DOCTOR’S FEE (MOMMAS BOY BOOK SERIES) ENGLISH VERSION

LAURA AND I went to church together. She took me to the church that she often goes to every Sunday. It’s a long way, but I brought my car, so we didn’t have any problems. After we went to church, I invited her to eat. Today I found out that Laura is a bit silly, laughs loudly, and also likes to curse. She also speaks like a teenager. Only a few months have passed since she became my patient, who did nothing but mutter and wait for her husband. And here she is now, looking for a life for herself and being happy no matter where she is. I think she has recovered quite a bit from sadness, or should I say—she is still sad but not just showing it. Well, who knows, the important thing is—we are both enjoying our company for now or maybe—whenever!

I asked about her earlier while we were on the trip. I was no longer ashamed to ask what happened to her and her husband because I really wanted to know their situation. It turns out that the crazy guy hasn’t really come back since the last time Laura and I met, and the money I left her is what she used to start a life here in Manila because, as she stated, they don’t have their own house in Tarlac, and she thinks, what if there is no one for her to come back there with? She said that she thinks twice before making a decision. And there she met this guy. She found a room that was just big enough for her and immediately made acquaintances and friends, who even helped her get a job. She said she bought the last amount for personal needs, like clothes and personal care for her. Like what she’s wearing now, which is a simple black tee that fits her body just right and a short white skirt matched with her simple flip flops. Her clothes are simple, but she looks good. She simply wore a simple headband to cover up her shower bangs while her long curly hair was just loose.

Actually, I was very happy while watching her talking. She kept laughing aloud. Laura is a very down-to-earth woman. And I noticed that she has two small dimples on both cheekbones, and her teeth are very pretty. Her mouth is a bit wide and widens even more when she smiles, but it suits her. Her round eyes are just right. I wasn’t wrong; her mother is a black American, and her brothers and father all live in the USA, and she is the only one here because she said she didn’t come and chose Paul over her family. She actually came from a wealthy family, and she was the one left here in the Philippines. She said that she only got married at twenty-two and so far has not had a child, so her husband cheated because he really wanted to have a child. She said she didn’t have any health problems, but no matter how hard they tried, they really couldn’t have one.

It was almost late afternoon when we finished chatting at the restaurant. I took her home because I wanted her to see where I live. She thought I was rich because our house was in an exclusive subdivision. She thought that I was a big-time doctor. Big time, literally! But no, I had just enough for all our needs, with extra to share with others.

When we arrived, she was surprised that our house was simple, but it was also big because it had three floors. You can really see how hard Dad worked back then, so we became like this. There is a pool, Mom’s garden that is like a jungle in the lake, there are six bedrooms, and we have three cars in the garage. Laura and I drove the fourth. She was very surprised, but I was even more surprised because when we entered..

“Hello, baby!”

“Mom?” I was very surprised when Mom greeted me.

“Mom? Did you just arrive? When–when?” I said, stammering.

Mom didn’t answer right away because she was looking at Laura, who was currently hiding behind me.

And when Laura saw her, she immediately smiled and said, “Good afternoon.”

Mom smiled at her too. “Hi, good afternoon too.”

After a while, Dad came out of the backyard and immediately shouted, “Hello, Doc!”

“Da— dad!” I stuttered.

He gave me a tight hug and a handshake. And, of course, he looked at Laura, who was never left behind.

“Good afternoon,” Laura greeted him after smiling.

“You together?” Dad asked with a goofy smile. Looking alternately at us,

“Yes, dad,” I replied cautiously. I even glanced at Laura, who seemed to be getting a bit shy.

A moment later, the rest came out of the backyard. Uncle Nick and Ben were there. The two greeted me immediately when they saw me. I didn’t know how to greet them back because I was shocked. Laura also distanced herself because she was shy and was glad that Claudie had invited her to the poolside. I breathed a little easier because Laura might get wildly pissed off. They are a strong teaser, especially when a woman is around. Most of all—Dad, who is simple but the naughtiest of them all.

“Birthday boy!” said Uncle Nick.

Laura looked at me, then poked me from behind. “It’s your birthday?”

I just smiled at her as an answer.

“What’s up Doc? Let’s celebrate!” Uncle Ben too.

Mom immediately intervened. “Hey! Stop that! He’s on duty tonight!”

“Doc, you have a visitor; wow.. imported?” Uncle Nick said while pretending to punch me in the chest.

“Oh! That’s Laura, his patient,” Tejie replied.

Mom looked at me. “Patient?”

Tejie answered quickly. “Yes, Mom! And get ready because she’s the one who’ll replace Irene!”

“Huh? Clyde? You and Irene broke up?” Mom asked in shock.

“Oh, don’t believe Tejie, Laura is just my friend,” I answered quickly.

Dad was just looking at us and smiling. I saw him approach Tejie.

“Tej, who is that sexy and healthy—umm.. baby girl with Doc?” I heard him say to Tejie while simply making a hand gesture on his chest.

“Dad, that’s his patient.” Tejie answered, “You know, Doc, he loves charity.”

“But she’s beautiful, huh! She’s older than Clyde?”

“Yes, dad! I think she’s in her thirties.”

I saw Dad just nod.

I’m sure I’ll be their pick later, so I need to prepare myself. I’ll take Laura first because I don’t want her to witness their antics and anything.

