before he was released.”
“Released from a
hospital?”
“No.”
“From where
then? There’s relatively few places that
can –” She could tell that
was having a hard time digesting everything.
He was used to the civility of the States – he’d never dealt with a
cartel in his life. The closet thing the
compare was the mob, and there were relatively few mobs in LA.
“I have a good idea
of the conditions it was done in, and a better idea of who did it.”
the wrong side of a cartel.”
“As in a drug
cartel?”
“Yeah, as in a drug
cartel.” There was a look of shock on
her friend’s face. “I can assure you
that it’s not all that unusual as you get farther south of the border.”
“What have you
gotten tangled up in, Teresa?”
didn’t like the depth of conviction in her voice.
“Nothing.
concern you.”
“And what’s that?”
“A very different
way of life. But anyway, that’s why I’ve
brought Sands to you. As for what
happened on the plane . . . I think your stewardesses need to be briefed on how
far is too far where hospitality is concerned.”
“You’re not making sense.”
“One of your flight
attendants took his glasses off, giving them both a rude awakening.
her shock, and that she managed to hurt him somehow.
. . I think he was trying to escape, but not the plane.”
“And the black
eye?” Sands raised his eyebrows – he
hadn’t known that she was hurt.
“A lesson in what
can happen when one tries to stabilize an unstable mind.
otherwise I’d be black and blue all over all the time.”
to make me let go of him. I ducked or
avoided most of the blows, but his fist did manage to catch the corner of my
eye. Like you said, I’ve had worse when
I was taking that kickboxing course.”
Leaning her head back onto the back of the chair, she said, “I’m fine.”
“That’s not what
Tina said.”
“
–”
“She said that you
were talking to selfself and that you had to give yourself a booster
shot.” Sands’ ears perked up at
that. This line of conversation could
end up being ever so informative. “Tina
also said that you looked like you hadn’t gotten sleep in days.
being kind. You’re wearinurseurself
ragged, and you can’t do that,
T. You more than anyone should know the
repercussions of sleep deprivation on your psyche.”
“I do.
every ‘if’ inside and out. You make it
nd and as if I’ve been careless. Well . .
. maybe I have. But it was either I get
enough sleep, or my charges suffer for it.
I had to tend a man who by all rights should have bled to death, and I
still can’t figure out why he didn’t. I
took in four children left as orphans due to a greed for power and
territory. I got shot – twice. And I’ve been having flashbacks like you
wouldn’t believe. But I’m still in
control. I’ve gotten everyonesafesafety
while keeping their health intact, and now that I’m here, I can take things a
bit easier. I hid our tracks well –
we’ll be safe for a few weeks. Long enough
for you to help Sands.”
“He’s important to
you, isn’t he Tessa?”
voice was quiet, but it stillsed sed shock ripples to move through Tessa’s
body.
“Of course he’s
important. He’s my patient.
“There’s more to it
than that, T. Remember, we did our
internship together. I’ve seen you with
your patients before. You were
professional yet warm with them. I’ve
never yet seen you actually worry over someone in your care.
that cool head of yours?”
“The last of
of
what?”
“The last
patient. He’s the last that I will ever
see under my care.”
“What do you
mean? You’re still a doctor, T.
“No, there
won’t. You don’t understand.
class?”
“Yeah.
third, and I was fourth. It was a dark
day that saw three women come in ahead of me, but –”
Tess waved a hand,
dismissing the familiar lament. “Yes,
I’ve heard this complaint before.
Remember how you all were looking over job offers and discussing
benefits while I sat and read?”
“What does this
have to do with anything, T?
“Remember what I
said? That I already had a job lined
up? You were all so amazed that I’d made
up my mind so quickly. What you didn’t
know was that I had no other
offers. Just the one with my
family. I came in second in the class,
but no one wanted to hire me. I was too
big a risk. The level of stress that
would be placed on me, they said, would be too much.
patients. So I went back to
stayed with my family for a year, and then ran away.
it’s time for me to quit. I’m glad that
I can turn Sands over to you.”
“Tessa/p>
/p>
“It’s true,
would have broken me years ago.”
Her friend was
silent for a moment before asking, “So what are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know.
college or somethingan san style='mso-spacerun:yes'> They’re always on
the lookout for good teachers, and seeing as I was second in my class from
Harvard med, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a job.”
wait until I know what will happen with Sands.
I won’t leave him completely friendless.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I should head for bed.”
“I won’t dream of
keeping you from your beauty sleep, Trouble.”/spa/span>
walked towards the front door at Tessa’s side.
“I was thinking that tomorrow Tina could take the kids off your hands
again, and you could spend the day sleeping.”
“That’s nice, but
it’s not really her job.”
“Well, actually, it
kinda is. Tina isn’t a flight attendant,
she’s my head nurse and personal assistant.
She’s completely amazing.”
“You’re such a
jerk,
“You didn’t need to
know. Anyway, she’ll let herself in
tomorrow, so don’t worry about being up.”
“
–”
“Doctor’s orders,
Ms. Adame. Sleep, or I’ll prescribe a
sleep-aid for you.” He kissed the top of
her head. “Go to bed, and I don’t want
to hear from you before
tomorrow afternoon. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Ok, then.
opened the door and left, leaving Tess to stand in the middle of her borrowed
living room alone and exhausted. Funny,
she hadn’t been this tired a few minutes ago.
“Have a nice chat,
niña?”
Normally someone
sneaking up behind her would startle her, but all Tess could wop wap was a
extreme case of underdeveloped irritation.
“What is it Sands?”
“Oh, nothing
much. I just have a few questions about
your conversation, señorita.”
annoying.
and noticed something around the rim, inside the gutter that ran around the
edge. Some liquid must have gotten into it
and then dried. But why would it leave a
white residue? She knew that should
concern her, but she couldn’t work up enough energy to worry about it.
Und>Understanding hit.
“Are you listening
to me, chiquita?”
“Yes, but I think
your answers are going to have to wait.”
“And why’s
that? You have a pressing engagement?”
“Something like
t.
collapse.”
“Why would you
collapse?”
“Because I’m relatively sure that
put some sleeping pills in my drink. he
man always has to take things into his own hands.
following behind her. She was somewhat
surprised that he was following her,
but she wasn’t going to argue. She
couldn’t argue, not through the yawns that were coming fast and furious
now. She switched off the light in her
room and took off her pants. Crawling
under the blankets, she murmured, “Don’t be surprised if I’m not up early in
the morning, and don’t shoot anyone you might hear moving around.
conversation, but Tina will be coming by for the children.”
didn’t know. Sleep claimed her hard and
fast, leaving her without dreams, something she was grateful for.