Maxwell tossed and turned in bed. The blessed sleep just wouldn't come. He kept seeing Fran in her hospital bed. How she had lain there, so fragile and weak. Thoughts circled in his head. What was wrong with her? He thought back to the last weeks and months. Shouldn't he have noticed something? But Fran had been like always, until her weekend trip. She had probably been in the clinic on those days. Afterwards she had come up with this charade. Well, Dr. Goldberg was really not a bad guy and if he wouldn't be happily married, he would definitely fit into her pattern. Maxwell got up the next morning completely exhausted. Besides, he had terrible heart palpitations and trepidation in his chest today. He was afraid of what he would experience today, but for him there was no turning back. The love of his life laid in this hospital fighting for her life and he wanted to be by her side.
Good morning, I am Mr. Sheffield! I need to speak with Dr. Goldberg urgently! It's very important!" "Ah Mr. Sheffield, good you came back again. Dr. Goldberg is in an important meeting right now but I'm sure he'll have time for you afterwards. I'll show you to his study." Maxwell was getting more restless by the minute as he sat back in the consulting room. Finally, the door opened, "Mr. Sheffield, I must apologize for the inconvenience yesterday. I was told you wanted to see me." "Yes, well it's like this Dr. Goldberg...I have a confession to make first. To tell you the truth, I'm doing great physically. (Dr. Goldberg stared at him in horror) My appearance is more private in nature. It is about my former nanny, whom I told you about yesterday. That nanny is Fran Fine. (Dr Goldberg's eyes got even bigger) I know she is a patient here. I saw her yesterday being taken out of a treatment room. The thing is, she's not just my kids' nanny. I love her and I desperately need your help."
Dr. Goldberg let out an audible sigh. "To be honest, I don't know how I can help you. I'm sure you know I can't tell you anything about Miss Fine's condition. She has not released us, to anyone from medical confidentiality." "But I need to know how she is doing and most of all, I need to speak with her." "I can't tell you anything more specific. Only this much, her condition is very serious. Furthermore, she has indicated that she doesn't want to receive any visitors and she hasn't given us any contact information for people we can reach in case of emergency." "I don't understand her behavioral. Miss Fine comes from a very large loving family, she is very close to her parents and my family, the children and I have also taken her to our hearts. We all would have supported her, after all. Instead, she lied to all of us and claimed she wanted to move in with her future fiancé." Maxwell concealed that Dr. Goldberg himself was the alleged fiancé. "Well, I had a deep conversation with her at the beginning of her treatment in which I tried to clarify how important support from caregivers can be in a situation like hers. However, she completely brushed this off. She said she didn't want to put anyone through watching her suffer and she didn't want to be a burden. Maxwell shook his head, this was typical for Fran, always thinking of others and never of herself. "But that means you agree with me, it would do her good to have someone to take care of her?!"
"Of course, I am absolutely convinced. I'll make you a suggestion. I will speak to Miss Fine again myself and explain you would like to see her. But first I must know one thing from you. As I said, Miss Fine's condition is very critical and she is in a life-threatening situation. Even in the most favorable course, she has a very long arduous road ahead of her. You have to be absolutely sure of yourself that you are able to endure this. You know, I've seen a lot of relatives of patients who were rock-solidly determined to go along with every complication at the beginning and eventually collapsed themselves. I have to be sure, are you really strong enough to be a real support and stand by her side? It would be a greater burden on Miss Fine if you just leave her alone at some point. So, are you sure that you want to take this road? I could well understand if you say you couldn't handle it." Maxwell hesitated. He was terrified of what was to come. But on the other hand, he would never forgive himself if he let her down now. He wanted to be with her, to hold her hand and take care of her. Just as she had done it for five years. Finally, he nodded vigorously and said with determination. "I'm ready for this!" "All right, I suggest you take a walk in the garden or wait in the cafeteria. I'll see what I can get done with Miss Fine. One more, if she blocks for now or doesn't want a visit from you, we'll have to respect that." Maxwell nodded in agreement, fervently hoping Dr. Goldberg would find the right words to convince Fran.
Fran laid tired and feeble in her hospital bed. She felt miserable. Her fingers lovingly stroked a picture. It showed her with Maxwell and the children in Miami. Everything had been so simple and carefree then. Her biggest worry was when Maxwell would finally realize that she was the right woman in his life. Tears ran down her cheeks. Again, she saw his face in her mind's eye when she told him she doesn't love him. This had been the hardest moment of her life. But it had to be. There was a knock at the door and Dr. Goldberg entered the room. Hastily Fran put the photo under her pillow. "Well Miss Fine, how are we feeling today?" "Well, if you felt like I do, you wouldn't be asking" I know conditioning is a tremendous strain on the body. However, it is unfortunately unavoidable. But to be honest, I'm not here today to know how you are doing health-wise." Fran looked at him curiously. "When you entered the hospital, you strictly forbade us to contact your family. You know I still believe this is a mistake. I'm sure it would be very helpful for you to have someone by your side." Fran wiped away her tears and shook her head. "No! I don't want this; I don't want to put anyone through seeing me like this." "Yes, I understand, but the situation may have changed decisively. Your former boss, Mr. Sheffield showed up here yesterday and he knows that you are a patient here. According to him, he saw you with his own eyes." Fran's eyes were fixed with horror. A thousand thoughts came to her at once. How had Maxwell come here? How had he found her? Why had he been looking for her in the first place? "He wants to see you." Fran just shook her head again. "No! I can't. I don't want to put him through that. He wouldn't be able to handle all that." To me, he made a very determined and strong impression, and he assured me that he knew what kind of burden he was facing and that he was willing to put up with all the obstacles. I think you should talk to him. From the way I've met him, he's not going to be sent away easily." Fran struggled with herself. On one hand, she would love nothing more than to just throw herself into his arms, feel him and sense his presence. But then all the effort to keep him away from all the grief would have been for nothing. "Miss Fine! You still have a very long and difficult road ahead of you. There is no shame in asking for help in your situation. There are situations in life when it's okay to think of yourself." In the end, her longing to see him again won out over all doubts. "Well, I'll let him know then." Fran looked down at herself in horror. "Could you maybe stall him for another half hour and ask a nurse to come by. I want to freshen up a little first."
Dr. Goldberg nodded and left the room. Maxwell, meanwhile, had purchased a single rose and a box of chocolates at the gift store. Considering the seriousness of the situation, this seemed relatively whimsical to him, but he didn't want to show up empty-handed either. Impatiently, he walked up and down the garden, waiting to hear what news Dr. Goldberg would bring. Finally, he came to meet him and smiled from a distance "It took me some effort, but Miss Fine is ready to see you." Maxwell was deeply relieved. Fran, in the meantime, had been getting ready with the help of a nurse. She had put on a fresh nightgown, her hair freshly combed so that it now fell gently over her shoulder and framed her face. She had also washed her face and applied some lipstick. Then there was another knock at the door. Fran felt as if her heart would leap out of her chest. In a trembling voice, she called out, "Come in!" Maxwell opened the door and stepped to her bedside. Neither of them said a word; they just looked at each other's eyes. Without taking his eyes off her, he placed the box of chocolates and the rose on the bed. Then they fell into each other's arms and held each other as if they never wanted to break apart.