CHAPTER NINE
The Medical Office of Michael Burton, MD
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
8:30 AM
Mike had gotten to the office a few minutes after eight o'clock. He had spent some time just checking on things - the supply cabinet, the patient appointments for the day, the magazines in the waiting room. He just wanted to make sure everything was going okay. He looked at his watch and realized it was almost exactly 8:30.
There was a knock at the door. 'Well,' Mike thought, 'Dr. Davies was in the army, so I would think she should be punctual.'
Mike walked over and opened the door. In his mind, Mike had envisioned Dr. Margaret Davies as a slim, dark haired woman with slightly graying hair. He had even imagined that her hair would be in some sort of bun – if it wasn't cut short. Mike was surprised to see that he had actually gotten it right. Davies was slim with brown eyes and dark brown hair that was pulled back into a braid. Her face was severe, but Mike suspected that was simply because it looked as if she *really* pulled her hair back prior to putting it into the braid.
She also dressed severely, if professionally. She had on a pants suit, olive green in color. It took Mike a moment to realize that it was very reminiscent of an army uniform. Mike noticed that the crease in her slacks was so sharp she could probably use it to perform field surgery (which her resume had indicated she *had* done). There was a broach on her left breast that not only vaguely resembled a medal board but was positioned so squarely that Mike figured that its placement had required a ruler and aGPS handheld. The only things missing, Mike figured, were a sidearm and a cap.
"Dr. Burton," Davies said as she extended her hand and walked into the office. Mike had to quickly step back to let her in and shook her hand.
"Dr. Davies," Mike said, "its nice to meet you in person."
Davies nodded seriously and said, "You can dispense with the doctor bit. Its just Marge."
"Okay, Marge," Mike said. "And its just Mike."
Davies nodded again and began wandering around the office, looking at various things. After a moment or two, Mike felt like he was an army private being inspected in barracks. Mike was surprised she didn't pull out a white glove and run it along the top of the pictures hung in the waiting room. Mike shook himself, remembering that he was in charge here.
"So, Marge," Mike said, "how about we sit for a little while and talk. Want some coffee?"
"Ah, coffee," Davies said, "nectar of the gods ... and a soldier's best friend. Sounds good."
Mike walked Davies to the coffee machine where she got a large cup of coffee - black without sugar. They continued to Mike's office, where Davies took a seat across the desk from Mike.
Mike started to open his mouth, when Davies said, "So, you want to talk, huh? I thought I was hear to see some sick soldiers."
"Um ... yes," Mike said, feeling off center and trying to find his focus. "We don't start seeing patients until nine o'clock. I figured we could use this time to get to know one another."
Davies just cocked an eyebrow at Mike. Mike sighed mentally.
"Married?" Mike asked.
"Yes," Davies responded.
"Any kids," Mike inquired.
"Yes," Davies said, then continued after a pause, "two."
And so the next half hour went. Mike basically had to outright ask certain questions in order to get Davies to talk. Her responses were generally one word answers if she could get away with it. Davies probably had a very high military security clearance, because she could certainly keep a secret.
Mike was grateful when he saw that it was nine o'clock. He stood up and said, "Well, I guess its time to start seeing some patients."
"Sounds good," Davies said, "lets hit the trenches!"
Mike looked askance at her, but walked out of the office and towards Exam Room #1.
For two hours Mike and Davies saw patients. For once, Mike stayed on schedule - Davies was a stickler for schedule and didn't really let the patients chit-chat with them. Oh, she was an excellent doctor, but military to an extreme. Her doctor-patient relations could use some work, though.
Mike had actually been a little amused during her exam of Roger Costello. Costello was in his early thirties and a very brusque individual. He was a financial planner with a background as a floor trader at the New York Stock Exchange. According to Costello himself, the five years he'd spent at the NYSE had been part of a larger plan to some day take over his father's financial planning firm. But his time on the floor of the NYSE meant he also tended to have very quick speech patterns. Mike briefly wondered if working in New York City was why Ed also spoke so fast at times, but then he thought back to high school and realized that Ed had *always* been like that.
Mike and Davies had met Costello in Exam Room #2. He was complaining of chronic stomach pains, so Mike had Davies check him out. Davies had a rapid fire approach to patient care as it turned out.
"Good morning, Roger," Mike said as he and Davies walked into the exam room, "how are you this morning?"
"Well," Costello said sarcastically, "I guess if I was feeling okay I wouldn't be here, huh?"
"No," Mike said, "I suppose not. This is Dr. Davies. I'd like her to take a look at you, if that is not a problem?'
"Whatever," Costello said brusquely.
Davies went to work, taking a variety of measurements to start off the exam. Mike noted that Davies didn't recite the numbers as she took them. Once she was done with the standard measurements, she fired off almost too fast for Mike to write, "Weight, 185 – you might want to cut down on the cheeseburgers and fries during lunch; BP, 127 over 83 – not bad, but it could be better, you need more exercise; heart rate, 77, good ..."
