Dr. Cusack's Secret Son

by Lucy Clark

  ‘I doubt that. Joe is…’ Rachael shook her head and smiled absently. ‘Joe is…encompassing. He can make you feel alive in a way you’d never thought possible. I don’t know how he does it but he sort of taps into your inner soul and helps you to feel free.’

  ‘Sounds amazing.’

  ‘He is.’

  ‘I think you need to let Declan and Joe work it out for themselves. Just promise me one thing, darling.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘That you’ll try to live in the present. Don’t rehash the past over and over. It’s easy to get caught in the cycle but there’s still an attraction between you and Joe. Remember to look forwards, not backwards.’

  Rachael thought about her mother’s words long into the night. When Joe had almost kissed her she’d felt as exhilarated as she had all those years ago. He’d always made her feel…wonderful, special and cherished, and for a brief moment tonight those feelings had been there again.

  A spark of hope ignited deep inside her and, clinging to it, she finally drifted off to sleep.

  Rachael looked at her list of patients. Five more to go and her second day at Joe’s practice was done. Only eight more days and she was finished. She’d dressed in a pair of black trousers, flat-heeled shoes and a casual red knit top. If Joe didn’t wear a suit to work, she’d decided that she didn’t need to wear one either. Comfortable, professional. That was her wardrobe anyway, but it was nice not to have to worry about a certain level of clothing formality as she’d had to at her previous practice.

  So far today she’d seen three pregnant women and several children, two of whom had required immunisations. She’d called the hospital that morning and had spoken to Ethel who told her Alwyn’s condition was improving.

  ‘His cardiac specialist is quite impressed with his recovery so far, but said he’ll know better tomorrow morning.’

  ‘That’s great news. Do you mind if I call tomorrow for another update?’

  ‘You don’t need to ask, dear. If it wasn’t for you and Dr Silvermark…well, I don’t even want to think about it.’

  ‘We were just doing our job.’

  ‘Well, I’m grateful, deary. You take care of him now. He’s quite a catch and it’s quite clear you have eyes only for each other.’

  It was? ‘I’ll speak to you tomorrow,’ Rachael replied, and rang off. Was it clear? Could complete strangers see the attraction she and Joe felt for each other? She hadn’t seen him all day and part of her felt slightly bereft while the other part knew it was for the best to keep her distance.

  Rachael read through the file on her next patient—a little boy who’d seen Alison a few times about tummy pains. He’d been tried on liquid paraffin to help bowel motions, but the pains were still continuing. Alison had already had a white-cell count done to check for appendicitis, but the tummy pain was generally on the left rather than the right side. Alison had also noted little Anthony Edmunds was a tantrum-thrower and, if he wasn’t watched could end up with a hernia. Rachael stood and went to call him through. ‘Anthony.’

  The little boy looked at her and then buried himself in his mother’s lap. ‘No.’

  Rachael went over. ‘Hello, Anthony. I’m Dr Rachael. How old are you?’ She sat down beside his mother.

  ‘He’s almost four.’

  ‘Wow. You’re so big.’ When she received no response from him, she glanced at his mother. ‘What can I do for you today?’

  ‘Out here?’ His mother looked around. Rachael followed her gaze. There were only two other people in the waiting room, and as they were both above the age of ten and had no children in tow, she deduced they were Joe’s patients. She guessed he was here after all.

  ‘To start with.’

  ‘He keeps saying his tummy’s sore. I brought him to see Alison two weeks ago but things aren’t getting better.’

  ‘OK.’ Rachael turned her attention to her small patient. ‘Anthony, did you see this book?’ Rachael pulled the book off the small table. ‘It’s a story about a funny puppy. Do you like puppies?’

  The little boy looked over his shoulder. ‘No.’

  ‘Oh.’ She appeared disappointed. ‘I guess you won’t like this story, then. I’ll just read it to myself.’ Rachael opened the book and began to read out loud, holding it in such a way that Anthony could just see the pictures. Regardless of the other patients in the room and the fact that Helen was watching her closely, Rachael kept reading and slowly Anthony edged over, listening intently to what she was saying. By the end of the story he was actually leaning his elbow on Rachael’s leg, pointing to the pictures.

