by Urban, Ami
“You asked that last time. My answer is still no.”
I glanced up at her. “I know.”
“Then why do you keep asking?”
After a lengthy pause, I flipped the cards in my hand until they all faced her. Now, she could see all seven of them were nothing but eights. Four were the eight of diamonds.
After a moment, she began to laugh.
“This game was rigged from the get-go.” I tossed my cards onto the small table in front of us, pretending to be upset.
Lisa tried to stifle her giggles. “Did you count the cards?”
“Of course!” I put out both hands. “They’re all there! All eighty-two.”
She shook her head, seemingly unable to stop the laughter as it busted forth. “Remind me to take you back to Las Vegas.”
I smirked. “I’m not sure I’ve got the whole card-counting thing down. Then again, Chuck Norris did win the World Series of Poker using Pokémon cards, so maybe I have a chance.” I took a swig of my beer before gathering up all the cards on the table. She watched me, amusement still sparkling behind her eyes.
I checked my watch and frowned. 10:05 pm. Lexi still hadn’t called. Lisa reached around to massage her shoulder after I noticed a subtle wince scrunch up her face.
“You okay?” I asked, concern flooding me when I looked back at her.
“I’m not sure…” She seemed to be searching her mind and coming up empty. Then, her arms flew to her stomach. Pushing her chair back, she made a beeline for the small bathroom.
I gave her a moment, then followed. While rubbing her back, I made an attempt to look away to give her some sort of privacy. Once it seemed she was finished, she apologized, sitting back on her haunches.
“So that’s where all my ipecac went.”
She gave me a wan smile. “I feel better now. I think I just—” She doubled over on the bathroom floor, pressing her folded arms into her stomach. She didn’t seem to be able to move or speak.
Boy, do I know that feeling…
Just the same, I started to panic. “What’s happening?” My voice was just a bit higher than I’d intended.
She choked out the word “hospital” between crippling inhalations. I nodded, fumbling in my pocket for my cell phone. I dialed Brendon’s number just as my wife went unconscious.
From the desk of Dr. Lisa Reynolds – May 13
“You owe me, Bunny.” Brendon’s smile filled my vision. Confused, I looked around the room. I’d come to in the hospital. In a wheelchair.
“Jack?”
“I’m here, Foxtrot.” He knelt beside me. “Are you still hurting?”
At his words, a throb wracked my body. I nodded.
“Now tell me…” Brendon stood, extending a hand to me. I took it, wincing as I stood. “Where does it hurt, my dear?”
Across the room, Lexi, Cyrus, Rex and Jack watched as I limped my way over to the exam table, lying down on the crinkly paper. I felt like an animal on display. All of them looked worried. Brendon hummed a song as he turned to wash his hands in the sink. Jack took a seat in the wheelchair.
“Severe abdominal pain. Right side. Near pelvis. Possible appendicitis,” I said, holding both hands over the spot where pain radiated. “Nausea and vomiting.”
Brendon turned toward me. “Lucky me. Two appendectomies in two weeks.” He approached the table, gesturing for me to remove my hands. I did as instructed. He began palpating my abdomen in several areas. “Did you ever hear about the rabbi who lost his faith?”
“What about the rabbi that lost his faith?” Jack asked from across the room.
Brendon smiled without turning to him. “He got the—”
I sucked in a breath as Brendon’s fingers met a tender area on my right side.
“Now we’re talkin’,” he said.
“Let’s do an ultrasound.”
A puzzled look transformed his face. “Why? You’re a doctor and you say it’s appendicitis. I’m inclined to believe you.”
“There’s no fever,” I pointed out.
His eyes rolled up to the ceiling. “You doctors.” He sighed. “Fine. Let’s do an ultrasound.”
By the time I was wheeled into the lab, Nurse Harper was ready for me. The children went to the lobby while Jack held my hand.
“So, we thinking appendicitis?” She asked, glancing at Brendon.
“Si, senorita.” He leaned against the metal shelving next to him. Harper nodded, going back to her work. I tried to focus on something other than the screen, but it was no use. The black and white striated colors bathed Harper’s face in a bluish glow.
