It could have been Julia's imagination but it seemed of late that Dr Murakami, Scourge of Willow Creek Hospital, was acting nicer around her. No barked orders, no contradictory instructions, no stealing of Julia's patients in order to massage her casework statistics and no traps set for Julia to fail. Maybe, finally, Julia had paid her dues...
She was also allowed to diagnose and treat patients without having Murakami or some other doctor take over the case from her. Indeed, some of the more junior staff started coming to her for advice.
The first patient of the day was Candace Vargas, age 34. She had developed a nasty cough, aching limbs and was coming out in a rash as well.
Julia ran all the tests she thought might be relevant: Bloods, urine, x-rays and even a stamina and lung capacity check on the treadmill. By the time she was done with her patient, Miss Vargas was thoroughly exhausted.
The result was, however, that Julia's diagnosis was spot on. Even a second opinion by Murakami confirmed what Julia had thought. Another successful treatment and another feather in Julia's cap. All done by herself.
A rejuvenated and healthy Candace Vargas was prepared to be discharged but she had some last words to say to Julia.
"Dr Epstein; I was sceptical at times about all those treatments, scans and exercises you performed on me but I must say I've not felt better in weeks. I was wrong to doubt your judgement."
"That's alright Miss Vargas; I just like being thorough. The upshot is you're 100% healthy...although I would recommend you give up smoking."
"I'll bear that in mind, Doctor" said Miss Vargas, smiling.
Julia took a few moments to return to the staff room where she could write up her case notes. Sitting in her usual spot was senior orderly Mr Ghandi; who was spending every spare moment he had to study for his medical degree.
"Ah, Doctor Epstein, I hear you managed to cure a patient before lunchtime" he said in his strong Indian accent.
"It's been known before, Mr Ghandi." she replied with her tongue in cheek. "How are your studies going?"
"Very good, very good. I'm studying the cardiovascular system. Fascinating stuff. Maybe one day when I am qualified I will think about specialising in cardio-thorasics."
"Aiming high...that's what I did."
"Doctor Epstein, paging Doctor Epstein to reception" came the bored sounding drone of the Hospital's PA system.
"I am needed elsewhere..." she said to Ghandi and with that she headed off to reception.
Julia was being paged so she could attend to her next patient: A man named Jonathan Oglesby and his surname reflected his behaviour...he liked to ogle Julia as she examined him.
"Well hellooooooo" he said in a soft purr of a masculine voice. "Or should I say, 'enchante'?"
"No, just hello" Julia flatly replied.
"I can see I'm going to be in very capable hands, and so soft and delicate as well..." he said, reaching out to stroke one of her hands. Julia recoiled and became stern.
"Just cut that out, Mr Oglesby...it doesn't pay to annoy your doctor; after all there are numerous painful and intrusive tests we can perform on you!"
"Don't threaten me with a good time! Ah-fwa-fwa-fwaaaaah" he said in his lounge lizard voice.
"Why is it that 8 out of 10 male patients over the age of 30 try to hit on me?" Julia complained to her friend and colleague, Harper, afterwards.
"Those older guys struggle to come to terms with competent women in positions of authority" replied Harper. "They're trying to send a message to you that they're still in charge and not you. Plus, you're pretty. At the end of the day men are dominated by their eyes and Johnsons."
"So do you have the same problem as well?" asked Julia.
"I am a nurse so leering men tend to want to be babied and cosseted by me. That all changes when I take their temperature with a thermometer....and I will spare you the gory details about that procedure."
After her shift Julia got changed and headed off to downtown Willow Creek to catch up with friends at the Blue Velvet club.
However, just before she went inside she noticed George Sneedly standing further down the road and looking nervously around him. She wondered what might be bothering him and so went over to say hello.
"George! George, hello. I didn't expect to see you here." she said as a way of greeting.
"Oh, hello Julia...ah, yes, I was in this part of town on....erm...business. That's all. I'm afraid I got a little lost; I don't know Willow Creek very well." he said, haltingly.
"Where were you trying to find? Maybe I can help you?" said Julia; wondering what George was looking for. He did come across as nervous, almost embarrassed.
"Oh I'm fine now...fine....fine..." he said with increasing emphasis every time he said the word. "And you're keeping well, are you?" he asked, hesitatingly.
"Yes...work is intense but that's the way I prefer it and I still get time to play the piano. I've missed our society meetings; are there any plans for one in the near future?"
"I think so. Edna's handling that side of things right now. I've been very busy with work...and...other...things..." he said, again his voice trailing off as if something was on his mind.
"George, are you feeling well? You can tell me, I am a doctor after all"
"Well, I've been a bit under the weather of late but I don't want to bother you with it"
"It's no bother, George..." but as Julia was trying to talk to him his attention was being drawn to other young women walking along the street. She wasn't even sure if he was even listening to her as she spoke.