  ‘That was fun. Would you like to choose another story?’ Without a word he quickly reached for a book about cars. ‘Ah, so you’re a car man. You’re just like my son.’ Being careful not to let him know he’d come out of his mood, she held out her hand. ‘Come and sit on my knee and we’ll read it together.’

  Anthony clambered up onto her knee and sat enthralled as she read the story. She was pleased when he joined in with the brm-brm sounds she was making. ‘You’re good at that.’ When they’d finished that book, she asked Anthony to choose another one. He did and held it out to her. ‘Let’s go and read this one somewhere else.’ She held out her hand for the little boy to take.

  ‘What a good idea,’ his mother said, and stood.

  Anthony hesitated for a fraction of a second before slipping his hand into hers, holding his other hand out for his mother. It was then Rachael realised she’d really had an audience while she’d been focused on Anthony. Both of Joe’s patients were still sitting in the waiting room and Joe was leaning casually against the reception desk where Helen was beaming brightly at her.

  ‘Good work,’ Joe said softly as they passed him. Rachael felt pride sweep over her at his praise. Why could he still do that to her? It wasn’t fair that he should be able to affect her so easily.

  Rachael continued with the consultation and after sitting Anthony up on the examination bed and reading the next story to him, she was finally able to get him to lie down so she could check his stomach.

  ‘Has he been going to the toilet regularly?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Bowel motions?’

  ‘He’s still having a little trouble.’

  Rachael could feel that for herself. Anthony’s bowels were quite tight.

  ‘How’s his appetite?’

  ‘He hasn’t been eating as much as he usually does.’

  ‘And the liquid paraffin? Has that been helping?’

  ‘Alison only said to give it to him when he hadn’t had bowel motions for three days. He had one yesterday.’

  ‘It can’t have been a big one.’ Anthony was still looking at the pictures in the book she’d just read him. Gently, she probed his tummy once more. ‘Does this hurt, Anthony?’

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘How about here?’ She gradually made her way from the right side to the left.

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘Here?’ She pressed and he winced in pain.

  ‘Ow. That weally hurts.’ His lower lip came out and Rachael immediately smiled at him.

  ‘Thank you for telling me. What a brave boy you are. Would you like to sit up now?’ She helped him up. ‘Did you see those great toys over there?’

  ‘I played with them last time.’

  ‘Do you want to play with them again?’ She helped him down from the examination table as she spoke. Once he was settled, she gestured that his mother should have a seat.

  ‘Has he been crying more or having tantrums?’

  ‘No more than usual,’ his mother answered.

  ‘How many tantrums would you say he has a week?’

  ‘Two.’ His mother shrugged. ‘He’s just like other boys his age.’

  Rachael smiled, noting the defensive tone. ‘You’re right, but in Anthony’s case those upsets are affecting his bowels. What about diet? Does he eat a lot of fibre? Fruit, breads, cereals?’

  ‘He doesn’t like them. I’ve trie
d several different types of cereals but he just doesn’t like them. He’ll eat sandwiches and I buy the white bread which is supposed to be high in fibre.’

  ‘Good. Fruit or vegetables?’

  ‘No. I’ve tried everything to get him to eat them but he just doesn’t like them.’

  ‘What type of foods does he like?’

  ‘Junk food. He’ll eat chips—as in French fries—and, as I’ve said, sandwiches.’

  ‘Biscuits? You can buy biscuits with wheat in them.’

  ‘Tried that. He doesn’t like them.’

  ‘Prunes? Dried fruits?’

  ‘No.’

  Rachael wrote some notes. ‘What about a fever? Has he been overly hot or had a temperature? Chills?’

  ‘He was very hot last night, that’s why I had to bring him back in today.’

  ‘Did you take his temperature?’

  ‘He wouldn’t hold the thermometer under his tongue.’

  ‘OK.’ Rachael reached for her timpani thermometer and walked over to Anthony. ‘I’m just going to put this into your ear.’

