Bad Doctor

28

I’m home by two, and for some reason I’m incredibly drowsy. I’d take a nap, but don’t want to be up all night. Nevertheless, within fifteen minutes I find myself unable to fight it any longer. I set my clock for four p.m., and lie down.

When the alarm goes off, it’s five-fifteen a.m.

I’m positive I set it for four in the afternoon. But if my alarm clock is to be trusted, I’ve slept fifteen hours straight! I check my computer for the day and date.

I slept fifteen hours.

But there’s more. When I went to bed my eyes were swollen half shut. Now I can see clearly. And my ribs, while sore, feel ten times better than they did yesterday.

I check myself in the mirror and can’t believe the face staring back at me. Other than some slight bruising, I look perfectly normal.

My first thought is Rose’s birch bark tea. Could it have possibly worked?

No. I only drank one cup.

If I drank any at all.

Rose claimed I needed a cup every four hours, and clearly that didn’t happen.

A quick breakfast, shave, shower, and then I’m at the hospital telling Bruce Luce I refuse to meet Dublin and Austin Devereaux before or after the surgery.

“What sort of name is Dublin, anyway?” I say.

“God, I hate dealing with you,” Bruce says. “Why must we go through this every time? Their child’s life is in your hands. They need reassurance. They want to believe in the surgeon performing the operation. If you had a child you’d understand. Believe me, I wish they didn’t have to meet you. I’d love to help the hospital get an advanced radiation oncology wing.”

“You would?”

“Does it surprise you to hear some of us want this hospital to flourish?”

I stroll into the conference room with Security Joe, nod at Nurse Sally, and introduce myself to Austin and Dublin Devereaux.

Austin gets right to the point. “Dr. Box, I want you to know we treasure our daughter’s life more than anything in the world. I want her to have the best. Whatever she needs, okay?”

“Money’s no object, right?” I say, taking note of Nurse Sally’s clenched fists.

“That’s correct, doctor.”

Dublin Devereaux is different. Her attitude takes me by surprise.

“How long will this take?” she asks.

“Excuse me?”

“Mr. Luce said it could take six to eight hours. I’d like to be here when she comes out of surgery.”

“You’re going somewhere?”

She looks at her husband.

“Well, there’s not much we can do here, is there?”

“There’s not much I can do here either. Where are you going? Bridge club? Lawn party? Wine tasting? Maybe I’ll come with you.”

“ Excuse me?” Austin says.

“What Dr. Box means,” a voice behind me says, “your presence here isn’t necessary.”

I turn to see Rose Stout standing behind me. She looks radiant, full of life, and just as beautiful in scrubs as she was in street clothes yesterday.

Rose says, “It doesn’t matter where you folks are. What’s important is what’s happening in the OR. Dublin, you’re a new mother. You should take this opportunity to get some rest. Take your mind off the surgery. Leave the worrying to us. In four hours your baby will be the picture of health.”

“Glory hallelujah!” Nurse Sally says.

I look at Rose in disbelief. Did she just promise we’d save their child?

“You’re that certain she’ll pull through?” Austin says.

“You have my word,” Rose says. “Take it to the bank.”

Sally waves her hand above her like a celestial benchpress.

“Lord Jesus, come take me now!” she wails.

“Am I missing something?” Austin says. “We’ve been told Lilly’s chances of surviving the operation were less than five percent.”

“Try zero,” I say.

“Oh, pooh!” Rose says.

“Pooh?”

“Dr. Box is the finest surgeon on earth. He’ll save your daughter, and when he does, you’ll donate funding for the new oncology wing, correct?”

“Well…”

Rose puts her hand on his wrist and says, “You’ll donate twenty million dollars to the hospital today.”

“Yes,” he says.

“Austin?” Dublin says.

“I need to call Ben Cooper,” Austin says.

“Who’s that?”

“Our banker, hon.”