CHAPTER 97: Spots, Splints & Sprains

 

One of Julia Epstein's ambitions was to buy a piano of her very own but as a lowly junior doctor with bills to pay, and a relatively small house to live in, she couldn't afford one so instead she would get to practice and perform at the Blue Velvet club, which was a short distance from where she lived.  She was getting so good at tinkling the ivories that she would be asked by the management to perform on Sunday evenings which was a good way to add to her bank balance.

At the hospital Julia managed to have a brief catch up with her friends and colleagues, Francesca and Harper.

"It looks empty in here today" said Julia, looking around an unusually quiet lobby.  "Where are the patients waiting to be admitted?"

"Admitted already" said Francesca.  

"What have you got for me then?" Julia asked as she went through some medical files looking for a case to treat.

"Not much" replied Harper.  "Most people admitted are being seen by one of the more senior doctors." Harper looked through a stack of case notes.  "A-ha, here's one.  Mrs Emmalyn Sanders, bay 5.  She's complaining of itchy skin and shows signs of spots covering her body"

"I'll take it!" Said Julia.  "Bay 5, Nurse Newell, lead on!"

Julia stepped into bay 5 where she found a very anxious and upset Mrs Sanders who had vivid red and magenta coloured spots and blotches all over her face and arms.

"Good morning, Mrs Sanders, I'm Dr Epstein.  Yes, I can see what the problem is from here so let's get down to it by asking some questions about your health and whether you have any allergies..."

But before Julia could start writing anything down her boss, Dr Murakami, entered the room.

"Thank you Doctor Epstein but I'll be taking over this case" she said in a haughty manner.

"But..." stuttered Julia.

"Thank you, you may leave us now" the cold, clinical voice of Dr Murakami cut any protest from Julia off and the young doctor sheepishly exited the room.

"Damn that woman!" she thought.  "Always snatching cases off of me!"  Julia let out a sigh of frustration and asked Harper whether there was anything else she could do.

"Erm...help me make the beds?" offered Harper with an embarrassed shrug of the shoulders.  Julia nodded and glumly accepted the task.

As she was going from room to room, she found a patient she had met and helped before:  A child named Kirsty St Clair.  Kirsty had diabetes and had to pay regular visits to the hospital.  Her father, a busy working man, couldn't always stay with her during the times she was admitted into hospital.

"Kirsty, how are you?  I don't know if you remember me but I'm Dr Epstein and I treated you the last time you came in"

"I remember you, Doctor!" said Kirsty, perking up a little when she saw Julia.  "I like you the best of all the doctors here"

"That's very kind of you to say so and I'll confess....you're my favourite patient" said Julia with a smile.

She took Kirsty's temperature, checked her notes and enquired about her health in general.

"And how are you feeling at the moment?" Julia asked.

"Actually, I'm hungry" said the girl.

"It is coming up to lunchtime...I'll see what I can get you from our kitchen...if you're lucky it'll be roast day!"

A few minutes later Julia came back with a serving of roast chicken and vegetables with strawberry ice cream to follow.  "You're real lucky today" she said.  "Chicken is the one meal they do well here"

"Thanks Dr Julia...you know, I wish you could be my regular doctor" said Kirsty.

Julia thought for a moment and then responded "you know, if I have a word with my friend on the front desk then she can let me know when you're next in and I can check in on you...but you must trust your specialist doctor for you diabetes; he's very good."

They chatted more over Kirsty's lunch about her school, her hobbies and how boys were yuck but Julia had more tasks to do and another patient to admit.  The person in question was Jonathan Hamlin, a smooth talking hippy who seemed bemused that he was being examined by a young, female doctor.  As she led him to Bay 1, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that he was checking out her behind as they walked.

When she suddenly shot him a look of disapproval, Hamlin shrugged apologetically and said "It's my back, babe; I can't stand up straight and, well, my eyes look downwards and not level."

"That's as maybe, Mr Hamlin, but in future if you could refer to me as DOCTOR Epstein and  not 'babe' that would make things a lot easier" she responded, coolly. 

"Sure thing, ba...I mean, Doc" he said.

"So what seems to be the problem?" asked Julia.

"It's my back, Doc, I was doing the Pose Dedicated to Sage Koundinya II and I felt a sharp twang in my back" said Hamlin.