  ‘Does it tickle?’ he wanted to know, and by the time he’d asked the question, the thermometer had beeped, giving Rachael the readout. ‘Hey, dat didn’t hurt.’

  ‘No, it didn’t. That’s because you’re a big, brave boy.’ She returned to her desk. ‘It’s just a bit above normal. Did you give him anything to bring the temperature down?’

  ‘Just paracetamol.’

  ‘Good. I’ve read in Anthony’s notes that Alison has done some tests. I’d like to do a few more.’

  ‘Such as?’

  Rachael smiled apologetically. ‘Nothing he’s going to like, I’m afraid. I noticed Alison did a stool sample about a month and a half ago. I’d like another one done, as well as a urine test.’

  ‘What do you think it might be?’

  ‘Alison’s ruled out appendicitis but because Anthony’s still having trouble it’s definitely something to do with his bowels. That could be diverticulosis, diverticulitis or he could be on his way to a hernia. The tantrums he’s having may be causing the bowel to twist, but then again he could be having the tantrums because that’s the only way he knows to effectively communicate that he’s in a lot of pain. The other test I’d like him to have is a barium enema.’

  ‘That doesn’t sound good.’

  ‘It’s not. It’s where they put a liquid paste into the rectum and lower colon so when they X-ray the stomach, the information is more accurate.’

  ‘Won’t it hurt him?’

  ‘He’ll be given a sedative as they also need him to be still while the X-ray is being performed.’

  Rachael watched the look of astonishment on the mother’s face. ‘I can call Dr Silvermark in if you’d like a second opinion.’

  ‘Yes, please.’

  ‘Good.’ Rachael checked which number she was supposed to call to get Joe’s consulting room, and in another moment he picked up the phone. ‘Joe, have you got a minute? I need a second opinion.’

  ‘On the little boy?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Give me two minutes.’

  Rachael hung up the phone. ‘He’ll be here in a moment.’

  ‘You’re not angry?’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘About me questioning you…wanting another opinion.’

  ‘No. Not only would that be highly unprofessional of me, it’s also quite natural. I’m new here and I’m not giving you news you’re comfortable with, so naturally you’d want my opinion confirmed.’ Rachael smiled. ‘Besides, if it were my son, I’d be wanting a second opinion. Bowels are a sensitive area and so many things can go wrong, but if caught early we can do something about it. By you bringing Anthony in now, I’m pretty sure he’s going to be fine.’

  Joe knocked on her door and came in. Anthony was just as hesitant to have another person touching his stomach, and after Joe was finished he began to cry. ‘It feels as though there’s a little bump on the left and it’s very tender,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure what tests Alison has already done but I’d want a blood test, stool and urine samples and X-ray.’ Joe added, ‘How does that compare with your diagnosis, Dr Cusack?’

  ‘You’re spot on,’ Anthony’s mother said as she cradled her son. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘OK.’ Joe smiled. ‘I’ll leave you in Dr Cusack’s capable hands, then.’ He excused himself and left the room.

  ‘That man has a potent smile,’ she muttered to Rachael. ‘I’ve never really had much to do with him before but my husband’s seen him and is quite confident about him.’

  ‘Are you happy for me to go ahead and organise the tests?’

  ‘Yes.’ Anthony had started to settle down again and Rachael printed off the necessary pathology and X-ray request forms, explaining the procedure to his mother.

  ‘Come and see me next week when we should have all the test results back and we can go from there.’

  ‘In the meantime?’

  ‘You need to get more fibre into him.’ She pulled open a cupboard that contained pamphlets on a multitude of topics and handed over the one on dietary fibre. ‘This contains a list of foods high in fibre and also ways to prepare them so children will eat them. Also, put him back on the liquid paraffin.’ Rachael wrote down the dosages Anthony’s mother was to follow for the next week. ‘If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Anthony didn’t want to leave but was pacified by Rachael promising to read him a story the next time he came and the lolly she gave him for being such a good boy.

  Once they were gone, Rachael went to the kitchen for a much-needed cup of coffee.

