Chapter 1
"You know I hate this day."
"Yes, I do. But you have to have an annual physical."
"It's not required by law, you know."
"Jed, quit being so whinny. No, its not required by law, but for the comfort of the nation it helps to know how the President is doing."
"But Abbey, I hate doctors."
A frown appeared on her face. "Every doctor?"
"Well…" Jed stuttered for a moment. "Well, not you. I like when we play doctor. But when we play, we both benefit from it. Tomorrow, I don't benefit from it."
"Jed, take this liquid and shut up. You have to have a physical. That includes the colonoscopy."
"But Abbey, sticking a camera up my rear is not my idea of fun."
"Not mine either, dear. But tomorrow is your day. You're over sixty and this is just a routine part of the exam for men your age. I get to do the same thing in a few months and you don't hear me complaining, do you?"
Jed looked at Abbey, "No, but…"
"No buts about it Jed." Abbey laughed as she realized what she had just said. "Jed, drink this and head to the bathroom. You'll be there most of the afternoon."
"I still don't like this."
"Tough."
He drank the sweet tasting fluid, nearly gagging on it. Within the hour, he was in the bathroom, cleaning his colon for the exam tomorrow.
Somehow, he will give Abbey the payback she deserved for deserting him at the time of his greatest need.
"I don't feel good, Abbey. Very washed out."
"That's the point. To see the entire colon it must be clean."
"Can't they clean it out using something else?"
"No. Now let's just get to sleep. Your wake-up call in the morning is seven am."
"It's Saturday!"
"Yes, it's Saturday. But your physical exam at Bethesda starts at eight-thirty."
"I'll still be asleep."
"That's the whole point dear. Good night." She leaned over to give him his goodnight kiss. He didn't even stir.
"Good, he's asleep. Now I can get some." Abbey turned on her side and soon was softly snoring in rhythm with her husband.
Tomorrow would come early enough.