The list went on. Mike had to give Davies credit, she was able to hold all of that information in her head. He thought she could have done without the little comments interspersed though.
Once Mike was done recording the numbers, Davies turned to Costello and said, "Shirt off."
Costello looked startled, more by the commanding tone then by the request. He complied. Once he was shirtless, Davies began to listen with her stethoscope at various points along his abdomen, snapping orders as she went.
"Sit up straight!" Davies ordered. Costello sat up straighter.
"Deep breath," Davies then said. Costello began inhaling deeply.
"Out!" Davies said suddenly, in this case causing Costello breath to rush out in surprise.
"In," Davies ordered again. Costello breathed in as Davies moved the stethoscope.
"Sit up straight!" Davies barked. Costello had started to slouch, but jerked upright. Mike smothered a grin, enjoying seeing the sometimes caustic Costello being handled this way.
"Out," Davies then ordered. Costello let his breath out.
Davies put her stethoscope away after a few more areas, then whipped out a tongue depressor and said, "Open!"
Costello complied, but almost too slowly. Davies had already started to move the tongue depressor towards his face.
"Tongue out," Davies ordered. Costello stuck his tongue out, the depressor was on his tongue while it was still on its way out of his mouth.
"Say 'Aahh'," Davies said. Costello did so. He was looking harried by Davies quick orders.
Davies performed a few other minor tests o n Davies then began asking a series of questions.
"When do you have these stomach pains?" Davies asked in a rapid clip.
"A lot of time right after breakfast," Costello replied.
"Sit up straight. Do you have coffee or orange juice with breakfast?" Davies then inquired.
"Um, yeah. Well, coffee every morning, and OJ sometimes," Costello answered.
"Any other times when your stomach acts up?" Davies asked.
"Usually a little while after I eat, especially spicier foods," Costello said.
"Where does it bother you?" Davies asked.
Costello indicated his upper abdomen.
"Hearburn?" Davies asked.
"Yeah," Costello replied.
"Frequent?" Davies said.
"More often than not," Costello replied.
"Stool look different?" Davies inquired.
"Excuse me?" Costello asked in surprise.
"Your crap, son," Davies said with exasperation. "Does your crap look different? Black, tarry, maybe even bloody?"
"Um, yeah," Costello answered seemingly thrown by the question. "Not bloody, but, uh, the rest."
Davies looked over at Mike who just nodded, indicating that Davies should continue.
"Well, soldier," Davies said, eliciting a confused look from Costello, "looks like you've got the beginnings of an ulcer."
Costello looked shocked.
"Now, we need ..." Davies droned on for a couple of minutes, talking to Costello about making an exact determination as to the severity and cause of his pre-ulcer and the treatment options afterwards.
Mike was impressed by Davies medical knowledge. But, as much as he enjoyed watching someone like Costello get man handled a little bit, he was concerned with the way Davies handled her patients.
She was also annoying Wendy and Julie. When Davies asked Wendy to get some Pepcid samples for Costello, Wendy took a few minutes to return because she had gotten side tracked by a patient in the other exam room. Once Costello was gone, Davies cornered Wendy and told her that she expected better service from her. Wendy, who never once allowed Dr. Jerome to berate her, took it with a closed mouth and a deadly look to Davies' retreating back. Mike sighed, knowing *he* was going to pay for the dressing down Davies had just given Wendy.
In the end, Mike knew that Davies was not going to work out. She was just too different from him. She tended to really get on the patient's cases if they weren't doing all that Davies thought they could to protect their own health. Diet and exercise were two big items she had harped on all morning to almost every patient. She had even made a comment about Mike's waistline which – given that Mike had recently put on five pounds because he couldn't find time to work out as much as he would have liked – really bothered him.
Fortunately, about lunchtime, Davies decided the issue for him. They were out by the front desk, having seen the last patient before lunch out. Julie was at the front desk doing some paperwork while Wendy was just on the other side of the wall, putting away patient files.
"You know, Mike," Davies said, "I don't think this is going to work."
"Excuse me?" Mike said in surprise.
"I think its pretty obvious that I like things a certain way," Davies said. "And I don't think I'm really interested in correcting things here. I'm too old to be turning this place upside down in order to set it straight."
Mike was astounded at the narrow view that her way was the only way to do things, but he simply said, "Um, I'm sorry to hear that you feel that way, Marge. I, uh, know things aren't up to your standards and I appreciate you coming in. I'll see what, um, I can do about getting this place in better shape."
Julie looked at Wendy, who had poked her head around the corner in shock. They continued to look at one another until Davies had collected her things and left the office.
Mike continued to stare at the door that had closed behind Davies for about 30 seconds. Then he snorted and exclaimed, "ARGH! 'Set it straight', my ass!"
He looked at Julie and Wendy, who had been startled by his outburst, then said, "I think we'll just keep things exactly as they are!"
With that, Mike walked down the hall to his office, leaving Wendy and Julie to share another look.
