A Dose Of His Love

Lesser of two evils

I look at my watch just to find out that I've spaced out for almost five minutes and didn't even hear the door open.

I look at the man standing in front of me, holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He's dressed in a long-sleeved shirt tucked into plain trousers.

"I'm the nurse Dr. Hepburn assigned to Mr. McRae."

"Has the doctor seen my father?"

"That's what I said."

He just looks at me and takes a seat beside the bed.

"Do you wish to speak with the doctor?"

"I guess he'll be the better person to speak with here, don't you think?"

I walk out of the room, angry that someone has questioned my experience as a nurse. I go straight to the nursing station, looking for Mrs. Pinch. When I can't find her here, I ask a phlebotomist in red scrubs if she's seen the head nurse.

"I think she's in the theater," says the phlebotomist.

"Which one?"

"Third floor, Theatre Room C."

"What about Dr. Hepburn?"

"Who's Dr. Hepburn?" she says.

"Thank you," I say, realizing she's new.

Mrs. Pinch comes out of the theater just as I crest the stairs.

"I've been looking for you," I announced.

"Is there a problem with the patient?"

"No, but I think his son does."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, he came in some minutes ago, demanding who I am and where Dr. Hepburn is."

"Likely. And what did you tell him?" says Mrs. Pinch.

"That the doctor assigned me to Mr. McRae. Then I asked if he wanted to see him."

"And he told you that the doctor is the better one to talk to, right?"

"How did you know that?" I ask, looking at Mrs. Pinch with surprise.

"When you stay in the hospital for years, you tend to come across these kinds of people, Miss Bishop. Where is he now?"

"Where else? In the private room, he offered his father a bouquet of flowers. How do we get the doctor?"

"Well, that's the problem," said Mrs. Pinch. "Dr. Hepburn just left the hospital for an emergency. Mr. McRae is in our hands."

"Okay. So what should I do?"

"Keep him company," says Mrs. Pinch with a wan smile. "I'll be with you shortly," she adds.

********

"Where is Dr. Hepburn?" He demands as I walk back into the room alone.

I have to admit, when he frowns like this, it makes him look more attractive. I find myself comparing him to Tyler's father. But no, Tyler's father isn't as good-looking as this one.

"He's out," I say. "For an emergency.

He looks at his father and back at me. I know what he is going to say next. "And my father isn't an emergency?"

"All I can say is that your father is in good hands, sir."

"In good hands? But why didn't he tell me that he would be leaving?"

"I think he left before you even arrived."

"He has my number, you know," he says.

I just nod and sit down. I try looking everywhere apart from the other conscious person in the room.

"How long will my father be staying?"

"It depends on how he responds to treatment. Although, from what I see, he won't be here for more than a week since Dr. Hepburn left him in our care."

"Our?"

"Mrs. Pinch and I," I say. "She's the head nurse."

"So you're saying his attack isn't that serious?" he asks.

I look at the patient chart before I make a fool of myself. "What was he doing when it happened?"

"He was in his study," he says. "Working on something that had to do with his protégé winning the senate seat."

"Hmm," I say.

"The maid heard him cry out, and by the time she got there, he was already sprawled out on the floor. Clutching his chest," he adds.

"I take it that your father was worried about the outcome of the elections, possibly the negative side."

"Is that a professional opinion?" he says.

"If it isn't one, then I don't know what to call it," I rebut.

He smiles a little. "Anything else I should know?"

"Anything else you feel like hearing? Because, mister, whoever you are, you really don't feel like listening to whatever I have to say as long as it doesn't come from the mouth of Dr. Brooke Hepburn."

"I've had my fair share of nurses' lies. Miss whoever you are."

It seems that we are quarreling, and I wonder how we got to this point. I look at the door, expecting Mrs. Pinch to walk in anytime soon. I wonder how much of this man's ego I can take before she arrives. He's obviously used to giving orders.

I turn to face him. "You're obviously used to giving orders at your mansion, sir. But in this hospital, you have to listen to the professional advice of a health practitioner. If someone like Dr. Hepburn has placed two nurses to look after your father's treatment, then you should respect his decision and not try to treat me like a quack," I retorted and left the room.

Standing in the lobby, I remember that I'll be standing in for Talisa on her night shift. Christ, which means I'll be stuck with Mr. Egotistical for the rest of today.

*********

"What's going on, Em?"

"You won't believe it if I tell you," I say.

"Would you believe me if I told you mine? My new date wants to show me something special tonight!"

"Oh, and Tyler?"

"Don't worry, he will be fine. Charles has a lovely sister who has kids his age. I'm sure he'll be just fine playing monopoly with them."

"They play monopoly?"

"Of course they do," said Talisa, and she laughs like it's normal for every seven-year-old kid to play monopoly.

"Lisa, are you hooked up with a finance bro?"

"Uhm, yes."

"Hmm."

"I think it's his dick."

"What?" I say, and I move the phone to my left ear.

"I think what Charles wants to show me tonight is his dick."

"You mean the special thing you were talking about?"

"Uh-ih. See, he hasn't shown it to me before. Like we're virgins."

"You're no virgin, Lisa," I point out. "Some guy showing you his d**k isn't a special thing."

"He said it was special."

"No, you think it's special because you're fantasizing about his d**k, and you hope that's it."

"You really don't think it is?"

"Should you care what I think, Lisa? It's your date. Have fun."

"Oh, yeah. I will."

"It's almost 1pm, Lisa. Tyler would be waiting."

"Sure. I'll be over there at once. What should I get him?"

"If you can get him a pancake,."

"Nice kid. See you, Em. I'll let you know once I've kidn*pped Tyler."

"Right," I say and end the call.

"Nice conversation there," says Mr. McRae's son. I look up, and he's behind the door. "I was hoping you'd finish. Better come in, nurse. My father's awake."

**********

I felt sick after I realized that some random person had listened to my phone call and heard all the private words Talisa made me say. I have no other option but to walk in with Mrs. Pinch. I totally avoid his eyes.

"Where is Dr. Hepburn?" asks Mr. McRae.

"On his way, sir," says Mrs. Pinch, continuing in a professional tone, "How are you feeling, sir?"

Mr. McRae looks up at the head nurse like he wasn't supposed to be here. His son helps him sit up.

"It feels like someone dragged a morning star right through my chest."

"I think you're doing alright, sir," says Mrs. Pinch as she looks over at the monitor.

"Nothing we should be worried about?" asks Mr. McRae's son.

"It was a minor heart attack, sir. All you need to do is stay away from anything that might cause a repeat experience."

"You mean stay away from politics? No."

"Dad?"

"That's a tall order, John," says Mr. McRae.

So that's his name?

"The election isn't even for another nine months; maybe you should take it easy," suggests John.

"You know politics, John. You really can't quit."

"It will be the death of you, dad," John says.

"Don't be a pessimist, John."

"Honestly, I don't know which one's worse."

"What do you mean?"

"Watching you work yourself into a heart attack or not being supportive of the way you do it."

"The lesser of the two evils, then. I might die doing this, but I'll make sure I win."