A Special Interview With Dr. Leal

By Susan J.

As I ride in a cab to my destination, I can't help but wonder what kind of man I am going to meet. I've heard very little about him personally, but my editor had been keeping track of him for years. I arrived at the hotel that he was staying. I walked over to the clerk at the desk.

"May I help you?" she asked.

"Yes. What room is Dr. Francisco Leal in?" I asked.

She punched a few buttons on the computer and it gave her the information.

"He is in room 818," she said.

"Thank you."

I walked over to the elevator and rode it to the 8th floor. I found the room and I knocked on the door. A woman answered the door.

"Can I help you?" she said.

"Yes. I'm here to see Dr. Francisco Leal,"

"Did you have an appointment?"

"Yes. My name is Susan Aguilar. I'm a reporter, my editor made the appointment over a month ago when he found out that Dr. Leal was going to be in town,"

"Come in and Dr. Leal will be right with you,"

"Thank you,"

I went inside. I walked over to the window and looked down at the city below.

"Nice view isn't it?"

I turned around to see a very handsome man standing in the room.

"Yes it is. You should see it at night," I said.

"I'd love to. I'm Francisco Leal."

He walked towards me holding out his hand. I shook it.

"I'm Susan Aguilar. It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Leal."

"The pleasure is all mine."

As he held my hand he kissed it.

"This is my assistant JoAnn."

"Yes, we already met." I smiled at JoAnn.

"Is there anything I can get for you? Something to drink perhaps?" he said.

"No, thank you. I just stopped by to introduce myself and to do the interview, but on second thought I will wait until after tomorrow afternoon's lecture to do the interview, if that's all right with you?"

"That's fine. This way you can understand more about my country's problems. JoAnn, make sure there is a pass for Ms. Aguilar at the door and a front row seat."

"But Dr. Leal, the lecture is sold out," JoAnn said.

"Make room for one more. Is there a problem?"

"No, there is no problem."

"Good, then I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow at 1:00 PM."

"I'll be there," I said.

He walked me to the door and then he took my hand.

"It was very nice meeting you, Dr. Leal."

"It was very nice meeting, you Ms. Aguilar."

He kissed my hand and I left. I went back to the office and was approached by John, the editor.

"Well, how did it go?" he asked.

"I'd say it went well."

"What was Dr. Leal like?"

"Very charming."

"You couldn't have done the interview that quickly?"

"We are going to do the interview tomorrow after the his lecture."

"I hear it's going to be a great lecture."

"I think it will be. This way I can understand more about his country and his work."

"I am really looking forward to this story."

"I hope I do a good job on it."

John put his arm around my shoulder.

"You will. You're the kind of person who writes from the heart and that makes you a hell of a writer."

"Thanks John."

"Would you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

He handed me a book.

"Can you have him sign his book for me? Tell him I was totally fascinated by it,"

"Sure, John."

"Thanks. See you tomorrow."

"'Bye."

The next day I arrived at the conference room of the hotel for the lecture. JoAnn approached me.

"Hello Ms. Aguilar."

"Hello, how are you today JoAnn?"

"Just fine, thank you. Are you looking forward to the lecture?"

"Yes, very much."

"Let me show you to your seat."

"Thank you."

She walked me over to the aisle seat located in the first row.

"Everything is due to start in five minutes."

"Great."

JoAnn left. I took out my tape recorder and got it ready. JoAnn stood at the microphone.

"Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for coming. If everything is ready then we shall begin. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Dr. Francisco Leal," said JoAnn.

The audience applauded as Francisco walked onto the stage. His lecture was about the suffering of his country, the work that he was doing, and the different ways that the people could help if they chose to. The lecture ended about two hours later with a standing ovation for Francisco. He shook hands with a lot of the people as he made his way over to me. He grabbed my arm gently.

"Let's get out of here," he said.

We headed for the door. We made it through the lobby and out the door. We got into a cab and left.

"Your lecture was wonderful," I said.

"Thank you."

Will you please sign a copy of your book for my editor?"

