After everyone recuperated from witnessing Jim’s suicide, they were taken to the local police station for question. After that was done, the sergeant from the murders/suicide investigation gathered the group in the same room to talk. “You know, its normal for us to see some form of death because its our job. But for the civilians, its much harder. This is a traumatizing moment for all of you, I’m sure.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt you Sir.” Jeff spoke up “But Dr. Chan here is a psychiatrist for suicidal victims.” He pointed out.
The sergeant raised his eyebrows “Oh, really? Well, that would change everything. I was going to recommend you guys to see a specialized psychiatrist for this type of situation. Yet, it looks like I am just embarrassing myself in front of the professional here.” He smiled at Virginia, who also smiled in return. “I’ll leave you alone to talk to your friends then.” He closed the door behind him and silence rung throughout the disclosed room.
“Traumatizing is an understatement.” Freddie broke the silence with his comment.
“I know what you mean…” Deana let out a sigh. Remy patted her shoulders affectionately.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m beat. I know it’ll take you guys a few days to absorb this day but when you’re ready, you know where to find me. I’ll be available to talk anytime.” Virginia offered. She got up to leave and it was everyone’s cue to also get up.
When they walked outside, they saw Joanne sitting on the visitor’s seat waiting for them. “Dai Lou!” she ran over to Remy “I just heard the message from Jeff and I came as fast as I could. Are you alright?” she checked his face and arms for bruises.
“Silly girl. I’m fine. Still alive and ready to take on the world once more.” He joked.
She shook her head and moved her attention to Deana and the rest “Deana, how are you taking it?” she asked with concern.
Deana let out a sigh “It’s very surreal right now.”
Joanne nodded “How about you Jeff? Virginia?”
They looked at each other and smiled “I think we’re so use to it. It’s just a little scary to know that there are people out there that think like him.” Jeff replied.
“How are you Freddie? Oh, I’m fine, thanks for asking. You’re welcome.” Freddie’s voice mimicked the conversation he imagined would happened between him and Jo.
Everyone smiled at his little outburst “I would have asked if you were a little more patient.” Joanne replied sarcastically.
“Well, if I waited for you, I would have turned psycho myself!” he retorted. “Do you know how traumatizing that was to witness a guy jumping for that high rise building?” he pushed his head back with the back of his hand dramatically.
“Oh no, not again.” Virginia whispered. Jeff motioned for Deana and Remy to follow him and Virginia. They headed for the door quietly away from the bickering couple.
“So what difference does it make now? You were always a psycho!” Joanne argued back, ignoring the fact that the other four had disappeared through the door.
“Takes one to know one!” Freddie said smugly. He looked behind her and saw the other four leaving. “Hey, wait for us!!” he called as he pushed Joanne aside “Come on!” he said to her. She smiled as she walked through the open door he held for her.
***************
The next day, Virginia was back at work again. Every so often she would sit back in her chair and think about Jim. It was strange how your life can change with a blink of an eye. She tried so hard to concentrate on her work but her mind would wander back to Jim. She was amazed at how someone can seem so normal, yet inside their mind they are thinking of the complete opposite. It made her realize that people were not how they appeared to be. With this concept in mind, she began to think about the friends around her. She imagined any moment in their lives, they will realize that life is unfair and will chose to end it.
Virginia shook her head to move the thoughts out of her mind, but it was useless. Her worries were growing by the day. She’s never had such a bad impact from a death before. When Jeff said for both of them that they were use to seeing death, she wanted to correct him. But instead she kept quiet and her explanations to herself. Although she is psychiatrist in the suicidal department, she has never witness a suicide in her entire life. Jim was definitely the first and now its imprinted in her head. She rubbed her temples trying to push the image out but replayed the scene over and over in her head.
Only the knocking of her office door seem to snap her out of it. “Come in!” she called.
It was Joanne. She walked in timidly “Am I bothering you?” she asked almost shyly.
Virginia smiled “Of course not. Come, have a seat.” She watched Joanne walk in nervously. It was a strange sight to see this aggressive and outspoken girl to act so shy in front of her.
