Kindred Hearts

CHAPTER 4 BACK TO REALITY

CHAPTER 4

BACK TO REALITY

Lisa parked her car close to the surgery centre the next morning and walked inside the building. The centre welcomed her with spacious ambience and bright light from large draped windows. She greeted the blonde and buxom receptionist who always arrived early then entered her office and sat on her ergonomic chair. She placed her bag in a bottom filing cabinet drawer, turned on her computer, and checked her in-tray of paperwork. She stared at her range of stuffed animals lining her desk and a framed photograph of her mother by her computer.

Lisa peered through her full patient list for the day. It was one cataract surgery after another. She logged in to her computer and checked the patient records and medical history. A knock at the door broke her focus. She turned away from the computer screen and smiled at the woman before her.

“Hi, Katie. What’s up?”

Katie drew a hand through her short, ruby red hair that was greying at the temples. She walked further inside her office. “I have a new patient coming in for cataract surgery today. The doctor’s classed it as urgent, but I don’t know how he’ll fit in the ones already scheduled. Do you mind doing the assessment? I’m swamped.”

Lisa shook her head. “No problems.” She stretched out her arm to grab the file.

“How was your weekend?” Katie asked.

“Great. Yours?” Lisa replied.

Katie squinted her bright blue eyes. “What’s going on?”

Lisa shrugged and turned back to her computer screen. “I’m fine.

Katie headed closer and sat on the nearby chair. “Come on. You can’t fool me. What’s really going on?”

Lisa cleared her throat. She knew that Katie was stubborn and would never leave it alone until she answered. She always managed to get Lisa to pour out her heart. She’d had plenty of practice interrogating, listening, and problem-solving with her five children who were now grown up.

“I really can’t get into it now. I have loads of work to do.”

“Come on. We have plenty of time before the first lot of patients arrive. Spill.”

Lisa exhaled and turned to Katie. It might help to get it off her chest. “I got this letter that appeared to be threatening, but it was probably some kind of prank.”

Katie’s eyes turned serious. “Go on.”

Lisa explained the contents of the letter and Katie placed her thumb underneath her chin in quiet contemplation. “How’s your dad nowadays?”

Lisa’s chest tightened. “What do you mean?”

“Well, the last time I heard, your father was in prison after seriously assaulting your mother. Could he be the one threatening you after you turned him in all those years ago?”

Her father had tried to contact her several years ago, but Lisa wanted nothing to do with him. Her mother had moved in with extended family overseas, but Lisa kept in regular contact with her.

“He’s still in prison now, but it’s because of other charges of assault and theft. I imagine he would’ve forgotten about me. It’s been years since I last spoke to him.”Lisa wasn’t sure she believed her own words. But why now? Why would her father do such a thing after all these years?

“Of course. I’m being silly,” said Katie unconvincingly. She rose from her seat and touched Lisa gently on the shoulder. “You could always go to the police with the letter and see what they think.”

Lisa pressed her lips together. “I’m sure it’s just someone’s idea of a prank. I’m going to ignore it and live my life. Hopefully, it’s a one-off.”

Katie nodded. “Please be careful then. I have pepper spray, or maybe you can keep perfume in your bag?”

“I’m good.”

Katie left her office after a reassuring smile.

The receptionist called to let Lisa know the first client had arrived. Five minutes later, Lisa walked out of her office and into the waiting area to call out her patient’s name. They walked into her office and Lisa opened her patient file. Her mind kept turning to the letter and Katie’s reaction, but she pushed it down. She had to focus on the patient. Lisa asked the patient about her medical history and checked off a list on a form. Lisa’s bangles resounded loudly in her head as she made notes. She prepared the woman for surgery then walked her into the theatre. “I’ll see you in less than an hour. You should be done by then.”

The client entered the operating theatre and Lisa headed back to her office to prepare for her next client.

Her mind returned to her father. Could he be that cruel? No, not possible. Her mind flashed back to her teenage years when her father had physically abused her mother daily. He always complained about something. It might be that the food wasn’t ready, or his shirt wasn’t ironed properly, or his slippers weren’t by his bedside. Whatever the issue, he always beat the hell out of her mother and found fault with everything. Though he wasn’t physically abusive to Lisa, he had been verbally aggressive towards her.

Her father sent her mother to hospital after his anger became the worst she’d ever seen. If Lisa hadn’t come in between and hit him in the groin, she was certain he would’ve killed her mother. At that time, she’d reported him to the police. Over the years, her mother had said that if she’d only been a better wife and mother, he would never have resorted to violence. Lisa understood too clearly the typical attitude and thinking of a battered wife.