"The what?" asked a puzzled Julia.

"It's an advanced Yoga move" he explained.  "You see, I'm all for centring my Shakras"

"I literally can only understand every other word you say...but I do understand you've hurt yourself doing some kind of exercise" said Julia.

"Yoga ain't just exercise...it's a way, a path" Hamlin explained, shocked at her ignorance.

"But one that can lead to back injuries...alright, we'll get you x-rayed and see what the results are.  With any luck you haven't broken anything"

Julia led Hamlin to the newly installed, state of the art, Swedish designed radiology department.  Fortunately, Julia was one of the few doctors in the hospital who had read the manual on how to operate the Självlysande Mk IV.  "Just remain perfectly motionless, Mr Hamlin" she reassured him.  Hamlin stood in stark terror.

After leading him back to his berth, shaken and stirred, she waited for the scans and x-rays to be developed.  However, as she passed the reception area she recognised someone waiting to be admitted.

"Oh, hello Kerry" she said, spotting Kerry Fry in the line.  Kerry was the son of friends of her parents and had recently been on a blind date that was...moderately....successful.  There had been nothing romantic about the date, but it was a pleasant get together.

"Julia, I didn't know you worked at this hospital" he replied.  "I wish the circumstances of our meeting were better than me being sick as a dog"

Julia noted that Kerry was covered in very similar spots and blemishes to Mrs Sanders.  "There seems to be an outbreak of that skin condition at the moment, Kerry, but we've got a top specialist in that department and I'm sure she'll help you" she said.

"If you get a chance, do stop by for a chat" said Kerry.  "Hospitals aren't my favourite of places...unless the company is good" he added with a smile.

Julia gave a small, polite smile back before heading back to her rounds.  She went back to radiology, examined Hamlin's x-ray and made her diagnosis.  It was just a matter of informing Hamlin from that point.

"Mr Hamlin...the good news is that nothing is broken and it appears that you've strained some muscles and tendons in your lumbar region"

"My what?" said Hamlin

"Lumbar...your lower back.  Anyway my diagnosis is to refrain from any yoga, exercise or strenuous physical activity for at least a couple of weeks or until the pain ceases.  In the meantime I'll write you a prescription for some pain killers and arrange some follow up visits for you to see a physiotherapist"

"A what?" said Hamlin.

"Physiotherapist.  A masseur"

Hamlin's eyes lit up "that sounds groovy!"

"Yes, well, a medical masseur in any case." she said, shuddering at the thought of what kind of masseur he would have had in mind.

It was nearing the end of her shift and she tried to see Kerry but he was already seeing Dr Murakami and she didn't want to cross paths with her boss.  Francesca, already changed out of her scrubs, came up to Julia to have a chat.

"Have you made plans this evening, Julia?" she asked.  "Only I'm going to meet hubby and dearest daughter for dinner and then he's taking her to ballet and I thought we could head over to the Blue Velvet"

Julia stopped thinking about Kerry and answered Francesca. "Er, yeah, sure.  That sounds neat...let me get changed and we'll head off"

After a nice meal with Francesca's family, the two women headed over to the Blue Velvet.  Just before entering the club, Francesca paused to ask Julia a question.

"You seemed to know that patient we admitted this afternoon....Kerry, was it?" 

"Oh yes, him." Julia waggled her head from side to side trying to find the words to say about how she knew him.  Talking about men, dates and personal stuff didn't come easy to her.  "Well, he was the guy my folks set me up on a blind date with" she managed to get out.

"Oh him!  He's a good looking guy and seems pretty easy going" said Francesca.

"Do you think he's good looking?  He's a bit bohemian in his dress" said Julia "but he's intelligent and good company.  I had a nice time with him on that date"

"And?  Anything else?"

"No!  Nothing like that.  I didn't think that was appropriate on a first date anyway"

"Depends on the guy...and the girl and the laws of attraction" said Francesca with a wry smile.

"Wait, there are laws?" asked a puzzled Julia.

"I've come up with a new dance move!" said an animated Julia once they'd entered the nightclub.  "I call it....the Whirling Dervish" and with that her arms started to wave wildly and she rocked from side to side.

"Woo, look at you go!" said Francesca with a laugh.  It was a happy evening as lots of Julia's friends were there as well: Barbara, Action and Suzy...who had just announced her engagement.