“I wanted to talk to you about something. Its…a situation for my friend.” She said slowly.
“Sure. I’m all ears.” Virginia moved to the chair across from Joanne. The same habit she can never change.
“Well, this girlfriend of mine is well..in love with this guy that is…uh…married. She knows its morally wrong to love him or even like him but you know how feelings are?” she seemed to be stumbling on her words. “Well, then she finds out that…he is not happy in his marriage and is planning to divorce his wife. She wants to know what she should do?”
Virginia smiled “I’m afraid this is not my department, Jo.”
Joanne nodded “I know, but I can’t think of anyone out there that can help me.”
“Actually, Dr. Marc Cheung is very good at this. Why don’t you go to see him? His office is right down the hall.” Virginia got up and picked up her phone to dial his extension.
“Wait!!” Joanne said quickly as she got up to stop Virginia. “No..I feel too strange talking to someone I don’t know. Can’t YOU give me your opinion?”
Virginia put the phone back into the receiver and shook her head “I can’t help if you’re not being honest Jo.”
Joanne returned to her seat and diverged her eyes away from Virginia’s “What do you mean?”
Virginia sighed “You are in love with Freddie but don’t know how you should approach it right?”
Joanne spun around and stared at her wide eyed “How in the world did you guess?”
She laughed at the naïve girl “Hints that you dropped? It’s a hunch.” She gave a her a little wink before sitting down “Okay Jo, spill it.”
Joanne blushed profusely as she stared down at her hands “Well…I guess it started about a few days ago…”
Virginia interrupted her “Wait. You know, you have a beautiful head but I don’t like looking at it.” She used her fingers and pushed Joanne’s chin up to look at her in the eye “There, more like it. Your eyes are much more beautiful.” She smiled “Go on.”
“Thank you.” She said shyly “Anyways, you know how Freddie and I always bicker?” Virginia nodded with a grin on her face “Well, I always thought that I argued with him because he gets on my nerves. But I realized that day at the beach that I liked him. I had butterflies in my stomach when I saw him. It make my body sweat when teases me, I use to mistaken that it was because he made me mad. But I realized that I love it when he teases me that’s why I do that in return.” She paused waiting for Virginia to comment.
“That’s it?” Joanne looked innocent as Virginia giggled “I was just teasing. Well, my friend I don’t know what to tell you really. Sure, I’ve lived with Freddie for almost two years now but I really don’t know what he feels. Especially about girls? It’s obvious sometimes that he’s gay because of the way he looks at guys.” She stopped smiling when she saw Joanne wince at her last comment “Jo, you have to realize that the reason why he realized that he was gay was because of a girl.”
“Really?” Joanne looked surprise. She’s had plenty of talks with Freddie but she never knew that was the reason for his sexuality change.
“I personally think that’s all psychological. There are a few cases where they were born that way, but its a lot more often where I see cases that people claim of a sexuality change during their teens and sometimes their 20’s. His was in the teens age.”
“What happened?” Jo asked, a little more curious.”
“A love gone wrong. You see, Freddie is the type that loves and never lets go. And well, I guess the girl he was with was not the serious type. She cheated on him endlessly until he saw her making out with another guy with his own eyes. It dramatically changed his life because he told himself never to believe any girl ever again.”
“Wow…that’s very sad.” She said to herself. “So you think I won’t stand a chance?”
Virginia smiled “Well, that depends. Do you like a challenge?”
She nodded “I sure do.”
“Go for it then. Hey, you never know, you might be the girl to change his life again.” Virginia said nonchalantly “But be careful of your feelings. Sometimes people mistaken the feeling of love for infatuation with the challenge. Most guys like that feeling of accomplishing something hard. Because its an ego thing. I’m not saying that you are feeling that way, but just KNOW your feelings before you express them to others.”
Joanne nodded thoughtfully “That’s very deep, but I get it…I do…” she smiled “It’s a wonder why Freddie never fell for you. Considering you guys live with each other for so long.”
Virginia tilted her head “Why would he fall for me?” she asked.
