CHAPTER 16: EMERGENCY CALLS
DOC’S MANUSCRIPT
Rockburg, December 19, 1987
I normally don’t consider lectures breakfast food, but it seemed safest to take it
as it came the morning after the party. It was Sunday, our kitchen island was her
pulpit, and Mary had a lot to say. She made it clear the only thing I was to do was
listen.
“What in the name of heaven made you think I agreed to a dinner party just before
Christmas? Are you nuts?”
“I thought—”
“I don’t care what you thought. Now, you’re supposed to cover emergency calls for
the clinic today, but you are going to help clean this house every minute you aren’t
on call. Do you understand?”
Apparently, Ed asked her if my invitation to everyone was real and told her my little
joke about the house only being cleaned when company
