Chapter 4
Wyatt Woods
My office staff laughs at my expense daily.
It seems like every time I turn around, someone is trying to play matchmaker, setting me up with all the single ladies in town.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate what they’re trying to do, but they have to consider that anyone I meet must have a good relationship with Emily. We’re a package deal.
The head nurse, Gina McDermott, shakes her head in disapproval at the nurses who are teasing me. “Okay ladies, get back to work and leave Dr. Woods alone.”
“I appreciate the help and suggestions, ladies.”
“Dr. Woods, you know what you should do?” Asks, Franchesca Tanner.
“I’m afraid to know.”
“You should do a calendar. That would sell like hotcakes!”
“No, just no! Now let’s get back to work.” As I grasp the chart, a sense of purpose fills me. Among everything else, this is what I was meant to do. I go to the next room, where a patient awaits, ready to share their story and seek guidance.
I knock on the door before opening it to make sure the patient wouldn’t be surprised. That’s when I observed Clayton “Clay” Johnson sitting on the examination table. He has sandy blonde hair and a muscular build from years of manual labor. His skin is noticeably pale, which makes me feel uneasy.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. What brings you in today?”
“You’ve known me for far too long, please call me Clay.”
He’s right, but I try to keep it professional. “Afternoon, Clay. What’s going on?”
“Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit worn out. You know the farm keeps me busy. If I take any time off, things tend to pile up on me and I can’t catch a break!”
“I see.” I paused for a moment. “I know my nurse already did this, but I want to check it again.”
“Oh sure, go ahead.” I grabbed a blood pressure cuff, wrapped it around his bicep, and pressed the button to check his blood pressure.
He doesn’t seem concerned that his health might be in danger. “Hey doc, did I tell you I heard a rumor that some real estate moguls want to come in and destroy our little town.”
“No. I hadn’t heard anything about that.”
“To top it off, my wife Betsy has been urging me to make a doctor’s appointment.”
“I think she’s just concerned for you. Tell me the symptoms you’ve been having.” That’s when I noticed he was sweating excessively, and it was not hot in the room. “Do you have any shortness of breath or discomfort in your chest?”
“A little of both.”
“Can you describe the intensity of the discomfort?”
“It starts slowly and then intensifies, and it can last more than a few minutes, or it may go away and then return.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“A day or so.” He finally looks up from his hands and sees the intensity of my expression.
“What is it doc?”
“You’ve been listing off all symptoms of a heart attack.”
“I don’t have time for that.”
“Can you do me a favor? Lie down while I ask my nurse to hook you up to an ECG machine.”
“What’s an ECG machine?”
“It’s an electrocardiogram, which measures the electrical activity of the heart. It can help us monitor your status.” I help him lie down on the table, and smile at him to make him feel relaxed. I exit the room and call over nurse McDermott.
“I need you to call an ambulance, Mr. Johnson is having signs of a heart attack.”
“But that’s a thirty-five-minute drive to the nearest hospital.”
“I know that, but us standing here discussing semantics is not going to get him there any faster.”
“You’re right, Doctor.”
“Nurse Tanner. I need you to go into room eight and get an ECG reading, then give him a dose of nitroglycerin until the ambulance arrives.”
“Yes, Doctor.” With a determined gleam in her eye, she grabs the cart and glides forward with graceful speed.
I picked up the phone and called Mrs. Johnson. Since she didn’t come to the office with her husband, I knew she would want to be with him at a time like this.
“Mrs. Johnson, this is Dr. Woods.”
“Is Clay alright?” Her sweet and normally soothing voice is strained and filled with concern.
“I want to send him to the hospital. Can you come here as soon as possible? If you don’t have a ride I can get you.”
“That damn fool, I knew something was wrong.”
“Ma’am. Do you have a ride?”
“Yes, actually. Your momma was dropping off my sewing machine and she hasn’t left yet. She can take me.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Thank you, doc.”
“You’re welcome.” I place the handset back on the phone base and watch briefly at the flashing lights showing calls on hold. Being a small town, you eventually meet everyone, at least once in your lifetime. As for Mrs. Johnson, she was my high school math teacher and one of my mom’s best friends.
I think about my patient Clay, a 57-year-old local farmer, passionate about preserving our small-town way of life. He’s wary of outsiders and their intentions but values honesty and hard work. Unfortunately, he’ll allow his stubbornness and lack of self-care to be his downfall.
“Dr. Woods, the ambulance is on its way.”
I nodded to confirm Nurse McDermott’s statement and found myself furious at the comment about the distance from the hospital; there’s nothing I can do to remedy the situation.
All I can do is give our patients the care they need until they can be transferred to the nearest hospital.
Being reminded of how long it’ll take for the ambulance to arrive only stresses me out for the well-being of my patients.
I return to room eight where Nurse Tanner stays by Clay’s side. A crash cart with a defibrillator stands ready if necessary. “Mr. Johnson.” His eyes open slowly.
“Hey, Doc.”
“Mrs. Johnson will be here shortly.” Clay visibly looks relieved. “How are you feeling right now?”
“The pain has subsided.”
“That’s good, however, I still want you to go to the hospital and if anything, I want them to do a full workup.” Nurse Tanner tears off a section of ECG recording paper and hands it to me.