_____

WE HAD A little party after dinner. Laura didn’t refuse when Mom invited her, she had dinner with us. I want Laura to meet my family! I don’t know why I feel so relieved when I’m with her. I can’t even tell if I have feelings for her or not, but I am really happy when I am with her.

Haaah.. Here I am again. What was wrong with Laura that the first time I saw her, she didn’t leave my mind ? Is it just because Irene and I are having trouble, or am I just sad and in need of some company or-aah…

They are already seated at the poolside when we get in and there is wine on the table too.

“Come on, Doc! It’s your special day! You’re aging! Don’t you have a plan for getting married yet?” Uncle Nick asked.

I sat down, and Mom asked Laura to sit beside her. It was a nice view because we were completed. While Mom, Dad, and our closest friends are bathing in the pool, they do not join us for drinks.

“Isn’t Irene coming? She’s the only one not here!” Dad asked, then looked at me.

“Ah… no, she went back to Cebu,” I answered.

“That’s why he’s so sad! Haha!” Uncle Nick made a joke.

“When do you plan to get married?” Dad asked.

“Yes, you’re 29, Doc! You might dry out!” Uncle Ben is also crazy.

I just laugh at them. This is how they really are: we have grown up with their teasing. It’s almost like we’re just friends, even though they stand as our second parents too.

“Ma, do you want a grandchild?”

“Clint, stop it! Leave Clyde alone; marriage is not to be rushed; they need to be sure of each other before gambling,” Mom answered, frowning at Dad.

Dad immediately approached and gave mom a hug. “I know you won’t let go of your baby just like that, Chari, umm..” he said softly. “Well, what if he marries someone older than him?” Dad continued.

Mom took Dad’s hand away.

“As long as she doesn’t cheat on my son Clint! No problem even if she’s in her 30’s or 40’s! As long as Clyde loves her, that’s all that matters to me!” Mom said.

Everyone cheered, including Claudie and Tejie, who were sitting at the poolside.

“That’s it! Doc! Mom’s got her blessing! Haha!” Uncle Nick laughed as he looked at Laura.

I also caught a glimpse of Laura, who was currently just laughing too.

“Why?” Dad stood in front of us. “Let’s admit that it’s really better to take care of those who are ahead of us! Let’s stop pretending! We all know that. They are the best! You, Nick? Ben! How old is your wife?” Dad pointed at them.

Uncle Nick immediately answered, “Vivi and I have a five-year age gap.”

Uncle Ben followed, “Cassie and I are six.”

As for Mom, “Clint and I are five.”

“You, Laura?” Dad asked at the same time, “How old are you?”

“Yes? Me? Aah… 33,” Laura answered shyly.

Uncle Nick stood up suddenly, “33? and you?” he pointed out to me. “29?”

“Thirty-three?” Uncle Ben counted. “Fuck! Five years! Not fuckin’ bad!”

Uncle Ben answered quickly. “What’s up, Daddy Clint? Are we going to bless Doc now? We must not break the tradition that the younger ones are not allowed! Haha!” He burst into laughter.

Everyone laughed out loud. I looked at Laura as if she was embarrassed because of their teasing and she couldn’t smile anymore.

“Hey! Stop it! If Irene finds out that you’re teasing him with Laura, what will she think?” Mom scolded.

“Ma, we were just kidding,” said Dad.

“Oh fuck, Clint! Is that a joke? I thought it was true! Because Doc looks at Laura differently-Laura, right?” Uncle Nick asked. “And the way he talks-damn so sweet! I know that Doc is sweet but- not that- sweet!”

They burst out laughing again. And there they go. We’re just like this when we have birthdays. We don’t like big celebrations because Dad didn’t raise us that way. Just a few close friends really will do. We just let the day pass and if anyone remembers, thanks. We are not like others who like to party whenever there is an occasion. Only Christmas and New Year are really grand celebrations for us. There can’t be one missing. Since then, we have kept everything completed, even though sometimes we have work. What we do is change schedules if that’s the case. We shouldn’t miss those special holidays. Not ever…

A little while later, I heard that Laura was going to the washroom.

I met her immediately, “Come, Laura, let me take you there.”

None of them moved when I said that, nor even reacted. Even Dad just looked at me with a goofy smile.

“Mom, you know now, right? Your grandchild is not a pure race. We probably can’t see our grandchild in the dark because they both have dark skin! Haha!” I heard Dad say.

“Stop that, Clint! What are you saying?”

Laura also heard what they said. We kept looking at each other, and..

“Laura, I’m really sorry. They’re just like that, so don’t be mad please,” I apologized while holding her hand. I really couldn’t hold back anymore. I stared at her and she did the same to me. I can see that she’s a bit upset because of their teasing.

“They might think, Doc, that we have something. It’s embarrassing to your parents because you have a girlfriend,” Laura answered weakly. “I don’t want them to look at me like an—” she cuts. “I’m going home, Doc. I wanna go home.”

I just looked at her, but she took her gaze away from me.

“I want to go home, Doc… Please…” Laura said again.

My phone unexpectedly rang. I picked it up from my pants pocket to take a look. I saw Laura peeping in too and surely saw whose name it was.

“Ugh! Irene!”

“Can I go home now, Doc?” she asked again.

I canceled the call and put my phone back in my pocket.

“Why didn’t you answer? She’s-your girlfriend, right?” She asked.

I didn’t answer her. Instead, I held her hand. “Let’s go, Laura. I’ll take you home, so you’ll feel okay.”

She took her hand back from my grip. “Thank you,” she said.

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