by Barbara Ebel
“Don’t forget, you can always shadow me and my partner in the ambulance sometime.”
“Oh, thanks, Casey. That’s cool.”
“I know David had his surgery today. Have you heard anything?”
“I was there with his parents. Dad said it went fine. I didn’t know he invented something for David to use.”
“Yes. He’s been missing in action at the house for some time, working off-hours in the lab. He really wants this thing to succeed and I hope it does.”
“I guess I underestimated him. I feel bad I gave him such a hard time about it.”
“You should tell him that,” Casey said.
“Mmm …,” she said, not sure. “Anyway, is Dad there? He said to call for some news.”
“He’s still tied up at the hospital. Your mom is here but I’m sure I can tell you the news if it’s okay with her.”
Sara smiled across the counter and waved her hands at Casey to go ahead.
“It’s about our pregnancy. Mary is carrying twins.”
“Uncle Casey, that is so cool! Congratulations.”
“Thanks and Mary says thanks, too.”
“Okay, I better go. I’m going over to the main library to study an hour or two. I didn’t get any done yet today.” She eyed her desk and began sorting the textbooks she wanted to take.
“And Annabel?” Casey said. “Listen, don’t worry about David. He’s in good hands. And I hope you don’t mind me sticking in my two cents but, in the future, you’ll meet many more nice men. David will always be special but you both may go your separate ways. Things will work out the way they’re supposed to. I believe that because you’re both good and sensible young adults. Again, I hope you don’t mind me giving you that advice.”
She stuck a notebook in a drawer and looked out the window at a green field lined with trees.
“No, and thanks. Whenever you’ve told us girls anything, it’s always because you’ve had our best interest in mind. Love you and say hi to Mom.”
-----
After transferring David from the ICU into a room and making regular rounds on him, Danny was ready to discharge him towards the end of the week.
He walked down the fifth floor orthopedic corridor, passing two elderly patients hobbling along like broken insects with a walker and a cane. After nodding hello to them and their physical therapists, he continued to the neurosurgical area and to the last corner room.
On entering, Danny smiled. It was the sunniest place he’d walked into all morning. With two sets of blinds pulled up as high as they could go, baskets and vases of flower arrangements along the windowsill looked even more colorful. He inhaled their sweet aroma which made him realize how awful hospital corridors can sometimes smell.
David stood tall near the streaming light, holding a basketball between both hands and rolling it around. Upon seeing Danny, he abruptly stopped and dropped his jaw with a look of guilt. He let the ball rest in one hand.
“Hi, doc,” David said. “You know I’m not playing and I won’t play. Mom left this with me yesterday because I just wanted to handle it. It feels so good to be out of bed and moving around a bit. I’m not getting into any trouble.”
Danny laughed. “I think the fear of another head injury will haunt you so I’m not worried that you’re going to go against my orders. Let me see that.” He put his hands out and David handed him the ball.
Danny rolled the basketball around and slightly tossed it up and down several times. “I see what you mean. It’s therapeutic.” He motioned to the recliner for David to sit and rolled the ball onto the bedspread. “Let me take a look at your dressing and scalp.”
David sat down and rested his arms while Danny examined his head. “This is all looking fine,” he said, “and Dr. Banks is as happy with your recovery as I am. I hinted at a discharge by the end of the week and I’m going to fulfill that promise. Why not call your mom or dad to come pick you up? I’ll go write your orders.”
“Really?” David asked, the dimple in his chin deepening as he glowed with happiness.
“Yes. I am serious. We’ll keep you on the anti-seizure medicine prescribed by Dr. Banks. Your parents have been instructed on first-aid if you have a seizure at home, and I will see you often in the office while the external unit gathers the results we need.”
Danny patted his shoulder. “Enjoy the break from the hospital because, as you know, we’ll be doing surgery again once we pinpoint the area responsible for your epilepsy. This system, if successful, will be more precise and won’t focus on large zones but zero in on as small a number of cells as possible.”
David kept smiling. “I know, I know. I think I’ve memorized everything you’ve told me and I’ve learned what comes out of your mouth is important. Does Annabel know you’re sending me home?”
“I haven’t told her. It’s your decision who to tell.” Danny picked up the ball from the bed and handed it back to him. “See you in my office on Monday.”
Chapter 23
Rachel bundled up the used surgical drapes and smashed them into the big plastic garbage can while Dr. Mcbride fiddled with a new piece of equipment in the next room.
Robert looked up from his crossword puzzle. “Does etiquette have one ‘t’ or two?” he asked.
“I think it’s two,” she said, glancing into the other room. The attending doctor of the GU service – basically Kevin’s boss - had walked in. She lingered by the doorway while the older man talked with Kevin.
“I know it’s Friday, but the hospital is going all out tonight for the new cancer center and the unveiling of its sculpture which is in the front lobby. The press will be there, the public is invited, and there is going to be lots of food. Spread the word among the residents. It would be nice to have the support of as many physicians as possible.”
“Okay,” Kevin said. “I think I can squeeze that in before I go home.”
