Oliver's Army
14.
After that fateful evening, Reid had thrown himself into his work even more than ever before. Despite both Joseph’s and Martha’s admonitions that he slow down, he had taken on more cases and lent his expertise to more and more research projects. He needed to work in order to keep himself from thinking, from feeling.
When he wasn’t at work, he been constantly on the lookout for something, anything to keep his mind busy. He’d even tried a visit to a gay bar in the center of town, hoping to find some solace in a nameless, faceless guy. But, a handful of “wanna fuck’s” and “let me blow you’s” later, and Reid was hightailing it out the door, disgusted that lines like that had ever worked on him.
After weeks of running himself into the ground, Joseph had called Reid into his office, and no, it was not a request, damn it.
“What do you need, Pops? I have things to do, people to see. Time is money…hell, it‘s more than money, it‘s the difference between life and death,” Reid said as he blew into the older man’s office.
“Reid, sit your ass down. For the love of Pete, you’ve been motoring around this hospital like a man possessed. You need to take a break before you burn out.”
“Pfffft…like Neil Young so famously sang, ‘It’s better to burn out then fade away’. Hey, maybe I should have that embroidered on the back of my lab coat…God knows those idiot interns could use the reminder. Where you find such lazy, whiney sacks of useless crap is beyond me,” Reid continued in a high, mocking voice, ‘I’m so tired. Please, Dr. Oliver, can’t I take a break?’”
Joseph grimaced as he imagined what the younger doctor’s response to such complaints must be. He needed to spend more time checking in on the morale of Reid’s interns and staff if Reid continued at his current pace. Martha had given him an idea that might help solve the problem, but he didn’t have nearly the faith in her plan that she seemed to expect.
“Reid, I didn’t call you in here to talk about your interns. I have a proposition…no, wait…I have an order for you,” Joseph hesitated, taking in Reid’s already perturbed expression before he continued. “The hospital received an invitation yesterday to the grand opening of The Brad Snyder Pavilion in Oakdale. The ceremony is this Saturday and I’ve cleared your calendar. As our head of neurology and an instrumental part of how Memorial’s wing was designed, it’s only fitting that you attend.”
Reid opened his mouth, sputtering a bit before he could form words. “You have got to be kidding me. No way. No. I’m not going.”
“Like hell you’re not,” Joseph yelled as he tried to keep himself from knocking the arrogant ass on the ground. “I told you that it’s an order. Holy Mother of…why do you have to make everything so damned difficult?”
Reid had to admit that he’d never seen Joseph so furious. To be honest, it was scaring him a little bit, not because he was afraid that Joseph was going to make good on the promise of those fists that were balled up at his sides, but because the other man was getting older and Reid didn’t think it was healthy for him to get this worked up.
“You need to calm down, old man. Your wife will never forgive me if you keel over with me in your office. She’ll assume that I did something to cause your demise.”
Joseph took a deep, cleansing breath, blowing out slowly. “Good, then we have an understanding? You’ll go to Oakdale and respectfully represent this hospital and I’ll try to keep myself from reaching across this desk and wringing your egotistical neck.”
“Fine. I’ll go. I’ll put on the whole dog and pony show, but when I get back, I don’t want to hear another word about my work ethic. And you’ll tell your wife to stop threatening to cut me off. We both know she couldn’t stop baking for me if she tried…the guilt would kill her.”
“Excellent. I’ve taken the liberty of booking you on a Saturday morning flight. You’ll be staying at the Lakeview. It looks like a fairly upscale hotel, but I’ve already requested that your linens be new out of the package, with the proof of purchase left on the pillow for your peace of mind.”
“It’s scary how well you know me sometimes,” Reid said, smiling. “I’m going to go ahead and get back to work. You can call Martha when I’m gone and tell her that I agreed…but that I don’t like it.” Noticing the look of surprise on Joseph’s face, he continued, “What, did you think I’d believe this was all your idea? I could see her hand in this from a mile away.”
ooOoo
By Saturday afternoon, Reid had convinced himself that he could easily handle seeing Luke again, that he could be congenial and even charming, no matter who the other man had on his arm. As the cab pulled up in front of Memorial Hospital, he promised himself that he would be at his most gracious, completely above reproach.