“Just relax, Dr. Reynolds,” she said, giving me a sweet smile.
I shifted under the paper blanket. “There are too many people in the room.”
A silence stretched out as everyone paused. “Well, I have to be here. I’m the tech.” She looked at Brendon.
He shrugged. “I’m her doctor.” Brendon glanced at Jack.
“What?! I’m the husband!”
“Can we all just figure out what the problem is, please?” I felt a fresh wave of pain wash over me. The room went silent once again while Harper went back to the screen. She moved the ultrasound monitor around my stomach, pausing sometimes to take a screenshot or measurements.
She let out a soft hum after a few moments of silence. “Your appendix looks fine. Nice and healthy.”
Confused, I glanced at the screen. Sure enough, my appendix looked like its normal, noodly self. Then what was the problem?
“Check for nephrolithiasis,” Brendon suggested, staring hard at the screen.
Harper began moving the ultrasound monitor over to my side. On her way there, however, she stopped. She began to focus on my right ovary. Several dark circles were scattered over the screen. In one of the circles, a small gray blob seemed to be obstructing the view.
“What the…?” Brendon leaned forward, looking directly over Harper’s shoulder.
“Well, I’ll be…” Harper paused to take a few snapshots of the anomaly.
I knew what it was immediately. “Why didn’t I think of that before?”
Brendon straightened. “Because you were too busy gettin’ down and dirty, Mama Reynolds.” He smiled.
“Someone needs to tell me what’s going on, because I’m floundering over here,” Jack said, squeezing my hand.
I turned to him. “It’s an ectopic pregnancy.”
His face remained stoic for a few moments. The reaction he’d had after losing our other baby had been less than stellar. He knew that, too. He knew he didn’t react in an appropriate manner. And I had no idea what to expect in that room that day.
“I knew I should’ve taken off that chastity belt before sex.” His words were accompanied by a sad smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. It was his way of showing he wasn’t okay in that moment but would be eventually.
“Well, Bunny, let’s get you prepped.” Brendon turned on his heel. “One fimbrioplasty coming up!”
“Surgery?”
He turned back around with a quizzical look.
“Methotrexate.”
Brendon's expression turned thoughtful. Again, he leaned back against the wall. “You got cancer? Do you want another kid? Because your fallopian tube is—” He gestured at Harper.
She scrunched up her face as the screen of her monitor jumped. “Uh…” She tapped it, sending a bar of static rolling from the bottom to the top. And suddenly, my ovary looked fine. “I think it’s broken…”
I made a frustrated noise in the back of my throat. “Now we need to find a new ultrasound machine.” Looking back at her, I said, “I’d like to see my chart, please.”
Harper handed it to me, but Brendon intercepted it with a smile. “I love ya, Mama Reynolds, but you gotta relax. You’ve been working twenty-four-seven for the last eighteen millennia. Let me take care of something.” He opened the folder, his eyes skimming the pages. He flipped one up, then two, checking my bloodwork and vitals. “Well, your platel
et count is a little low. And your white blood cell count is elevated. Maybe just some bad gastroenteritis?” He closed the folder with a snap. “You were gone for a while. Your immune system has to build up again. Let’s get you some electrolytes!”
I nodded. A solid diagnosis. Again.
File: dailyrounds5-24.avi
Duration: 5:10:05
Date: 5/24
[Static] [Chatter]
L.REYNOLDS:
[Clears throat] Welcome to today’s rounds. Do we have any new cases?
[Chatter quiets down]
UNKNOWN:
Um... No one wants to take on The Dealer.
[Chair scraping against linoleum] [Thud] [Giggling]
L.REYNOLDS:
I don’t understand what’s happening.
[Papers shuffle] [Silence]
B.RUTHERFORD:
[Clears throat] The guy in 121. He’s a former drug dealer. No one wants to help him. Apparently, he murdered his whole frat before coming here. [Pause] [Quietly] Then he ate them.
[Silence]
M.HARPER:
I wonder if college kids taste different.
