A Real Family

Chapter 1-3

Russell was at home debating the evening dinner menu. He was a pasta fan, but figured too much of it would likely ruin his manly physique. Meat and potatoes he shrugged off as too butch. Stir fry won the day and as he pulled the ingredients together, his phone chirped. That was the closest to a ring he could find among the pile of noises his smartphone made. He frowned when he didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello, Russell Bennett speaking.” He always sounded professional on the phone.

“Hey, Russell, Doctor Wilson here—I’m sorry to call you in the evening. I meant to book a time for the colonoscopy while you were at the office. I’d like to get it scheduled soon. I can get you in for a morning, afternoon, or early evening. It would have to be next week or the one after. Do you have a preference?”

Russell smiled and planned to save the phone number. The call didn’t come from the clinic office number he had programmed, so he figured it was Peter’s personal cell. “Evening would be best and next week would give my butt time to recover from your recent exploration.”

Peter chuckled. “Fine, I can get you in Tuesday or Thursday of next week, six or seven either evening. A few things: I told you about the sedative, so you’ll need to have someone bring you to the clinic and take you home afterward. You shouldn’t be alone for the night.”

Russell cursed under his breath. “Can’t I take a taxi? What’s the harm?”

“Well, first of all, the sedative won’t be completely worn off when you leave. You would be vulnerable to suggestion. If the cabbie was unethical, he might charge you a thousand bucks and you would likely double it for the tip. Second, there should be someone with you. There’s a very small chance of bleeding if there were any polyps or unusual growths removed.”

Russell was silent for several moments. “Maybe I should wait for a bit before doing this.” He had absolutely nobody in his life that he could ask to do this. He had no family left, no friends around, and no co-workers he would impose on. He realized how alone he was.

As if he read his mind, Peter cleared his throat. “I won’t be doing the procedure, and neither of those evenings is mine to be at the clinic, or on call. I can take care of the logistics, if that would help. It is important that you do this.”

Russell was stunned. “You’d give me up so that some other man could have his way with me?” He chuckled. “You could take photos and post them on Twitter. Maybe even get a viral video on YouTube. You’d be famous.” He paused. “I appreciate the offer, Peter, but it isn’t your job to look after me. I’ll see what I can arrange, and book something with your office then.”

“This is serious business, Russell. I don’t offer this lightly. You lost your grandfather, brother, and a cousin to colon cancer. The risk is there, and it’s higher for you than the general population. There won’t be pictures or videos. It will be me getting you there and home after. No strings, no obligations, and no expectations.”

“Okay, Peter.” Russell’s voice was soft. He was touched by the caring gesture. “How about Thursday?”