“No worries, I’ll follow your judgment on what’s best.” I patted him on the forearm. “I’m going to see my last patient for the day, but I will be back to check on you.“ He nodded and closed his eyes. I motioned to Nurse Tanner to stay with him so he’s not alone.
The next patient is a 35-year-old female with ear pain and dizziness.
I pick up a pneumatic otoscope and peek into her ear to look for signs of infection.
Upon examining her left ear, I could see her eardrum and observe the fluid behind it.
Her right ear looks normal, and the rest of her exam shows no other concerns.
I took my pad and pen from my pocket to write her a prescription for Amoxicillin. It’s a commonly known antibiotic as the first choice for kids and adults to treat an ear infection. Inner ear infections are usually caused by a virus.
I gave her the prescription. “Have this antibiotic filled at your pharmacy and take it once daily for ten days.”
“Thank you.”
“Remember, even if you feel better, continue to take the medication until it’s gone. You may want to take it after eating a meal, to avoid an upset stomach.”
“Okay.” I opened the door, and the patient followed me to the receptionist, where I had her make a follow-up appointment in seven to ten days, or sooner if the problem persisted.
The main door whooshed open, bringing the stale air from the outdoors into the office.
I turned to see paramedics enter, wheeling an ambulance stretcher.
I had them follow me, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. Johnson was right behind them.
My mother stood at the door; her face visibly shaken as she waited for more information about Mr. Johnson.
My mother is the pillar of the community. Her hair, once the color of brown sugar, is now showing signs of gray at her temples. My daughter steps out from behind her and grasps her hand. My heart aches seeing her beautiful, yet sad face.
I continued down the hallway where we opened the door to the examination room.
The paramedics are efficient in their jobs and display kindness as they move Clay to the stretcher.
His eyes meet mine, and he gives me a nod, a small way of telling me thank you and I’ll see you soon.
He’s wheeled out to the waiting ambulance.
“I’m sorry I had to bring Emily, but there was no time to leave her with anyone else.”
“Mom, it’s fine.”
“If you don’t mind, I’m gonna take Nancy to the hospital and wait with her.”
“Thanks, Mom. I know she’ll be well cared for and don’t worry about Emily. I’m wrapping up for the day.”
She squeezes Emily’s hand. “I know I promised to make chocolate chip cookies with you, but I need to be with my friend.”
Her eyes reflect understanding. “We can make cookies anytime. Be with your friend, Nana.”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
“Bye, Nana.”
Together, we watch my mother open her car door for Mrs. Johnson, then gets in herself. They drive off down the road and out of sight. “Come on sweetie. I have some charts I need to finish documenting.”
I open the door to my office and Emily runs and takes a seat on my couch. The same one I've slept on while working late nights. She sits quietly playing with her doll. I sit at my desk and note my last two patients. The time slips away from me and before I know it, Emily has fallen asleep.
I feel guilty getting carried away with my work. I can’t say the patient charting couldn’t have waited. I placed the files in the middle of the desk. Quietly, I removed my stethoscope and lab coat and placed them on the edge of the desk.
With the gentle placement of my feet, I walk over to Emily and her doll, scooping them into my arms.
“Daddy?”
“Shh. Go back to sleep pumpkin. We’re going home.” She closed her eyes, and I kissed her forehead. As I walk into the lobby, the nurses and staff have all left for the day.
“Dr. Woods?” I glance to my left. Nurse McDermott takes a step closer and sees Emily. Her voice softens. “I wanted to apologize about earlier.”
“Don’t give it a second thought.” I pushed the door open, and she held it, allowing me to exit.
She leaves as well and locks the door. Her footsteps echo close behind.
Before reaching my truck, I unlock it with my key fob.
I place Emily in her car seat and buckle her up.
When I close the door, nurse McDermott is standing a few feet away.
“I’m sorry Wyatt.”
“Nurse McDermott….”
“You’re never going to see me as anything more than your coworker, are you?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I don’t have feelings other than friendship for you.”
“Is it because you’re still mourning your wife?”
My eyebrows furrow. “Please leave my wife out of this,” I said with a sharp tongue.
“I suggest you say goodnight and stay out of my personal business.” I opened the door to the truck cab and sat inside, looking at my lap, trying to calm down.
She had definitely crossed the line. When I looked up, she was finally walking away towards her car.
As I drove home, I wondered if I had misled her in any way.
I don’t think so. I’ve never given her any indication that we’re more than coworkers.
This encounter makes me feel uncomfortable.
I think it might hinder my ability to collaborate with her effectively at work.
Why did she mention my wife? I don’t openly discuss Lauren, and I certainly don’t share anything about my nonexistent love life.
They only see and hear about the fixups that everyone is trying to do.
As I pass several buildings, I’m reminded of Lauren and how she loved this cozy town.
Her vibrant laughter filled our home and the warmth she brought to every corner of our lives.
Her vision for the town was rooted in simplicity and charm, a place where life unfolded gracefully, and beauty was found in the everyday.
A place where families could grow and thrive without the pressures of modern development.
I remember Clay asking if I’d heard the rumor about the real estate mogul coming in making changes to our town.
This small town is filled with charm, and I can’t help feeling a deep sense of duty to honor its memory by preserving the town’s unique character and close-knit community.
It has always been Lauren’s and my dream, especially for the sake of Emily, so she can feel safe.
I must protect this legacy for her and future generations.