"Are you my father's doctor? Is my dad okay? How'd you know my sister? "

I am not sure which question to respond first. I am still digesting what just happened. This is the second time that I failed in getting in touch with Catherine in one night. Somehow, the universe is telling me that this is not meant to be, that we are not meant to be or maybe… not yet. I am still keeping my hopes up.

She can definitely help me with my heart dilemma. Heather can, only I do not know why I remove her from the equation. I guess I do not want her to involve since she is family. Heather clearly said that Catherine went back to Vancouver. Why did she leave right away? Now that her father is in the hospital, will she come back at once?

I tell Heather that her father's doctor has gone home and I am here to check his vitals. I never mention Catherine Chandler.


There is not a day that I have not hung around outside Mr. Chandler's room for the past five days. I am still hoping that Catherine will come and visit her father. However, Heather is the only family that has been there for Mr. Chandler. I know their parents are divorce, but can Catherine take time for her father, especially with his condition? Even JT has noticed that he asked me one day why I have been lurking around in the area where I am not assigned to.

"That same woman, yeah?"

"What woman?"

"Don't 'what woman' me. I know that you know who I am talking about."

"Oh. You remembered."

"Of course, I do remember! I can also remember your lost puppy face the night you two met!"

"Oh, shut up, JT. I was not."

"Yes, you were! Anyway, let's go and grab lunch. We are not supposed to be here."

"Right. Why are you here anyway? What's your excuse?"

JT looks back to the reception area. Ahhh… some nurse, yeah?

"Uh… nothing." JT grabs me by the hand. "Let's go."

I stare at Mr. Chandler's door one last time. I did my best, right? I tried so hard and then I have realized it is time to go.


Present Day

Well, I guess this is it! This is the end of my story.

It has already been more than three years since then. Yes, more than three freaking years! Mr. Chandler left eight days after he was confined and is healthy as a horse. I have seen him a couple of times with his Pulmonologist for his monthly check up, I assumed.

And as for me and his daughter Catherine… Well, let's just say… Life goes on. I have moved along.


I am home early and brought groceries for the following two weeks. I find my daughter in the playroom with my girlfriend who is busy writing her play. I say hi and kiss both of them and go to the room to change. I grab my laptop to check emails and I received an invite from an old college friend.

Hey V,

How have you been, man?

Listen, this may sound crazy but my girlfriend is dragging me to this play which I cannot recall the title. It would be this coming Friday at 8PM in Brooks Atkinson Theatre in midtown Manhattan at West 47th Street. I thought of inviting you so you have a reason to come out from that hospital and come on, it have been a while since we have seen each other! Bring your girlfriend if you may. I heard she writes her own play so I think she would love to come. Besides, I do not want my girlfriend to notice how uninterested I am watching these plays so I am involving you, Dr. Keller. So, please feel free to tag along.

Give me a call.

Jake


"Hey, honey. Do you have plans this Friday night?"

"Are you asking me out for a date?" She smiles as she continues working on her laptop.

"Sort of… A college friend, Jake, you haven't met him yet, invited me to see a play with his girlfriend. He is afraid he might bore himself so he would like some company. And I think it would be a good idea so we can have time for just the two of us. I can ask mom to babysit little Ella. What do you think?"

"Oh… honey. I would love to. Really. It's just that I have this deadline on Monday and so I have to finish this." She stands up to hug me and gave me a peck. "You go, okay? Have a little fun. Tell Jake I said hi."


Hey Jake!

Good to hear from you, man. It has been a long time indeed and it takes a lousy play for us to meet! You owe me big time. By the way, you are paying for my ticket. :D

See you Friday!

V


"You look handsome tonight. Going somewhere special?"

"Yeah. Remember the play we were invited to?"

"Oh. Is it tonight? I see." She leans on the door as I am fixing my polo shirt.

"How is your writing going?"

"Oh… almost there. I am almost done." She comes in the room and helps me fix the sleeve of my shirt. "I'm really sorry I can't come."

"That's alright. There is always a next time. I have to go now or else I will miss the play."

I kiss my girlfriend goodnight.


Jake Miller has been my roommate for three years when we were still in MED School at New York University. But at the end of our third year, he dropped out of school to follow his girlfriend in Georgia. For the sake of love, yeah? On the face of it, Jake earned his degree in Dentistry in Georgia State University and found a life with his girlfriend for years in Georgia.

It is truly good to see Jake again and finally meet his girlfriend. The play is about to start in ten minutes and Thania is so anxious as we settle into our third row seats. I have seen a couple of plays before, but not as fancy as this and in a nice theater.


The lights in the theater slowly fade down and the grand drape on stage opens. I can see the silhouettes of two people sitting on a chair facing the audience. The lights on the stage turn on and I swear I feel my heart skip a heartbeat or two. I blink my eyes several times to make sure I am not imagining things. My eyes are still on stage as I grab the program from Jake's hand.

Brooks Atkinson Theatre proudly presents

Love Letters

The Cast:

Edward Johnson as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III

Catherine Chandler as Melissa Gardner

The sight of her name has me frozen in my seat. I look up to the stage again and as she speaks her first line… I know she is my Catherine Chandler.