***
Stuckeyville High School
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
10:30 AM
The period bell rang and Carol said loudly as the students dashed for the door, "Don't forget, I want you to read pages 50 to 75 of Catcher in the Rye for tomorrow!" Her comment was met with a few groans, which she met with a sweet smile.
Once all of the students were out of the classroom, Carol stood and stretched. She was wearing a pair of dark blue slacks with a powder blue and purple silk blouse. Her hair was pulled back.
She decided to step outside of the classroom for a minute. Out in the hallway, she saw Molly walking down the hallway, 'surveying her domain' as Molly liked to joke. Molly was in a dark blue pants suit with a light green blouse. She was also wearing her eye glasses, which, Carol noted, Molly tended to wear when walking the halls to seem more "principal-like".
Molly smiled as she stepped in front of Carol and said, "Good morning, Ms. Vessey."
Carol smiled back and replied, "And a good morning to you, Principal Hudson."
A couple of students passing by looked at them oddly. Molly and Carol just smiled at them.
"So," Molly said, "how are things going today?"
"Oh," Carol said with a wave, "the usual. I talk ... they stare blankly back at me."
"Ah," Molly said, "sounds like my day."
Carol looked confused, then said, "But I thought you were meeting with the school boa ... ah, right. Got it."
"Yep," Molly said with a grin.
"Hey, Ryan," Molly suddenly said.
Ryan Knoll walked pass with only a grunt, never looking at either Molly or Carol.
"Well," Carol said, "I see that things haven't changed with Ryan."
"No," Molly said with frustration. "No, they haven't. I really thought that there was a break through when Shawn told me they had talked. Something happened - I don't know what, but something had to make him pull another 180 on us."
"Ed said he didn't have any luck either," Carol said, nibbling her bottom lip.
"No," Molly said sadly, "but I appreciate that he tried."
Molly looked down the hallway at Ryan's retreating back and sighed.
"Last night was fun, too," Molly said.
"What happened," Carol asked.
"I went to Shawn's house last night," Molly said. "Shawn had been re- finishing my coffee table – he's good with his hands."
Molly blushed when Carol raised her eyebrows, then said, "That's *not* what I meant!"
Carol chuckled, then Molly continued, "*Anyway*, when I got to the house, Shawn wasn't there. He had gotten called into the firehouse - the entire on-duty crew had been called out for a big fire and they needed someone to stay at the firehouse in case another call came in. Ryan answered the door."
"Uh-oh," Carol said.
They stepped aside to let students get into Carol's classroom.
Molly winced in remembrance, then said, "Yeah. He was his usual sullen self. When I told him I was there to pick up the coffee table, he said that he couldn't let me in since his father wasn't there."
Carol could tell there was more, so simply waited. Molly continued, "Then he said, 'Of course, if my mother were here, you could come in. But then again ... if my mother *were* still here, you *wouldn't* be.'"
"Ouch! What did you say?" Carol asked incredulous.
"I thanked him and left," Molly said, clearly upset.
"Oh, Molls," Carol said, "I'm so sorry!"
"Thanks," Molly said. Then she shook herself. "So, how are things in your love life?"
"Great!" Carol replied.
Molly cocked her head to the side. She knew Carol very well by now and something sounded wrong. She simply said, "Really?" and continued to stare at Carol.
It took about five seconds for Molly's stare to break down Carol's defenses.
"I don't know!" Carol finally blurted.
"Are you guys arguing?" Molly asked.
"No," Carol answered.
"Are you ignoring one another? Is Ed ignoring you? Are you ignoring Ed? Are you ignoring Ed's ignoring you?" Molly further inquired.
"No, no, no, and, uh, no," Carol said.
"Then what is the problem?" Molly asked.
Carol looked around for a moment, then asked, "Have you heard anything about Ed asking me to marry him?"
"What?" Molly asked in surprise. "No, I haven't. Did he? Is he going to?"
"No, he didn't," Carol responded, "and I don't know if he is. *That's* the problem?"
"It's a problem because you don't know if Ed is going to propose to you?" Molly asked in confusion.
"Yes," Carol said. "Well, no, not exactly."
Molly looked around for a moment.
"What are you looking for," Carol asked.
"Something heavier than my hand to hit you upside the head with," Molly said. "Because you are not making *any* sense!"
Carol took a deep breath, then said, "Its not a problem that I don't know *when* Ed is going to propose, so much as it's a problem because I don't know if he *will* propose."
"What makes you think he won't propose?" Molly asked.
"I'm just surprised that he hasn't asked me already, that's all," Carol said. "Its making me wonder if Ed doesn't want to get married."
"And Ed should have asked you already because you're irresistible, right?" Molly asked innocently.
"No, Molls!" Carol said in exasperation. "I guess I am surprised that Ed hasn't asked me yet. Look at it this way. This is Ed Stevens we're talking about right? (Molly nodded) The guy who dressed up in a knight's suit to ask me out on a date. (Molly nodded again) The guy who chased me for three years. (Molly nodded again)"
"So," Carol continued, "do you think that a guy like Ed is going to wait forever to propose?"