"I never had you down as being the first of our neighbourhood to get married...I always thought Jeremy or Summer would beat you to the aisle" said Julia to Suzy.

Suzy laughed.  "I know!  It's crazy!  I'm supposed to be the swinging chick and yet here I am, beginning to plan my wedding!  Mind you, there's still time for Barbara or Summer to beat me to it!"  Suzy looked over to Barbara, who blushed in embarrassment.

"Or maybe you, Julia?" joked Francesca.

"Definitely NOT me!" huffed Julia in indignation.

As Julia was talking to Suzy, she heard a man's voice nearby calling her.  "Hello there, Doctor!" he said.  Looking around she saw it was her patient from today: Johnathan Hamlin.

"Hello Mr Hamlin.  I hope you're not dancing or doing anything like that this evening...that would be against doctor's orders" said Julia.

"Hey, Doc, I'm just taking things easy...and taking my medication" he said, inhaling deeply.  By the way he smelled Julia could tell the medication he was referring to was Pot.  

"Well, erm, just keep doing that and you'll be fine but my recommendation is to stick to the prescription medication" she said, nervously.

"Now can I buy you and your lovely lady friends a drink? said Hamlin.

"Erm, I'm fine...you're still technically my patient so...you know, protocol and all that" said Julia, awkwardly trying to get out of this conversation.

"I'm not a protocol kind of guy, as you may have gathered" said Hamlin, in a voice that was part velvet, part oil.

Julia looked around the club and saw Action standing by the fireplace.

"I should let you know, that man over there by the fireplace?  He's a friend of mine" she said.

"Invite him over to join us" said Hamlin

"Oh, and he's a cop" said Julia, playing her trump card.

"Wow, that medication really makes you drowsy, doesn't it?  I'd better get an early night.  See ya!" said a very nervous Hamlin as he got up to leave the club.

Julia smiled and returned to her friends to celebrate Suzy's good news.

CHAPTER 60: Revelation

 

It was the early shift for Barbara Dubois and after donning her uniform, she kissed Jeremy Saint goodbye and trotted out the front door. Jeremy watched her leave...even in a fast food restaurant uniform, one that wasn't meant to look flattering, he thought she looked cute.

"Jeremy my lad" he said to himself as he poured himself a glass of water "you are blessed to have that girl in your life...cheers" and he raised a glass to the great almighty. As soon as he took his first sip, the faucet on his kitchen sink fell off and water started to spurt out all over the floor.

"Oh that's all I need!" said Jeremy. "I could phone up that really good woman plumber..." but he paused "or I can do it myself...that'll make me look more manly and more capable in Barbara's eyes!"

Jeremy looked in a box in his spare room and found a basic tool kit of wrenches, hammers and pliers. He also found some rubber washers that would fit the faucet. "I can do this...how does Dad fix a sink?"

Jeremy set to it and managed to replaced the cracked and broken washers with new ones mere minutes before he had to get to work. He washed his hands, threw on his suit, fastened his tie and made it out the door at 1 minute past his usual departure time.

Barbara had made it back from her shift at 10am and went to the bedroom to change out of her uniform. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and began to think about bigger issues. "Well...it's a job, I suppose. I should start thinking of moving on to something better....my boyfriend's got a good job at Dewey's and I should have one at a better place. Hamburgerman is OK, it's given me a start but I think I should start looking around for something else"

She changed out of her Hamburgerman uniform and into her regular clothes and headed downtown to Magnolia Crescent for a bit of window shopping and hoping to get some inspiration....working in a shop, a nice one, would be a step up. The first shop she went into was high fashion haute couture. She found a top and hat that was straight out of Carnaby Street, London, and she just had to try it on.

"Hmmm, if only..." she said, looking at the price tag. A woman approached her "excuse me, I just love your outfit" she said to Barbara. "Where did you get it?"

"Well, erm, from all over the place really. I found the top in a market, the skirt was from J.C. Penney and my shoes and tights I got from a small boutique in San Myshuno called "Miss Right...after I bought the top I colour matched it to go for the Total Look"

"You see, I need to get with these new styles" said the woman. "You see I have a date coming up and I need to impress this guy..."

