Della walked into the doctor's office and walked over to the receptionist. She hobbled a bit on her left foot.

"Miss Street, nice to see you again!" she said.

She smiled. "You too! I have a 10:15 appointment."

"Yes, I see it right here. I believe it's concerning your foot?"

"That's right. I sprained it while breaking in a new pair of high-heeled dress shoes."

She giggled. "I know what that's like!"

Della also giggled. "Yes!"

"Well, sit down and I'll call you in a few minutes."

"Thanks, honey."

She sat in one of the chairs and looked at one of the magazines. Eventually, the nurse walked over to her.

"Miss Street?"

"Yes?"

"This way, please."

She led her through the inner door and into one of the examining rooms.

"The doctor will see you, soon."

"Thank you."

She sat in a chair. Then she crossed her left leg, took her shoe off, and rubbed her sore foot. (She wasn't wearing stockings.)

Eventually, the doctor came in. "Miss Street, nice seeing you again!"

"You too, Dr. Ford!"

"Now, I understand it's about your foot?"

"Yes. I sprained it while wearing a new pair of high heeled shoes. I just want to make sure nothing's broken."

He shook his head. "High heeled shoes are the bane of women's feet!"

"You think so?"

"Certainly. You ladies sacrifice foot comfort for being stylish!"

"Well, I'm not going to wear those shoes. In fact, I'm returning them to the store after this appointment."

"Good girl! Ok, let me look at your foot."

He knelt down and began inspecting the foot. She winced while he did that. "Am I hurting you? Sorry, I'll try and be more gentle." He continued his work, and she was able to relax. "Well, there doesn't seem to be any bones broken, which is good."

"Glad to hear that."

"I'll prepare an Epson salt bath for you. Be right back."

He left. She continued to rub her foot, while he was gone. A few minutes later, he returned, holding a large tub of water. He placed it down at her feet, and she placed her foot in it.

"Hope it isn't too hot."

"No, it feels wonderful. In fact, I'll put my other foot in!"

He smiled. "You do that!"

She took her right shoe off and put that foot into the water.

"Now, try not to walk on that foot so much, for the next few days. Don't wear shoes with heels. In fact, go barefooted, if you're that daring."

"I do actually enjoy walking barefoot."

"Good! Buy a container of Epson salts. The pharmacy downstairs has them; I believe they're just 98 cents. Also, I'll prescribe a mild painkiller; you can get it there, as well. Oh, and massage the foot frequently"

"Thank you, Dr. Ford."

"Say, how's your boss doing?"

"Very well, thank you."

"He's overdue for a yearly checkup."

"He's a very busy man!"

"I'm sure he is! Tell him I said hi."

"I will."

"And if I ever need legal help, he'll be my first choice!"

She chuckled. "Well, I hope that'll never happen to you!"

"Oh, you can take your feet out, now."

"Thank you."

He gave her a towel. She took her feet out of the tub, dried them, then put her shoes back on. "Thank you, Doctor, my foot feels much better now."

"You're quite welcome. Oh, I'd like to see you in a couple weeks to check on it. You can have the receptionist make the appointment."

"All right."

He walked to a desk and wrote something on a memo pad. Meanwhile, she got up. He gave her the paper. "The prescription for the painkiller."

"Thank you. See you in a couple weeks."

"Looking forward to that."

He led her back to the front office.

"Your insurance is the same?" asked the receptionist.

"Yes, it is."

"That's good."

"Oh, I need to make a follow-up appointment in a couple weeks."

"Sure."

They arranged the appointment, and she left.

The next day, Della was back at work. She arrived at the same time her boss did.

"Hi, Chief."

"Hi, Della. How's your foot?"

"Much better. Dr. Ford says nothing's broken."

"Good."

She sat at her desk. "Oh, I need to ask you something."

"Ok."

"Would you mind if I work with my shoes off? Doctor's orders."

"Well, ok. But I'll have to ask that you put them on when guests come in."

"Sure, I understand. And thanks." She slipped her shoes off. "Oh, Dr. Ford said to say hi. And you're due for an appointment!"

He sighed. "Yes, I know! Work has been so busy!"

"You're always busy!"

He chuckled. "That's true! I'll make one soon."

"Ok. Oh, and he also said that if he's ever in legal trouble, you'll be the first person he calls!"

He smiled. "I'm glad to hear that!"

Suddenly, she got up-still barefooted-and walked over to him. "Dr. Ford also said my foot should be massaged frequently. Do you think you could do that for me?" She smiled seductively.

Perry also smiled. "Perhaps after work, tonight? We could have dinner together."

"That sounds like a plan!"

"Yes, it does!"