"All these young people out in their trendy clothes...I suppose it's the done thing these days." he mused.
"I thought you didn't approve of the latest fashion trends?" said Julia, puzzled by George's behaviour right now.
"Oh normally I don't...I'm just making an observation" he said, his attention focussed on two young women who were wearing cutting edge designer outfits.
The conversation dried up and Julia said she had to get ready to perform at the Blue Velvet club and said her goodbyes to George. He appeared to be under some kind of stress but she didn't have time to dwell on his issues.
It was really buzzing in the Blue Velvet and Julia made lots in tips from her playing. It was a double bill that evening as her set took place after local music star, Bakko Jang, opened the evening. After both sets they got together for drinks along with Julia's good friend and neighbour, Barbara.
"Great set, Julia" said Barbara.
"Yeah, you were smokin'" said Baako.
"Is that good?" Julia asked, not knowing a lot of slang.
"That's real good. We should perform more together" added Baako.
"I'd be up for that" said Julia. The three of them chatted some more but Barbara noticed George Sneedley warming his hands over the fireplace.
"It's that Sneedley man over there. You know him, Julia?" she said.
"I do. It's strange he's warming his hands when it's August" Julia replied. It was even stranger to find George alone in the Blue Velvet bar. The man cut a solitary and unfashionable figure in this vibrant and sociable venue.
Barbara continued speaking. "He's been in my shop a couple of times over the last two weeks, shopping for his wife although I've met her as well and she's stick thin so what he's buying for her is too big."
"Maybe he isn't buying for his wife..." said Baako. "I don't know the man but if he's like a lot of middle aged men who act strangely then it's about cheating on the wife."
"Edna and George are very devoted to one another" Julia said as a rebuttal. "It can't be that..."
"Well those clothes aren't for himself either!" said Barbara. "I mean, he's not into modern fashions...he's made that clear...and where Mr Sneedley goes Mrs Sneedley isn't far behind."
"She ain't here at the moment" said Baako.
"True...but...I mean, there's got to be something up with him. There's too many things not adding up here" Barbara replied.
Julia thought about it. Yes, something was off about George but she couldn't figure out what. Maybe things would become clearer at the next League of Decency meeting?
It was Julia's first day at work since her promotion. No longer the bottom ranked most junior of interns, she now had risen up the ranks. The last 6 months of hard work had finally paid off for her. However, with more seniority came more responsibilities and with that, an increased workload. With her increase in wages she was able to purchase some custom made protective glasses that she could wear instead of contact lenses...which always ran the risk of getting lost; sometimes inside a patient undergoing surgery.
Dr Murakami, the head surgeon, was at the front desk and she looked stressed.
"Ah, Dr Epstein...it's all hands to the pumps today as the saying goes: Most of the nursing staff are down, sick. Food poisoning after Nurse Newell's birthday party last night. I'm afraid we're going to be backed up with cases today; every bed is occupied right now and we need to clear as many of the low level cases as possible. Here; here's your first patient." she said, handing Julia a case file.
Julia took a look at the contents: "Roy Reece, age 65, complaining of abdominal pains. Roy Reece? That name seems familiar" she muttered to herself.
She walked off towards Bed One, reading the notes all the way. Fortunately for her, she knew the hospital layout intimately and didn't accidentally collide with anything as she was walking and reading. Inside the room was an elderly man with a long, full beard and prominent chin who was looking miserable.
"Mr Reece...I'm Doctor Epstein and I'll be handling your case today. How are we feeling right now?"
"In pain...annoyed...breathing hurts right now...and I just want to get out of here" was his surly reply.
"I understand and hopefully we will get to the bottom of what's troubling you so we can cure you and send you home. Now I have a feeling we've met before..."
"Hmm, yes, there's something familiar about you too. Maybe you've seen me at one of my gigs." he said.
"Are you a musician?" asked Julia.
"Yes. Jazz. I'm the leader of Roy Reece And His Ragtime Rascals"
"Oh yes, now I remember. We met briefly in the music room at the Casbah Gallery." said Julia, recalling that not only had she met Mr Reece, he had been quite rude to her and had her chucked out of the gallery's music room. But she thought it prudent not to mention the incident to him.
"Yes, we practice there every Saturday morning without fail" he said, curtly. Maybe he had remembered their previous encounter.
Julia began to perform some basic examination of Mr Reece by taking his temperature, checking his blood pressure, heartbeat and gently examining his abdomen to see if there were any abnormalities or pain there. All the while they were having a conversation about Jazz.
"Do you like jazz, Dr Epstein?" he asked.
