Manon Lockley parked in the driveway of the small yellow brick ranch house she’d converted into an office for her medical practice. She slid from the driver’s seat and paused to inhale the fragrance of the June roses.
At the moment she felt like the White Rabbit. She was very late for office hours. Mrs. Patton, director of nursing at Fern Lake General had been admitted to the hospital this morning with chest pain. As her primary physician, Manon had remained to monitor the older woman’s condition and to work with the cardiologist to stabilize the hospital’s most admired employee.
Manon glanced at her watch. Well past three. How long would she need to stay? Her stomach grumbled reminding her she hadn’t eating lunch. Exhaustion caused by the emergency made her shoulders slump under the weight of the event.
She opened the door leading to the reception area. Hopefully her nurse/secretary had been able to reschedule the patients for another day.
The rumble of a motorcycle sounded in the distance. Her muscles tightened. Her fists clenched. Her heart pounded in an erratic rhythm. The roar of a bike never failed to flood her with memories she didn’t want. Those memories had been shattered years ago and still filled her with anger and grief.
Do not go there.
After sucking in a series of cleansing breaths, she entered and paused at the reception desk. The cheerful yellow walls brightened her mood. She glanced into the waiting room and saw just two people seated on the brown leather chairs. Manon smiled. Two to four patients was better than the dozen plus who had been scheduled.
Emma hung up the phone. “Finally.”
Manon nodded. “It’s been quite a day. Things here.”
“Relatively quiet. Managed to reschedule all but five of today’s appointments. Schedule will be tight for the rest of the week. How’s Mrs. Patton?”
“Stable. Angina. No cause yet. Tests to run before we know her course of treatment."
Emma smiled. “That’s great. Will be hard to think of the hospital without her at the helm. I wouldn’t be in school for my nurse practitioner’s degree if she hadn’t pushed me to try.”
Manon half-sat on a corner of the desk. “Did you know she plans to retire?”
“I’ve heard the rumors. They say she waited until she found the right replacement. I heard she made a recommendation to the Board. Someone from the city.”
Manon frowned. “How do you think the supervisors will feel about that?”
“None are qualified. Ruth has a doctorate. None of the others in upper management does. What have you heard? Any names?”
Manon rose. “No rumors but I’m not on the Board. Hope they bring the person on staff early.”
“Is she that ill?” Emma asked.
“She’s almost seventy. Time for her to relax. She needs less stress.” Manon moved toward the hall. “I’d better start. What do we have?”
“You’ve time to settle in. There’s a protein bar and pomegranate juice on your desk. I imagine you skipped lunch.”
Manon laughed. “Does four cups of coffee count?”
“No calories.”
“Actually two sugars and milk.”
Unhealthy. Eat the snack.” Emma raised her fist in a mock gesture of threat.
Manon giggled. “Yes, Mother. Thanks.” She dashed down the hall to her office. Light from the windows revealed a neat oak desk with a computer on one segment of the L-shaped piece of furniture. She locked her purse in the bottom drawer. After settling on the chair, she sipped juice and ate the bar. The snack should hold her for an hour or so. She used a wipe on her hands, donned a white lab coat and stood at the window to admire the red, pink and white roses in the side yard.
Emma tapped on the door. “Prelims done. One of the patients who refused to reschedule is, guess who?”
“Sands,” Manon said. “Why me?”
“You’re too nice to the jerk.” Emma fisted her hands on her hips. “Don’t you feel weird examining a man who has the hots for you?”
“Emma!” Manon shook her head. “There’s nothing personal on my part.”
“You need to dismiss him as a patient. He’s a stalker and if this visit is like the others, we can’t bill his insurance.”
Manon groaned. Tom Sands was a persistent pest from her past who wanted a role in her present and future. They’d gone to the same private high school. When she’d entered med school, he’d been studying law at the same university.
Manon released a long sigh. Why today? Twelve years ago on this date in June, she had experienced the worst day of her life. Had he purposely chosen this day for a visit?
She stepped into the hall. “What’s his problem? I wonder why a lawyer doesn’t understand how close to trouble he ventures.”
“He knows you’re a softie.” Emma scowled. “Do you think he’s trying to push you into committing fraud so he has a hold over you? Doesn’t he understand you can’t bill his insurance company for every silly complaint?”
Though Manon hadn’t wanted to believe her friend. She knew Emma was right. Tom’s frequent visits for non-existent illnesses needed to end. “I don’t think he cares. What’s his current complaint?”
“Fever. Was ninety-eight point nine. Since that’s above the average normal temp, I guess he’s right.”
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