"No," Molly said slowly, "I don't think he would. But I do know that Ed loves you. If he hasn't asked you, there's a perfectly good reason."
"Yeah," Carol said forlornly. "He probably just doesn't want to get married again."
Carol looked behind her at the full classroom and said, "I've gotta go. I'll talk to you later."
***
The home of Mike and Nancy Burton
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
6:00 PM
Mike hit the garage door opener as he got close to the house. As the garage door opened, he pulled into the driveway and then into the garage. He got out of the car, grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door into the house. He slapped the garage door control on his way inside and listened to make sure the door had started down.
As he walked into the hallway leading to the kitchen, he called out, "Hey, Nance. I'm home!"
"Hi, honey," Nancy said as Mike walked into the kitchen. Nancy was busy at the stove, with a couple of pots steaming and bubbling.
"Mmm," Mike said as he walked up behind Nancy and wrapped his arms around her waist, "smells good!"
"Thanks," Nancy said. "Its roast chicken with stuffing, gravy, carrots, and broccoli."
"I wasn't talking about the food," Mike said as he nuzzled Nancy's neck.
Nancy giggled and slipped out of Mike's grasp to grab a spoon. "What's gotten into you?" Nancy asked.
"Can't a man just demonstrate his affection for the woman he loves without it being unusual?" Mike replied.
"Yes," Nancy said, "a man can. But its just that lately you haven't really, um, been in the mood."
"Maybe so," Mike said, "but that doesn't mean I can't be in the mood tonight."
"Sorry, honey," Nancy said playfully, "its Tuesday night. You remember Tuesday night, right. Worst love-making statistics for us. Doesn't look good."
Nancy moved to the opposite side of the kitchen island.
"Well, honey," Mike said with a small smile, "I think we need to change that."
Mike started to move clockwise around the counter, but Nancy moved the same way, maintaining the island between them.
"You're really going to make me chase you around this island, aren't you," Mike asked.
"Uh-huh!" Nancy said as she smiled widely and nodded.
Mike made a sudden lunge to his right, then shifted back to his left as Nancy moved to *her* right. He caught her, then wrapped his arms around her quickly and gently pinned her against the island. Mike kissed her for several moments, before easing up slightly.
Nancy stood with her head tilted back and her eyes closed for a couple of moments. When she finally opened her eyes, she looked up into Mike's eyes. As she heard a pot rattling on the stove, she looked over and sighed.
She turned back Mike and said, "I need to get the take care of these pots or I'm going to burn the house down. After dinner and after we get Sarah to bed we can continue this."
Nancy started to move towards the stove, but stopped and turned back to Mike. "And let me tell you, Michael Roger Burton," Nancy said severely, "you better not back out. *And* I expect the steak dinner, tonight, mister!"
Mike just grinned and went to the living room to see his daughter.
---
Mike and Nancy were just finishing dinner. Nancy had talked to Mike during dinner about her day and the trouble she was having with a couple a students.
Nancy got a surprised look on her face and said, "I completely forgot! How was Dr. Davies?"
Mike got a pained looked on his face and Nancy immediately knew that Davies wasn't going to work out, either. So far, the only one that had shown any potential was Parsons. And Nancy wasn't exactly thrilled with *that* choice.
"Davies is a good doctor," Mike said, "but her military background is pretty obvious. Way too obvious."
Nancy just waited, knowing that Mike took his time with certain things.
"She read the riot act to one diabetic patient because they weren't following their diet properly," Mike said. "Then she went a little nuts on an overweight patient. She gets very upset with people who don't take good enough care of themselves. Well, at least what she deems 'not good enough'."
"Oh, Mike," Nancy commiserated. "What are you going to do now? Davies was the last one on your short list. None of the four have worked out."
"One did," Mike said with surprise in his voice.
"Parsons," Nancy said in a neutral tone. She didn't want to get into it with Mike about Parsons. She really *did* trust Mike. She wasn't worried that he would start something, but she was *very* worried about Parsons starting it. The woman thought Mike "was brilliant".
Mike was oblivious to Nancy's inner turmoil over Parsons. He said, "Yep. Vicky really knows her stuff. I'm a little concerned about how young she looks, but she's good with the patients, too. I think the patients will warm to her, though."
"So," Nancy said, "are you going to offer her the partnership?"
"Yeah," Mike said, "I think so. I'm going to let it sit for the rest of the night, then make the final call in the morning. But I don't think I'll change my mind. I'll probably call her tomorrow and make arrangements to go over things with her."
"Great, honey," Nancy said with false enthusiasm. She really wanted to see Mike more often, but she just wasn't thrilled. Nancy snorted mentally, knowing this wouldn't have been an issue if Mike had chosen a male doctor for his partner, and a part of her was upset that she was upset about Parsons because she *was* a woman.