“I guess you are more naïve than I thought you were.” Joanne laughed when Virginia wrinkled her forehead in confusion “One, you’re beautiful; two, you’re easy to talk to; three, you’re a great friend and caring; four, you have a home and a great job, not that it makes any difference to guys.”
“Shouldn’t that be intimidating then?” Virginia asked “Those traits that you say can be described for you too. And any other girl out there. What makes a person stand out from another person is appearance. Maybe you should dress up a little more? Make him look at you and think ‘Is that the girl I know?’. Trust me, no matter what kind of sexuality the guy is, he will do a double take on a beautiful girl.”
“Thank you, that’s very helpful advice. Now to find a dress that will look good on me? Hmm…that might be a project. Would you like to help?”
“Of course. How about this weekend?” Virginia offered.
“Sounds good to me. Okay, I’ve got to get back to work before Jeff punishes me. Thanks for everything!” She gave Virginia a quick wave before rushing out the door.
Virginia smiled to herself thinking maybe a new love will come out of all this. She came home that day feeling drained of energy. But she still wanted to chat with Freddie about Jo and see if she can drag anything out of him. She didn’t see him in the living room so she tried his room. When she got to the room door she was about to knock when she heard him talking “Ma…don’t cry, please. You need to stop thinking about dad….I know you miss him…well, you still have the three of us…”
She didn’t mean to eavesdrop but her mind seem to wander about. She eventually snapped out of it and went to her own room to give him privacy. She changed into her pajamas and went to the kitchen to make her own dinner, frozen pizza. “Hmm… oven fresh.” She mumbled to herself.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Freddie asked. His face stern as he put his hands on his hips. “That’s not dinner, Ginny.” He walked to the oven and turned it off. Opening the oven door as he pulled out the cold pizza. “This is trash.” He said as tossed it in the trashcan.
“Hey! Well, don’t waste it like that.” She scolded.
“Go on, relax, I’ll whip up something for both of us.” He pushed out of the kitchen and cracked his knuckles ready to work his magic.
Chapter 23
Virginia Chan – Vivian Leung
Freddie Lam – Nick Cheung
Michael Lam – Steven Ma
After another 30 minutes, he had whipped up a broccoli and beef dish, cabbage soup with ginger, steamed chicken in oyster sauce. It smelled amazing. Virginia did her part as she set up the coffee table for them to eat on. Both seemed to be extra quiet as they silently ate their meal. “You’re quiet today.” Freddie finally said.
“So are you.” She responded, taking a bite of broccoli. She didn’t bring up the fact that his eyes were red. She wondered if he has been crying.
“Nothing important happened.” He shrugged. Suddenly he dropped his bowl of rice as it collided with the ground, crushing into 100 pieces. He grabbed the right side of his head as he groaned in pain.
Virginia put her bowl down “Freddie! Are you okay?” she looked worried as can be as she asked him over and over but he seemed to be in too much pain to answer her. “Come on, I’m taking you to the hospital!” she quickly brushed the broken bowl into her hand, a few pieces were so sharp that it cut some part of her palm but she ignored the pain. She hastily changed into her jeans and a sweatshirt as she rushed Freddie out the door.
He was still holding his head in pain by the time they got to the hospital. She rushed him to the emergency desk “Please help my friend. He has a bad migraine.” Her arms wrapped around Freddie’s shoulder as she told the receptionist.
The girl didn’t seem to care much as she passed her a number card “Please wait in the seat, we will call you when a doctor is available.” She said calmly.
Virginia looked at her in amazement “Can you not tell he is in pain?!! Go find a doctor now!!” she commanded, her eyes flaring with fire.
“I’m sorry…” the lady began only to be cut off by Virginia again.
“I don’t CARE what you feel, find a doctor now!!” she roared louder. Making a few heads turn from the patients lined up to see a doctor.
“Ginny, don’t…” Freddie tried to talk but the migraine seemed to be hurting him too much.
“What’s going on?”
