Chapter 5
As light crept into the bedroom Jonathan began to stir first.
"Monday", he thought. Today is the day that everything will change. "I can feel it."
Jonathan slipped out from under Jennifer's arm and unwound her leg from his; putting on his robe her turned and looked at her sleeping. "I love watching her sleep."
In the kitchen Jonathan prepared a tray loaded with fruit, tea with honey, toast, the morning paper and a daisy in a small bud vase. He tried not to wake Jennifer until her reached the bedroom, but he could see her through the open door sitting up in the bed waiting for him and smiling.
"Awww…. I wanted to surprise you. I know how much you love surprises." Said Jonathan as he walked toward the bed and gave her a little wink.
"Well darling, I appreciate the thought but you are a bit noisy in the kitchen."
"Who? Me? Never? I am always as quiet as a church mouse." smiled Jonathan.
Caught up in the sweetness of the gesture and Jennifer's "as if" expression he sat the tray in the middle of the bed and leaned in to kiss her.
He softly took her face in his hands, tilting it up at just the right angle and started with a light brush on her lips. Jonathan intensified the kiss by pressing more firmly against Jennifer's lips and their lips parted to taste of each other.
At last Jonathan moved away, sitting back on the bed and grinned at her.
"Well, that is a wonderful way to start the day!" exclaimed Jennifer as she attempted to catch her breath.
They ate a quick breakfast, dressed and headed out to the Medical Center.
As the car speed toward downtown, Jonathan observed Jennifer sitting in the passenger seat lost in thought.
"A penny for your thoughts?" he asked.
Jennifer was shaken from her revere by Jonathan's deep calm voice.
"Oh! Sorry. I was…was just daydreaming." she replied. "Thinking about how long it has been since we stopped by Willow Pond Drive. So many memories there, I wish…"
"I know darling, me too." said Jonathan, as he turned into the parking garage at Dr. Chapman's Clinic.
Marcus Chapman M.D., one of Jonathan's "finds" from Mountain Valley High School. Marcus was bright, intelligent and very young, compared to The Hart's. He had been in the first wave of students in the mentoring program. And when Jonathan's long time physician decided to retire, it was Marcus he recommended. Sam Conner's recommendation shocked Jonathan.
"But he is so, so…young? Really Sam?" had been Jonathan's initial reaction. But Marcus was very highly accredited despite his young age.
"Jonathan, old guys like me, well, we are behind on the times. It's these young guy's coming out of their internships that you want. They are up to date on everything; it's all digital and computerized now. A fellow like me, hell even a doctor just 10 years younger than me, can't keep up with all that technology. He is who I am going to see." said Sam.
"Okay. But if your wrong about him, then you owe me a drink at the club." joked Jonathan as the two shook hands.
Marcus' office was pleasant and quiet, with a sleek monochromatic modern look. He catered to busy Executives and the odd hours they required as patients. Jonathan checked in with reception and he and Jennifer took a seat in the empty waiting room.
"This is a little unnerving darling." whispered Jennifer, "We are the only people here."
"No we're not. Marcus is here, the receptionist, and Beverly Marcus' nurse. This how he works. For the next few hours Marcus is at my disposal, as I am at his. It eliminates all the running around and back and forth, waiting for test results and so on." Jonathan said matter of factly.
Marcus emerged from the hallway, "Jonathan, I am surprised to be seeing you again so soon. Usually I am begging you to come in for your physical', joked Marcus, "and it's always a delight Mrs. Hart," as Marcus took her hand and shook it. "Come on back and let's get this thing rolling."
"Ok, Jonathan lets start with your basic symptoms – fatigue, little weight loss, some discomfort after meals? Have I got that right?" said Marcus.
"Yes, that pretty much sums it all up." replied Jonathan with a not so confident grin.
Try as he might Jonathan couldn't shake his thoughts from eariler in the morning, "It changes today. I don't want to worry Jennifer, focus Jonathan, keep the mood light."
"Well, this is my typical course of action with patients experiencing this combination of symptoms, especially your weight loss. Eighteen pounds in just a few months worries me..."
"EIGHTEEN POUNDS!" Jennifer's face flashed red hot as glared at Jonathan. All the while chastising herself for not noticing on her own, "that's impossible! Jonathan?"
"No darling, he's right", Jonathan replied knowing he was in the doghouse big time.
Jennifer turned her face to face Dr. Chapman, "So what now."
"Umm, okay, first blood work, a typical physical exam, then a simple ultra sound, anything beyond that will depend on what information those tests give us."
Jennifer look at Jonathan as he said, "Let's get started, I have a feeling I will need to do some shopping today, maybe I will pick up a little gift for a wife with a temper."
Despite Jonathan's attempts to lighten the atmosphere, Jennifer sat in her chair remembering how it started when her father had become ill. She had been down this path before.
Jennifer sent up a silent prayer, as Jonathan headed to the exam room, "Please God, I'm afraid for him. Keep me strong."