The entrance to the neurology center was grander than Reid had expected for a small-town hick hospital. It was all angles and glass and looked like it could easily have been in the center of a major city. He had to admit that it made for an excellent first impression. Once he’d made his way inside, Reid was even further impressed by the aesthetics of the lobby and waiting rooms. The designers had gone with a minimalist approach that still managed to be warm and inviting. It was an area that would make the patient and their family feel both confident and comfortable. It stated that this was a place that meant business, where you would be well taken care of, where no expense was spared in order to ensure that.
As he glanced around the area, he couldn’t help but look around for a familiar face. He knew Luke would be front and center for this shindig, and he wanted to get any awkwardness behind him as quickly as possible.
While his eyes were still scanning the crowded room, they fell on the one person he had hoped not to see that evening. The man who had accompanied Luke to Trainor VA was standing across the room, looking even more commanding than before, if that was even possible. He could hear the man’s voice, although he couldn’t quite make out what he was saying. Oh, for the love of…the guy had an accent? Really? Not for the first time since meeting Luke Snyder, Reid wondered just what he had done to piss off God so much.
As he moved forward to make his way into the room, he was stopped by a young woman in a crisp black pantsuit. “Excuse me, sir. Do you have your invitation?”
Reid pulled the card out of his suit pocket and handed it to her. “I’m Dr. Reid Oliver. I didn’t realize that this was such an exclusive shindig. I’d have thought that the entire population of Oakdale would have fit in this monstrosity.”
The woman laughed and handed Reid a prepared nametag. “Ah, yes, Dr. Oliver…we were told that you would be in attendance. Here you go, just put this on if you don’t mind.” The woman appeared to do a quick scan of the room before calling over an older gentleman who’d been milling around the food table, clearly a man after Reid’s own heart. “Dr. Hughes! You told me to let you know when Dr. Oliver had arrived, sir.”
The older man’s eyes twinkled as he patted the woman on the shoulder. “Now, Alison, I’ve told you to stop calling me ‘sir’. You’re married to my son, call me Bob.”
Reid interrupted. “Hey…Bob…can I call you Bob? How about if you and I head back over to that table full of hors d’oeuvres and you can tell me all about how thrilling it is to meet a doctor of my caliber?”
“Oh my, I’d heard that you were a real piece of work, but I can see that was an understatement.” If Reid didn’t know better, he would swear that the man’s eyes were twinkling even brighter now. “Now, there will be plenty of time for tasting all of the fine food on display, but first I’d like to take you around and make some introductions. There are a lot of people that have been involved in the building of this wing who are looking forward to meeting the man who inspired so many of the details.”
Reid bowed slightly at the waist in mock submission. “Well, then who am I to make them wait any longer? Lead the way.”
Bob Hughes led Reid around the room, introducing him to people who’s names he would never remember, not because he was the forgetful type, no, in fact, he had a photographic memory, but because he was barely paying attention. He was distracted by looking for any sign of Luke.
When he finally spotted him, Reid felt like his heart had skipped a beat. The sandy-haired man looked absolutely magnificent, slightly tanned as if he’d been out in the sun recently, his hair perfectly coiffed into what was almost a modified pompadour, just the way Reid liked it, and wearing a black suit that fit him like it was sewn right onto him before he came. When their eyes locked and Luke flashed him one of those in incredible, toothy smiles of his, it was all Reid could do to simply offer a graceful smile back. What he really wanted to do was to march over to where the other man stood, grab him by the back of his head and kiss him until hot European guy was a distant memory.
Reid was forced to look away after a few seconds as Bob led him to yet another group of people. Much to Reid’s displeasure, Luke’s boyfriend was standing in the center of the group, an attractive brunette woman (with way too much cleavage showing to be considered tasteful) hanging on his arm. Good God, not only did this fucking guy have the hottest boyfriend in town…hell, in the world…but he also had the sexiest hag Reid had ever seen? What the hell was it about this guy?
“Dr. Oliver, may I introduce you to Damian Grimaldi and his wife, Lily? Damian is one of the hospital’s most generous benefactors and Lily has recently taken over her mother’s seat on the board,” Bob beamed proudly, as if he himself had conjured these two angels into being.
Damian Grimaldi and his WIFE? His WIFE? What the fuck?
