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I open my eyes. The sun rays filter through the curtains, spreading light in my room. The last few days were difficult. Today morning holds happy promises. It is Nate's birthday. I lie in bed, savoring the moment. I smile as I ogle at the picture of our kiss on my phone. It is now my favorite. The hearing at her medical board went well. She had to do a lot of explaining, but the board cleared her. The warning she got was an acceptable trade-off.
I wanted to file a defamation case, but Sharon shot it down. I agreed with her, it would only fuel the fire. She reminded me it is best to let it go. One good outcome out of the entire drama is that our relationship is now public. Not that I am trying to hide, but being able to go out without the fear of being caught on camera makes life a wee bit easy.
My phone buzzes. I pick it up when I read Jason's name on the screen.
"Did you check the news?" Jason is panting. He must be on his morning run.
"Why, what happened?" I lift the covers to get out of bed.
"Browse the sports news and I will call you back." Jason cuts the line.
The first headline of the sports page shocks me. 'Top NFL star caught in a doping scandal.' I read the news item. The NFL has suspended me, pending further inquiry. What the hell? I have never taken drugs. I read on. The journo alleges that my surgeon, who is also my girlfriend, helped me get the dope.
The article has a picture of a nursing chart with the name of the injection circled. I panic when I review the notifications for my Twitter handle. It is on fire. Why did someone not alert me? I call Stephen. The news has him all upset and worked up.
"Where have you been, Jon? I have been calling you since evening!" He goes on about how irresponsible I am, and we should never have gone to the B & N Hospital. He questions their competency. I stop him from going any further. His words are messing up my head.
"Will you listen to me? I was busy with preps for Nate's birthday party and must have left my phone on silent mode. I don't want your opinion on my indiscretions. Make this right. Why has the NFL not contacted me?"
"Did you check your email?" Stephen directs me to confirm and then connect him on a conference call with Kevin. I scroll through my inbox till I reach the email from the NFL. Every word is like a death sentence for me. It is an order, suspending me for six games.
I am confused. The only test sample I remember giving is during my stay at the hospital. The date noted in the sample confirms my apprehension. After forwarding the directive to Kevin and Stephen, we connect on a conference call.
Kevin has got things underway. "Don't worry Jon, we will file an appeal. What I can't understand is, why Sharon would do this? She should have checked with the NFL policy before prescribing anything."
When the call ends, I slump back on my bed. What am I going to do? I pick my phone and scroll through the news articles.
My anger rises as I read one news item after another. All leading to the nursing chart. The news upsets me, my mind working overtime. How could Sharon do this? Even if it was a mistake, she is an expert. She is supposed to know this stuff.
All the worst-case scenarios zoom into my head. I am about to lose my career and she is to blame for this whole fucking mess. When the doorbell rings, I am on a boil and my head hurts. I grab my t-shirt and run down. When I open the door, Sharon hugs me. I push her away, glaring at her. This is such a wrong timing for her to be here, and the panic inside my head has shut all rational thought.
"What is the matter, Jon?" Sharon takes my hand, but I push her away.
"You are asking me what is the matter? Did you read the news? Because of you, I am under investigation for using a banned substance. You have ended my career." I try to control my voice but can't. I ball my fists tight and move away from her.
She is confused, "Jon, there must've been a mistake. Where did you read all this?"
I shove my phone to her face. She reads it for a while and then looks up at me. "This is not true, Jon."
"You are trying to tell me you don't trust your nursing chart? I thought you were an expert in your field!" I should stop and shut my mouth, but the rage and fear muddle everything up. My heart is pounding away, warning me about the wreck I am about to create in my relationship with Sharon, but I can't hold my stupid mouth. "I trusted my career in your hands. What do I get? You know what, I have had enough. You were right. We should never see each other again. My lawyers will talk to you."
Tears flow from her eyes. The sight makes me angrier. Hurt at hurting her and making her cry. I cannot take back my words. Why has fate brought her here at this moment? Perhaps, if I had time to control my emotions and get a handle on myself this wreck would not be happening. I need time. Before she says anything more, I slam the door and collapse, not able to face her.
My legs go weak and I slump down on the floor. Her muffled voice comes through the door, pleading me to open the door, but my legs are too wobbly to stand. All I can think at the moment is about the suspension. All I see is her hands colored with my suspension. Another woman has let me down. This time, messing up my career. Something I worked hard to build over the years.