Doctor's Notes - Chapter 2
Joe reached the end of "Route 66," then watched with amusement as Kel exchanged annoyed glances with Dixie before getting out his wallet. Shaking his head, Kel dropped a $20 into the tip glass.
Joe chuckled. "Thanks, Kel. And Dixie, you're always watching out for me, huh?"
Dixie had a small smile. "Always, Joe." She glanced between the two men. "I assume you two have met."
Both nodded.
"Hi Kel."
"Hi Joe."
The first time the two men had met was in 1960 at a medical convention in Chicago, when Joe, then splitting private practice in Beverly Hills with time at Rampart, was making a presentation about neurosurgery. Other doctors had been gushing about a wunderkind from Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic talking about new ways of doing emergency medicine.
Joe had decided to listen - and was impressed with the young Dr. Kelly Brackett.
The older doctor had invited the younger one out to dinner for some shop talk. At the time, Joe had decided: This guy's too work-oriented. He needs a hobby.
Joe spoke up.
"You know, I play the piano in my free time. I also golf."
Surprised, Kel hesitated for a moment.
"I used to ride horses as a kid," Kel responded. "Can't say I'm much of a golfer. That's interesting, that you play the piano."
"I learned as a kid," Joe said. To Kel, it looked as if the other doctor was about to say more. But Joe stopped.
"I guess it's useful," Kel mused. "But I might need something more athletic…."
By the time Kel went to work at Rampart Hospital the following year, he had an update.
"Well, Joe, you'll be proud to know that I've taken up tennis," Kel replied at the time.
Joe nodded. "It's something."
He was amused at the horrified look on Kel's face. "What do you mean, 'something?!'"
Now, the two men walked with Dixie over to a corner table lit only by a candle. They sat down. Joe looked at his friend and colleague. "How's your tennis?" he asked Kel.
"It's OK." Kel shook his head. He looked around. "I see you've found a hobby, too, Joe."
Dixie drew a breath.
"What makes you think this is a hobby?" Joe asked. His tone remained amiable, but he had a dangerous look in his eye.
"Well, you've got a thriving medical practice in Beverly Hills," Kel pointed out. "Of course, it's been thriving with your junior partners recently."
Joe did not smile. "They're great partners," he said.
"You're the guy they count on," Kel countered.
Now, Joe looked uncomfortable. "Uh, Kel...Why are you here?"
"To bring you back to medicine, Joe."
Joe began to stammer. "Look, Kel…."
The other man countered, "You look, Joe…."
A pleading glance from Dixie prompted Kel to soften his tone.
"Joe, I'm not interested in putting you into any uncomfortable situations. I just want to save lives in the best way possible."
For a moment, Joe just stared ahead. "Yeah….save lives…."
Dixie watched the expression on her friend's face, sighed and broke in.
"Joe, stop it," she snapped, drawing surprised looks from the two men.
"You couldn't have done any more to save Mary's life," Dixie continued with a frustrated tone. "And the last thing she would have wanted was for you to leave medicine and mope around just playing piano. Listen, DOCTOR Early….This is DOCTOR Brackett, trying to get you to help. There's a lot to be done!"
There was silence for a moment after that. Uncomfortable, Joe swallowed hard.
"I have to go back to the piano," he said.