The older man continued, oblivious to the fact that Reid was casting an openly hostile glare the Grimaldis way. “This is Dr. Reid Oliver. He was the neurosurgeon who helped guide Luke in the design of the wing.”
Spinning on his heel, oblivious to Bob calling after him with concern, Reid made his way over to where Luke was still standing, seemingly deep in conversation with a younger blonde man and a young woman with long, dark hair. Grabbing Luke’s elbow, he spun him around and pulled him out of the room and into the lobby, barely noticing the scene he was causing.
Once he had Luke out of earshot of the rest of the gathering, he spun Luke around to face him and felt every bit of tension boil to the surface. “Seriously? Should I be looking for a hidden camera somewhere? Am I being punked? What the fuck is the matter with you? After all of that shit you gave me about Scott and here you are doing so much worse? You’re a hypocrite, Luke Snyder, a lousy fucking hypocrite.”
An obviously stunned Luke opened his mouth to say something, but Reid cut him off. “No, you’re going to listen to me this time. A few months ago, you blew into town and turned my life upside down. You accused me of all and sundry, from being a bad gay to being a scared little boy. I changed because of you, because I wanted to be a man you could care about, because I needed to be that man. And now I find this? God, don’t you have any respect for yourself at all?”
Once again, Luke began to respond. “Reid, I don’t know what on Earth you’re…”
Luke’s words were interrupted by the appearance of the very reason for Reid‘s fury. “Luciano, are you alright? What is going on out here?” The man rushed to Luke’s side, sliding an arm up his back and brushing his hand through the younger man’s hair before glaring at the doctor accusingly. “Is there a problem, Dr. Oliver?”
“No, there’s no problem, Mr. Grimaldi. Luciano and I were just saying our final goodbyes. Why don’t you go ahead and take your boy back into the party, but don’t delay for too long, I’m sure your wife hasn’t even noticed that you’ve gone just yet, but you wouldn’t want to do anything to raise any suspicions.”
Reid spun on his heel and threw the glass door open and stalked away like the devil himself was nipping at his heels, leaving a shell-shocked Luke and his livid father staring after him.
Next
After that fateful evening, Reid had thrown himself into his work even more than ever before. Despite both Joseph’s and Martha’s admonitions that he slow down, he had taken on more cases and lent his expertise to more and more research projects. He needed to work in order to keep himself from thinking, from feeling.
When he wasn’t at work, he been constantly on the lookout for something, anything to keep his mind busy. He’d even tried a visit to a gay bar in the center of town, hoping to find some solace in a nameless, faceless guy. But, a handful of “wanna fuck’s” and “let me blow you’s” later, and Reid was hightailing it out the door, disgusted that lines like that had ever worked on him.
After weeks of running himself into the ground, Joseph had called Reid into his office, and no, it was not a request, damn it.
“What do you need, Pops? I have things to do, people to see. Time is money…hell, it‘s more than money, it‘s the difference between life and death,” Reid said as he blew into the older man’s office.
“Reid, sit your ass down. For the love of Pete, you’ve been motoring around this hospital like a man possessed. You need to take a break before you burn out.”
“Pfffft…like Neil Young so famously sang, ‘It’s better to burn out then fade away’. Hey, maybe I should have that embroidered on the back of my lab coat…God knows those idiot interns could use the reminder. Where you find such lazy, whiney sacks of useless crap is beyond me,” Reid continued in a high, mocking voice, ‘I’m so tired. Please, Dr. Oliver, can’t I take a break?’”
Joseph grimaced as he imagined what the younger doctor’s response to such complaints must be. He needed to spend more time checking in on the morale of Reid’s interns and staff if Reid continued at his current pace. Martha had given him an idea that might help solve the problem, but he didn’t have nearly the faith in her plan that she seemed to expect.
“Reid, I didn’t call you in here to talk about your interns. I have a proposition…no, wait…I have an order for you,” Joseph hesitated, taking in Reid’s already perturbed expression before he continued. “The hospital received an invitation yesterday to the grand opening of The Brad Snyder Pavilion in Oakdale. The ceremony is this Saturday and I’ve cleared your calendar. As our head of neurology and an instrumental part of how Memorial’s wing was designed, it’s only fitting that you attend.”
