6. House Call
6
House Call
C HAPTER SIX
Rosalind
The night air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed. I lay in bed, listening to the gentle lullaby of waves crashing against the shore. As I watched the moonlight stream in through my window, I thought about the Christmas fair.
It was a perfect evening, as it always is. And I could guarantee, right now, someone was already planning for next year’s celebration.
The food, games and music were everything I could’ve wished for. But this year it was the company that made it truly special.
Grandpa was getting older, so every year I had with him was a gift. Talking about Grandma had reminded me we never knew how many years we’d have together, and we should treasure every one.
Mack? We’d had many dogs over the years, and all had been unique in their own way. But Mack was exceptional. He was Grandpa’s companion and helpmate in every way. Smarter and more intuitive than any dog we’d ever known. He brought joy and smiles everywhere he went. The entire town loved Mack, but none more than me and Grandpa.
And, of course, Daniel had been there. My thoughts and emotions were a jumble when I thought about Daniel, but even after he left the island, I would remember the night we danced at the fair. A memory I would hold close to my heart forever.
My heart was full of joy as I closed my eyes. But just as I drifted to sleep, a sudden crash shattered the peace.
Then I heard Grandpa’s cry of pain.
“Rosie!” Grandpa called out for me, using his special nickname. The name that only he and my grandmother had ever used.
Heart pounding, I rushed to his room. The soft light from the bedside lamp on the floor illuminated his weathered face, contorted in pain. “What’s wrong, Grandpa?” I asked, with fear in my voice.
“My side, it’s burning!” he groaned, pointing to his ribs on his right side.
“Here, let me take a look.” I said as I rushed to his bed and helped him lift his shirt. He rolled to his left side so I could see the area better. When I picked up the bedside lamp he’d knocked over, and aimed it at his side, I saw a two to three inch band-like rash on his torso.
“There’s a rash here.” I said aloud. Knowing he couldn’t see it.
When I touched the rash, he winced. “I’m sorry! Did that hurt you?”
“Yes. It hurt more when you touched my skin. What is it do you think? Is it a bite? Can you tell?” He asked, looking for an answer to what was causing the pain.
“I don’t think it’s a bite, but I don’t know what it is.” Gently pulling his shirt back down over the rash, I added, “Grandpa? I’m going to get Daniel. He’s a doctor. If anyone will know, it’ll be him.”
“But Rosie, it’s the middle of the night. You can’t wake him up.” He complained.
“I don’t care what time it is. I won’t let you suffer if there’s anything I can do about it.”
When Mack whined from his bed on the floor, I called him over. “Mack! Up, boy! Up on the bed.”
Normally, he didn’t sleep on Grandpa’s bed, but both of them could use a little comfort now.
“Good boy!” I crooned as he jumped up. “Come here. Lay down next to Grandpa.” And I patted the spot on the bed on Grandpa’s left side. Away from his sensitive rash on the right. “I’ll be right back!” I said, giving Grandpa a kiss on his cheek, and Mack a pat on his head.
I dashed out into the night, too worried to notice the cold night air biting at my skin. The sound of my hurried footsteps echoed off the silent buildings. The scent of seaweed was so sharp in my nose, a reminder of the ever-present ocean surrounding our small island.
I reached the inn and stood before Daniel’s door, knocking urgently. “Daniel, it’s Rosalind. Please, I need your help,” I pleaded.
When he opened the door, concern etched lines on his face.
“Rosalind, what’s wrong?” His voice sounded groggy from sleep, but filled with genuine worry.
“It’s Grandpa, he’s in terrible pain. And he has this awful rash. Can you please come with me?” I implored, desperation creeping into my voice as I wrung my hands.
“Of course, let me grab my bag,” Daniel replied, already turning back to his room. His willingness to help warmed my heart, even amid my worry. “You’re shivering Rosalind. Did you forget your jacket?” He asked as my teeth chattered.
I hadn’t even noticed the cold, but my body apparently had. “I wasn’t thinking when I left. It’s OK. It isn’t far.”
“Here.” He said as he returned to the closet again and came back with a pullover sweater. “Put this on at least.”
I quickly slipped it over my head, feeling the shaking subside as it touched my skin. It nearly covered me to my knees, but it was already warming me up, and I was thankful for his kindness.
