C H A P T E R T W O
Adam
I’ve been running from exam room to exam room all morning, as well as being roughly 15 minutes behind, and it isn’t even noon. I love to be busy, don’t get me wrong, but I hate to leave patients waiting. As I wait for my next patient, my mind wanders to Isabel, again. I haven’t been able to get the image of her terrified face out of my mind. I come in every day hoping she has stopped back in, left a message, or made an appointment. I am sure I am driving poor Donna nuts by now.
Shaking my head to regain my focus, I see Reese step out of exam room three to brief me on my next patient.
“Who do you have for me next?”
“Isabel Alexander, 24, weight 176, height 5’ 8”, heart rate 126. I noticed bruising on her arm along with something on the inside of her elbow, track marks maybe. She made an appointment today complaining of insomnia.”
Isabel? Maybe this might be…
“Hello Mrs. Alexander,” I say brightly as I walk in the exam room. It isn’t until I look up that I realize who I am speaking to.
It’s her
Closing the door quickly, there is nothing I can do but stare into her big beautiful eyes.
They’re green.
Big beautiful, but terrified green eyes stare at me while she cowers in the chair by the desk.
“Isabel, I’m so glad to see you again,” I say calmly, although I am anything but calm.
“I’m sorry, but I need to get your heart rate again, it seemed high when Corpsman Reese took it.”
I'm lying, but it was the easiest way I could think of to get a look at those bruises.
“O-o-oh, um I-I-I don’t n-n-need it to be taken a-again. I-I-I just haven’t s-sl-ept well.” She stammers.
I slowly reach for one of her hands, but immediately pull back when she flinches at my touch.
“Isabel, Reese told me that he noticed bruises on your arm. Can you tell me what happened?” I ask softly.
“I-I-I fell when playing with my do-do-dog.” She replies breaking eye contact to stare at her hands.
Liar.
“Isabel, why don’t you tell me what brought you in today?”
I think it’s time to try a different tactic.
“O-O-Oh well… I umm haven’t um been sleeping well,” she says.
“Okay. When was your last physical? I don’t like to prescribe medications to patients until I know if they have any underlying conditions.” I stated matter-of-factly watching her face closely for any type of reaction.
A single tear slides down her cheek, “It’s not as bad as it seems. The move was stressful. Thank you for your time.” She says quietly, standing to leave.
I quickly stand and stop her hasty retreat by placing a hand on her shoulder. She flinches but stops with her hand on the doorknob.
“I would like to see you again. Perhaps we can have coffee instead?” I say with a smile. “Here, take my card. I’ll write my cell number and email on it. Contact me anytime, day or night, I am your doctor after all.”
“Isabel, there are people who can help you. If not me, someone, anyone, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact them. We are here to help.”
I hope I don’t sound like a total creeper.
With a shy smile, she takes the card and shoves it into her purse before scurrying out of the exam room.
“Well, I guess my day can’t get any worse, now can it?” I say into the empty room as I try to collect my thoughts. Reese suddenly appears in the doorway.
“Sir? Are you alright?”
“Yes, Reese. I’m fine. Who’s next?”
Isabel
Dr. Adam Patterson is probably the most handsome man I have ever seen in my life. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help but think it. The way those blue eyes peered into my soul the first time we met has become my new drug. The only thing Jason wants me for is being his punching bag these days, but I know it is just the stress. Things will get better soon. He loves me, at least I think he does. I honestly cannot remember the last time he told me.
I should throw the card away, I know I should. I can’t bring myself to do it. I keep thinking of his dirty blonde hair that rests just above his glasses. I can’t help but imagine what it would feel like to be wrapped in his muscular arms, instead of being thrown down a flight of stairs because his dinner was cold. Maybe, just maybe he would take me on dates or talk to me about the books he was reading. He could want to know how my day was going. Just normal everyday conversation. I used to have that with Jason, when he was pretending, but now all he does is shout, but things will get better. They have to because there is no other choice for me. It’s not just me, I have to worry about, and I have no one who will take me in. I will deal with it for her, everything I do is for her.
It's good to dream so I can pretend, even if it is just for a little while that Dr. Adam thinks of me as something more than just a patient, even if it is a lie. Something to help me get through the bad times. It all has to get better soon, right?