"Most certainly!" came her enthusiastic reply. "In fact I play piano myself and I'm always switching between playing classical or jazz."
"So you play as well? Good, so who are your favourite pianists?"
"Jazz wise? I'd say Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson and Herbie Hancock"
"Harumph!" said Reece, grumpily. "Not Trad Jazz then!"
"I don't know much about Trad, Mr Reece"
"Trad is the ONLY form of Jazz that should be permitted! Brubeck can't hold a candle to Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller!"
"Well, that's a matter of opinion...now, let's get a swab from your mouth and get it analysed. Hold still, Mr Reece..."
"AUUGHAAAHHAAAHHHH"
"Thank you Mr Reece; I will send this for analysis and will check on you again in about 3 hours from now..."
"Three hours!"
"See you then, bye"
Julia took the swab to the lab and on her way back to the wards she was intercepted by Dr Murakami.
"Dr Epstein, I have an unusual request to ask of you" she said. Julia was intrigued and raised a quizzical eyebrow at her boss.
"There's been an outbreak of stomach problems at some kind of society do downtown...suspected food poisoning. Now normally they'd all come by ambulance and with all our beds occupied it would make more sense to triage at the location instead of here." said Dr Murakami. "I want you to go"
"But don't we have staff shortages?" said Julia.
"I've got that covered; we have a couple of locum doctors on call and they'll help out. I need a more senior member of the team down there, assessing what's going on and if you can treat them there without having to admit them here that would be greatly appreciated...if you catch my meaning."
Julia thought she did; pull this off and promotion again couldn't be far away. She grabbed a traditional black doctor's bag and medical kit, grabbed the notes for the case and hitched a ride in an ambulance downtown to the Arts Quarter, where the call came from.
She was buzzed in to the apartment and immediately the stench of vomit hit her nostrils. In the kitchen, a woman was hunched over a sink, retching. She saw Julia enter in her scrubs and guessed she was the doctor sent to help them. Picking herself up, the woman wiped her mouth and turned to greet Julia.
"Oh thank goodness you've come, Doctor" said the woman. "Three of us are down with this stomach bug or whatever it is."
"Well let's see if I can help you. My name's Dr Epstein and you are?"
"Fleig, Patricia Fleig." There was a moment of recognition between the two women that, based on their surnames, both were Jewish. "I'm afraid we all overdid it with a seafood platter..."
"Was there much in the way of shellfish on it?" Julia asked.
"Yes, I'm not very observant when it comes to Kosher..." said Fleig, embarrassed.
"I'm here to cure you, not to report you to the Rabbi" said Julia, smiling.
Julia checked out her symptoms and performed an examination before concluding that it was probably food poisoning Patricia was suffering from.
She examined another patient who had crawled out into the hallway to throw up into a large pot plant. Julia had seen this kind of food poisoning before; eating shellfish, if improperly cooked or left out to get warm, could lead to it.
"May I ask what was this function you had here was about?" asked Julia, as a way of keeping the patient focussed instead of passing out.
"Oh...I'm embarrassed to say..." said the woman, whose name was Lauren Storey. "...it's like this. We're a...erm...lunchtime singles club"
"A what?" asked Julia, innocently.
"It's a club that meets once a week on Thursday lunchtime. We're all professional people who are...well...you know...single..." said the woman, almost embarrassed to tell Julia all this. "and we meet up to strike up, erm, friendships."
Julia nodded. "With a view to courtship?" she asked.
"Courtship. Yes...it's all very clean and above board. You see, all of us are over 30 and finding a good man...or woman...is difficult these days with all the work and life pressures there are. Not like the old days where you'd date a boy at High School in your local town and then marry them later!" said Lauren, now relieved to have admitted what this club was about.
"My grandparents marriage was arranged by a matchmaker so I can relate in a way" said Julia.
"I suppose it's easier for the younger generation like yourself with all the discotheques and 'happenings' as they call them." said Lauren. "But those of us who didn't have that kind of scene and who hate bars have missed the bus" she said with a hint of melancholy in her voice.
"I don't go in for all that either." said Julia. "I'm not into the sort of things my contemporaries enjoy. So, I gather there's one more patient for me to see. Who is it?"
"Jude...he insists he's fine but he's just as bad as the rest of us" said Lauren, gingerly getting to her feet and leading Julia back into the apartment.
"I'll be the judge of that!" said Julia, determinedly. She often got annoyed at male patients trying to put on an air of false bravado by talking down their illnesses.
Lauren walked ahead of Julia and led her back into the apartment and to a bedroom. "Jude, the doctor is here to see you" she called out.
A man's voice responded "I don't need to see a doctor, I'm fine!" he said, opening the door and stepping out from the room. However, when he saw Julia his attitude changed. "Well, maybe I should have a check up" he added.