They went on to discuss the next patient’s history and then the other man left. Kevin was so close to being an attending doctor himself, he could function almost independently.
Rachel grinned. This just might be the opportunity she hoped for. She’d been trying her hardest to cross paths with Kevin outside the OR and it had been damn near impossible. What she’d have to do now is go home after work and change clothes. Plus, she’d have to do some research online to dig up recent newspaper articles or hospital updates on the sculpture and its artist.
She stepped further back into the room as Robert was erasing one of his entries. “I can’t spell today,” he said.
“Robert, are you going to this big hospital event this evening for the cancer center?”
“I may. I haven’t decided yet but I’ll check with my wife if she wants to go. Why? Are you?”
“I’d like to. Just checking because it would be nice if I knew someone there.”
“Okay then, I’ll go. We won’t regret it because the hospital always knows how to throw a good party. Besides, this is my last day and you’re on your own come Monday so we’ll have a toast to celebrate.”
-----
Rachel went straight home and as she walked Snoopy along the manicured grass lining her street, she formulated a plan. Back in the apartment, she unhooked the little dog from her leash, grabbed a large glass of water, and sat at her computer.
She still hadn’t looked up something that had been on her mind so she Googled ‘physician salaries.’ Landing on a U.S. News and World Report money rankings, she found a graph which displayed an overview and a prediction for future M.D. salaries; they were still magnificent and they were still climbing. Of course, she thought, most physicians starting out on their own were straddled with mounds of debt but that would not be the case for Kevin Mcbride. Next, she refined her search for urologists’ incomes. She could hardly contain the pitter-patter of her heart when she read Medscape’s report that they were among the highest-paid specialists in medicine.
Sitting back and taking a sip of water, she gave the situation mu
ch deeper thought. So far, Dr. Mcbride seemed like a fine person. Most doctors who reached his level of training had those do-gooder attributes like being compassionate, sensitive and thoughtful and he was obviously ambitious and devoted. He also seemed to be easygoing.
Rachel set down her glass and licked her lips. Maybe she should consider going much farther this time than ever before. She wasn’t getting any younger and perhaps it was time to totally secure her future. And the beauty of a catch like him was that, if ever the need arose, divorce courts would favor her. Letting out a big sigh, she noticed Snoopy’s big brown eyes fixated on her.
“I bet you’d like a sprawling, opulent back yard to run in, wouldn’t you?”
Clicking her cursor back on Google’s homepage, she searched for any information on the opening of the hospital’s new cancer wing. Narrowing down the alternatives, she came to two articles which rounded out the information she needed: It was a modern addition with state-of-the-art equipment for personalized, genotype-directed cancers and the bulk of the money for the project had come from huge donor philanthropists.
Although there were no pictures of the sculpture to be unveiled, its description and theme were available. As reported, part of its magnificence rested on the fact that it was sculpted from a humongous blue spruce that had been removed from the hospital’s grounds before construction. The complex wood carving was 25-feet tall and embodied the unity of world spirit and science.
Not much was posted personally about the full-time wood sculptor except that Michael Downs had done many major public commissions and that he was middle-aged Tennessee native. She liked what she read; his description and meaning of the work he called ‘Love and Hope’ would provide her with conversational fodder. Rachel stood up and paced the wood floor, practically memorizing some of what she’d read. Snoopy followed at her heels, thinking it was a game.
The only thing left to do was to choose an outfit to make herself stun as much – or more - than the wood sculpture about to be unveiled.
-----
Several days had passed since David’s discharge from the hospital. Annabel’s Friday classes ended mid-afternoon so she broke away from campus with a stack of books and drove over to his parents’ house.
Their dark brown, older home stood tall on a narrow street with several picket fences. It had three stories; the top floor was a cozy, finished-off loft with a steep pitched roof that had been - and still was - David’s room.
Annabel got out of her car carrying books and rang the front door bell. A cat slinked off a porch chair as Mrs. Bell opened the door and smiled when he saw her; leaning forward, she gave her a little hug.
“Annabel! What … what a surprise,” she stuttered. “David will be thrilled to see you.”
“I called him last night and told him I may be over. I meant to get by a few days ago but finals are coming up soon and the semester is starting to wind down.”
“Honey, I understand. Schoolwork comes first.” She pointed to the staircase. “You know where to find him. He’s in the loft.”
Annabel smiled and padded up the two flights of stairs; then knocked on the original unpainted wooden door. When it opened, David pulled out his ear buds and grabbed some of her books. Putting them down on the bed, they hugged … long and hard.
“Oh, wow,” he said. “You don’t know how good that felt. I feel like some non-human entity being experimented on and devoid of physical contact.”
“I’m sorry about that. You shouldn’t feel that way, especially since your situation won’t last forever.”
She looked around the room with its old floorboards and faded area rugs. Two antique chests dotted the room like they’d been lifted off a pirate ship; and a nice desk and chair fit perfectly in the cubbyhole underneath the window. The computer sat on top as well as several unopened books. Annabel sat down on the edge of the brass bed.
