Chapter 25 - Advice

Morwenna opened my surgery door and looked in at me, as I was looking over the schedule for tomorrow. "Yes?" I asked.

"Sorry Doc, but you've got one last patient."

I looked at my watch and it was nearly 5. "Almost closed."

She ducked her head, grimaced, and held up her index finger. "Just one more?"

I sighed, but I snapped, "Fine. Send them in."

Morwenna opened the door and stepped aside, revealing Al Large, who nodded at me, saying, "Doc."

"Come in then," I moaned.

Al brushed past his fiancee with a grim look, then watched as she closed the door behind him.

I indicated he should sit in my visitor chair, which he did.

"Now what's the problem?"

He scratched his neck nervously. "I been wanting... uhm, to... ask about..."

"Is this a medical problem?" I must have asked harshly for his face fell.

"Not exactly."

"What does that mean?"

He looked down at his feet. "I... well, with weddin' and all..." he stopped to sigh, "I haven't been able to sleep... uhm, much."

"Just how much sleep have you been getting, on average?" He did look tired, based on his red-rimmed eyes.

"I dunnoh. Couple of hours, I suppose." He sighed. "Maybe things... well, you know how things can be."

"No, I don't. Al, what are you nattering on about?"

He looked at me with a woebegone expression, his eyes squinting, as he does often. Finally he sighed. "Women, Doc."

"Oh," I grunted.

Al shrugged. "I mean, I love Morwenna, I really do," his voice fell to a whisper, "but, what if I muck it up?"

"What in particular might you muck up?" This was not a medical problem.

"What if some day down the road she looks at me over breakfast and says we made a mistake, and that we should separate? What then, Doc?"

I grimaced, sensing he was asking for advice, or counseling, or God knows what.

"Maybe things... well, you know how things can be," he said softly.

I groaned inside. "And just why are you asking me?" I knew the answer.

"You and Louisa; you two haven't, I mean, didn't exactly... not all hearts and flowers, all the time, right?"

"If you mean that the relationship between me and Louisa and her with me hasn't always been smooth sailing?"

Al nodded. "Yeah, like that."

I leaned back in my chair. What could I tell him? That she took a dislike to me on the plane, in the first few minutes I was aware of her? For that was true. That we then had a battle of wills? That we had dated, but that lead up to a horrid bustup? Finally, in desperation, I had forced out enough words to ask her to marry? But she said yes, thank God. But our first attempt at a wedding did fail.

Al was waiting for my response.

Then she left, but came back pregnant with James Henry. When I saw her face upon her return she was everything I had hoped for. Louisa was back... and then I saw her gravid belly.

I told him, "You cannot assume that things will be completely calm., Al." Calm; that's a loaded word. "And a child, ahem, adds complexity to things."

"Complexity. A good word," he replied.

I looked at the man and wondered what I could, or should say.

Al shrugged. "I know some say I been chasing... your receptionists." He grinned wickedly. "Not that I ever could get that close to Elaine, and Pauline wanted me a lot less than I wanted her." He shook his head. "Last I heard she was in Bristol studying to ne a nurse. So, you musta rubbed off on her, Doc."

Elaine was a horrible receptionist, but at least Pauline had been trainable; she did all the phlebotomy work when she was here.

"And I'm thinkin' Morwenna has been doin' pretty well, considering the couple a pay rises. But..."

Stalling for time, I answered, "But?"

He shook his head. "Look at me, Doc. What have I got? No education, beyond the basics, I know a lot about plumbing, and general repair, a bit of computer stuff, but I can run a pub. Just dont ask me to run a bed and breakfast or a restaurant."

Perhaps I could advise him. "Why do you assume that there is nothing which you are good at? I, as you know, was once a surgeon, and now I am not. I can't say that I ever imagined that I would end up here."

"But you... you are the best, Doc! When I had that sleeping sickness..."

I held up my hand. "That is my point, Al. I have many skills which I could turn towards... other... medical endeavours. Just not... uhm..."

"Right, sugery."

I stood up. "That is my point. Now, buck up. Don't fall victim to your fears. There is always some amount of self-doubt in each of us. Now, I can do a medical exam on you, however, it is very possible that your sleep disturbances can be cared for by eliminating caffeinated drinks late in the day, eat normally - that is healthily - and cut back on the alcohol. Do you think you can do these things?"

Al nodded. "I can try."

"Now, as for fears of inadequacy with your partner, I suggest that you recall that you and my receptionist are a romantic couple. Early romantic love, however, does not last, but is replaced by longer lasting things, such as companionship, friendship, warmth, and respect."

Al had developed a grin, which grew larger. "Sure Doc."

I went around my desk, held out my hand, which he took as I pulled him to his feet. "And one more thing, Al."

"Yeah, Doc."

I felt this was a slippery slope, but I pressed on anyway. "When things get difficult, or unsettling, and they will, sit down with her and talk it out."

He shook my hand firmly. "Thanks Doc, I appreciate it." He headed to the door.

"Oh Al?"

"Yeah, Doc?"

"Sometimes, when your wife requests - certain uhm, things - just agree. Odds are you might just enjoy it." I was thinking of Louisa asking about another child, but I hoped he wouldn't infer such; perhaps only about buying new furniture. "And apologize, even if it isn't your fault."

Al smiled. "I'll remember that."