The next day I was standing by the nurses station getting all of Glenn's paper work together…while Jamie was down trying to help him get dressed…I was talking to one of my nurses and said, "I'm going to run home and sleep for about 3 hours…I'll be back around noon…If Mr. Simper's fever spikes at all please page me immediately…I don't want him getting an infection internally…it will make his recovery harder…and if he has any pain at all then started him on the PC Morphine drip…but only if his pain is between 8 and 10.."
The nurse said, "Yes, doctor…have a nice nap ma'am." I winked and said, "Yes…as long as it's filled with some sweet dreams…I'll come back happier then when I left…"
"Oh, I don't know about that…you never were one to be awake and not have a smile on your face." That deep southern voice was just all too clear on who it was coming from. I turned around and there was Mark…sunglasses and all…I said, "Good Morning Mr. Callaway…Ladies I'll see you at noon." A couple of 'Bye Doc's' rang from the desk as I walked away with Mark by my side…I said, "You look a little more awake then last night." Mark said, "Yea…sleep does that to you…I was wondering if we could talk?" I said, "Actually, I can't…I have 4 hours…3 of which are going to be spent sleeping…I'm doing a double…I worked last night, sleep 3 hours…and then I'll work from noon to mid-night."
Mark said, "You didn't like living out of hotels…but you'll work on 3 hours of sleep?" I said, "Mark…you know living out of hotel never bothered me…granted I wasn't crazy about the idea…but it came along with the job…traveling was fun…but in the end, being able to go home and sleep in my own bed…is the most glorious feeling I could ever have…other then seeing you again after 2 years…and with short hair…what's with the hair cut?" Mark said, "I just got tired of it and it just became a real pain in the ass to deal with every night…but look at you…you're a doctor now…how did that come about?"
I said, "Well…after I left the tour…it would seem I was left with a whole bunch of spare time…after talking to a few counselors at the college…I went back to school for 2 years and got my PhD in Emergency Room Trauma…I love working in the ER…I'm so used to all the running around at the arenas, that everything just seemed to fit when I came here…What about you…I've been talking to Glenn…he says you're having some problems with your hips…"
Mark said, "Damn busy body…does he have to tell everyone…" I said, "Mark, he's just concerned about the amount of pain your in." He said, "Hell…I'm fine…I've had worse pain then that in my body…I did promise to whip his ass if he ever shoved me out of the way to take a bump for me like that again."
I said, "You should be grateful to have a friend like him…he's only looking out for your best interest…even if you are a stubborn ass…" Mark said, "Yes…I am grateful for him, he's been my best friend for 12 years…and I can be a stubborn ass…but I don't want fans to see him taking bumps for me…it would give off the impression that I'm getting old and that I can't hack it in the ring anymore…"
I said, "Mark…you're a legend when it comes to that ring…the fans love you and every thing you stand for…there will never be a time when they think you can't hack it…they know you're the bad ass from Texas…and you can take an ass whipping like anyone else…but you can also give one too…You look way too tired…you should take some time off…"
Mark said, "Girl…don't go telling me I look tired…until you look at yourself." I said, "Mark…the difference between you and me…is I know when to rest when I'm tired…you are stubborn and your pushing yourself too hard…you're going to end up with an injury you won't be able to recover from…with you getting older you're body doesn't recover as fast from injuries…whether they are severe or minor…I'm just simply suggesting that you talk to Vince…and take a week or two off…and just sit and relax…read a book…work on your bikes…ride your bikes…write a book…but just rest…give your body time to catch up with the rest of you."