[Laughter] [Chatter]
L.REYNOLDS:
Alright, everyone. Let’s just settle, please. [Pause] I’ll take care of Mister… [Pause] [Incredulous] Spike? That can’t be right. [Shuffling papers] What’s this man’s first name?
D.WOOD:
It’s likely missing from his chart. Seeing as how your employees can’t seem to finish anything.
[Cough] [Murmurs]
L.REYNOLDS:
Dr. Wood, I understand it’s essential for you to be present in our daily rounds, but I think it’d be best to keep comments such as those to yourself. My staff is trying their hardest.
D.WOOD:
Well, when the CDC sees my report, I have no doubt this place will be shut down.
L.REYNOLDS:
[Pause] Well, until then, we’ll keep things the way they are.
[Silence]
M.HARPER:
We need to talk about Brendon’s party.
L.REYNOLDS:
A party for what?
M.HARPER:
He’s turning thirty-one tomorrow
[Applause] [Chair squeaks] [Laughter]
B.RUTHERFORD:
Everyone can party at my place tomorrow night. I’ve been cleaning.
M.HARPER:
You? Cleaning? [Scoffs] That I find hard to believe.
[Pause]
B.RUTHERFORD:
I even quit smoking for a week to air it out.
L.REYNOLDS:
Well, it’s probably best for the staff and patients if everyone refrained from smoking. It’s not a healthy habit, after all.
[Silence]
L.REYNOLDS:
[Sigh] Very well. I’ll take care of this Spike person and Dr. Rutherford is turning thirty-one tomorrow. Anything else to add?
[Silence]
L.REYNOLDS:
Very well. Rounds concluded.
[Murmurs] [Loud chatter] [Chair scrapes] [Footsteps] [Door creaks and closes]
B.RUTHERFORD:
I told you, Mama Reynolds. He just sits here after every meeting. It’s weird.
D.WOOD:
[Low] Don’t push your luck, Dr. Rutherford.
[Footsteps] [Cloth rustling]
L.REYNOLDS:
Dr. Rutherford, I’ll meet you at our next consultation. Do you remember where it is?
B.RUTHERFORD:
[Pause] Yeah.
[Footsteps] [Door creaks open and closes] [chair squeaks across linoleum]
L.REYNOLDS:
How have you been fairing, Dr. Wood?
D.WOOD:
[Long pause] About as well as anyone else who isn’t allowed to see their family…
L.REYNOLDS:
[Inhale] This job can’t be easy for you. How long since you’ve seen them? Your family, I mean.
[Cloth rustles]
D.WOOD:
Eight months.
L.REYNOLDS:
[Pause] I’m so sorry to hear that. When will you be seeing them again?
[Muted thump]
D.WOOD:
Dr. Reynolds…
L.REYNOLDS:
Yes?
D.WOOD:
Dr. Reynolds, I [pause] can’t tell you anything about my job. I’m sorry.
L.REYNOLDS:
It’s alright. I understand.
D.WOOD:
Do you?
L.REYNOLDS:
[Pause] No, but I have to respect what’s left of our government. And while I don’t agree, I’ll respect whatever decision is made for this hospital. So, I won’t ask again. But, [pause] tell me one thing. [Pause] [Cloth rustling] Are you alright?
[Long pause]
D.WOOD:
Yes.
L.REYNOLDS:
[Sigh] Alright, Dr. Wood. If you need anything, my door is always open.
[Footsteps] [Door opens and closes]
[Tape ends after 4 hours, 33 minutes and 5 seconds of silence]
[END TRANSCRIPT]
From the desk of Dr. Lisa Reynolds – May 25
“This house is enormous!”
Jack and I stood outside the two-story home just a few miles away from Huntington House in Bluff, Utah. While remnants of barbed defenses scattered the yellowing grass outside, the home itself seemed to be kept in decent shape.
A light wind stirred the yellow canopy atop the porch swing, causing the fabric to scrape against the white wood siding. The paint had peeled some and one window was boarded up on the second floor, but I was quite impressed.
