Chapter Fifteen
It was his day off, and Ethan was looking forward to taking advantage of it. He’d already had a hearty breakfast of soy milk, taro mantou, dan bing, and fan tuan, and was watching a Jeopardy! rerun.
Next on the docket was the YMCA for his weekly forty-five-minute swim. Then, a two-mile jog around Central Park before heading back to his apartment to review the applications and paperwork Leigh had sent over.
In his mind, he was still working on how to break the news to his mother. It twisted him up inside to hurt and disappoint her, but he had to believe doing what was best for him and made him happy would lead to the best outcome for everyone. But the practice with Bethany, and hearing her perspective helped tremendously.
“I’m so looking forward to you coming back home to Taipei. I can’t wait to have you close by again. You know how much I miss you.”
He knew how lonely his mother must be after his father passed away and was in some ways still struggling. Bethany had been dead on about his mother. Ping Mei had grown up sheltered and taken care of by doting parents. And that hadn’t changed once she’d graduated from school. She’d met his father at nineteen and married. She’d moved from his grandparents’ house to his father’s. She’d never had to live on her own or take care of herself. The prospect must be terrifying for her, because daughter, wife, and mother was the only life she’d ever known.
Maybe he could look into hiring a nurse or some sort of aide or companion who could look after Ping Mei so she could continue to feel taken care of, and it would help with the loneliness.
Thanks to Bethany, Ethan was slowly internalizing that finding his place and building his life here in New York wouldn’t make him disloyal, and he shouldn’t feel guilty about it. He owed her. Big time.
Which made it even more critical for him to win the Raskin Fellowship. He would need every penny to pay for that aide/companion.
His phone rang and when he saw who it was, he frowned. It was the last person he expected.
“Dr. Lee?”
“You need to come down to the ER. It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation.”
“What happened? I didn’t see any news alerts of any accidents, or anything that would trigger alarms.” He’d learned early on to keep on top of breaking news.
“It’s Charlie. He had some sort of cardiac event. His daughter had to drag him in. You know how he is.”
“Understood. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” He gave a brief mournful look at his gym bag before heading to his bedroom. As much as he believed in the value and sanctity of routine and keeping in shape, some things had to take precedence.
Charlie was one of them.
As promised, thirty minutes later, he was pushing the doors to the ER and made a beeline to the patient.
Charlie Meyers was an institution at Whitford Nash Memorial, at least until he retired recently as the head of maintenance. Every doctor knows the number-one rule is never to piss off the nurses.
But a close number two was never get on the bad side of Charlie and his staff. As he was wont to say: “Me and my crew can either be your best friend and make your life easier, or your worst nightmare. Your decision how this goes.” Everyone Ethan knew had a story of how Charlie or someone from maintenance had come to the rescue and performed a miracle when they were in a jam. Or having to buy a chocolate Bundt cake or babka to apologize for breaking one of Charlie’s rules.
“When can I get out of here?” Charlie’s familiar smoker’s raspy voice could be heard all over the ER. “I’m starving. I need food. Now.” His face fixed into a fierce scowl, mustache twitching with irritation, his arms crossed over his chest, every fiber of Charlie’s being radiated hostile negative energy. “And I need my clothes back. I look like a damn fool in this hospital gown. Doesn’t do a damn thing and I feel a breeze.”
“Dad, you’re staying until we figure out what’s wrong.” His daughter Maddie, clearly at the end of her rope, pulled her cardigan sweater closer as she fussed over her father. “You were clutching your chest and barely breathing. Stop fighting me on this, damn it.”
“I can already tell you what’s wrong. I have a daughter whose overreaction to a dizzy spell is ruining my day and wasting everyone’s time. I told you it was just indigestion. And I’m sixty-eight years old. These things happen.”
Maddie’s eyes flashed and she pressed her lips firmly together. Luckily, one of the nurses saw the signs and took Maddie away for everyone’s sake.
“What’s the matter, Charlie? You only retired a month ago and you already missed us? You could’ve just texted, you know.” While the words may be teasing Ethan could hear the strain underneath Bethany’s words.
“Hey, Doc. Thank God you’re here. You’re sensible and practical. Can you call off the cavalry so I can go home?”
“Sorry, Charlie. You come through those doors, I need to do a full exam and work-up. You know the rules.”
With a roll of his eyes, and a grumpy humph, Charlie subsided with ill grace.
