All the Lonely People by Cari Dubiel

Author:Cari Dubiel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, short story, short fiction
Publisher: Cari Dubiel
Published: 2015-10-14T00:00:00+00:00

Get Him Back

The papers fanned out on the mahogany desk before me: everything I needed, cobbled together after a meticulous search. Okay, a few hours of Googling. I was ready to make the call. I dialed and waited for an answer as a soft breeze floated through the window.

“Beacon Health Group. How may I assist you?”

“Yes, hello.” I dropped my voice an octave. “My name is Marian Hunter. I’m from Howard Jones Legal. HR.” I paused and didn’t even hear breathing, so I went on. “One of our employees is a patient with you. I need her allergy record for her file.”

A sigh on the other end. “Ms. Hunter, if you’re in HR, you know that’s a clear HIPAA violation. If you need an employee’s information, ask the employee.”

I’d been prepared for this response, but my heartbeat sped up all the same. I’m not the best with confrontation. “I understand that, and I have her waiver form right here.” Printed on official letterhead, too. “She releases us to get the information. We need this for catering functions. I wouldn’t want an employee to die on my watch.”

“I don’t see why your employee wouldn’t know what she’s allergic to?”

I froze. It did sound absurd. “She said she had a report done, but she couldn’t remember.”

“If she was going to die from eating something, she’d know,” the receptionist said mildly. “Have her call us with any questions.” She left the line with a beep.

I put my phone down and stared at my papers. My chin shook, but I clamped my jaw shut and brushed at my eyes. There had to be another way.

A sudden, insistent banging made me jump. I rushed to my apartment door and threw it open. Raina stood on the threshold, smelling like outside air and fresh flowers. I probably smelled stale and sour, a kept woman by my own choosing.

She shouldered past me to survey the territory, and of course, clucked her tongue. “I had hoped you were coming back to the land of the living. Wishful thinking, I guess.”

I folded my arms. “Such a caring friend.” I wanted to come back, though. I really did. It was why I’d opened the windows. I needed a sign of the outside world, a life outside my own pathetic one.

Raina rummaged under my counter for a garbage bag. “If you refuse to leave, I’m at least making things more comfortable.” She swept empty Chinese food containers and pizza boxes into the bag.

I frowned. “Maybe I like a mess.”

“No one likes living in squalor. Maybe pigs. Like real animal pigs, not metaphorical human ones.” She stuck out her tongue. “I’m taking you out for dinner.”

I shook my head. “Give me some time.”

“You’ve had enough time.” Raina tied the bag shut and threw it over her shoulder. “Put your shoes on.”

When she returned from the dumpster, I was collapsed in a heap on my ratty green couch, the sobbing mess I swore I wouldn’t become. She softened, sinking to my side. Her hand fell on my arm.

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