Laura walked into the physician's building. She consulted the directory, headed for the elevator, and pressed the up button. It came and she went to the 3rd floor. She got out and walked to a door marked Dr. Harry Feinstein MD. She walked in.
The receptionist smiled. "Hi, Mrs. Petrie."
"Hi. I'm here for my 11:30 appointment."
"Ok. Take a seat; we'll call you soon."
"Thanks."
She sat down and perused the magazines.
A few minutes later, a nurse came out. "Mrs. Laura Petrie?"
"That's me."
"This way, please."
She led her into one of the examining rooms.
"I understand this is concerning your foot?"
"That's right. You see, I hurt it while trying on high heeled shoes!"
She smiled. "I know what that's like! Ok, relax and Dr. Feinstein will see you soon."
"Thanks."
The girl left. Laura set in the chair and slipped her shoes off. She crossed her left leg and massaged the foot, for a bit.
The doctor came in. "Mrs. Petrie, nice seeing you again!"
"You too, Dr. Feinstein."
He looked at her files. "I see that you hurt your foot?"
"Yeah, that's right. I was trying to walk in high heeled shoes and I tripped!"
He sighed. "High heeled shoes are the bane of women's feet!"
"You really think so?"
"You ladies sacrifice comfort in the name of beauty!"
"Well, it was the first time I wore those shoes. I thought they'd make my look...well, sexy."
"Having feet that hurt isn't sexy! Ok, let's look it it. It's your left foot, is that right?"
"Yes, it is."
He kneeled down an examined her foot. She winced a bit, while he felt it. "I'm sorry, I'll try and be more gentle." He continued looking it over. "Well, it appears there's no broken bones, which is a good thing."
"That's nice to hear."
"I'll be right back; let me prepare a foot bath for you."
"Ok."
He left the room.
A couple minutes later, he returned. He had a large bowl filled with cloudy water. He placed this at her legs.
"This is an Epson salt bath. Put your feet in. Careful, it's a little hot."
She did this. "It feels nice!"
"Soak your feet for five minutes. You can buy Epson salt in the pharmacy downstairs. I suggest you bathe your foot in it at least for a couple more times. I'll prescribe a mild painkiller for you. Try to walk around barefooted for the next few days. If that's a little too 'outrageous,' you can just wear flat shoes."
"I do like to walk barefooted."
"Good! Oh, and make an appointment with me for sometime next week so I can check on your foot. And don't wear those shoes again!"
She smiled. "I'll take them back to the store."
"Good girl! Say, how's your husband?"
"Oh, he's fine."
"That last episode of the Alan Brady Show had me in stitches!"
"Thank you, I'll tell him. You know, it's kinda funny hearing a doctor say that?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah!"
They both laughed.
"I think it's about time for him to have a physical."
"I'll mention that to him."
"Good, good."
They grew silent, and she continued to soak her feet. Finally, he gave her a towel. "You can take them out, now."
"Thank you." She took her feet out of the tub and dried them. "My foot feels much better now, thanks."
"You're welcome."
She put her shoes back on. As she did this, he looked down at her feet. "Now, those are more sensible shoes!"
She smiled. "Yes, they are!"
"See you next week, Mrs. Petrie."
"Bye, Dr. Feinstein. And thanks."
She stopped at the front desk. She gave them her co-pay and arranged her appointment for next week. Then she left.
She went to the pharmacy and filled out the prescription and bought the Epsom salts. Then she left.
A grocery store was close by. Looking at it, she said to herself, "A leg of lamb would be nice for dinner tonight."