Julia was struck by this Jude's appearance. Tall, slim but well built with immaculate hair, a strong jaw and cheekbones and the smart casual orange blazer and turtleneck worn with crisp pants and pale Cuban heeled boots...even she was taken aback at how handsome this man was.
"Ah, hello" said a now nervous Julia. "I'm Doctor Julia Epstein" she said, getting her first name in there as well. "Have you been suffering the same symptoms as these ladies as well or are there any others you can tell me?"
"I have had some stomach problems but I think I'm over the worst..." he said, smoothly in a voice that seemed to match his looks. Julia took careful note of all this, and what he was saying.
"Ooooooh, there it goes again!" he said, clutching his stomach suddenly.
"I don't think you're as well as you would like to imagine" said Julia. "Now, let me feel around the area where there's pain."
"It's right there" he said, pointing to his lower left abdomen.
Julia put her hands on that part of his body and felt around the warm skin, asking him to let her know if he felt any acute pain when she pressed against him.
"Not quite" he said. "A bit lower"
"Like here?"
"No, lower still" he said. Julia's hands now were below his waistline and just above his pelvis. Any lower and...
"There...not quite THAT low, mind you" he said, grimacing.
"I see...yes, food poisoning." she said, standing up and instructing Jude that he could put his sweater and blazer back on. Fortunately I have some medicine that I've prescribed to your friends here..."
He handed him the bottle and he took it. Again, his hands were warm and the skin smooth. Maybe Julia held on to that bottle a fraction too long in order to extend that moment. Nevertheless, Jude took it from her gently.
"I'll make sure I take the full course, thank you, Doctor Epstein" he said.
"Right, well I'll just fill out some paperwork and I'm done here. I hope you all get well soon..." she said, sitting down on a bed and taking out her official documentation and a pen. To her not-unwelcome surprise, Jude sat next to her.
"Thank you once again for coming out." he said. "Just one thing though; how long before my symptoms start to go away...it's just that I've got a lot on with work right now?"
"Oh 1 to 2 days. Hopefully you'll see an improvement in your health tomorrow and the next day. What is it you do, Mr...?"
"Oh, McKenna but please call me Jude. I'm a stockbroker" he said.
Julia smiled to herself. A professional man of means...mother would approve. She thought.
"I would take the rest of the day off, Mr McKenna, I mean...Jude...and to be on the safe side, tomorrow as well."
"Who am I to argue with my doctor?" he said with a smile.
Julia smiled back but didn't know what to say next. She just wasn't smooth enough in these situations and was inexperienced in flirtatious banter.
"I hope we run into each other again, Doctor" he said. Then he looked at the floor, took a deep breath and looked up at Julia. "May I be presumptuous and give you my business card?" he said, reaching inside his blazer.
"Oh...well...I mean, you are my patient so...." she grimaced.
"I'm so sorry, ethics and all that." he replied, sheepishly.
"No. Don't apologise. However, you are now officially discharged from my care so....let me see...what are the rules again? I can take your card...in case I have any stocks and shares advice I might need." she said, struggling for the right words to say.
"Of course. As one professional to another" Jude replied. "And as a medical professional...if I have any reoccurrence of my stomach problems or my symptoms don't improve where can I contact you?"
"Oh yes...here's my card with my hospital phone number and also..." she said, carefully pointing out a second number on her card. "My messaging service if you can't reach me at the hospital."
Jude smiled. "Thank you. So we both know we can reach each other if either of us need some...professional...advice" he said looking into her eyes. Julia gulped and nodded.
She made her goodbyes and headed back to the hospital for a late lunch. Sitting in the cafeteria she thought about meeting Jude McKenna and how she was drawn to him. Normally she was so career focussed and hated all that kind of lovey dovey romance nonsense, going so far as to join an organisation that was against smut and permissiveness but with Jude it was different as it was different with Vincent before he had to go away. These were strong, professional men, adults not rampaging hormonal overgrown boys like Rez Valdez or others like him who were only interested in her body and sex. No, a gentleman who was solvent and mature was fine in Julia's book. Plus she was now doing well in her career; she was trusted and respected and now she could look ahead and see the possibility of including a man in her life, as long as it was the right kind of man and not just anyone for the sake of it. On top of that, Jude seemed to like her as well and he was clearly looking for a woman of more substance hence his membership of a singles club where he would meet a more refined kind of woman, by the looks of things. Julia was a more mature head on a young body, she thought.
But it was back to the day job and following up on those tests of Mr Reece's she had done earlier. She headed back to the lab to pick up his test results, read them and went to his room.
"Hello Mr Reece. I've got your test results here" she said, entering the room.