Reid opened his mouth, sputtering a bit before he could form words. “You have got to be kidding me. No way. No. I’m not going.”
“Like hell you’re not,” Joseph yelled as he tried to keep himself from knocking the arrogant ass on the ground. “I told you that it’s an order. Holy Mother of…why do you have to make everything so damned difficult?”
Reid had to admit that he’d never seen Joseph so furious. To be honest, it was scaring him a little bit, not because he was afraid that Joseph was going to make good on the promise of those fists that were balled up at his sides, but because the other man was getting older and Reid didn’t think it was healthy for him to get this worked up.
“You need to calm down, old man. Your wife will never forgive me if you keel over with me in your office. She’ll assume that I did something to cause your demise.”
Joseph took a deep, cleansing breath, blowing out slowly. “Good, then we have an understanding? You’ll go to Oakdale and respectfully represent this hospital and I’ll try to keep myself from reaching across this desk and wringing your egotistical neck.”
“Fine. I’ll go. I’ll put on the whole dog and pony show, but when I get back, I don’t want to hear another word about my work ethic. And you’ll tell your wife to stop threatening to cut me off. We both know she couldn’t stop baking for me if she tried…the guilt would kill her.”
“Excellent. I’ve taken the liberty of booking you on a Saturday morning flight. You’ll be staying at the Lakeview. It looks like a fairly upscale hotel, but I’ve already requested that your linens be new out of the package, with the proof of purchase left on the pillow for your peace of mind.”
“It’s scary how well you know me sometimes,” Reid said, smiling. “I’m going to go ahead and get back to work. You can call Martha when I’m gone and tell her that I agreed…but that I don’t like it.” Noticing the look of surprise on Joseph’s face, he continued, “What, did you think I’d believe this was all your idea? I could see her hand in this from a mile away.”
ooOoo
By Saturday afternoon, Reid had convinced himself that he could easily handle seeing Luke again, that he could be congenial and even charming, no matter who the other man had on his arm. As the cab pulled up in front of Memorial Hospital, he promised himself that he would be at his most gracious, completely above reproach.
The entrance to the neurology center was grander than Reid had expected for a small-town hick hospital. It was all angles and glass and looked like it could easily have been in the center of a major city. He had to admit that it made for an excellent first impression. Once he’d made his way inside, Reid was even further impressed by the aesthetics of the lobby and waiting rooms. The designers had gone with a minimalist approach that still managed to be warm and inviting. It was an area that would make the patient and their family feel both confident and comfortable. It stated that this was a place that meant business, where you would be well taken care of, where no expense was spared in order to ensure that.
As he glanced around the area, he couldn’t help but look around for a familiar face. He knew Luke would be front and center for this shindig, and he wanted to get any awkwardness behind him as quickly as possible.
While his eyes were still scanning the crowded room, they fell on the one person he had hoped not to see that evening. The man who had accompanied Luke to Trainor VA was standing across the room, looking even more commanding than before, if that was even possible. He could hear the man’s voice, although he couldn’t quite make out what he was saying. Oh, for the love of…the guy had an accent? Really? Not for the first time since meeting Luke Snyder, Reid wondered just what he had done to piss off God so much.
As he moved forward to make his way into the room, he was stopped by a young woman in a crisp black pantsuit. “Excuse me, sir. Do you have your invitation?”
Reid pulled the card out of his suit pocket and handed it to her. “I’m Dr. Reid Oliver. I didn’t realize that this was such an exclusive shindig. I’d have thought that the entire population of Oakdale would have fit in this monstrosity.”
The woman laughed and handed Reid a prepared nametag. “Ah, yes, Dr. Oliver…we were told that you would be in attendance. Here you go, just put this on if you don’t mind.” The woman appeared to do a quick scan of the room before calling over an older gentleman who’d been milling around the food table, clearly a man after Reid’s own heart. “Dr. Hughes! You told me to let you know when Dr. Oliver had arrived, sir.”
The older man’s eyes twinkled as he patted the woman on the shoulder. “Now, Alison, I’ve told you to stop calling me ‘sir’. You’re married to my son, call me Bob.”
Reid interrupted. “Hey…Bob…can I call you Bob? How about if you and I head back over to that table full of hors d’oeuvres and you can tell me all about how thrilling it is to meet a doctor of my caliber?”
