Every year, Hamilton High hosts a fair that celebrates the founding of the town and gives kids of all ages an excuse to eat cotton candy until they puke. The PTA invites businesses to rent out booths and I plan on hosting one for McCormick Family Practice. Community engagement: check.
“Dr. Bell, are you nearly finished reviewing her chart? I’ve never seen such medical devotion to a case of the sniffles,” Lucas says, drawing me out of my thoughts.
I flip Diane’s chart closed and open her door. “Ms. Pecos, how are you feeling today?”
“Terrible,” she replies with a congested Texas accent.
“What seems to be the trouble?”
“Stuffy nose, watery eyes, you name it. I have a terrible headache that only goes away when I sleep. It’s been this way for the last three days.”
I check to confirm she has no fever.
“Ms. Pecos, we’ll run a few tests to confirm, but it sounds like it could be a nasty cold. You might just have to let it run its course—”
“No! That won’t work!” She wrings out her hands. “You see, there’s this guy. We’re supposed to be going on a third date tonight.”
“Well if you’re worried it might be contagious, you can always reschedu—”
“No, you don't get it. This is the sexiest guy I've ever dated, and I think he wants to take the relationship to the next level. Tonight.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t—”
“I can’t do…that…with a runny nose and puffy eyes!” She looks frantic.
"Well if he’s a good guy,” Lucas says. “He’ll understand a little cold."
She looks between the two of us like we’re idiots.
“No! Haven’t either of you been with someone you’re so attracted to you can hardly stand it?”
I swallow.
“Almost like you can’t even handle standing in the same room as them. Your hands sweat, your heart rate goes up, and”—Lucas and I meet each other’s eyes and then immediately glance away—“and I just want everything to be perfect. You have to help me.”
I push Lucas closer.
“I understand. Don’t worry Ms. Pecos, we’re going to do everything we can to help. My assistant here is going to swab your throat so we can rule out a bacterial infection.”
Lucas gives me annoyed side-eye, but still reaches for the long cotton swab.
Once he’s swabbed her throat, he hands the sample off to Mariah in the hallway to prep. “How long have your eyes bothered you?” Lucas asks. “Were they irritated before you got sick?”
I hold my arm out to separate him from Ms. Pecos. “I apologize for the twenty questions—he’s shadowing me today, and he’s still learning how to interact with patients. Sit up straight for me and let’s have a listen to your lungs.”
I move around the exam table and maneuver into position, only to realize my cast will make it nearly impossible. I try to put my stethoscope on one-handed and Lucas steps closer.
“I don’t need your help,” I mutter.
He tilts his head and watches me struggle.
After ten long seconds, I get the stethoscope in place. “Right, okay. Deep breath for me.”
I press my good hand to her back and try to maneuver the chestpiece with my casted hand. My attempt is futile.
Lucas grows impatient and steps closer so he can replace me. I don’t budge, and there are suddenly too many cooks in the exam room.
“If you’d just step aside, Dr. Bell, I can listen to our patient’s lungs and rule out any pulmonary issues.”
“I’m fine right here.”
He reaches over, grabs my biceps, and shifts me out of the way like I’m filled with air.
I step right back to where I was before. He will not edge me out of this office. Ms. Pecos shifts uncomfortably.
“Dr. Bell, would you please join me in the hallway for a moment?” Lucas says in a measured voice. “I think Mariah might be back with the slide results.”
He doesn’t wait for me to reply, just walks to the door and holds it open like a parent who’s caught me breaking curfew. I smile softly at Ms. Pecos and walk out, dejected.
When we’re alone in the hall, he turns to me.
“What’s your game plan, Daisy? We can’t do this dance with every patient for the next six weeks.”
“You are absolutely right. Here’s a plan: you give your resignation and I go on with my life, happier than ever.”
“You have one hand—”
“Lucas, you of all people should know how much can be accomplished with only one hand.”
I flick my eyes down to his slacks—not because I care what lies beneath them, but because I need to shove the double entendre past his thick skull.
He steps closer, sustaining my taunt.
“You sound like you know from experience.”
He’s wearing a knowing smile and it’s not the smile he wore as a teenager. That was easy to deflect. This little smirk holds dark promises and I realize suddenly that Lucas is a man now—a man who enjoys crowding my space and getting inside my head. I try to look past him, but his shoulders are too broad and he’s waiting for a comeback so I open my mouth and speak.
“Um…Ms. Peni—MS. PECOS, I mean, needs us.” I clear my throat and look down the hall, praying for Mariah to round the corner. HOW LONG CAN IT TAKE TO READ THE TEST STRIP? She’s nowhere, I am alone with Lucas, and the office is suddenly hotter than Hades. I pinch my lapel and air out my blouse. “I think we should…be doctors—stop looking at me like that. Just turn around while we wait for Mariah.”