  ‘You were brilliant with him,’ Joe said as he walked in. Rachael stirred her coffee and took a quick sip, hoping it would give her strength. She certainly needed all she could get when she was around Joe. Today he was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a black T-shirt with a chambray shirt hanging open like a jacket. Why did he have to look so good? She pushed her frustrated libido away, deciding her best course of action was to hightail it out of there.

  ‘Thanks.’ She washed the spoon and picked up her coffee. ‘I’d better get back to it.’

  ‘Hey, listen, Rach.’ He put out a hand to stop her and she quickly moved away, almost spilling her coffee. ‘Uh…is Declan coming here after school again today?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘When’s that?’

  She checked her watch. ‘In about fifteen minutes. Why?’

  ‘Well…I…er…thought I might take him with me to the studio this afternoon.’

  ‘Weren’t you there this morning?’

  ‘Yes, but they have an afternoon shoot—call-back.’

  ‘Call-back?’

  ‘A stunt they did the other day didn’t go as planned, so they’re taking another crack at it.’

  ‘What sort of movie is it?’

  ‘Action sci-fi.’

  ‘Hmm.’ She sipped her drink. ‘And you want to take Declan.’

  ‘Yes. I just wanted to clear it with you first. I could show him around, he could see a different side to medicine rather than just clinics and hospitals.’

  Rachael knew his words were just a cover. It was Joe’s way of saying he wanted to spend time with his son. Why he didn’t come right out and say it she wasn’t sure, but things weren’t always straightforward where Joe was concerned.

  ‘OK, but not for too long.’

  ‘Sure. Tell me what time you want him back at the hotel and I’ll drop him off.’

  ‘Actually, I’ll come to you and pick him up.’

  ‘Right. Good. I’ll clear it with the security guard for you.’

  ‘I’d appreciate it. I’ll come once I’ve finished here.’

  ‘That doesn’t give us long.’

  ‘How long do you want, Joe?’ she asked pointedly.

  ‘I can’t answer that just yet.’ He held up his hand when she opened her mouth. ‘Don’t pressure me, Rach. You’ll ge
t your answer, but at least let me spend a bit of one-on-one time with him.’

  ‘How about dinner, then? The three of us?’

  He hesitated and Rachael bit her lip. Had she pushed him too far…again? ‘If you have other plans, we understand. We’re hardly here to cramp your romantic style.’

  ‘What?’ He frowned. ‘Romantic style?’ A slow smile spread across his mouth as he realised she was not so subtly fishing. ‘I’m not dating anyone, if that’s what you’re trying to get at.’

  ‘Well, I should hope not, especially after you almost kissed me last night.’

  ‘Hmm.’ The smile deepened and he took a step towards her. She stood her ground but held her coffee cup between them. ‘Now that I know you’re not married, do you want to pick up where we left off?’

  ‘Do you mean from last night or from fifteen years ago, Joe? Because my life has changed considerably in fifteen years and I’m no longer so naïve that I’ll fall for the smooth lines you dish out.’

  The uncomfortable twitch of his left eye was the only outward sign that she’d riled him. ‘Touché.’ He stepped back. ‘In that case, I’ll leave you to your work and I’ll see you later.’

  Rachael sat at her desk a little later and shook her head. She was going to have to figure out how to deal with the way Joe made her feel. If he decided he wanted to be a part of Declan’s life, she would be seeing quite a bit of him from now on. How would she cope if some other woman did come into his life—a new stepmother for Declan?

  ‘Whoa!’ She cut her thoughts off like a stylus sliding along a vinyl record. She stood up and paced her office. ‘Don’t go there. Declan will be fine. He’s a smart boy, well adjusted. Joe’s only taking him to a studio where everything is perfectly safe and he’ll be fine. You’ll pick him up, the three of you will have dinner and then Joe will tell you his decision. It’s OK. Everything is OK.’

  She did some deep breathing and almost jumped out of her skin when there was a knock at the door. She called for whoever it was to come in.

  ‘Hi, Mum.’ Declan peered around the door.

  ‘It’s OK. I don’t have a patient here.’ He came further into the room and kissed her. ‘You’re earlier today.’