***Thank you for your comments. I tried to work on the grammar and tense as well as make the chapter longer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 3
October and November fly by as I quickly integrated myself. I am one of the youngest doctors on staff but one of the best. Senior doctors asked for me to scrub in on some of the more serious surgeries. I had even been called in to consult on a few psychiatric evaluations and found that I am fairly accurate with predicting which soldiers are going to break mentally and which are strong enough to conquer any mental stresses.
I was eating lunch in the staff lounge during one of my shifts. Dr Morgan walked in and sat down at the table across from me. He asked if I wanted to go with him to the holiday ball that was to be held in two weeks. He explained that only military people are invited along with a guest of their choosing. He was not only a doctor but an army veteran. I considered the invite and then accepted, making it clear that we will go 'as friends' because of my no dating colleagues rule. He agrees.
After asking around, I learn that the best place to try and find a dress for the ball was some fifty miles away. This does not make me happy. I don't mind dressing up for an evening out, but get annoyed by the shear pain of finding an appropriate outfit that looks good and feels good. Then there is always the challenge of finding the perfect shoes and purse and jacket depending on the time of year. I wasn't even sure if this was a formal event or a semi-formal event. Would a floor length dress be appropriate or something shorter? How far was I going to have to walk? That would help me decide between high heels that always made me looked slimmer, or lower heels that were much more comfortable. Ugh. Sometimes being a woman sucked. Men decide between a suit or a tux, and in tonight's case some will be wearing their dress uniforms. Woo, big decision there. They have it so easy.
Dr Morgan picks me up at my place wearing a classic black tux and driving his Beamer. He compliments my attire with a big smile and insists that outside of work I call him Paul. I decide instantly that there are not going to be any more events with "Paul" after tonight. We ride in silence to the hotel that is hosting the annual event. Paul opts for valet parking. He hands his keys to the young man waiting and rushes around to open my door and help me out. I note to myself that he is extremely well mannered, which is a very nice quality.
Entering the ballroom, I immediately feel self conscious of my attire. Then I look around and relax, realizing I chose wisely. I am dressed in a very expensive elegant floor length cranberry dress that fits the curves of my body appropriately. The bodice is more fitted with the rest of the material flowing down. My hair and nails have been professionally done. My makeup is flawless.
I think about how tonight's look is quite a different from my usual hospital scrubs and messy ponytail. I notice awkwardly that there are quite a few men glancing in my direction. I think I even caught a glance from the Colonel who is across the room standing off in a corner.
Paul escorts me over and introduces General Miller. I am shocked to hear that he has heard about me. He says that my reputation precedes me. I have only been on base for three months but have already become know as a miracle doctor and decent clinical profiler.
After pleasantries have been exchanged, General Miller announces that he wants to introduce me to one of his best men. It turns out to be the Colonel. The General makes a gesture which seems to call the Colonel over to our area. The Colonel walks confidently across the room and salutes the General.
I gaze at him standing there in his fitted evening dress uniform. The officers' attire consists of a blue evening coat with awarded metals, a white shirt and blue pants with a red and gold stripe down the outside of the legs. My first thought is that he is beautiful. He is tall and solid but not stocky. His green eyes shine like emeralds. His medium brown colored hair is trimmed short and is barely visible under his white barracks cover (which is just a fancy term for their peaked hats). He is sexy. As soon as I think of that, I immediately berate myself for the stray thoughts and try to focus on what the General is saying.
As the introductions are made, the Colonel acts as if we have never met. I am confused as to why he would not mention that he was my patient, but I go along with the charade. The General gushes about how many commendable actions the Colonel has demonstrated and how he is a value to his country. Paul looks bored and when he finds a break in the conversation, he politely excuses us. I was actually grateful for the escape.
Paul walks us toward the dance floor and as we walk, he invites me to dance. I have no interest in dancing with him since it may lead him on, but I agree knowing that my intentions have already been made clear. We share several dances one right after another. It's as if Paul finally got me to dance and doesn't want to stop for fear that I might not return. I finally need a break and tell Paul that I am going to get some punch. Paul offers to get the punch if I will find a table where we can rest. When I reach an available table, I fall into the chair and secretly kick off my shoes as my feet are conveniently hidden by the tablecloth. Paul quickly returns with two glasses of punch in hand. He sits and begins to ask personal questions about my life. I appreciate his interest and try to respond politely without giving too many details. I casually steer the conversation toward a different direction as we begin to discuss medical procedures and recent articles published in the Journal of American Medicine.
The Colonel keeps to himself, occasionally talking with other attendees, but is clearly not happy to be attending the ball or dressing up. When he thinks he has made enough of an appearance, he heads home, glad to be able to get out of his penguin suit.
Paul takes me home after a couple of hours. As I am getting out of the fancy dress, I experience a feeling that the Colonel is in trouble. I am not sure why or how, but I immediately jump in the car (still in my dress and heels) and head back to the base in search of his house. My mind feels around until I can sense his home. I bang urgently on the front door, but there is no answer. I try the door knob and it is unlocked, so I rush inside. I follow my senses until I find him in the bathroom. He was taking a shower and had just stepped out when I barge in the bathroom. We look at each other in shock. I am shocked that the Colonel is butt naked. The Colonel is probably shocked that I am standing there having entered his home. I apologize immediately and back out of the room closing the door as I go. The Colonel is yelling something about having manners and not entering someone's home uninvited. He comes out wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair and muscular chest are still dripping water and he is obviously not happy about my presence.