As Barbara began to explain the basics of mod fashion to the lady, another woman entered the shop and walked over to them.

"Would you happen to be Jeremy Saint's new girlfriend?" said the woman.

"Erm...do you know him?" said Barbara

"Yes I do...I know him well. Very well." the lady said

"Well I am Jeremy's girlfriend but I'm not new...we've been together for over a month. So how do you know him?"

"We work together and.....well, he was really into me before he met you" said the woman, matter of factly. "My name's Bianca...has he not mentioned me?"

"No!" said Barbara firmly. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Oh, I saw you and thought I'd touch base...so to speak."

"How did you recognise me?" asked a very suspicious Barbara.

"Isn't Jeremy such a cutie? Ahhh, he has so many sweet, funny ways about him..."

"HOW DID YOU RECOGNISE ME!" Barbara found herself shouting now, much to her surprise.

Bianca recoiled but soon composed herself. "My, you're a firey one...Jeremy doesn't usually go for aggressive women"

Barbara started feel shortness of breath and ran out of the shop and back home. She was so upset and wanted to talk to someone, anyone friendly who could explain who this horrible woman was. Arriving back home, and knowing that it would be a couple of hours before Jeremy got home, she knocked on the door of the 3 friends at the end of the street. Summer Holiday greeted her.

"Hey Barbara....you've been crying, what's up?"

"Oh no...is my make up running? I'm sorry to bother you but can we speak?"

"Sure, hon, come inside...hey, Travis, is your room free so Barbara and I can have a chat?"

"Sure" said Travis. "I'm going to hit the shower anyway"

Summer ushered Barbara into Travis' room...which also served as the house office. "So what's the matter?"

"Summer....who's Bianca?"

Summer took a deep breath. "Well, that's a name I didn't expect to hear again. Hasn't Jeremy mentioned her? I don't suppose he would. Bianca was a girl Jeremy was interested in before he met you. They went on a date and soon afterwards she dumped him."

"Were they close? How long were they together?"

"About two weeks. I only met her the once but it was definitely she who turned him down. I don't think they were ever serious...I know Jeremy's an old romantic and he felt really let down but then he met you."

"She said she works with Jeremy" said Barbara, wiping her tears.

"Oh....now that's news" said a surprised Summer.

"Why didn't he tell me?" said Barbara

"You'll have to ask him but he's not the two-timing sort, I've known him for months and he's the most honest, most caring and nicest guy I know."

"That's what I thought" said a disconsolate Barbara.

"Give him a chance, that's my advice. Bianca sounds like a troublemaker...remember, she led him on and then dumped him"

Barbara took a deep breath and looked at her watch. "Thanks, Summer, but I've got another shift at Hamburgerman starting soon. I'll talk with him when he gets home and you're right...I should give him some benefit of the doubt"

She left and went home to change again into her uniform. Meanwhile while she was gone Jeremy returned home and flopped on the couch to watch some TV after a hard and boring day's work. Eventually, before he went to bed, Barbara returned home.

"Hello gorgeous, how was work" asked Jeremy.

"OK...how are you?"

"Exhausted...you look upset"

"Jeremy....I met Bianca today"

"Oh" There was some silence. "What did she have to say?" he added, eventually. Barbara sat down next to him.

"She said you and her work together...she also mentioned that you and her were close"

Jeremy nodded. "Both are true, although I wouldn't describe her and me as close. We went on one date and met up a few times."

"But she still works with you?"

"THAT came as a shock when I found out. She's my boss' secretary so I don't have day to day contact with her but she's around...I keep my distance. Listen, did she say something nasty to you?"

"It was her tone...she saw me in town and recognised me and then started talking about you and her...it's as if she was deliberately trying to upset me"

"I'm so, so sorry you had to go through that" said Jeremy. "I'm not going to allow that to happen! She needs to be told to back right off!"

"No...don't make a scene. Don't go out of your way to confront her" said Barbara.

"Barbara...there is nothing between her and me. We briefly dated but she ended it and I moved on....and found you; since that moment I've never thought about another woman that way. You are everything I ever wanted in a girlfriend....as a friend, a companion, a lover".

Barbara looked at him and saw his eyes filled with nothing but affection and compassion. She smiled and reached out her hands to his. "I know you love me...I trust you"

Nothing more was said, they moved closer and kissed.