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much to know what was wrong.”
    “Okay.  So, does she know anything about me?”
    “As a matter of fact she does.”  Smart ass.  She had a huge grin on her face.
    My jaw dropped and I just stared at my big sister.
    “Derek, I like her.  You were an ass.  She was ready to drop you and I can’t fit you into my schedule right now.  I had to tell her why you acted the way you did. YOU gave me no choice.  If you would pull this mess together…” she was waving her hand up and down my body.  “I wouldn’t have to rat you out to people.”
    “Gee, thanks Sis.”
    “Is it true?  Am I right?”
    I took a deep breath.  “Yeah.”
    “She could use a friend and so could you.  Maybe spend a little time hanging out.  I think you’d enjoy each other’s company.”
    “I don’t want or need you to set me up.”
    Melissa slapped my arm and said, “Moron.  I didn’t say I was setting you up!  Just be a friend, not an asshole.  Can you handle that?”
    “Yes, and don’t hit me.  I’m a grown-ass man.  Bully.”
    “I’m your big sister.  It’s my job.  There is no age limit on torturing you.  It’s best you remember that.”
    “Whatever.”  I let out a chuckle.  My petite brown haired, blue-eyed sister barely weighed anything and she was constantly threatening me.  And, yes…I was afraid of her. 
    “She’s taking on a lot these next several weeks.  So, make sure you check with her if you want on the schedule every day.”
    “Yeah, okay.”
    “Now, go.  At least pretend to be waiting in the actual ‘waiting room’ when Claire gets here.”  I laughed. 
    I felt like we, Claire and I, had found a bit of ‘common ground’ and I liked her.  I guess it remained to be seen if she felt the same way. 
     

Chapter 7
    Claire
    My trip in to work the next day was uneventful, thankfully.  I hadn’t slept well again, but I did make it up in time, probably because I was wide awake when my alarm went off.  Sadly, I’d wanted to hear from Jake or my kids, but I heard nothing.  I tried to let it all go.  I tried not to be concerned.  I knew my kids were okay, but I wasn’t.  I hated being alone.  Always had.  And now, I’d moved us to a new city with no friends and no family.  Starting over just plain sucked.  I was considering Andy’s offer to leave for a few days.
    Sitting in my car, I mustered up the enthusiasm to go inside and treat my new patients.  I was curious to see how Derek would behave.  The other new patients didn’t really interest me, but the distraction of Melissa’s brother was very welcome. 
    “Morning.”  I greeted Allison as I walked through the back door to the clinic.  She was in the kitchen just off the hallway.
    “You look good.  Have a nice evening?”
    “Just the usual.”  A big fat nothing to do.
    “Well, you’ve got a pretty booked day today.  Hope this martyr schedule of yours won’t put you into an early grave.”  Nice.
    She waved the piece of paper she had in her hand.  I snatched my schedule and stuck my tongue out as I stomped off to my office.  I found myself looking to see when Derek was coming in.  He was the only patient I’d made a semi-connection with other than Andy.  He was due in at nine o’clock, which meant he was my first client of the day.  My other clients were just in different stages of life.  Most weren’t very social.  Several were in their late fifties or early sixties.  Socializing was overrated in their eyes.  I was feeling anxious and couldn’t decide if I was happy to see Derek or worried about what sort of attitude he would bring with him.  Oh, who was I kidding? I wanted to see him.  There was something I liked about being around him.  Maybe it was because I knew he was a little broken like me.  Maybe it stirred something inside me that showed I was still alive and attracted to the opposite sex.  Allison had said it a million times in the last four months.  ‘Not dead, just