"You seem unnaturally merry, Doctor Epstein" he grumbled. "I hope you have some good news for me"
"Well it's been a good day for me but I don't want to make you feel any worse by being too merry. As for your results, well it's good and bad news. The bad news is you have gallstones, Mr Reece, but the good news is that it is treatable without the need for surgery."
"That's the first bit of good news I've heard since I arrived here" he grumbled.
"Well I'll write you a prescription and the pharmacy will send you the medicine you need. Hopefully that will help and I hope to see the Ragtime Rascals, full line up, soon. Goodbye, Mr Reece."
One case dealt with, it was time to look in on another patient; a little boy called Jimmy Gibbs. He had a nasty rash and fever that was bothering him. However, there was another problem to deal with...a woman was in Jimmy's room and it wasn't a relation. Her name was Miss Charlotte Sneed and was a patient with a separate medical condition.
"Miss Sneed...you have to leave this room immediately!" said a stern Julia.
"It's so stuffy in here! The kid's suffering! I'm trying to open a window!" came the reply from an agitated and manic looking Miss Sneed.
"Miss...I have to ask you to leave this room! I need to take this boy's temperature and...what medication did you just take?"
"What? All of it!" replied Miss Sneed. "All of it plus my regular, daily medication"
"Oh no...you're tripping out. I'll get a nurse to escort you back to your room."
"This room...so hot...even the paint on the walls is starting to melt..." said Sneed, in a daze.
Eventually a couple of nurses showed up and guided the spaced out Miss Sneed back to her bed, made notes about her medication being too strong and confiscating the pills she had concealed in her handbag. For Julia, she ended her shift with some rare praise for all her hard work from none other than her hyper-critical boss, Dr Murakami.
She was exhausted and went straight home, not even changing out of her scrubs for her regular clothing. She grabbed a light dinner and flopped on her bed.
She couldn't rest for long as she had to perform a set down at the Blue Velvet club this evening. She was exhausted but at the same time hanging around the house on her own this evening didn't seem like much fun so playing piano for a few hours should boost her spirits, she felt.
Getting up to get changed for the club she thought about what she would wear. Normally she didn't care about wearing the latest styles or dressing to impress but the manager of the club, who booked her to play once a week, asked if she could 'jazz up' her outfits instead of looking like someone just off the street?
But what to wear? Her kilt like skirt was too everyday but her fancy frocks were better suited to weddings. Her blue dress was at the dry cleaners but a couple of weeks ago she had been out with Barbara and Suzy and she bought an outfit on their advice. Maybe it was time to give it a go?
Julia was unsure. It was a black and white top and skirt with matching accessories, an idea inspired by Suzy's mod black and white look. The top was snug fitting and made of a stretch material but it had long sleeves and a high neck. The skirt was short and fitted her hips more snugly and had a prominent belt and buckle but doubts about its brevity would be countered if she wore thick tights.
She put the outfit on and thought it looked smart enough. A bit more 'with it' than she normally wore but...well...why not make the odd concession to fashion once in a while? She thought. Plus...this outfit would be suitable for a date...no! She thought again, hold that thought before it gets out of control!
She touched up her make-up, adding a bit more than she normally wore and then paused before considering her hair. Maybe jazz that up as well? She undid her long plaits and brushed her hair straight. The overall effect was startling to her: A different outfit, a bit more make up and brushing her hair straight and she looked almost unrecognisable to herself!
She noticed she'd left Jude's business card on her desk and considered calling him but thought that was highly inappropriate and forward. The man was recovering from an illness, after all, but to let him know she was playing piano at the Blue Velvet tonight and if he were to swing by they could meet for a chat? No, let the poor man rest! She thought.
It was off to the Blue Velvet and she had her set list planned. When she entered the night club already things were in full swing and there was a buzzing vibe to the place. One or two of the male patrons noticed her enter and their heads were turned: Who was this cute chick in the club tonight? A new pianist, perhaps?
She sat by the piano and played a scale to see if it was in tune: Fortunately it was. Then she began her set with a favourite Bacharach/David composition.
During the song she was approached by someone she knew...Kerry Fry. Kerry stood next to the piano and watched her play without saying anything but nodding along to the rhythm of the song. When she stopped playing she turned towards him.
"Impressive" he said.
"Thank you, I've been wanting to play that one here for some time" she replied.
"I didn't mean the song, I meant you. I dig the new gear." he said, looking at her up and down.
"I'm not sure anyone would notice"
"I did...listen...can I get you a drink?" he asked.
"Erm...not now. I'm still doing the first part of my set. I get a break in a little bit, you can get me one then."
Kerry winked at her and took a seat nearby to watch her play.
