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“What? No. I barely know her.”
“Whatever, Dad. I’m practically majoring in relationship 101.”
“I thought I was paying for an interior design degree?” I chuckle. “Besides, I didn’t think you were seeing anyone.”
Lauren squirms uncomfortably in her seat before changing the topic to her supposed majors. “Well, some of us are multitalented.” She laughs. “I can read people. And there’s no doubt you like her.”
“Have you asked her out?” Lilly interjects.
“No. I just got done telling you we work together. That wouldn’t make any sense.” I am not discussing my love life with my daughters.Or lack of it.
“Why not? You’re both adults. It’s not like you’re two teenagers. If it didn’t work out, you wouldn’t fight in the hallways like coeds at a rager. If you don’t jump on this, you’re going to end up all alone. Do you want to die alone?” Lauren asks with complete sincerity.
Lilly is nodding beside her. And they never agree on anything.
“You’re being a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
“Oh.” The two of them wince simultaneously.
I practically give myself whiplash, turning to see the gentleman kissing her on the cheek, Poppy’s arms wrapped tightly around him. My jaw might snap in two due to the tension that’s settled there. I can’t pull my eyes away. What the heck is it with this woman?
“I still don’t think she’s into him. You should ask her out,” Lauren encourages.
“Not only do we work together, but, from all appearances, she’s most likely got a boyfriend. The last thing I need is complicated.” Why are we still talking about this?
Lauren shakes her head in disgust. But it’s her sister who surprises me.
“Anything can be considered complicated if you just want an excuse to give up. And there’s one thing I’m sure you’re not. And that’s a quitter.”
CHAPTEREIGHT
BROADIE
“Hey, Broadie. You looking for Mr. Flynn?”
“The office said he was down here.”
“Yeah. He rolled in by ambulance around five this morning. He was complaining of leg pain. He’s got a clot extending nearly the entire length of the leg,” Dr. Grant explains. “I know we discharge many of these patients home on blood thinners, but he was already supposed to be taking those. I thought I better give you a call.”
I’ve worked with Donovan Grant for years, and thankfully, he has sound clinical judgment. I worry some of the many new hires to the emergency room would have stressed taking his medication and sent him home. “I was worried this could happen. His circulation has been bad for years, but he’s so noncompliant with anything we try to do for him. He rarely wears compression stockings, will only walk if he’s going to the refrigerator or the bathroom, and he’s awful about taking his medicines. The only reason he’s made it this long is his wife.” I shake my head in disgust. “I hated operating on him. But his hernia worsened. If I didn’t act quickly, he’d lose a portion of his bowel.”
“Those cases are tough. You’re trapped between a rock and a hard place. The surgical site looks good. I think if he’s monitored on the blood thinners, he’s going to be fine. You did the best you could, given the situation.”
Donovan’s right. I can’t take on the world’s problems. I performed the hernia repair without any complications, and we spent more time reviewing his discharge instructions than we usually do. I even ordered home health visits. Do I have to make house calls to ensure he takes his damn blood thinners every day?
I look over his chart briefly before entering his room and am surprised to see he’s alone. “Mr. Flynn. Sorry to see you back with us. It appears you have a rather large clot in your leg.”
“Yes, sir. That’s what Dr. Grant said. Am I going to need to stay in the hospital?”
“We need to ensure you’re improving and that there’s a plan to prevent this from worsening. We don’t want this breaking off and traveling to your lungs. You were already at significant risk, given your medical history. However, decreased mobility following surgery can increase your chances. That’s why you need the compression stockings and medication.
“Yes, sir. I’m not good about remembering some things. And I tried, but I couldn’t get them damned stockings on. They’re too tight. My wife, Louise, is better about that stuff. But her brother died, and she had to go out of town. My son was supposed to come by and help me out ’til she returned, but something must’ve come up. I didn’t want to worry Louise ’bout it when she called. She’s under enough pressure right now with the funeral and all.”
Scratching the back of my head, I decide to reach out to the case manager to see if we can put this gentleman in short-term rehab until his wife returns. He’ll never make it on his own. “When’s your wife due back?”
“She should be back by the end of the week.”
“Okay. Well, I think it best you stay in the hospital until she returns. So we can make sure you’re healing, and she doesn’t have any more stress than necessary once she returns. I’ll give her a call and explain what’s happening.”