The two of us stepped closer. The front door stood slightly ajar at the top of an expansive porch. We squeezed inside, where the thumping of music came to a sudden clarity.
The foyer opened into a large front room with a sparkling chandelier and a red carpeted staircase leading up to the second floor. Jack took my coat and his, placing them on the rack next to the door with the others.
“Hey, you two!”
We turned our heads to see a very well-dressed Brendon approaching us. His jacket was black with a subtle flowery pattern. The inside was red satin and shone brightly in the light when he moved his hands to gesture to us. A white button-up shirt accompanied the jacket. No tie.
“I am so happy you guys could make it!” He handed a glass of champagne to me, keeping his. “Let me show you around!”
Jack put his hand on my lower back while Brendon led us into the large room. The music grew louder. I could feel the vibrations in my body.
Guests began to pass us, wishing Brendon a happy birthday. Several women I didn’t recognize attempted to stop him, but he’d wave, give a little smile and move on with us. And it was the strangest thing, too. He reminded me of a Hindu god every time a woman draped her arms around his shoulders. But he’d simply slide his fingertips from their elbow to their hand. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he’d push them away in a choreographed move.
We stepped into a crook under the stairs where guests were sparse. Jack’s hand made its way down to my backside. He gave it a light pat. We exchanged knowing, flirty glances.
He lowered his head to mine, his lips almost brushing my ear. “I’ll grab a drink. Catch up with you in a bit?”
I nodded. Brendon watched us with a quizzical glance.
“Happy birthday, man.” Jack shook his hand, mentioned he’d catch up and disappeared into the crowd.
“Aww, how sweet! He trusts me with you.” Brendon’s deep whisper hit me when I was least expecting it. The pulse in my throat quickened.
“I’m sorry?”
Before I could react, he grabbed my hand, leading me away from the crowd and up the stairs.
“I have a surprise for you, Mama Reynolds.” He tossed me the most effortless wink I’d ever seen. His statement worried me.
He was the best surgeon I’d ever worked with. But he never divulged any information about his past. All I knew about him was the
present. His words and mannerisms seemed a bit flirty, more so with me than anyone else, so I was pensive around him. Plus, his recent words rung in my ears long after they’d been spoken. Was he trying to steal me away from Jack?
We climbed the stairs to the very top, veering off to the right down a long hallway. While it was dark and cold outside, the house was warm, inviting and held a romantic light. Elaborate sconces spilled yellow pools of light on the red carpets as we continued our journey down the hall.
“Remember when you told me your dad would moonlight as a crooner?” He stopped outside a door at the end of the hall.
“I do.”
“I have to show this to you.”
“What is it?”
Brendon tossed a quick glance from the way we’d come, then lifted a finger to his lips. “You can’t tell anyone.” A smirk tugged at the right corner of his mouth as he dropped his hand under his chin, the second knuckle of his index finger brushing the stubble on his jaw.
I inhaled. “Alright.”
The door creaked open behind him, his gaze still locked on mine. The half-smirk still on his mouth. I wasn’t sure what was behind the door and my heart was beating faster than it ever had. It felt as if I didn’t want to be alone with him, but why? I’d been alone with him hundreds of times in the hospital.
But this was different. This was his domain. Here, he had a sort of burning power. Perhaps it was because I was used to parts of his face being covered by surgical dressings or his glasses, and now I could see his full features. But he seemed more confident, as well.
Once the door had opened, he stepped aside, revealing a large library with hundreds of books. Rows and rows of bookshelves lined the walls. A sofa sat lonely in a corner. But I knew what he wanted me to see. He wanted me to see the white grand piano sitting in the center of the room.
“It’s beautiful!” I rushed to it, touching its smooth surface. There was no dust to be seen. He took great care of it.
“I thought you’d like it. Do you play?” He set his glass of champagne down on the sounding board before turning to me.
“Oh, no.” I shook my head. “I could take out your appendix, but I can’t play the piano.” I inwardly cringed at my own attempt to joke.
Brendon laughed, placing a hand on my shoulder before sitting at the bench. His long fingers toyed with the keys, creating a disjointed ambient sound.