“None of that, now. If you’re a good boy, I’ll have Nurse Tammy sneak you in some Junior’s cherry cheesecake from the break room.” Then Bethany gave a wink and added in a stage whisper, “It’ll be our little secret. Maddie doesn’t ever need to know.”
With a reluctant twitch of his lips, Charlie nodded. Bethany gave him a pat on the hand. “We’re going to take the best care of you, Charlie. Promise. You’ll leave here better than new.”
“Waste of taxpayer’s money,” he grumbled.
“Sit back and relax, big guy,” Bethany suggested. She moved away from the bay and finally saw him. Her eyes lit up and she made a beeline for him.
Which warmed his heart for reasons he refused to contemplate. “Thanks for coming,” she murmured.
“Of course. What do we know?”
“Maddie brought him in an hour ago and we’re running labs and tests. Need to wait for the results.”
“Why did you ask for me?”
She slid him a look. “I told you, this is an all-hands-on-deck situation.” Then she bit her lip and confessed, “And you seem to have a knack for tricky diagnoses,” she admitted. “Which I figured would come in handy.”
“We have a knack,” he corrected. “You were the one who put the puzzle pieces together with the fake pregnancy result.” He raised a brow. “It’s not like you to be so modest.”
Bethany rolled her eyes. “I said you were good. Doesn’t mean I’m not better. Which you just confirmed. Just didn’t want to take chances with Charlie. Besides, no denying I kick your ass when it comes to bedside manner.” Idly, she began flipping through the chart and medical history, then came to a sudden stop as her brows furrowed in confusion. Then flipped back a few pages.
“What?” he demanded, curiosity getting the better of him.
“Look at the medical history,” she said as she pushed the chart toward him. “Tell me what you see.”
“Are you going to time me to see how long I take?”
She just arched a brow, which was all the answer Ethan needed.
It took him less than a minute. “He was here in the ER the same time last year. And the year before. We sent him home both times without any diagnosis. They ran the same tests we ordered and ended up treating him for reflux and indigestion.”
“I can’t believe they didn’t notice this before.”
“Well, it’s almost Halloween and you know how we always get slammed this time of year. And given the other things in Charlie’s medical history, it makes sense they thought it was reflux.”
“Horse, not zebra.” He nodded. It was understandable, but no excuse that the other doctors had totally missed this.
“Exactly. But for once, we may be looking at a zebra. The fact this happens the same time every year is worth exploring. And they ruled out an allergy or reaction so we know it’s not the pumpkins or additives in the candy corn. Maybe we need to have someone from psych come down.”
“Or it could be he starts bringing down holiday decorations from the attic this time of year, overdoes it. Wrestling with a ten-foot Santa wears a person out,” Ethan suggested, lips twitching.
Bethany rolled her eyes. “It’s ridiculous that stores put out Christmas and holiday stuff in August. Halloween and Thanksgiving deserve respect. As far as I’m concerned, it should be a law that you have to wait until December first to put up your tree and start blasting the music. I don’t understand people who say they play Christmas music in September. How are you not tired of hearing ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ for three months straight?”
“Trust you to have a strong opinion on Christmas music,” Ethan remarked, amused despite himself. “But we should get back on track.”
Blowing out a breath, Bethany acquiesced. “You could be right about the cause, but my instincts say there’s more at play here.”
“Let me page Ash. He can help us make sense of it.”
“And maybe someone from psych?”
At his look, Bethany grimaced. “Charlie’s gonna hate it, but I’m willing to risk his wrath. His health is too important.”
With a nod, he made the calls.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Maddie walk past them, squaring her shoulders to prepare to do battle with her father again. He cut his eyes toward Bethany and in silent accord, they nodded to each other.
“Maddie?” Bethany gently tapped the other woman’s shoulder. “Do you have a minute? Dr. Wu and I have a quick question.”
Maddie blinked and blew out a breath. “Sure. Did you lose Dad’s insurance info? I have it all scanned so I can resend it. I’m his emergency contact and power of attorney so you can tell me what’s going on.”
“No, that’s not it. We were looking through your dad’s chart and history and noticed this isn’t the first time you had to bring him here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Last year, almost to the day, he came in here with cardiac symptoms, and the year before,” Ethan explained.
Maddie’s lips thinned and her fists clenched. “How did I miss that? I’m an idiot.”