She continued to play and after 20 minutes it was time for a short break. Her first priority was going to the bathroom, which was located upstairs at the club, and when she came back down she had found she had made some new fans.
"Bravo! Well done! I thought you played beautifully just now" said a young man who had an air of confidence and swagger about him.
"Thank you" Julia replied, politely.
"Please, can I get you a drink? Will you sit with me a moment?" the man asked, smiling. Julia liked his smile; it radiated charm and warmth. "My name's J and I don't think I've seen you here before"
Julia took a seat next to J. "I play here once a week." she said.
"Wait! You're the one who accompanies Joelene! Ah, you look so different with your hair like that."
"Do you know Joelene?" asked Julia.
"Yes; she and I are Kitten Club members...well, I am, she left to pursue her music career." replied J.
Julia bristled. She did not like the Kitten Club and what they got up to. She was impressed by J's charm and manners but knew that, deep down, he was only after one thing with women.
"Well thank you for the compliments and have a great rest of the evening but I want to catch up with a friend over there before I resume my set. Goodbye, J."
"Wait! What about the drink?" he called out as Julia stood up.
"Thank you for the offer, but now" she said, politely. The less contact she had with the Kitten Club, particularly the male membership, the better. Still, no reason to spoil his evening by confronting him over it. That's something Edna Sneedley might try, but not her.
Julia tried looking around for Kerry but couldn't see him as the bar became ever more crowded. In the end she ordered a drink for herself and walked back towards the piano when she saw him there at a table in the company of another woman.
Kerry noticed that the expression on his date's face had turned sour and he looked behind him to see Julia standing there, holding a drink.
"Oh, sorry! I did promise to buy you a drink!" he said, slapping his forehead. He turned to the woman sat with him and said "My manners are all over the place this evening...may I introduce Julia to you? She's an old friend of the family and plays piano here....Julia this is my...erm...friend..."
"I have to get ready for my next set" said Julia, coolly.
She walked away from his table, deflated that he was being flaky and didn't even mention he had a date. At one time it looked like the two of them might go out on a date, and they had been "match made" by their respective parents, but Kerry often backed away, called things off at the last moment or else went quiet for weeks. Julia had grown tired of his flakiness and here he was, at it again...compliments, promises to "meet up", but nothing following that.
She had about 5 minutes to spare and a drink and a pretzel to finish before she had to perform again. All the seats were occupied except for one near the piano itself, which had one solitary man sitting at it but a spare seat next to him.
"Excuse me, is this seat free?" Julia asked the man sitting there.
"You would have to negotiate a transaction with the owners of this establishment and I believe they would want to charge you money for it." said the man in a monotone voice.
"I mean, is it occupied or will it be occupied by someone you're expecting?" said Julia, trying to be precise with a man who seemed to depend on precision in his speech. His manner reminded her of someone she met in an art gallery months ago. He was someone who spoke oddly as well.
"No. It is unclaimed at this precise juncture. You may sit there." he replied. Julia sat down and finished her food and drink but she was still looking across the bar at Kerry and his date. She didn't know why she took an interest or indeed cared who he was with. But, in the recesses of her mind, there was a subconscious pang of jealousy buried deep within her.
"Sandor 21?"
"What?" Julia was shaken from her daydream and saw the stranger was talking to her again.
"You are Sandor 21, confirm" he repeated.
"I don't know what you're talking about" said Julia, starting to get annoyed.
"Is this not your new form? I have not been briefed about your new appearance"
"Oh, I bought this outfit last weekend. This is the first time I've worn it." she replied.
"Sandor 21"
"No, J.C. Penney"
"I do not understand the reference." he replied. "However, I have nothing to report this evening."
"O....K..." said Julia, backing away. This guy was weird! "I have a set to perform, please excuse me" and with that she stood up and quickly made her way back to the piano.
The second part of the show went well and she made some money from her appearance fee plus tips that were placed in a very large brandy goblet by patrons. She didn't stick around to socialise afterwards...she was done with men for this evening!
Summer Holiday had come calling to Julia one morning. This didn't usually happen; the two of them were friends and neighbours but not especially close. The Foundry Cove community had two tight social circles. There were "the guys": Jeremy, Action and Travis and the "fashionable girls"; Suzy, Barbara and Summer. Julia felt she didn't fit that mould and Liberty was someone she knew even less as between her work and her boyfriend she was the one who hung around the Cove the least.
But they were all good neighbours, a cosy, friendly bunch and Julia liked the equilibrium of the little community and depended on the solidity, dependability and stability of it.
"Did you hear the news?" said Summer, excitedly. "Suzy and Neil are moving to Courtyard Lane!"
"What? No! They can't!" exclaimed Julia. "I mean...things are perfect as they are! Why move?"
