Doctor's Orders

The Doctor is In

Chapter 3

William

“You!?” Melissa shouts in disbelief.

“Good morning to you too, Melissa,” I greet, “And how’s my special little friend over here?” I pat Jake on the head.

“I’m great! Thanks for asking, Dr. Abs!” Jakes says while sitting on the chair in front of me.

“You…you followed me!” Melissa continues raving.

“Melissa, please,” I request.

“That’s Ms. McAdams to you, Dr. Mallory. If that really even is your real name.”

I chuckle, “I apologize, Ms. McAdams. Especially if I made you upset earlier. But what you assumed to be me following you, was just really me going to work.” God, she looks hotter when she’s mad. Her skin gets all flushed and red, natural makeup to her already delicate, and beautiful face.

I don’t care where the kid’s father is. I want McAdams for myself. As soon as possible.

“Well, you didn’t have to follow so close behind me!” she argues.

“I wasn’t trying to,” I reply. “But you were driving so slow, and I was already late for my next appointment. Which fortunately turns out to be you.”

“Jake is the patient here, not me,” she corrects me. “We were supposed to  be recommended to you since all the past doctors can’t seem to fix Jake.”

I turn over to Jake, all bug-eyed and staring at her mother and me as we argue. “Hey, their little man, what seems to be the problem today?”

“Everything’s itchy!” he complains.

“He’s been getting these weird rashes,” Melissa adds as she finally sits on the chair in front of my table. “Antihistamines don’t seem to work. All the doctors can’t seem to stop all the allergic reaction, which is weird since he only started showing symptoms around a year ago.”

Interesting. But it looks like I’ve figured this one out already.

“Okay,” I reply before I turn to Jake, “How old are you, Jake?”

Jake takes a look at Melissa as if waiting for her orders. Melissa nods yes, giving her blessing to Jake to answer my questions.

“I’m five,” he answers reluctantly.

“Got it,” I say, “Got anything else to add Ms. McAdams.

“You already know what’s wrong with him?” Melissa asks.

“Nope,”

“What?”

“Nothing is wrong with Jake,” I assure her.

“But the allergies…”

“Are just symptoms common to almost everyone in the modern world.”

“And why is he still scratching?” Melissa asks in frustration.

“He is scratching because he cannot scratch the literal itch in his brain whenever he sees something out of this world. Nothing is wrong with him. Something is wrong with society today.”

“Say what now?” Melissa asks.

“An allergy is a reaction by the immune system to prevent external substances from harming the body. Now, this is triggered by an antibody called lgE. Jake has a lot of that antibody, which causes the rash.”

Melisssa hugs Jake, “Oh, sweetie.” She turns back to me, “Why is this happening to my sweet, gentle boy?”

“Well…the body undergoes inflammation whenever in a flight or fight situation. Too much exposure to those kinds of conditions can affect the antibodies.  And when I put together the time, these allergic reactions first manifested versus the time when Jake started going to school…”

“You think bullying caused this to happen?” she asks.

“I don’t think so. I believe so,” I reassure her.

“Is there anything I can do?”

I smile, “Of course you can. This problem is just a simple matter of forgiving those who hurt you and just showering Jake with as much love as you can, Ms. McAdams.”

I turn back again to Jake, “Jake, buddy. It’s okay to feel stressed or afraid. It’s part of growing up. What I want you to do is make sure that you’re not missing out on anything and live your life, okay kid?”

Jake nods in agreement and wipes the tears off his face with his sleeve, walks over to me and gives me a big hug.

“Wow,” Melissa comments. “This is the first time he’s ever done this with people he doesn’t even know. You really impressed him, Dr. Mallory.”

I hug him back, “I think it’s fairer to say we both impressed ourselves, Ms. McAdams.”

I savor the moment as I see Melissa’s darling face in joy to see his son having a close relationship with a man. It’s clear that whoever Jake’s father was, he is doing a terrible job in raising him.

“The itching stopped, Mommy,” Jake says to Melissa.

“Told ya,” I gloat, “Now, let me just write off a prescription for some antihistamines just in case one of his real allergies decide to pop up in the next few days. This’ll help in managing the itch.”

“Thank you, Dr. Mallory,” Melissa humbly says, “You just solved what the rest of the doctors in the city couldn’t solve.”

“You know, behind all this macho, handsome, Katy Perry loving body, is a man who actually is passionate in helping sick children,” I joke.

Melissa chuckles, “Yes, and I’d like to apologize for the incident earlier this morning.”

“Don’t be,” I reply, “I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable. It’s hard to control myself when a lovely lady like you walks on by." I give her the prescription.

“Thanks, again Doc. I’ll see you soon next time.” She replies, “Now, come on, and let’s go get your ice cream since you’ve been so behaved in there.”

“Pistachio!” Jake gleefully marches to the exit. Melissa smiles at me before leaving. Her perfect pearlescent teeth and innocent eyes will forever be engraved in my memories.

“Wait! Ms. McAdams!” I shout.

Melissa appears again after a few seconds.

“No more games, no more tricks,” I add, “Would you, Melissa McAdams, like to go out with me?”

Her glowing smiles tell it all. She laughs, “Isn’t that, taboo? For doctors to go out with their patients?”

I smile, “Funny thing is, a little gorgeous little bird told me earlier that Melissa McAdam is the actual patient, Jake is."

“Let me get a sitter first, then,” she replies.

“And miss hanging out with this fun guy? Save your money and let me take both of you out for dinner,” I gladly reply.