Virginia spun around to the familiar voice “Michael!” she cried out, happy to finally see someone that can help. “Freddie..” her eyes moved the friend in her arms.
“Yee Gor?!” Michael’s face turned worried as he waved for a nurse to bring a wheelchair over. “What happened?” he asked calmly.
“I don’t know…we were eating and then he dropped his bowl cause he was in pain and then I took him here. I don’t know what happened…” she said hastily.
“Calm down Ginny, he’ll be alright.” Michael said coolly, trying to ease her worries.
She watched him disappear into the restricted area of the hospital with Freddie by his side in the wheelchair. He pointed to the waiting room for her to sit and wait. Her whole body was quivering as she tried to relax but it was useless. Virginia was growing more anxious by the minute as she stared at the door of the waiting room to see when Michael was coming back. She didn’t even think about calling anyone else. After what seemed like hours but it was only half an hour, Michael came out by himself. She popped up from her chair “Michael, how is he?” she asked.
He smiled “He’s doing better. We gave him some Vikadin for his migraine. He should be fine. I don’t think he needs an MRI.”
“Thank God…” she whispered. “Can I visit him?” she asked.
“Of course, he’s been asking for you since his headache went away.” He motioned her to follow him inside.
“Why are you at this hospital? Didn’t you work in the one uptown?” she asked when her mind was working more normal.
“Yeah, they changed me down here cause they were missing a surgeon.” Michael explained. He opened the room door for her.
She found Freddie sitting on the chair watching television “Hey you.” He smiled as he got up and gave her a hug “I scared you didn’t I?” he teased.
She shook her head “Don’t joke about that. Yes, you scared me to death.”
He laughed “You should have seen her Michael, I’ve never seen her so hysterical. Girl, I didn’t know you could yell like that.” His face covered with exaggerated fear. “I know not to be on your bad side.
She smiled “I was mean wasn’t I?” she began to recall the situation.
Michael and Freddie nodded in unison. “Can I go home then?” Freddie asked.
“Yeah, I don’t see why not. But if your headache returns, come back and see me.” Michael said.
“Yes Doctor Lam…” Freddie laughed “So strange that I would be one of your patients huh?”
“Do you know what was the cause of his migraine?” Virginia asked more seriously. She was more concerned with the fact that it might come back.
“It’s just a headache, Ginny.” Freddie said casually as he rolled his eyes “She’s always such a worrywart.”
She threw him a stern look that caused him to look away “I just don’t want it to come back. Anyways, that was no ordinary headache. He couldn’t even talk.” She recalled.
Michael shook his head “Not necessarily. Headaches are more common than you think. It could be caused by almost anything; stress, work, worries or just thinking too much. Almost 98% of the time someone has a headache it is benevolent. Sometimes headaches can last for a month, two months…but if they are constant headaches then it could be a tumor.” He explained “That’s why I say come back when the headache returns, that way we can do an x-ray of the head and tell you what’s wrong.”
“See, listen to the doctor. I’m fine.” Freddie repeated. “Come on, let’s go home.”
“Wait.” Michael stopped them “Ginny, let me see your hands.” She brought them up for him to see “What happened?” he asked when he noticed the cuts.
Freddie yanked her hands away from Michael’s “Oh my gosh! What in the world happened?”
She looked at him in confusion “You don’t remember?”
He shook his head “Remember what?”
She was alarmed by his memory lapse. “You dropped the bowl of rice on the ground. I tried to clean it up so you wouldn’t step on it. Maybe I did it so fast that it cut my hands. No big deal.” She shrugged it off lightly.
Michael looked at one person to the other “Ahem!” he cleared his throat to get their attention. “Now, if you two are done, I need this room for real patients.” He teased as he smiled at them.
“Fine with me.” Freddie said as he pulled Virginia along.
Michael watched them leave as he smiled to himself. “Looks like my brother found the right person…” he said to himself.
**************
When they got home, Freddie helped Virginia clean up the broken glass “You could have left it here and wait til we come home to clean it up.” He scolded.
She gathered the rest of the broken glass with a broom “Well, what if you fell on the glass or something? It didn’t take too long.”