The Medical Office of Michael Burton, MD
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
8:30 AM
Mike had gotten to the office a few minutes after eight o'clock. He had spent some time just checking on things - the supply cabinet, the patient appointments for the day, the magazines in the waiting room. He just wanted to make sure everything was going okay. He looked at his watch and realized it was almost exactly 8:30.
There was a knock at the door. 'Well,' Mike thought, 'Dr. Davies was in the army, so I would think she should be punctual.'
Mike walked over and opened the door. In his mind, Mike had envisioned Dr. Margaret Davies as a slim, dark haired woman with slightly graying hair. He had even imagined that her hair would be in some sort of bun – if it wasn't cut short. Mike was surprised to see that he had actually gotten it right. Davies was slim with brown eyes and dark brown hair that was pulled back into a braid. Her face was severe, but Mike suspected that was simply because it looked as if she *really* pulled her hair back prior to putting it into the braid.
She also dressed severely, if professionally. She had on a pants suit, olive green in color. It took Mike a moment to realize that it was very reminiscent of an army uniform. Mike noticed that the crease in her slacks was so sharp she could probably use it to perform field surgery (which her resume had indicated she *had* done). There was a broach on her left breast that not only vaguely resembled a medal board but was positioned so squarely that Mike figured that its placement had required a ruler and aGPS handheld. The only things missing, Mike figured, were a sidearm and a cap.
"Dr. Burton," Davies said as she extended her hand and walked into the office. Mike had to quickly step back to let her in and shook her hand.
"Dr. Davies," Mike said, "its nice to meet you in person."
Davies nodded seriously and said, "You can dispense with the doctor bit. Its just Marge."
"Okay, Marge," Mike said. "And its just Mike."
Davies nodded again and began wandering around the office, looking at various things. After a moment or two, Mike felt like he was an army private being inspected in barracks. Mike was surprised she didn't pull out a white glove and run it along the top of the pictures hung in the waiting room. Mike shook himself, remembering that he was in charge here.
"So, Marge," Mike said, "how about we sit for a little while and talk. Want some coffee?"
"Ah, coffee," Davies said, "nectar of the gods ... and a soldier's best friend. Sounds good."
Mike walked Davies to the coffee machine where she got a large cup of coffee - black without sugar. They continued to Mike's office, where Davies took a seat across the desk from Mike.
Mike started to open his mouth, when Davies said, "So, you want to talk, huh? I thought I was hear to see some sick soldiers."
"Um ... yes," Mike said, feeling off center and trying to find his focus. "We don't start seeing patients until nine o'clock. I figured we could use this time to get to know one another."
Davies just cocked an eyebrow at Mike. Mike sighed mentally.
"Married?" Mike asked.
"Yes," Davies responded.
"Any kids," Mike inquired.
"Yes," Davies said, then continued after a pause, "two."
And so the next half hour went. Mike basically had to outright ask certain questions in order to get Davies to talk. Her responses were generally one word answers if she could get away with it. Davies probably had a very high military security clearance, because she could certainly keep a secret.
Mike was grateful when he saw that it was nine o'clock. He stood up and said, "Well, I guess its time to start seeing some patients."
"Sounds good," Davies said, "lets hit the trenches!"
Mike looked askance at her, but walked out of the office and towards Exam Room #1.
For two hours Mike and Davies saw patients. For once, Mike stayed on schedule - Davies was a stickler for schedule and didn't really let the patients chit-chat with them. Oh, she was an excellent doctor, but military to an extreme. Her doctor-patient relations could use some work, though.
Mike had actually been a little amused during her exam of Roger Costello. Costello was in his early thirties and a very brusque individual. He was a financial planner with a background as a floor trader at the New York Stock Exchange. According to Costello himself, the five years he'd spent at the NYSE had been part of a larger plan to some day take over his father's financial planning firm. But his time on the floor of the NYSE meant he also tended to have very quick speech patterns. Mike briefly wondered if working in New York City was why Ed also spoke so fast at times, but then he thought back to high school and realized that Ed had *always* been like that.
Mike and Davies had met Costello in Exam Room #2. He was complaining of chronic stomach pains, so Mike had Davies check him out. Davies had a rapid fire approach to patient care as it turned out.
"Good morning, Roger," Mike said as he and Davies walked into the exam room, "how are you this morning?"
"Well," Costello said sarcastically, "I guess if I was feeling okay I wouldn't be here, huh?"
"No," Mike said, "I suppose not. This is Dr. Davies. I'd like her to take a look at you, if that is not a problem?'
"Whatever," Costello said brusquely.
Davies went to work, taking a variety of measurements to start off the exam. Mike noted that Davies didn't recite the numbers as she took them. Once she was done with the standard measurements, she fired off almost too fast for Mike to write, "Weight, 185 – you might want to cut down on the cheeseburgers and fries during lunch; BP, 127 over 83 – not bad, but it could be better, you need more exercise; heart rate, 77, good ..."