"They need a bigger place, that's all. They're getting very busy with work and Neil needs a studio." explained Summer.
Julia sighed and her shoulders drooped. "Oh well, it makes sense but still....I mean, what will happen to their old place? Someone's going to buy it and move and goodness knows who THAT'LL be!"
"Someone exciting, hopefully. Did you know, Julia, that I've been living in Foundry Cove the longest and I've watched all of you move in and now you're all my friends! That's what's exciting about this place. We've got Jeremy, the sweetest guy in the world except for Travis. And he found Barbara who is just adorable. Then we've got Suzy, the most beautiful and vibrant person and Neil who is a dish and so talented! Action...well, I mean, he's is just the most virile man I've ever met and then there's you...our own genius and moral compass."
"I sound dull compared with the rest of you" said Julia.
Summer touched Julia's arm "Oh no, don't think like that!" she said. "You're a doctor, a healer and a superb pianist. We all dig you, Jules. A party isn't a party if you're not there. You've got a mischievous sense of humour, a sweet charm and..."
"...not 'with it' like you, Barbara, Suzy and Liberty. I mean, that outfit you're wearing...I see it EVERYWHERE! But I don't see the appeal"
"Well, it's the in-thing right now. Jules, are you OK? You seem down"
"I don't like change and disruption, that's all. Fashion's like that, isn't it? Constant change."
"I guess. But that's why you're important to us: You keep us on the level, Jules. You're invaluable."
"Invaluable" That was a reassuring word for Julia. She might not have been the prettiest, or most glamourous or even the most sociable of the gang but she was invaluable to it. She had a double life as well; she was considered invaluable to The League of Decency as well for her research skills. It certainly meant a lot to her as she went to work that morning. There was another word she liked to use...professional.
"Doctor Epstein, may I have a word with you for one moment?" came the voice of Chief Surgeon, Dr Murakami. Normally a formal request by her made Julia's heart sink...she was a cruel taskmaster who often took credit for Julia's hard work. What did she want this time?
"Dr Epstein, I am very busy with casework and I have to prepare a presentation for the State College of Surgeons so I am entrusting you with the ward work today. I won't be supervising you today. Do you feel up to the task?"
"Oh yes, Doctor Murakami" said Julia, beaming, although she soon reverted to a more serious...professional...tone.
"Good. I'll leave everything in your capable hands." said Murakami before she went off to her office.
With the ward all to herself, Julia approached the task at hand with a sense of relief. There would be no Murakami to look over her shoulder and take the credit. Today, Julia was in charge.
She was a more wise and worldly doctor these days with a number of cases seen and cured over the last few months. Her first patient was a typical sort; coming in to sort out some mysterious problem that the patient didn't really want to talk about. Just a slight pain, Doc, nothing serious. Just give me some pills and I'll be OK was what they usually said. Always downplaying the problem...
But pretty soon the symptoms would get worse and that initial denial of the seriousness of the problem would come back to bite them on the butt.
The more symptoms the better it was to make a successful diagnosis. As long as it wasn't life threatening and time critical observing the patient for that just little bit longer could pay great dividends. It could mean ordering a range of tests to help reach a diagnosis and tests meant complex scientific analysis...Julia's favourite. Swab, examine, test, and write it all up using highly technical jargon.
And from there it was back to the patient to decipher that jargon back into understandable English and write out a prescription...along with advice not to do the very thing that landed them in hospital in the first place. Yes, this was the life of the medical professional and Julia was becoming very adept at it.
It wasn't a difficult shift today. No one needed surgery although some patients required more advanced tests than others...
She pushed on through her work day...missing the conventional lunch hour and finally sitting down to eat at the canteen at 3pm. Everyone else had eaten and got back to work so Julia sat there alone. Yes, she was a model professional. She had accomplished her goals and without having to seek help or advice from anyone. Yes, she was on top of her game.
But she also felt lonely. She was usually so self contained and didn't get lonely but today she felt the feeling of needing some company, having someone to have deep conversations with but there was no one. Harper and Francesca had eaten their lunches together and were now back at work. Murakami wasn't anywhere to be seen and Mr Ghandi was finishing his shift. And there was one person noticeable by his absence: Vincent. Julia was aware of a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach: When she desired some deep conversation and company, she thought of him first.
After she'd eaten she returned to one of the examination bays to check on one of the patients that she had been treating but once she got there, the room was empty. She checked the notes at the foot of the bed...the patient had responded well to treatment and had already been discharged....Julia had signed off on the paperwork but had forgotten to file it. She was too distracted now as she had thought about her own loneliness.
The shift was nearing its end as as Julia went to the front desk to see if there were any late admissions she bumped into her friend and colleague, Harper.