As we hurried back to my house, the weight of the night pressing down on us, I couldn’t hide my gratitude for having Daniel by my side.
The soft sound of waves crashing against the shore somewhere in the dark provided a soothing backdrop to the urgency of our mission.
“Here we are,” I whispered as we reached the front door, the porch light casting a warm glow on the wooden steps. I pushed the door open, leading Daniel inside.
“Grandpa, Daniel’s here to help,” I announced softly as I entered Grandpa’s room, watching as he stirred in bed, his face contorted in discomfort.
“Hello Joseph, I hear you’re having some trouble. Can you tell me when these symptoms started?” Daniel’s voice was calm and reassuring, a stark contrast to my near panic.
“Thanks for coming, Daniel.” Grandpa greeted him with a faint smile, trying to mask the tension. “This burning pain started an hour or two ago, but there’s been a persistent itching in that area for a few days. Rosalind says there’s a rash too.”
“Any other symptoms, Joseph? Fever, fatigue, anything out of the ordinary?” Daniel’s questions were methodical, each word measured and precise, as he focused on diagnosing the issue at hand.
“Fatigue, aye. Like the sea’s tug on an old sailor,” Grandpa replied, his face shifting between us, his trust in Daniel growing by the minute.
I stood by the bedside, my heart heavy with worry, yet grateful for Daniel’s presence. The way he handled Grandpa with care and respect touched me deeply, as I got a glimpse into the man behind the doctor’s veneer.
And I couldn’t help but notice the way his hands moved with confidence.
“Rosalind, could you please bring me the flashlight from my bag?” Daniel requested, his eyes never leaving Grandpa’s face. I nodded, fetching the item quickly and handing it to him.
“Thank you. Now, let’s take a closer look at this rash, Joseph,” Daniel said, his tone gentle as he examined the area. The beam of light, stronger than the lamp’s dim light, illuminated the angry red band on his skin. The flashlight also cast shadows on the worn features of Grandpa’s face, making him appear older somehow, and my worry grew.
As Daniel continued his assessment, I couldn’t help but admire his dedication and expertise. His steady presence brought a glimmer of hope to our small island home.
“Can you describe the pain?” Daniel asked as he heard Grandpa wince when he touched the skin near the rash.
“Like a lobster in boiling water,” Grandpa grumbled, attempting a weak smile that didn’t quite reach his mouth.
“Don’t worry, Grandpa. We’ll make it better soon,” I assured him, though the fear gnawed at my insides.
Daniel leaned over the bed, his brow furrowed in concentration. “We’ll have you feeling shipshape again, Joseph. I just need to figure out what we’re dealing with.”
“Could you pass me the magnifying glass, Rosalind?” Daniel’s voice broke the silence, pulling me back from my thoughts.
I handed him the tool from his bag, watching as he carefully examined each red band or patch on Grandpa’s skin. His movements methodical. “What do you see, Doctor?” I asked, my voice filled with concern for the pain my grandfather was going through.
“This looks like a classic case of Shingles,” Daniel replied, straightening up to meet my eyes. “The symptoms he’s described and with this rash, I’m sure. It’s caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Just reactivated.”
Shingles? My mind raced with questions, but Daniel’s calm explanation soothed some of my fears. “Is it serious?” I blurted out, unable to hide the tremor in my voice.
Daniel’s gaze softened, a small smile playing on his lips. “Not usually. With the right treatment, Joseph should recover just fine,” he reassured me, his tone gentle.
Relief flooded through me, mingling with gratitude for this man who had come to our aid in the dead of the night. “Thank you, Daniel. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you here,” I admitted, sincerity coloring my words. “We don’t have a doctor on the island anymore.”
“Really? How about an EMT or a nurse?” Daniel asked, surprise evident on his face.
“There’s a nurse, Shari. But when our doctor left about a year ago, she had to get a job on the mainland. She’s away more than here these days with her long shifts and the extra long commute.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He said in a voice laced with genuine concern.
I shook my head. “We make do as best we can, but night emergencies are the hardest. So you see why your presence is greatly appreciated.”
“Yes, I can understand your position. And I’m happy to help.”
“So, how do we treat Grandpa’s Shingles?” I asked. Hoping I could ease his pain tonight, so he could get some much needed rest.
“I’ll give you a prescription for the antiviral medication he needs. Take it to the pharmacy in the morning,” he instructed, handing me a handwritten prescription. “There is a pharmacy here, right?”