The list went on. Mike had to give Davies credit, she was able to hold all of that information in her head. He thought she could have done without the little comments interspersed though.
Once Mike was done recording the numbers, Davies turned to Costello and said, "Shirt off."
Costello looked startled, more by the commanding tone then by the request. He complied. Once he was shirtless, Davies began to listen with her stethoscope at various points along his abdomen, snapping orders as she went.
"Sit up straight!" Davies ordered. Costello sat up straighter.
"Deep breath," Davies then said. Costello began inhaling deeply.
"Out!" Davies said suddenly, in this case causing Costello breath to rush out in surprise.
"In," Davies ordered again. Costello breathed in as Davies moved the stethoscope.
"Sit up straight!" Davies barked. Costello had started to slouch, but jerked upright. Mike smothered a grin, enjoying seeing the sometimes caustic Costello being handled this way.
"Out," Davies then ordered. Costello let his breath out.
Davies put her stethoscope away after a few more areas, then whipped out a tongue depressor and said, "Open!"
Costello complied, but almost too slowly. Davies had already started to move the tongue depressor towards his face.
"Tongue out," Davies ordered. Costello stuck his tongue out, the depressor was on his tongue while it was still on its way out of his mouth.
"Say 'Aahh'," Davies said. Costello did so. He was looking harried by Davies quick orders.
Davies performed a few other minor tests o n Davies then began asking a series of questions.
"When do you have these stomach pains?" Davies asked in a rapid clip.
"A lot of time right after breakfast," Costello replied.
"Sit up straight. Do you have coffee or orange juice with breakfast?" Davies then inquired.
"Um, yeah. Well, coffee every morning, and OJ sometimes," Costello answered.
"Any other times when your stomach acts up?" Davies asked.
"Usually a little while after I eat, especially spicier foods," Costello said.
"Where does it bother you?" Davies asked.
Costello indicated his upper abdomen.
"Hearburn?" Davies asked.
"Yeah," Costello replied.
"Frequent?" Davies said.
"More often than not," Costello replied.
"Stool look different?" Davies inquired.
"Excuse me?" Costello asked in surprise.
"Your crap, son," Davies said with exasperation. "Does your crap look different? Black, tarry, maybe even bloody?"
"Um, yeah," Costello answered seemingly thrown by the question. "Not bloody, but, uh, the rest."
Davies looked over at Mike who just nodded, indicating that Davies should continue.
"Well, soldier," Davies said, eliciting a confused look from Costello, "looks like you've got the beginnings of an ulcer."
Costello looked shocked.
"Now, we need ..." Davies droned on for a couple of minutes, talking to Costello about making an exact determination as to the severity and cause of his pre-ulcer and the treatment options afterwards.
Mike was impressed by Davies medical knowledge. But, as much as he enjoyed watching someone like Costello get man handled a little bit, he was concerned with the way Davies handled her patients.
She was also annoying Wendy and Julie. When Davies asked Wendy to get some Pepcid samples for Costello, Wendy took a few minutes to return because she had gotten side tracked by a patient in the other exam room. Once Costello was gone, Davies cornered Wendy and told her that she expected better service from her. Wendy, who never once allowed Dr. Jerome to berate her, took it with a closed mouth and a deadly look to Davies' retreating back. Mike sighed, knowing *he* was going to pay for the dressing down Davies had just given Wendy.
In the end, Mike knew that Davies was not going to work out. She was just too different from him. She tended to really get on the patient's cases if they weren't doing all that Davies thought they could to protect their own health. Diet and exercise were two big items she had harped on all morning to almost every patient. She had even made a comment about Mike's waistline which – given that Mike had recently put on five pounds because he couldn't find time to work out as much as he would have liked – really bothered him.
Fortunately, about lunchtime, Davies decided the issue for him. They were out by the front desk, having seen the last patient before lunch out. Julie was at the front desk doing some paperwork while Wendy was just on the other side of the wall, putting away patient files.
"You know, Mike," Davies said, "I don't think this is going to work."
"Excuse me?" Mike said in surprise.
"I think its pretty obvious that I like things a certain way," Davies said. "And I don't think I'm really interested in correcting things here. I'm too old to be turning this place upside down in order to set it straight."
Mike was astounded at the narrow view that her way was the only way to do things, but he simply said, "Um, I'm sorry to hear that you feel that way, Marge. I, uh, know things aren't up to your standards and I appreciate you coming in. I'll see what, um, I can do about getting this place in better shape."
Julie looked at Wendy, who had poked her head around the corner in shock. They continued to look at one another until Davies had collected her things and left the office.
Mike continued to stare at the door that had closed behind Davies for about 30 seconds. Then he snorted and exclaimed, "ARGH! 'Set it straight', my ass!"
He looked at Julie and Wendy, who had been startled by his outburst, then said, "I think we'll just keep things exactly as they are!"
With that, Mike walked down the hall to his office, leaving Wendy and Julie to share another look.
