Chapter 37

Cassie knocked on Dr. Downey's office door. She had been summoned ten minutes earlier. She checked with Maggie that she could be spared for a few minutes, and when she was told she could be, she headed for Dr. Downey's office.

"Come in."

She opened the door and was immediately assaulted with sounds of Don Ho coming from his record player. She smiled. You had to love Don Ho. Life was immediately better when he was singing. She stepped inside.

"Ah, Cassandra, please come in," he invited.

She stepped inside. She glanced around the office. It was a definite homage to the state of Hawaii. She loved it.

"Please, sit."

She sat down in the chair in front of his desk. The chemo infusion dripped off to his left. Artificial flowers and thread were strewn around his desk. He was obviously making leis again.

He glanced up from his task.

"This morning, I found that a little mouse had delivered some loco moco and some pineapple to my door this morning. It was hanging on the doorknob. You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you?"

Cassie sighed. She was busted. She had made loco moco for dinner the night before, and since Connor didn't really like it, she had packed up for her lunch, and made a care package for Dr. Downey. She thought about lying, but he knew where it had come from.

"I had leftovers. I thought you might enjoy them."

"I appreciate it. Thank you. You get it."

"I love Hawaii, Sir. If I didn't have family here in Chicago, I would seriously think about relocating."

"You have family and Dr. Rhodes."

She nodded.

"But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the islands here in Chicago. I just found a new Hawaiian restaurant."

"Seriously?"

He nodded. "Up in Rogers Park. You live there still?"

"Until the first of June. My lease is up. I'm looking for places in Little Italy. I'm ready to move back home to the neighborhood."

"You two need to get married."

"We will. When we're ready."

Downey looked across the desk at her. "I'm sure you are aware that I don't have much time left."

She nodded.

"I'd just like to see Connor happy."

"He is happy, Sir. He's ecstatic that you are teaching him cardiothoracic surgery."

"He has a lot of talent."

"Agreed."

Downey looked at her. "My dear, would you please make me a cup of tea?"

She rose from her chair. "I'd be glad to, Sir."

"Cassandra?"

She turned her head.

"Would you stop with the Sir? In here, I am Dave. I get it that you were raised with manners, and I appreciate it. However, I have not been Knighted, and I am also not 90 years old. Sir makes me feel positively ancient."

"Alright then. Dave, how would you like your tea? Strong, Stronger, or Strongest?"

"Stronger."

She nodded, and warmed the teapot. She poured out the water, then added tea to the pot, and poured in more boiling water. She set it aside to steep. She set up the tea tray, adding sugar and milk. She selected a mug with all of the Hawaiian Islands for him, and placed it on the tray. She hummed along with Don Ho, and checked the tea pot. She brought the tray over to his desk and set it beside him. She poured a mug for him.

"Milk? Sugar?" she asked.

"Three sugars."

She added the sugar and stirred before handing him the mug.

Downey set the lei aside, and picked up the tea mug. "The loco moco is in the microwave."

Cassie smiled and headed for the microwave to get his loco moco.