David walked around to the other side and stretched out, his head propped up by two pillow shams; Annabel moved the books around her and sat cross-legged toward him, draping her hands over her knees.
“You told me you had a small seizure three days ago,” she said. “Have you had any more?”
He nodded affirmatively. “Last night before going to bed. Even though it didn’t last long, they are always scary.”
“I bet.” She looked at the wireless receiver unit on his nightstand and touched the little antennae. “Does my dad think it’s gathering information like it should?”
“I see him next week. But whether this system your dad developed works or not, I’ll be forever grateful for the way he’s looking after me. Across the whole country, I probably wouldn’t have received care from any neurosurgeon better than him.”
She gazed into the sincere look in his eyes as he rolled to the side and propped his head on his hand.
“You do know that, don’t you?” he asked softly.
“I suppose you’re right. Yes, he’s trying his best. I do know he is very smart but, over and above that, when he makes an extra effort and thinks outside the box extra special things happen.”
“He’s like a neurosurgeon Einstein.”
“Ha. He’d love it if he heard you say that,” she said pulling a book towards her. “So, can we listen to some of that music you were plugged into after you help me study a bit?”
“Me help you study? I doubt it.”
“Yes, you can ask me a few things which won’t be like you’re studying yourself and yet it’ll refresh some of the biology you learned this last year. That shouldn’t go against your doctor’s orders.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan. And then we’ll listen to some new CDs I bought because of the boring present circumstances.”
When Annabel left several hours later, drove to campus, and walked to her dorm, she reflected on the time she’d spent with David. They were well-bonded and tighter than ever … but it seemed to be getting different.
-----
The hospital’s lobby was already jammed with people when Rachel arrived a few minutes late. She wanted to assure that Robert would be there as she didn’t want Kevin to see her socially conspicuous by herself. She also realized her good fortune that the hospital she worked for was not the same as Danny’s; she had never bumped into him in a work-related situation since the time she had first met him.
Off to the right near the floor-to-ceiling window, she spotted Robert with a woman. “Hello,” she said, taking his hand for a light handshake. “I believe this is the first time I’m seeing you without a crossword puzzle.”
He did a quick-once over of her, his eyes widening. She had settled on a sleeveless black dress which was open from the bust line up to the neck; with one-inch open heels, a small bag, and shimmering silver jewelry, she was classy material well-suited for the stately event.
“No puzzle in hand,” he said, “although I do have the appropriate app on my iPhone.” He motioned to his side. “This is my wife, Pat.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rachel said.
Pat smiled. “I hear you’re taking Robert’s position,” she said coldly. “He’s happy to move on.”
“Yes, I’m glad it worked out,” Rachel replied.
“Let me go get you a glass of wine,” Robert said and stepped away.
Rachel stood next to Pat and began looking around the room, narrowing her eyes to find Kevin. More people were crowded on the other side where a gray cloth entirely draped the 25-foot sculpture. Women and men in uniforms with trays and hors d'oeuvres jostled between the people and Rachel took a bite-sized stuffed mushroom, making sure not to mess up her lipstick. As Robert handed her a white wine, she spotted Kevin.
He stood with another man about his own age. Better dressed than his colleague, he wore a blue sports coat; his patterned shirt was open at the top and he wore no tie. Now all she had to do was to move the couple along.
“Robert, look! It’s Kevin. Let’s go over and say hello.” She took a step forward and, when they followed her, she inched her way
through the crowd.
She stopped right behind the two senior residents finishing their fellowships, then tapped Kevin on his arm. He turned and, after taking a second to recognize her, he broke into a smile. “It always amazes me how much better health care workers look when they’re not dressed in scrubs,” he said.
“All health care workers?” she asked, her eyes aglow.
Although the space between them was limited, his eyes roamed over her dress and back to her face. “No. You have a point. And, in your case, you already looked nice and now you look … exquisite.”
She took a baby bow. “Thank you so much.”
Kevin extended his arm past Rachel, shook Robert’s hand, and was introduced to Pat. “And this is another surgical fellow, Burt,” he said.
“Nice to meet you,” Rachel said.
The hospital CEO standing to the side of the sculpture’s platform began addressing the crowd as Rachel sipped her wine. As he droned on about the stellar donations they had received for both the new wing and the commissioned sculpture, the two senior fellows separated the space between them and she now stood with one of them to the left and right of her.
When the CEO finished his speech and photographers poised their cameras, he and a volunteer board member began pulling off the huge drape. When it lay on the pedestal, those without drinks or food in their hands applauded while others exclaimed their approval.
The slim, tall carved wood stood with artistic beauty and was a recreation of the family unit; a mother, father, child and a dog stood twice their height. Each was its own separate piece and they were enveloped in a double helix strand with carved globes of the earth interspersed along the way.
Kevin turned to Rachel, his eyes wide and he smiled.
“A marriage between our planet and the family unit!” she exclaimed. “It’s magnificent.”
“It is, isn’t it?” he said.
“Can you believe the size of the blue spruce from the hospital grounds that was used for this?” she asked. “It’s as if it that tree was meant to be this sculpture.”