Free Gone Too Far by Angela Winters Page A

difference between life and death, and this was what Leigh lived for.
    â€œTwo hours sounds good,” Leigh said, “but you want to take it slow. Your mom will tell me if you don’t.”
    â€œI will.” Darryl had a light in his youthful eyes that had recently returned after months of having the dimming eyes of an old man.
    Leigh looked around the makeshift medical room, separated from the other rooms by partitions. The closed rooms were reserved for patients with much more personal health issues, such as HIV or pregnancy.
    â€œI don’t see my prescription pad anywhere.” She placed her hand gently on Darryl’s knee. “You get your shirt back on and I’ll go find the pad so I can write you a new prescription. I’ll be back in five minutes.”
    Leigh winked at Aliyah as she walked by her and was satisfied with the appreciative smile. Aliyah was like many girls in her neighborhood who had gotten pregnant too young, but unlike so many of the young girls in her neighborhood, she wasn’t satisfied with the life she was living. She wanted more for herself and for her son and had struggled to get it. She was a great mom in a world that made it real hard to be one. Mothers like her needed this health insurance bill Leigh was fighting for.
    Leigh quickly made her way to the front lobby of the clinic, where she was confronted with a roomful of waiting patients. This always reminded her that she had to open up that third clinic quickly. Both Hope Clinics were always full to the brim, and Leigh and the doctors and nurses on her payroll had only so much time.
    â€œI’ll be ready in a second,” Leigh said to Lauren, the receptionist. “Do you have an extra prescription pad?”
    â€œThey’re locked up,” Lauren said as she reached into the top drawer of her desk for her keys. “You’ve been here since five in the morning, and you’re going to act like you don’t see this?”
    â€œWhat?” Leigh, who had been surveying the patients’ sign-in sheet on the desk, looked up. The second she did, she realized what Lauren was talking about.
    It was an enormous bouquet of flowers that Leigh recognized as very expensive lilies of the valley and Casablancas. Casablanca lilies were her favorite.
    â€œThere is no—” Before Leigh could finish her sentence, Lauren handed her a small, pink-colored, petal-shaped envelope. “Did you read it as well?”
    â€œSince when did you start dating Senator Cody?” Lauren didn’t bother to whisper, which caught the attention of several in the waiting room.
    â€œI’m not dating him,” Leigh responded loudly. “I barely even know him.”
    She opened the envelope and read the message.
    Â 
    You made me think more of the issue than I have since learning of it. You’re an amazing advocate.
    â€”Max
    Â 
    Leigh felt a reluctant smile form at her lips. They were kind words, considering that when she left his office yesterday, she felt he was throwing daggers at her from his piercing eyes. She had met his opposition as best she could, but her time had run out when Kelly interrupted to tell him he had to catch a flight to Sacramento.
    â€œWell?” Lauren said impatiently.
    â€œWell nothing.” Leigh stuffed the card back in the envelope and placed it on the desk. “He’s a politician, Lauren. He’s just schmoozing to try and make up for being a…well, a politician. I’m trying to get his support for the health insurance bill, and he’s giving me the regular Republican line.”
    â€œLine or not,” Lauren said, “you’re due for a little lovin’, and you could do much, much worse than a future president of the United States.”
    â€œPresident?” Leigh asked. “Do you know something I don’t?”
    â€œEveryone knows that he’s being groomed for the White House. He’s too perfect not to be.