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Lucas
Ihadn’t meant to ask Brooke if she had a date, but I couldn’t help myself with the way she was dressed. My relief at her answer had been palpable. Of course, even if she were only out with female friends, every man within a hundred yards would notice her. She was the type of woman who could turn heads while dressed in a burlap sack.
Once home, I went over patient files to prepare for the next day. Even if I desired a more active dating life, I’d never find the time to fit it in. So I spent the evening as I had many others by pumping iron in my gym before showering and falling into bed exhausted.
The next morning I started my appointments with Myrna, who greeted me with a smile. “You know, if I was sixty years younger and hadn’t been madly in love with my late husband, I might’ve been tempted to make up illnesses in order to get you to come over this frequently to see me.”
“You flatter me.” I shook my head trying not to recall the few women over the years who’d gotten creative with their illnesses as an excuse to see me. One had gone so far as to greet me completely nude in the hope of gaining my attention. What she’d gained was a new doctor.
“How are you feeling today, Myrna? Sleep okay last night?”
“Yes, I slept fine. I had another dream last night about my Edward. It’s almost as if he’s sending me messages telling me not to be afraid to join him.”
Goose bumps peppered my skin at the thought. I’d spent my entire life pursuing science, so I didn’t normally believe in the supernatural. However, if the idea soothed her mind, who was I to dispel her beliefs? “I wish I could’ve known him.”
“Oh, me too. He would’ve loved you. He was such a people person. How’s the new doctor, Dr. Brooke, fitting in?”
Leave it to Myrna to ask after others despite feeling poorly. “She’s doing great.”
“She’s a nice girl. How about you? How are you doing?”
“I’m good.”
She sighed. “I realize this is none of my business, but don’t spend your entire life working. It’s too short. Find someone you want to spend all your sunrises and all your sunsets with. Who distracts you so much you can’t recall the colors, but just that they were there beside you.”
“A beautiful sentiment.” Even if I didn’t believe in it.
“I mean it. Now, then, did the latest test reveal anything?”
“You’re not dehydrated, your blood sugar levels are good, and aside from what we discussed about incorporating more iron in your diet, I can’t find anything else wrong. Unless you’ve recently added caffeine to your diet. Maybe switched to a new tea?” I’d appreciated Brooke’s idea to ask.
“No, dear. I’ve used the same tea for the last forty years. And as I mentioned before, my fatigue could be the way my body is telling me my days on earth are numbered.”
Of course, fatigue could be an indicator of the body was failing, but there were usually other signs. “I’d like to bring you in for an echocardiogram to take a look at your heart.”
She sighed. “I’m ninety-three, Dr. Lucas. No test is going to tell me news I want to hear, and no procedure makes sense to do at this age. I’m seeing my kids and grandkids tonight. It’s important for me to spend time with them.”
I swallowed hard at the fact she’d accepted her time was short. “What can I do? To make you comfortable?”
She smiled, taking my hand. “You have done everything I’ve needed over these last few years to give me quality of life. I’m not in any pain, and who knows? It could be days, it could be months, could be years. But my intuition says it’s not long.”
“If you change your mind about more tests, contact me. Maybe talk with your daughter.”
“She’ll understand my decision. Thank you, Dr.” She gave me a big hug, making me emotional that it could be the last.
“It’s been my pleasure.”
On Friday evening, I received the call. It was Myrna’s housekeeper letting me know they’d called for paramedics, but Myrna had passed away while napping.
With profound sadness, I made my way over to her house to meet with the coroner.
After introductions, the older man adjusted his glasses and glanced up from his paperwork. “Do you know what happens with the dogs?”
“They’ll go to her daughter, I imagine. Has she been contacted?”
“Yes, but she had gone out of town this morning and was up in San Francisco. She’s on her way back as we speak.”
“I’ll wait for her to arrive.”
