Raquel's Abel Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Do you have a question?” I said cheerfully hoping we could get back onto Isadora Duncan.
    “You know it's all in what you eat.” She raised her eyebrow at me letting me know the path I should take.
    “Well, I must have covered Isadora's life very well since there are no questions or comments about her.”I tried to remain composed, then turned around and walked straight back to the employee's area without saying another word.
    If I stayed, they’d continue to give me unsolicited advice. I gathered my things and headed out the back door. I was disappointed that the book signing had gone so badly. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first time it had happened.
    Sitting on the train back to Richmond, I thought about the book signing. At least I hadn’t signed any of their books. They hardly deserved that. Maybe this was a sign, though. I was going to take action. I dug around in my purse for my cell phone and dialed that number. “Yes,” I said. “I’d like to make an appointment with the doctor.”
    “And what will be the nature of your visit?” the receptionist asked.
    “I would like to have the gastric bypass surgery.”

    The next morning, Regina called and said she was coming by. Supposedly, she had good news. It could only be one thing—she had a new boyfriend.
    She walked in wearing an outfit I could only dream of fitting into. The top was sleeveless, black, and glittery. Her slacks stopped just below the knee and her sandals had tiny rhinestones on top of them.
    “Glad you finally decided to stop by.”
    “You’re not going to spill anything on me are you?” She sat down in the overstuffed chair and crossed her legs as if someone were here to see.
    I didn’t respond to her accusation.
    “Well, I met someone,” she announced.
    “That’s nice,” I said, trying to be positive. “Where did you meet him?”
    Her mouth expanded into a tight-lipped smile. “I was having a drink in one of those places in Shockoe Slip and he came over and introduced himself.”
    I forced a smile and nodded.
    “The rest is history.” She ran her hand over her clothes. “He bought me this entire outfit last weekend.”
    “Does he have a name?”
    “Of course. His name is Barry and he’s a lawyer.”
    I tried to keep my eyes open as she talked about her new beau, but I’d heard it all before, except the guy had a different name.
    As she droned on, my thoughts drifted to my next biography. I was pretty sure I’d be writing about Theodore Roosevelt. I’d enjoy writing about a man who was as comfortable rubbing elbows with politicians in Washington as he was helping cowboys in a cattle roundup.
    Finally Regina had had enough of telling me about her new conquest and excused herself.
    I loved my sister, but since she’d never gotten an education, talking with her was as boring as staring at a wall. Would she ever stop going from man to man?

    A few days later, I’d had the appointment with the doctor regarding the gastric bypass surgery. Even he’d pointed out all of the risks involved. People had died from it, although not under his care. He said that if I were serious about it, I’d have to be examined by a gastroenterologist, have a psychiatric exam, and I’d have to have neurological tests. If I passed all of their tests, and I was still interested in having the surgery, he’d perform the operation.
    I contemplated what that meant as I drove to the University of Richmond to conduct an interview. Yes, I was nervous, and yes, I was still excited about having the surgery, but I still wasn’t completely convinced it was the right thing to do.
    As I continued to meet the professor, I forced myself to concentrate on the subject of my next biography. I’d already read quite a bit about our 26 th president. While police commissioner in New York, he was the first to allow Jews and women to serve as police officers. He was also quite a visionary, leading the armed forces to a more global perspective, which may have