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“Do you mind?” I said and pointed to the photocopier in the alcove off the nursing station. “I’ll make a copy for my own files and then I’ll be gone.”
“Sure, Dr. Morgan,” Cathy said. “If you need anything, let me know.” She smiled warmly at me and I was sure I had her on my side, if things got sticky with Maureen.
“Can you page me if anything happens with Liam? Any time.”
She nodded and I went to the photocopier and made my copies. Then, without seeing Liam, I went back to my own office and sat down to read the files.
According to his notes, Liam’s oncologist wasn’t too concerned about the liver enzymes and admitted him as a precautionary measure, to monitor his meds and to facilitate tests that would take place over the next day or two. So I relaxed, my sense of alarm decreasing just a bit. I lost track of time, reading the files and speaking with his oncologist, and didn’t realize it was well past eight. I usually was home at seven thirty for dinner with Kate. I pulled out my cell and there was no message from her, so I called.
She answered on the second ring so I knew she was waiting for me.
“Hi, love,” I said, smiling when I heard her voice. “I’m sorry I’ll be late getting home, but I’m at the hospital still. Maureen brought Liam back in for some tests and he’s been admitted to the children’s ward. I’ve been reading over his files and talking to his doctors and lost track of time.”
“Stay as long as you need,” she said, her voice soft. “I’m fine here on my own. I’ll put your dinner in the oven to stay warm.”
“What’s on the menu?”
“Just roast chicken and the usual suspects. Potatoes. Vegetables.”
“Sounds delicious. I won’t be too long,” I said. “Maybe another hour. Thanks for understanding.”
“Drake, of course I understand. He’s your son. I’m surprised Maureen is letting you see him.”
“She’s not. At least, not yet. I hope to wear her down with my charm and debonair demeanor.”
She laughed at that. “Worked on me.”
“See you later. I love you.”
“I love you, Drake.”
I hung up, a warm feeling in my chest, that was a relief after the revelation of Maureen and Liam’s return to Manhattan without letting me know.
It was while I was researching liver complications post-bone marrow transplant that Jim called once more.
“Maureen left for dinner,” he said, his voice conspiratorial. “You could pop down and meet me in his room. I’m going in to do a check on my patients and so I’ll be there anyway.”
“Jim, I hate to put you in this position.”
“The boy is your damn son,” Jim said sourly. “It’s the least I can do. Come in the back hallway. The nurses probably won’t see you if I distract them. Come right now, if you want to pop in and see Liam.”
“I’m on my way.”
I put my white lab coat on, hung my stethoscope around my neck and made my way back to the children’s ward using the rear entrance, hoping that none of Liam’s nurses saw me in the meantime. When I came up the rear stairs, I opened the door and checked down the hallway. Sure enough the portly figure of Jim was standing at t
he nursing station, and he was no doubt regaling them with his southern charm.
I was able to slip down the hall to Liam’s room and pop in undetected, going through the anteroom and suiting up so I wouldn’t pass on any germs. Liam was looking really good, compared to how I last saw him, and I felt a tug at my heart to see his face when he glanced up from a comic book in his hands.
“Hello, young man,” I said and went to the side of his bed. “I’m a doctor at the hospital and just wanted to check how you’re doing.”
“I’m good,” he said and put down his comic while I placed the stethoscope over his heart and listened to his breath sounds and felt his pulse with the other hand. Everything was fine, and I noted they had an IV line in but he was on fluid restriction due to fluid retention. “I’m here for tests,” Liam said. Matter-of-fact. “It’s been nine months since I had my transplant.”
“You’re a very lucky young man,” I said, smiling at his grown-up tone. “How are you feeling?”
He shrugged. “A bit tired, but that’s because our plane was late. I’m okay.”
“Good,” I said. I felt his abdomen, and noted that his liver was slightly enlarged, which was common when the liver was affected. Liam was on anti-rejection drugs and would be the rest of his life. There were occasional complications a while after transplantation.