“Yes, we have a pharmacy.” I replied, taking the prescription and nodding my understanding. The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, but Daniel’s presence eased some of my burden.
“In the meantime, use cool wet compresses and pain relievers to help him through the night,” Daniel added, his voice steady and reassuring.
“Thank you, Doctor,” I said sincerely, meeting his gaze. “I truly appreciate all you’ve done tonight. It means a lot to us.”
Daniel waved off my gratitude with a small smile. “I owed you one for the fair, remember? But, seriously, I’m just glad I could help.”
As Daniel continued his ministrations to make Grandpa comfortable, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for this man. He’d appeared like a guardian angel in our time of need.
Something more than gratitude stirred within me, a connection that whispered of possibilities yet unexplored. Was it just gratitude I felt, or something more?
Daniel’s eyes met mine, a flicker of understanding passing between us. “Your grandfather needs rest now, and I’ll make sure he’s comfortable while you get him that compress and whichever pain reliever he uses.”
“Sure. Thank you for staying with him. I’ll be right back.” I added as I turned and rushed to the kitchen. A few moments later, I returned to his room.
“Here Grandpa,” I said as I returned with a tray and all the items we needed. I handed him some Motrin and a small glass of water, and Daniel helped him sit up so he could swallow the pills.
“OK, Joseph, turn on your side again.” As Grandpa followed Daniel’s directions, I dipped a cloth in the cool water and wrung out the excess.
When Daniel pulled up Grandpa’s shirt again and exposed the rash, I handed him the cloth.
Grandpa sighed as the cool cloth was laid gently on the burning rash. “Oh, that feels better.”
Hearing the relief in his voice was a balm to my heart, and I felt my nerves relax.
“You sure have a habit of saving the day, don’t you?” I teased lightly, trying to add a little humor to the situation.
A small smile tugged at the corners of Daniel’s lips. “Seems like it. Can’t seem to stay away from trouble, can I?”
“Trouble or not, we appreciate the help,” I replied sincerely, feeling a rush of gratitude towards this man who had stepped into our lives with unwavering kindness.
As Daniel fluffed the blanket over Grandpa’s legs, a comfortable silence settled between us. In that moment, I realized how much I admired the way he carried himself. The way he cared for others without hesitation.
“Rosalind,” Daniel’s voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my gaze back to him.
I met his eyes, finding a depth of emotion there that mirrored my own. In that shared glance, something unspoken passed between us. A connection that went beyond words, a silent promise of support and understanding.
“Thank you for today,” I whispered, my voice filled with relief. I didn’t specify, but I meant not just for his help tonight, but also for our time shared at the fair.
“Anytime,” Daniel replied softly, his gaze unwavering. “And I meant what I said. I’m always here for you and Joseph.”
I felt a warmth bloom in my chest. A spark of something bold igniting within me as I looked at the man who had become so much more than just an island visitor in my eyes.
The glow from the sun’s first rays showed along the horizon as I stood outside our home with Daniel, watching the serene backdrop of our small island waking up.
“Thanks again for everything, Daniel,” I said as I returned his sweater to him, folded.
A faint smile played on his lips. “No problem, Rosalind. You take care of your grandfather for me, OK?”
Hesitating for a moment, I impulsively stepped forward, and enveloped him in a hug. “This is for being a great doctor and a good friend,” I mumbled into his shoulder, cheeks flushing with embarrassment at my boldness.
Daniel chuckled softly, his arms coming around me in a gentle embrace. “You’re welcome, Roz. And thank you for trusting me with Joseph. I’ll see you around.”
As he pulled away, I met his gaze, finding warmth and understanding in those deep, thoughtful eyes. In that fleeting moment, I sensed a shared connection beyond the circumstances that had brought us together.
A glimpse of something unknown but powerful. An invisible thread, forever binding us to each other.
Daniel turned down the path towards the inn, leaving me standing there, heart fluttering with emotions I couldn’t quite decipher.
As I turned back towards the house, the weight of uncertainty and possibility settled in my chest, mingling with the lingering touch of his embrace.
For a moment, I wished I’d kept his sweater. Then I’d have a small piece of him to hold close as I fell asleep.
Maybe the memory of his arms wrapped around me would follow me into my dreams.