"Hello, Harper...did you have a busy shift as well?" asked Julia.
"Yeah, it was administrative hell; just pure paperwork and rotas that needed sorting out. Listen, Julia, I have some bad news for you." said Harper in a tone of voice that sounded like the news was going to hurt Julia in some way.
"What is it?" said Julia, maintaining her professional facade.
"I looked at the work rotas for next month and noticed that Dr Bledsoe's name was nowhere to be seen" replied Harper, in a sympathetic voice as she knew...heck, all of Julia's closest friends knew...that Julia was keen on Dr Bledsoe.
"Vincent!" gasped Julia.
"So I checked to see what was going on and discovered that he has been seconded to a hospital in....The Congo."
"The Congo!" said Julia, with incredulity.
Harper looked downwards and nodded. "Yes. Apparently the situation out there is still bad: Katanga's launched another offensive at the mines out there in order to try and force the government to agree to their demands but in the meantime there are mounting civilian casualties and our government has agreed to send doctors, nurses and medical supplies to the region. Vincent, I mean, Dr Bledsoe used to work for the United Nations and they've called him up. Dr Murakami co-signed the papers releasing him. I'm sorry, Julia."
Julia said nothing but nodded at Harper as a thank you. She then clocked off, waved goodbye to her friend and then went straight home.
The Congo...a brush fire war that had been raging for six years now. It was in Central Africa where newly independent nations turned on one another over old tribal disputes; made more acute by the discovery of rare minerals, gold, diamonds and uranium there. There were factions, propped up by the use of mercenary units and the war there had already cost the life of Dag Hammarskjold, the UN Secretary General at the time. Julia was well read about world events and was now worried sick that something bad would happen to Vincent out there and she would never see him again. Heck, he could have been reassigned to a hospital in Cleveland and she might not see him again but the risks out in The Congo were terrifying.
When she got home she found Suzy waiting on the porch for her.
"Hey, Suzy, I hope you haven't been waiting for me long" Julia said.
"Only moments. Say, I have some important news for you...and for everyone and you're one of the few I haven't told yet."
"Come inside and tell me" said Julia, opening the door and ushering her friend in.
"Summer told me you and Neil are moving house." said Julia as they sat down together.
"Oh, that was the news I was going share with you. Are you OK with it? You seem a little down." Suzy replied.
"Well...I don't like change, that's all. No, I'm not upset; you have to move up and on and the new place sounds nice. I worry about who will move in next door though."
"Whoever it is, you've got a tight little community here. Is there something else on your mind? Work, perhaps?"
Julia drew a deep breath and sighed. "Yes...well, someone at work. This guy..."
"The locum doctor, Vincent? What's happened to him?"
"He's been sent to The Congo" said Julia, sadly.
"Wow, that's rough. I'm sorry, Jules, just as you were getting to know him well. I've not seen you broken hearted before."
"I'm not...broken....oh who am I kidding? He's the first man I've ever had...erm...you know..."
"Feelings for?" added Suzy, kindly, not wanting to embarrass her friend.
"Yes. Ugh, is this what love is like? I hate it!" said Julia.
"I'm afraid so. We've all had heartbreaks, kid."
"Not you, surely!"
"Yep...my heart's been broken many times; unrequited feelings for a guy, let down by others, two timed by a couple of real rats and not forgetting the time I spent months single without even being able to get a date! But..."
"Yeah, I know, you met Neil." said Julia.
"Yes I did...but even then I had to fight to win him over. He was a challenge at first but I got my man"
"So should I fly off to The Congo? Is that what you're saying?"
"Maybe nothing so drastic. I tell you what we can do right now: Let's go down to the Blue Velvet" said Suzy, standing up suddenly and grabbing Julia by the hand. "Let's go now"
Well, hanging out with a friend and dancing sure was a temporary solution. Julia thought she couldn't really miss something she never had and Vincent was a possibility, a fascinating man, but other than feelings she never knew she had being stirred, they were never a couple and he might not have even felt the same way about her.
Julia went to get some drinks for her and Suzy. Her friend had bumped into some old acquaintances and was chatting to them but when Suzy came and stood next to her at the bar she had a quiet word with her.
"Suz...was it the same for you, you know, the first time you ever liked a man?" asked Julia.
"Yes. His name was Derren and he was a year ahead of me at High School. He was everything I thought a guy should be and I savoured every moment he paid attention to this scrawny little 14 year old version of me. And then, the next year he moved state and that was that. It took me about 3 months to get over him...by then I was 15 and another guy popped up to take his place but you don't forget that first guy. I wonder if I ever cross his mind."
Julia nodded but Suzy waved the memory away with her hand. "Oh let's stop this! I want to introduce you to a great guy called Joachin...."