***
Stuckeyville High School
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
10:30 AM
The period bell rang and Carol said loudly as the students dashed for the door, "Don't forget, I want you to read pages 50 to 75 of Catcher in the Rye for tomorrow!" Her comment was met with a few groans, which she met with a sweet smile.
Once all of the students were out of the classroom, Carol stood and stretched. She was wearing a pair of dark blue slacks with a powder blue and purple silk blouse. Her hair was pulled back.
She decided to step outside of the classroom for a minute. Out in the hallway, she saw Molly walking down the hallway, 'surveying her domain' as Molly liked to joke. Molly was in a dark blue pants suit with a light green blouse. She was also wearing her eye glasses, which, Carol noted, Molly tended to wear when walking the halls to seem more "principal-like".
Molly smiled as she stepped in front of Carol and said, "Good morning, Ms. Vessey."
Carol smiled back and replied, "And a good morning to you, Principal Hudson."
A couple of students passing by looked at them oddly. Molly and Carol just smiled at them.
"So," Molly said, "how are things going today?"
"Oh," Carol said with a wave, "the usual. I talk ... they stare blankly back at me."
"Ah," Molly said, "sounds like my day."
Carol looked confused, then said, "But I thought you were meeting with the school boa ... ah, right. Got it."
"Yep," Molly said with a grin.
"Hey, Ryan," Molly suddenly said.
Ryan Knoll walked pass with only a grunt, never looking at either Molly or Carol.
"Well," Carol said, "I see that things haven't changed with Ryan."
"No," Molly said with frustration. "No, they haven't. I really thought that there was a break through when Shawn told me they had talked. Something happened - I don't know what, but something had to make him pull another 180 on us."
"Ed said he didn't have any luck either," Carol said, nibbling her bottom lip.
"No," Molly said sadly, "but I appreciate that he tried."
Molly looked down the hallway at Ryan's retreating back and sighed.
"Last night was fun, too," Molly said.
"What happened," Carol asked.
"I went to Shawn's house last night," Molly said. "Shawn had been re- finishing my coffee table – he's good with his hands."
Molly blushed when Carol raised her eyebrows, then said, "That's *not* what I meant!"
Carol chuckled, then Molly continued, "*Anyway*, when I got to the house, Shawn wasn't there. He had gotten called into the firehouse - the entire on-duty crew had been called out for a big fire and they needed someone to stay at the firehouse in case another call came in. Ryan answered the door."
"Uh-oh," Carol said.
They stepped aside to let students get into Carol's classroom.
Molly winced in remembrance, then said, "Yeah. He was his usual sullen self. When I told him I was there to pick up the coffee table, he said that he couldn't let me in since his father wasn't there."
Carol could tell there was more, so simply waited. Molly continued, "Then he said, 'Of course, if my mother were here, you could come in. But then again ... if my mother *were* still here, you *wouldn't* be.'"
"Ouch! What did you say?" Carol asked incredulous.
"I thanked him and left," Molly said, clearly upset.
"Oh, Molls," Carol said, "I'm so sorry!"
"Thanks," Molly said. Then she shook herself. "So, how are things in your love life?"
"Great!" Carol replied.
Molly cocked her head to the side. She knew Carol very well by now and something sounded wrong. She simply said, "Really?" and continued to stare at Carol.
It took about five seconds for Molly's stare to break down Carol's defenses.
"I don't know!" Carol finally blurted.
"Are you guys arguing?" Molly asked.
"No," Carol answered.
"Are you ignoring one another? Is Ed ignoring you? Are you ignoring Ed? Are you ignoring Ed's ignoring you?" Molly further inquired.
"No, no, no, and, uh, no," Carol said.
"Then what is the problem?" Molly asked.
Carol looked around for a moment, then asked, "Have you heard anything about Ed asking me to marry him?"
"What?" Molly asked in surprise. "No, I haven't. Did he? Is he going to?"
"No, he didn't," Carol responded, "and I don't know if he is. *That's* the problem?"
"It's a problem because you don't know if Ed is going to propose to you?" Molly asked in confusion.
"Yes," Carol said. "Well, no, not exactly."
Molly looked around for a moment.
"What are you looking for," Carol asked.
"Something heavier than my hand to hit you upside the head with," Molly said. "Because you are not making *any* sense!"
Carol took a deep breath, then said, "Its not a problem that I don't know *when* Ed is going to propose, so much as it's a problem because I don't know if he *will* propose."
"What makes you think he won't propose?" Molly asked.
"I'm just surprised that he hasn't asked me already, that's all," Carol said. "Its making me wonder if Ed doesn't want to get married."
"And Ed should have asked you already because you're irresistible, right?" Molly asked innocently.
"No, Molls!" Carol said in exasperation. "I guess I am surprised that Ed hasn't asked me yet. Look at it this way. This is Ed Stevens we're talking about right? (Molly nodded) The guy who dressed up in a knight's suit to ask me out on a date. (Molly nodded again) The guy who chased me for three years. (Molly nodded again)"
"So," Carol continued, "do you think that a guy like Ed is going to wait forever to propose?"
