Frank
Atherton is the assistant director at a huge nursing facility in
Ohio. He's having a pretty bad week after a man named Ralph Penwarren
arrives. The only good thing to happen all week is meeting Marka
Ventimiglia, a new psychiatrist who's just started working at the
facility. They are immediately attracted. Below is their first
meeting.
"Be
right there!" he called. He dropped his plate in the kitchen
sink and went to the door. "What's he done now?" he asked
automatically as he opened it.
It
wasn't Sue or one of the other staff members. An attractive brunette
stood there.
"I'm
sorry? Who did what?"
"Oh,
no one you'd know. Frank Atherton. I just saw you on TV." He
held out his hand after wiping it on his T-shirt.
She
smiled. "Marka Ventimiglia. Nice to meet you. I feel really
stupid asking, but yours is the only room with a light on. I took a
chance that someone was up."
He
invited her in. She hesitated a moment, then followed him inside.
"What
can I do for you?"
"I'm
embarrassed to ask. I'm staying in a guest room and I'm out of toilet
paper."
"Really?
No spare?" he was puzzled by that. "The girls usually put
it under the sink."
He
walked to his restroom. It was quite spacious, with a tub and a
separate, walk-in shower. He opened the sink and didn't find a spare
paper under there. Checking all the cupboards, he came up empty.
"That's
weird. Gimme a second." He dialed housekeeping but got no
answer, so he dialed the front desk. "Sue, it's Frank."
"Hi,
Frank. All's quiet at the moment. Whatcha need?"
"Dr.
Ventimiglia is with me and she hasn't got a spare roll of toilet
paper. Neither do I."
"Oh,
gosh. You want me to run some up there?"
"No,
you don't need to. Is Kathy around?"
"She
should be. Shall I call her?"
"I
just tried. I'll call her again. Thanks." He dialed the
housekeeping office a second time. No one answered. Puzzled, he hung
up.
"I'll
try later," he told his guest. "Do you need some
immediately?"
She
looked slightly uncomfortable. "As a matter of fact...."
"Please,
make yourself at home. There's a nearly full roll." He gestured
to his restroom. "Want some coffee?"
"Love
some. I'm a caffeine addict. I also drink a lot of water. Hence the
urgency." Marka closed the door behind her.
©
Dellani Oakes 2015
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