“Oh my, I’d heard that you were a real piece of work, but I can see that was an understatement.” If Reid didn’t know better, he would swear that the man’s eyes were twinkling even brighter now. “Now, there will be plenty of time for tasting all of the fine food on display, but first I’d like to take you around and make some introductions. There are a lot of people that have been involved in the building of this wing who are looking forward to meeting the man who inspired so many of the details.”
Reid bowed slightly at the waist in mock submission. “Well, then who am I to make them wait any longer? Lead the way.”
Bob Hughes led Reid around the room, introducing him to people who’s names he would never remember, not because he was the forgetful type, no, in fact, he had a photographic memory, but because he was barely paying attention. He was distracted by looking for any sign of Luke.
When he finally spotted him, Reid felt like his heart had skipped a beat. The sandy-haired man looked absolutely magnificent, slightly tanned as if he’d been out in the sun recently, his hair perfectly coiffed into what was almost a modified pompadour, just the way Reid liked it, and wearing a black suit that fit him like it was sewn right onto him before he came. When their eyes locked and Luke flashed him one of those in incredible, toothy smiles of his, it was all Reid could do to simply offer a graceful smile back. What he really wanted to do was to march over to where the other man stood, grab him by the back of his head and kiss him until hot European guy was a distant memory.
Reid was forced to look away after a few seconds as Bob led him to yet another group of people. Much to Reid’s displeasure, Luke’s boyfriend was standing in the center of the group, an attractive brunette woman (with way too much cleavage showing to be considered tasteful) hanging on his arm. Good God, not only did this fucking guy have the hottest boyfriend in town…hell, in the world…but he also had the sexiest hag Reid had ever seen? What the hell was it about this guy?
“Dr. Oliver, may I introduce you to Damian Grimaldi and his wife, Lily? Damian is one of the hospital’s most generous benefactors and Lily has recently taken over her mother’s seat on the board,” Bob beamed proudly, as if he himself had conjured these two angels into being.
Damian Grimaldi and his WIFE? His WIFE? What the fuck?
The older man continued, oblivious to the fact that Reid was casting an openly hostile glare the Grimaldis way. “This is Dr. Reid Oliver. He was the neurosurgeon who helped guide Luke in the design of the wing.”
Spinning on his heel, oblivious to Bob calling after him with concern, Reid made his way over to where Luke was still standing, seemingly deep in conversation with a younger blonde man and a young woman with long, dark hair. Grabbing Luke’s elbow, he spun him around and pulled him out of the room and into the lobby, barely noticing the scene he was causing.
Once he had Luke out of earshot of the rest of the gathering, he spun Luke around to face him and felt every bit of tension boil to the surface. “Seriously? Should I be looking for a hidden camera somewhere? Am I being punked? What the fuck is the matter with you? After all of that shit you gave me about Scott and here you are doing so much worse? You’re a hypocrite, Luke Snyder, a lousy fucking hypocrite.”
An obviously stunned Luke opened his mouth to say something, but Reid cut him off. “No, you’re going to listen to me this time. A few months ago, you blew into town and turned my life upside down. You accused me of all and sundry, from being a bad gay to being a scared little boy. I changed because of you, because I wanted to be a man you could care about, because I needed to be that man. And now I find this? God, don’t you have any respect for yourself at all?”
Once again, Luke began to respond. “Reid, I don’t know what on Earth you’re…”
Luke’s words were interrupted by the appearance of the very reason for Reid‘s fury. “Luciano, are you alright? What is going on out here?” The man rushed to Luke’s side, sliding an arm up his back and brushing his hand through the younger man’s hair before glaring at the doctor accusingly. “Is there a problem, Dr. Oliver?”
“No, there’s no problem, Mr. Grimaldi. Luciano and I were just saying our final goodbyes. Why don’t you go ahead and take your boy back into the party, but don’t delay for too long, I’m sure your wife hasn’t even noticed that you’ve gone just yet, but you wouldn’t want to do anything to raise any suspicions.”
Reid spun on his heel and threw the glass door open and stalked away like the devil himself was nipping at his heels, leaving a shell-shocked Luke and his livid father staring after him.
Next