"No," Molly said slowly, "I don't think he would. But I do know that Ed loves you. If he hasn't asked you, there's a perfectly good reason."
"Yeah," Carol said forlornly. "He probably just doesn't want to get married again."
Carol looked behind her at the full classroom and said, "I've gotta go. I'll talk to you later."
***
The home of Mike and Nancy Burton
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
6:00 PM
Mike hit the garage door opener as he got close to the house. As the garage door opened, he pulled into the driveway and then into the garage. He got out of the car, grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door into the house. He slapped the garage door control on his way inside and listened to make sure the door had started down.
As he walked into the hallway leading to the kitchen, he called out, "Hey, Nance. I'm home!"
"Hi, honey," Nancy said as Mike walked into the kitchen. Nancy was busy at the stove, with a couple of pots steaming and bubbling.
"Mmm," Mike said as he walked up behind Nancy and wrapped his arms around her waist, "smells good!"
"Thanks," Nancy said. "Its roast chicken with stuffing, gravy, carrots, and broccoli."
"I wasn't talking about the food," Mike said as he nuzzled Nancy's neck.
Nancy giggled and slipped out of Mike's grasp to grab a spoon. "What's gotten into you?" Nancy asked.
"Can't a man just demonstrate his affection for the woman he loves without it being unusual?" Mike replied.
"Yes," Nancy said, "a man can. But its just that lately you haven't really, um, been in the mood."
"Maybe so," Mike said, "but that doesn't mean I can't be in the mood tonight."
"Sorry, honey," Nancy said playfully, "its Tuesday night. You remember Tuesday night, right. Worst love-making statistics for us. Doesn't look good."
Nancy moved to the opposite side of the kitchen island.
"Well, honey," Mike said with a small smile, "I think we need to change that."
Mike started to move clockwise around the counter, but Nancy moved the same way, maintaining the island between them.
"You're really going to make me chase you around this island, aren't you," Mike asked.
"Uh-huh!" Nancy said as she smiled widely and nodded.
Mike made a sudden lunge to his right, then shifted back to his left as Nancy moved to *her* right. He caught her, then wrapped his arms around her quickly and gently pinned her against the island. Mike kissed her for several moments, before easing up slightly.
Nancy stood with her head tilted back and her eyes closed for a couple of moments. When she finally opened her eyes, she looked up into Mike's eyes. As she heard a pot rattling on the stove, she looked over and sighed.
She turned back Mike and said, "I need to get the take care of these pots or I'm going to burn the house down. After dinner and after we get Sarah to bed we can continue this."
Nancy started to move towards the stove, but stopped and turned back to Mike. "And let me tell you, Michael Roger Burton," Nancy said severely, "you better not back out. *And* I expect the steak dinner, tonight, mister!"
Mike just grinned and went to the living room to see his daughter.
---
Mike and Nancy were just finishing dinner. Nancy had talked to Mike during dinner about her day and the trouble she was having with a couple a students.
Nancy got a surprised look on her face and said, "I completely forgot! How was Dr. Davies?"
Mike got a pained looked on his face and Nancy immediately knew that Davies wasn't going to work out, either. So far, the only one that had shown any potential was Parsons. And Nancy wasn't exactly thrilled with *that* choice.
"Davies is a good doctor," Mike said, "but her military background is pretty obvious. Way too obvious."
Nancy just waited, knowing that Mike took his time with certain things.
"She read the riot act to one diabetic patient because they weren't following their diet properly," Mike said. "Then she went a little nuts on an overweight patient. She gets very upset with people who don't take good enough care of themselves. Well, at least what she deems 'not good enough'."
"Oh, Mike," Nancy commiserated. "What are you going to do now? Davies was the last one on your short list. None of the four have worked out."
"One did," Mike said with surprise in his voice.
"Parsons," Nancy said in a neutral tone. She didn't want to get into it with Mike about Parsons. She really *did* trust Mike. She wasn't worried that he would start something, but she was *very* worried about Parsons starting it. The woman thought Mike "was brilliant".
Mike was oblivious to Nancy's inner turmoil over Parsons. He said, "Yep. Vicky really knows her stuff. I'm a little concerned about how young she looks, but she's good with the patients, too. I think the patients will warm to her, though."
"So," Nancy said, "are you going to offer her the partnership?"
"Yeah," Mike said, "I think so. I'm going to let it sit for the rest of the night, then make the final call in the morning. But I don't think I'll change my mind. I'll probably call her tomorrow and make arrangements to go over things with her."
"Great, honey," Nancy said with false enthusiasm. She really wanted to see Mike more often, but she just wasn't thrilled. Nancy snorted mentally, knowing this wouldn't have been an issue if Mike had chosen a male doctor for his partner, and a part of her was upset that she was upset about Parsons because she *was* a woman.