“Well, be careful next time.” He got up with the sweeping tray and threw the remaining into the trashcan. “Hey, I didn’t thank you for saving my life.” He said dramatically.
She smiled warmly “I’m sure you would have done the same for me.”
“Most people would have panicked.” He teased. “You handled it very well.”
She shook her head “You know, you really scared me. I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to you.” She said honestly.
“Don’t be silly. I’m gonna live a long life and so will you! Have a little faith. Who was the one that’s always preaching about God and believe in him?”
“It doesn’t occur to you until it hits you…” she said slowly. She sat down on the couch and leaned her head back on the cushion “I guess you don’t know how important someone is to you until they almost leave you.” She whispered.
“Hey, hey…don’t jinx me. I’m still alive you know.” He took a seat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he pulled her onto his chest. “I’ll always be here for you.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” She bounced up from her relaxed stage when she remembered what she wanted to ask him “I’ve been meaning to ask you. Now be honest. How do you feel about Joanne?” she watched his face for any clues that might despise his words because she knew he was not going to admit any feelings that he might or might not have.
“Jo?” he shrugged his shoulders “We’ve had this talk already.” His eyes moved away from hers unintentionally. “I don’t feel anything for her. Nothing that you want me to feel at least.” He looked up at her with a smile “I know you want me to be straight again, but my mind is more complicated than you think.”
“Well, how about we have a session right now? I’ve never had one with you. Come on, it’ll help you.” She pleaded.
Seeing that she was eager to do it, he nodded “Fine, but just for another five minutes. I have to see my mom tomorrow so I have to wake up early.”
“Fine with me.” She smiled as she moved to the smaller couch diagonal from where they were sitting on the long couch “Lie down here.” She took a pillow and placed it at the end of the couch “I’ve always wanted to do this.” He gave her an odd look as she quickly explained “You know most Shrinks have long couches in their office, while I only have chairs?”
He nodded in answer as he lied down, his eyes resting as they slowly shut “Go ahead doctor.” He said seriously.
“I don’t ask for anything but honesty. Only then can I actually help you with any problems you might have.” She used her doctor tone on him. He chuckled after she finished talking. “Ahem!” she cleared her throat to quiet him. “Please.”
“Sorry.” He mumbled.
“Now. When I mention the name Jo, what is the first thing on your mind?”
“She-man…” he said. “Tomboy, funny, strange, selfish with her food, not sharing, bad manners, bad hair….”
“I said one thing.” She shook her head when he giggled again “If you’re not gonna be serious, then I can’t help you…” she began to get up when he sat up and pushed her down. “You’re gonna act normal?” he nodded as he gave her a puppy face. “Okay. Well, from the description that you’ve given me. It seems like a hate/love situation for you both. Have you ever thought about giving her a chance?”
He shook his head “Not really. I’m gay remember?”
“It doesn’t mean you can’t have feelings for the opposite sex.” She reasoned.
“True. But I don’t know what it is about her that makes my blood boil. The way she teases me? Or the way she always seemed to pick a fight with me.”
“What’s the difference?” she asked thoughtfully, finally getting some answers.
“When she teases me, its almost…I don’t know…cute? But when she picks a fight with me, it makes me want to bring her down. So I stoop to her level and fight back.”
“Therefore, the bickering begins…” Virginia finished his thought. “Well, have you ever thought of the possibility that you like her that’s why you let her provoke you in arguments? Some people tend to pick on people that they have a crush on or like.”
He shook his head “Nah, I doubt that’s the reason. Maybe we’re just made to bicker. Nothing more? I’m positive that it’s not love. Because for me, love is a sacred thing that can’t be explained through bickering or quarreling. I would give my heart and soul into the relationship and keep us from arguing.”
“I see.” She said thoughtfully “Well, lets not assume that you might like Jo. Is there anyone out there that you have a special feeling with, whether the same sex or opposite sex?”
