Chapter 9
Madi
“Good morning, Doc.”
“Paul, please don’t call me doc,” I said after he greeted me. “I don’t have a Ph.D., and it’s disrespectful to those who’ve earned theirs.” I added a little edge to my voice, hoping he’d finally get the message.
“Sorry, it’s just a phrase.” He shrugged. “The Marine medics never minded.”
All medics serving in Marine units were actually Navy Corpsmen, but it wasn’t worth taking the bait to correct him.
“I’m sure they didn’t.” Ignoring the disappointment in his eyes, I asked, “What brings you in today?”
He caught me off guard when instead of saying he’d re-injured his wrist, that he’d burned his hand.
“How bad?”
“Third degree, I think.”
Paul held out his loosely wrapped hand.
“Fire or chemical?” I hid my skepticism, as I gently unwound the gauze bandage. As a firefighter, Paul would know the difference between a second and third-degree burn.
Paul moaned but didn’t flinch as he answered. “Fire.” He quickly added, “But not on the job.”
That made sense; at work, he’d be in full gear anytime he was near a fire.
“Why didn’t you go to the emergency room?” I asked. My clinic was out of the way, and unlike the emergency room, we weren’t open twenty-four-seven.
“I prefer coming here, keeping my injuries on the down low. Don’t need the guys giving me shit for being stupid.”
Don’t they notice the bandages? Or did he take them off at work?
Paul’s behavior set off warning bells, and I made a note to talk to Carol during lunch.
“Good news for you, the worst of the burn is only a second-degree.” It’d still hurt like hell while it healed, but there’d be no lasting tissue damage beyond some scarring on the heel and along the pinky side of his hand.
He’d know that.
“There’s not much I can do beyond cleaning it up and giving you a non-stick bandage.”
“Thanks.”
I nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks, Doc. I mean Madi.”
I shivered at the familiarity in his tone.
“You’re welcome.”
Outside the closed door, I took a calming breath. I had a nagging feeling Paul was intentionally hurting himself so he could come here, but accusing him felt dirty, so I shoved it down until I could talk to Carol.
Maybe he’s just clumsy.
Regardless of why he was here, I had a responsibility to treat him. And I’d do it with respect and compassion.
As I wound the non-stick bandage around his hand, I reminded Paul to clean and re-wrap the wound daily.
“Guess I’m lucky. The burns aren’t as bad as I thought.”
“I guess you are.”
“Hey, I heard about the fire.” My shoulders tensed. “What happened?”
Not wanting to open that can of worms, I played down the incident. “Looks like some kids got careless. It was no big deal.”
“I’m glad. Fire can be dangerous.” He lifted his hand as evidence. “I would know.”
“Thank you. Remember to keep the wound clean and change the dressing daily.”
“Will do.” He hopped off the exam table. “Hey, any chance you’re free tonight? I feel like I owe you a beer or something for putting up with me.” He tried to sound casual, but I could see the determination in his eyes.
“You don’t owe me anything.” Remembering Matt rescuing me at the bar, I added, “I have a date tonight.”
Paul didn’t need to know it wasn’t true.
“Maybe another night.”
Keeping my voice firm, I said, “I don’t date patients, remember?”
“It wouldn’t be a date. Just friends having a drink.”
Dude doesn’t give up easy.
“Paul, please stop asking. I’ll draw up your care instructions while Alice checks you out.”
After Paul left, I asked Alice, “Can you add a note to Mr. Bunson’s file that he can only see Dr. Greenfield?”
“Sure thing. He ask you out again?”
“He did. Maybe he’ll get the hint if I’m not available to treat him.”
“Done.”
“Thank you.” I sighed. I thought I’d finished dealing with guys like Paul when I left the Navy. Guess not. “Who’s next?”
When it was time for lunch, I warmed up the chili my mom had made for Jack, Meg, and me.
“Alice, want some chili?”
“I’m good.” She held up her sandwich. “Thanks.”
I checked my phone and saw a message from Jamie: Everything okay there?
I typed my response as I chewed.
Then I erased it because I’d promised to be more understanding.
All good.
We haven’t found anything yet, but we’re still looking.
Keep your eyes up and let us know if anything else happens.
Will do.
I put my phone on the table, face down. At least he didn’t offer to send someone to follow me home later.
It’d be a waste of resources; the guys at SSI had more important things to do.
“Hi, Madi. Alice,” Dr. Greenfield greeted us as she walked in. She looked great for sixty-eight, and her silver-gray hair gave her a distinguished air.
“Morning, Carol,” Alice and I answered, despite it being after noon. Calling Dr. Greenfield by her first name felt foreign; she’d been my doctor until I left for basic training almost twelve years ago.
“I just got off the phone with your father. He and Doug will be here later to assess our security needs so they can draw up a proposal. We’re meeting here tomorrow, before the clinic opens. If you don’t mind coming in early, I’d like you to attend.”
“Not at all.” I was glad she’d finally agreed to meet with my father. “Are they installing cameras up front?”
“It’s not entirely up to me, since I’ll be retiring soon.”
“What time should I be here?”
“The meeting’s at eight.”
“I’ll stop at Grannie’s and bring coffee.”
“No need, John offered.” Carol smiled. “He said he’d bring muffins too.”
Of course he did. Dad never missed an opportunity to support Mom while making a good impression. SSI proudly brewed Grannie’s Blend, and Meg—who was Mom’s barista before she was Dad’s receptionist—had made a sign letting clients know where to buy the coffee SSI served.
Family business.
I was the only Sheppard who didn’t work at either business.
Even Emily worked for SSI and Grannie’s as a contractor, designing and maintaining their websites.
“Alice, what flavor do you want?” I asked. “I’ll make sure he brings one.”
“Mmm, cranberry orange, thanks.”
“Of course.”
“Did everything go smoothly this morning?”
Last Saturday was the first day I’d seen patients without her on site, but she was only a phone call away if I needed a prescription reviewed.
It hadn’t gone well.
That wasn’t true. Alice and I handled everything in the clinic without any problems. The small lawn fire was the only negative.
I hope she doesn’t doubt me because of it.
“No issues. Though I’ve asked Alice to schedule Mr. Bunson with you in the future. I hope you don’t mind?”
She straightened her back, and worry lines creased her forehead. “Did he say something? I can ban him if he crossed the line.”
Dr. Carol Greenfield didn’t tolerate fools.
“That’s not necessary. He’s asked me out twice, and he exaggerated his last injury.”
“Should we mention it to your father during the meeting?” She’d known, and treated, the family for most of my life. She’d want to tell my father if she believed I was in danger.
“No. Bunson’s a pain in the ass, and he can’t take a hint, but he’s harmless enough.”
“I’ll trust your judgment. Let me know if anything changes.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She laughed.
“Right, sorry.” Old habits die hard.
Carol filled her coffee mug and headed to her office.
Mondays were our late days, to allow for working patients, so it was a long one. More importantly, it was an uneventful one.
I couldn’t wait to get home and soak in a hot bubble bath before curling up with a good book.