A promise
Maxwell tosses and turns in bed. The blessed sleep just won't come. He keeps seeing Fran in her hospital bed. How she lay there, so fragile and weak. Thoughts circle in his head. What is wrong with her? He thinks back to the last weeks and months. Shouldn't he have noticed something? But Fran had been like always, until the weekend she left for her trip. She had probably been here in the clinic on those days. Afterwards she made up this charade. Well, Dr. Goldberg really isn't a bad guy and if he won't be happily married, he would definitely fit into her pattern.
Maxwell gets up the next morning completely exhausted. Besides, today he truly has terrible heart palpitations and trepidation in his chest. He is afraid of what he will learn today, but for him there is no point of turning back. The love of his life lies in this hospital fighting for her life and he wants to be by her side.
"Good morning, I am Mr. Sheffield! I need to speak with Dr. Goldberg urgently! It's very important!"
"Ah Mr. Sheffield, good you came back again. Dr. Goldberg is in an important meeting right now but I'm sure he'll have time for you afterwards. I'll show you to his office."
Maxwell is getting more restless by the minute as he sits back in the consulting room. Finally, the door openes.
"Mr. Sheffield! I need to apologize for the inconvenience yesterday. I was told you want to see me."
"Yes, well it's like this Dr. Goldberg...First I have a confession to make. To tell you the truth, I'm doing great with my health physically. (Dr. Goldberg stares at him in confusion) My appearance is more private nature. It is about my former nanny, whom I told you about yesterday. That nanny is Fran Fine. (Dr Goldberg's eyes get even bigger) I know she is a patient here. I saw her yesterday being taken out of a treatment room. The thing is, she's not just my kids' nanny. I love her and I desperately need your help." Dr. Goldberg lets out an audible sigh.
"To be honest. I don't know how I can help you. I'm sure you know I have no authority to tell you anything about Miss Fine's condition. She has not released us, to anyone from medical confidentiality."
"But I need to know how she is doing and most of all, I need to speak with her."
"I can't tell you any more details. Only this much, her condition is very serious. Furthermore, she has indicated that she doesn't want any visitors and she hasn't given us any contact information for people we can reach in case of emergency."
"I don't understand her behavior. Miss Fine comes from a very large loving family, she is very close to her parents and my family, the children and I have also taken her into our hearts. We all would have supported her. Instead, she lied to all of us and claimed she wants to move in with her future fiancé." Maxwell concealed the fact that Dr. Goldberg himself was the alleged fiancé.
"Well, I had a very intense conversation with her at the beginning of her treatment in which I tried to explain how important support from loved ones and caregivers can be in her situation. However, she completely brushed it off. She said she doesn't want to put anyone through watching her suffer and she doesn't want to be a burden."
Maxwell shakes his head, this was typical for Fran, always thinking of others and never of herself.
"But that means you agree with me, it would do her good to have someone to take care of her?!"
"Of course, I am absolutely convinced that some moral support serves a tremendous effort. I'll make you a suggestion. I will speak to Miss Fine once more and explain to her you would like to see her. But first I must know one thing from you. As I said, Miss Fine's condition is very critical and she is in a life-threatening situation. Even in the treatment works as we planned, she has a very long arduous road ahead of her. You have to be absolutely certain that you are able to endure this. You know, I've seen a lot of relatives, who were rock-solidly determined to go along with every complication and eventually collapsed themselves at some point. I have to be sure, are you really strong enough to be a real support and stand by her side? It would be a greater burden for Miss Fine if you just leave her alone at some later point. So, are you sure that you want to take this road? I could well understand if you say you can't handle it."
Maxwell hesitates. He is terrified of what to come. But on the other hand, he would never forgive himself if he lets her down now. He wants to be with her, hold her hand and take care of her. Just as she had done it for five years. Finally, he nods vigorously and says with determination.
"I'm ready for this!"
"All right, I suggest you take a walk in the parc or wait in the cafeteria. I'll see what I can reach with Miss Fine. One more, if she blocks right now or doesn't want a visit from you, we'll have to respect that."
Maxwell nods in agreement, fervently hoping Dr. Goldberg will find the right words to convince Fran.