“Besides you?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Hmm…I would have to say. No. But let me clarify one thing on Jo. We argue a lot, but its out of humor. I mean, there are moments where we just sat and chatted. Its like when we’re in front of friends, we tend to argue cause we don’t want that image to change. She might disagree with me, but that’s just my opinion.”
“That’s very interesting.” She nodded as she glanced at her watch. “Well, Mr. Lam. I believe our session is over. It’s been about 20 minutes.”
“That long?” he sat up “It felt like three minutes.”
Virginia smiled “That’s the magic I hold in my hands. You have no idea how much you’ve told me until its too late.” She let out a cackling laugh that was suppose to sound evil.
“No, no, no girl…like this.” He let out a laugh so evil that it made her shiver “Yeah, that’s how you do it!” he exclaimed as his head moved from side to side, showing off his flexibility.
“Whatever!” she said in her Valley girl mimic.
He burst out laughing “Hey, that was pretty good. Okay, sleepy head. I have to go now. Thank you Dr. Chan. How much do I owe you?”
“I charge $1000. a minute.” She said as she nodded firmly.
“Wow…only? That’s cheap. Put it on my tab!” he laughed when she narrowed her eyes at him. He continued to laugh as he returned to his room. She smiled and shook her head at her friend. It was nice to see him happy again.
Chapter 24
Virginia Chan – Vivian Leung
Freddie Lam – Nick Cheung
Joanne aka Jo Hung – Joyce Tang
Linda Lam – Flora Chan
Michael Lam – Steven Ma
The next few days at work, Virginia would often think of Freddie, wondering if he was okay. Sometimes she would even call just to check and make sure that he was fine. After the third day, she let her guard down and stopped worrying about his migraine. He claimed that they never came back.
She was deep in thought one day when a annoying ring of her office phone disrupt her thoughts. “Hello?”
“Hey Ginny, its me, Remy. Are you busy?” he seemed to be driving somewhere.
“Not if you call staring at the ceiling busy.” She answered lightly. “What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing really. Just asking to see if Deana dropped by your office at all this week.”
“Oh, checking on your girlfriend already? Tsk tsk tsk…I’m shocked.” She teased.
He laughed comfortably “No no, I was afraid Jim’s incident might have made her think too much.”
“But you know, even if she did come to see me, I have the right not to tell you.”
“That’s understandable. How about from a friend’s point of view?” he asked more casually.
“That’s different. And yes, she did come to see me the other day. We chatted about her feelings and worries about Jim. She doesn’t seem too traumatized by the situation.”
He smiled into the phone “That’s because you’re a great head doctor.”
“Wow, and all this time I thought you only knew how to compliment Deana.” She teased.
“Of course not! I am an all rounded person.” He chuckled at his own remark. “Thank you, Ginny.” He said it more seriously.
“Anytime. She’s very lucky to have you.” Virginia commented.
“I think its mutual. How about you? Made any decisions yet?”
“No…indecisive is my middle name. Why do you have pick in mind? Now, let me guess…Jeff?”
Remy paused for a few seconds “Actually, I was thinking of Freddie.”
“Freddie?” her heart skipped a beat when she heard him say Freddie’s name. “Why would you say that?”
“Just the way that he is so worried over everything that happens to you. Sure, he claims to be gay, but I personally think he has deeper feelings for you than just friendship.” His observation wasn’t out of the question and it made Virginia feel the more uncomfortable.
“That’s absurd.” She replied.
“Not really. Consider this factor, its coming from a third person’s point of view. I admit that I use to like you, but that’s in the past now. I would much rather help you find an ideal mate then to see you between two guys, with a definite outcome of one broken heart. It’s always nice to make a decision sooner then to drag it out and cause a deeper wound.”
She smiled despite what he said was true “I didn’t know you were Dr. Love.”
“Well, years of dealing with teen love can do that to a person. You have no idea how many times I’ve made that same speech!” he was kidding, obviously. “But seriously, I hope you think about it clearly.”
“Are you telling me to chose Freddie over Jeff? Who do you think is the better candidate?” she was interested in what he had to say. “I want to know your opinion.”