"Of course."

"Thank you."

I handed him John's book and he signed it and handed it back to me.

"Where are we going?"

"I really don't know."

We looked into each other's eyes. He leaned over and kissed me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take such liberty," he said.

"It's okay. If you wouldn't have made the first move I think I would have."

He kissed me again. During the next few days I did an in-depth interview with Francisco Leal. Francisco and I kept seeing each other. I handed in my assignment to my editor. After he read it he called me into his office.

"Yes, John?"

"The interview is wonderful!"

"You really think so?"

"Yes! You did a great job. It will be the main story in the next issue."

"Wow, I never thought I'd be the main story. Oh here is your book, all signed." I handed him his book.

"Thanks. Take the rest of the day off and celebrate."

"You don't have to tell me twice."

I left and went home. I arrived at my apartment a while later to discover a dozen red roses on my doorstep. I picked them up and noticed a small card. I read it.

"Look to your left," it said.

I looked to my left to see Francisco peering around the corner. I started laughing.

"What are you doing here?" I said.

"I came to see you," he said.

He walked over to me.

"Do you like the flowers?"

"I love them, thank you. Please come inside."

We went inside the apartment.

"Please make yourself at home while I put them in some water," I said.

"Thank you."

I put the roses in a vase and then put the vase on the coffee table. Francisco walked up behind me. I touched the petals of one of the flowers. While I did this, Francisco leaned over and kissed my neck. I closed my eyes. He put his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him, he gently bit my earlobe. His hand caressed my breast over my blouse. I turned around and stared into his brown eyes. He kissed me with such passion I never wanted it to end. I started giggling.

"What's so funny?"

"This is the best house call I've ever gotten from a doctor."

"Oh, well wait until you find out what I'm about to prescribe."

"Well how do you know what my problem is?"

"Mmmm, you're right. It's time for the examination."

We walked into the bedroom where we examined each other completely. We cuddled in bed for a while.

"Can I ask you something Francisco?"

"Anything."

"Your assistant JoAnn. Are you and she ?"

"Are we what?"

"Involved with each other?"

"No. Why?"

"I just had this feeling that you were."

"No, she is a wonderful lady, but she is just my assistant. Were you jealous?"

I sat up a little.

"No, but I think she might be."

He pushed me back onto the bed.

"You're not even a little bit jealous?"

"No not even a little bit."

"Not even a tiny bit?"

He kissed my neck and I started to relax again.

"Not even a tiny bit," I said.

"Not even a speck?"

His kisses kept going lower down my body.

"All right maybe just a speck."

"I thought so."

He made love to me for the rest of the day. The day arrived when he had to leave; I went with him and JoAnn to the airport. JoAnn and I shook hands.

"It was nice meeting you JoAnn."

"It was nice meeting you too Susan. The article that you did on Dr. Leal was wonderful."

"Thank you."

"I will meet you on the plane, Dr. Leal."

"All right JoAnn."

JoAnn boarded the plane, leaving Francisco and I alone.

"It was an honor meeting you Dr. Leal."

"It was an honor meeting you Senorita Aguilar."

"I will send you a copy of the magazine as soon as it's printed."

"I look forward to it."

We looked into each other's eyes.

"You'd better get going before your plane leaves you behind."

"I guess you're right."

He hugged me tightly. I didn't want to let him go, but I know I had to. They announced the final boarding for the flight. We looked at each other again and kissed.

"Go on," I said.

"Take care, amor."

I will. Have a safe flight."

"Thank you. Come visit me one day."

"I will."

He kissed me once more and left. I couldn't help but think of him as the months passed. I thought to myself and smiled at the secret that I held inside, as I patted my tummy and said, "one day soon you will meet the most wonderful man I have ever known. A man who helps others who are less fortunate, a man who you will be proud to call your father."

The baby kicked hard. I looked at a picture that Francisco and I took one day while at the park.

"Ouch! You are already proving yourself to be as strong as he is. One day Francisco, we will meet again, I promise."