“Well, for me….I would personally pick Jeff. Because I know him since, God knows…forever. He’s a wonderful guy with a strange love for nature, but everyone has a false.” He laughed humorously “He’s caring and so ready to help others. Sound familiar?”
“I don’t want to say yes, because if you’re not talking about me then my face will be very red.” They laughed together at her comment.
“But as a third person’s point of view, I see Freddie as a better match for you. But again, that’s just my opinion. You don’t have to base your decision on what I said. I wish you the best of luck. Okay, my cell phone is giving me that warning beep. Batteries is gonna run out soon…”
She smiled “Thank you Remy, you might have just given me another dilemma.”
“You’re very welcome. Bye now and Thanks..” his voice cut off from the lack of batteries in his cell.
She placed the receiver back to its socket. She sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. She has been dodging the signs coming from Freddie for the longest time. Not to mention acting as if it wasn’t even there. She knew the feelings were there but she had no way of approaching it or taking it in. But hearing it from Remy, it made it more real. What she was afraid of was that Freddie’s affection towards her was out of loyal friendship. She still believed that Jo and Freddie would have a great chance together but it seems that Freddie has no interest in Jo.
As for Jeff, she knew that she cared for him like a dear friend. Their friendship grew thicker by the day and she guessed there would be a chance for love if she allowed it to go further. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to let all worries go and just give him a chance. Things were more difficult now, how could she possibly make a decision without hurting either one? There was no way.
Virginia avoided Jeff and Freddie for the next few days as she tried to come up with a conclusion. It was easy with Jeff since she didn’t see him that often to begin with. As for Freddie, he was home every night with her. Although she tried to lock herself in the room, he would find some kind of an excuse to enter her room and chat with her.
On Saturday, she and Joanne went shopping for a dress. They found her a cute sky blue dress with tiny white flowers around the bottom hem. It fell above the knees, showing off her girly legs. “You look adorable!” Virginia gushed when Joanne walked out of the dressing room as she tried to pull the dress down lower below the knees. But as she did this, her other hand was placed over her chest, trying to cover it up. “Stop that! The neckline isn’t even low!” Virginia scolded as she yanked her hands away. “Stand up straight!” she commanded. She pushed Jo’s hands to the side. “That’s better.” The smile coming back on her face again.
“Ew…I feel so girly!” she cried with embarrassment, when a few guys walked by and gave her a glance or two.
“If you check in the mirror over there..” she pointed to a full size mirror outside the dressing room “you are a girl.” Virginia spun Joanne around towards the mirror. “See?”
“But…do I really have to wear this?”
Virginia sighed “No, but if you want any attention at all, you will have to dress like this more often. He’ll tease you for a few days or weeks, but the more he teases, the more he thinks you’re cute.”
“How do you know so much about Freddie?” she began to twirl around in the dress, getting use to the soft material against her skin.
“I’ve lived with him for almost two years, I know every intimate details of his secret. Of course I know what he finds attractive.”
“He’s never complimented me before.” She pouted.
“Well, there’s a first for anything.” Virginia said brightly “You gonna get this dress or what?”
“Yeah…I guess.” She seemed reluctant but Virginia saw her grinning at herself in the mirror before she went back to change into her jeans and t-shirt.
Sunday night, when Virginia was writing in her journal, she noticed that Freddie hasn’t bothered her at all that day. She saw him leave early that morning but he didn’t return until around 10pm. When he did, she heard a slam from his room. She figured he probably had a bad day and didn’t want to be bothered.
The next morning she went to work as usual, when she didn’t hear any sounds from Freddie’s room, she knocked on it softly. There was no response so she opened it lightly “Freddie?” she asked softly.
Virginia peeked in and found him peacefully sleeping on his bed. She smiled as she closed the door behind her and headed off for work. The day flew by for her as she worked and spoke to new patients. She decided to stay at work for lunch due to her piling paperwork that she needed to type up. Virginia got a cold sandwich from the little food shop below her suite. As her fingers danced across the keyboard, she paused only a second to take a bite out of her sandwich. Her heart nearly jumped out when the phone rang annoyingly. “Hello?” she normally didn’t answer the phone but decided to this time.
“Ginny? Hey, its me Linda.”
“Hey there! It’s been a while. How have you been?” she stopped typing as she chatted with Linda for a few minutes. “Did you need something?” she finally asked when Linda was about to hang up.
“Oh, gosh that’s right, I wanted to ask you where Freddie was?”
“Home, sleeping. Why?”
“Well, he was over here with my mom last night. They were talking in my mom’s room for the longest time and when he left her room he rushed out of the house looking very distraught. I wanted to check and see if he was okay.”
“Really? No, he didn’t say anything last night. All he did was go to his room. I just figured he wanted to be alone. This morning, I found him sleeping like a baby. I think he mentioned a few days ago that he had the day off today. So he’ll sleep until the sun is still up.” Virginia recalled the last time she tried to wake him up when he was sleeping. He used his pillow and hit her over the head with it.
“Well, can I come over to chat with him?”
“Sure.” Virginia gave her the address to the house “There’s a spare key taped to the bottom of the mailbox. You can use that to get in.”
“Okay, thanks.” The girls hung up.
*********
Linda drove up to the house about 10 minutes later. She reached the mailbox in the front of the house and touched the bottom part and found the key like Virginia said. She opened the door and found it dead silent wondering if Freddie was even home. Then she remembered his car was parked in the driveway. She walked down the hall and found the bedrooms, both were closed shut. Linda opened the door on her right and was glad it was Freddie’s. Just like Virginia had anticipated, he was still sleeping. It was close to 1pm, so she decided to take the initiative and wake him up herself. “Freddie.” She shook him lightly. When he didn’t respond, she used more force “Freddie!” she yelled louder. “Freddie!!” her heart began to thump louder and panic finally took over when she took a hold of his hand and pulled it upwards just to watch it fall lifelessly on the bed again. “FREDDIE!!!” she cried out.
Tears quickly welling up in her eyes as she began to breath harder as she searched her mind on what to do. “Oh my God…” she repeated it over and over while she stumbled to get her cell phone out. Her hands were trembling so bad that the little device dropped from her hands crashing into the ground. She picked it up to find it broken. “Damn!!” she cursed loudly. There was no time to waste, she had to get him to a hospital fast. Pulling his arms around her neck as she used all her might to pull him up. She finally got a secure position as she practically dragged him out the door.
Linda drove at lightening speed to get him to the hospital. She was followed by a cop at one point but she yelled over the traffic sound and the annoying siren that her brother needed help. The cop looked inside the car and found the unconscious young man and nodded as he opened the road for her.
When they reached the hospital, the cop ran inside to call for the ER team. They set up in five seconds as they put him on the rolling bed and pulled him into intensive care. Linda suddenly remembered Michael had just moved his job there. “Dr. Lam, Michael Lam, is he here?” she asked the receptionist.
The girl’s face brightened up “Yes, he just came back from lunch. Let me page him.” She paged him over the speaker and within minutes he was at the front desk.
He saw Linda and knew something was not right, her hair was a mess and she was pacing the front desk. “Ga Jei, what’s wrong? Is it mom?”
She couldn’t help breaking down when she saw her brother “Michael, its Freddie…” she covered her mouth to keep from bursting out.
“Oh no…” he turned to the receptionist “Order an MRI right now. Is the patient in Intensive Care?”
The girl nodded quickly in response “Yes, he just rolled in about three or four minutes ago.”
“Thanks.” He said grimly and turned back to Linda, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder “Ga Jei, don’t worry, I’ll be here. Have you called mom?” she shook her head unable to stop shivering “Call her and let Virginia know. I don’t want you to be alone. Call anyone else that you want.”
She nodded as she reached for the phone at the corner of the receptionist desk. The girl moved aside for her to use it. Her mom wasn’t home but she left a message on the machine. She must have had the worst luck because Virginia wasn’t in her office either. She left a message there for her too, hoping that she might get it. Linda called Jeff and Remy last.
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