“Stop that,” Bethany ordered, her tone sharp. “Stop beating yourself up. There is no way you should be expected to know this sort of thing. That’s our job. If you insist on self-flagellation, do it later because it’s not productive. Right now, you need to keep it together so we can get your dad better. Got it?”
The other woman took a deep breath and nodded. Ethan had to admit, even he snapped to attention at Bethany’s firm, no-nonsense tone. It was impressive the way she took total charge of the situation.
Actually, it was kinda hot.
And he should have his head examined for having thoughts like that. Not to mention, Bethany would probably have him drawn and quartered if she knew what he was thinking. Besides, Charlie was the priority, not his inappropriate and lascivious thoughts.
“Right now, we’re waiting on lab results and a consult from cardiology,” Bethany continued.
“Ask and ye shall receive,” a voice behind them said. Ash was here, looking especially Doogie Howser–like sporting his usual T-shirt and jeans under the lab coat.
Taking charge, Bethany made the introductions. “Maddie, this is Dr. Laidlaw from cardiology. Dr. Laidlaw, this is Maddie, Charlie’s daughter.”
“Always a pleasure, Dr. Lee. And Dr. Wu, what a surprise.” The smirk on Ash’s face spoke volumes. Ethan gave a hard stare in a futile attempt to make his friend behave.
Whatever you’re thinking or planning, don’t.
You’re no fun. And FYI, I wasn’t planning anything.
Bullshit.
Your mother and Poppy would not approve of your language.
“You’re a doctor?” Maddie asked, clearly taken aback at Ash’s informal attire.
“Trust me, I’m the real deal. Your dad is in excellent hands, believe me.” Ash flashed a grin.
Ethan rolled his eyes. “Don’t let him fool you. Dr. Laidlaw is one of our finest. Give him a chance.”
“If you say so,” Maddie replied, still skeptical. Her rigid posture and tight face didn’t faze Ash in the least, of course.
“Ask Charlie, he’ll vouch for me. He loves me. Everyone does.”
“Shall we go to a consult room for some privacy?” Bethany suggested. Again, taking charge and again, really hot.”
The four of them took a seat and Ash opened the chart. “So, the first thing I noticed besides the list of symptoms is that this isn’t the first time Charlie came here with the same symptoms. And always this time of year, late October, early November.”
“Yes, Dr. Wu and Dr. Lee just mentioned that. That has to be significant, correct?”
“If this is what I think it is, yes. Can you tell me what Charlie was doing before he had these symptoms?”
“He was putting out the scarecrow and jack-o’-lanterns.”
“Our theory was maybe he was overdoing it with the decorations.”
“Oh, no such thing. We love Halloween. It’s our favorite holiday. Well, it was Mom’s favorite holiday. She used to plan and make our family group costumes. We take a photo every year and we hang them on the wall by the staircase.” Maddie’s shoulders dropped, and her voice warmed as the nostalgia took over.
“Was?” Bethany asked gently.
Ethan frowned. Where was she going with this? For that matter, Ash seemed to be on the same wavelength as the two of them exchanged a look. He resisted the urge to cross his arms. Clearly, the two of them had a theory and were leaving him out.
What had they picked up on that he’d missed? It was maddening.
Maddie’s shoulders slumped and her voice lost much of its vibrancy. “She passed away five years ago. Brain hemorrhage eruption. It happened so suddenly, and we didn’t see it coming. The doctors told us there was nothing we could have done—it was a ticking bomb.”
“Let me guess…did she pass around this time of year?” Ash reached out and gave Maddie a supportive pat.
Maddie gave a strangled sob and nodded. “November first. We all joked that it was just like Mom to insist on one last Halloween before she passed. I still have my Baby Shark costume. Can’t bring myself to get rid of it. Dad complained about having to be Daddy Shark but he did it for her.” She wiped away a tear.
“I think we may have figured out what’s going on with your dad,” Ash said.
“What is it? Are these warning signs for a heart attack? I keep warning Dad and nagging him to improve his diet but every time I’m over, he’s bingeing on chips and hot wings.” Maddie’s voice rose in panic and, again, Bethany had to step in.
“Maddie, remember what we said about staying calm?”
The other woman nodded, took a deep breath.
“Another one. Deep breath in, through the nose, out through the mouth,” Bethany instructed.
Ash slid him a look, leaned over and whispered, “Your girlfriend is bossy, but I get it. It’s kinda hot when she takes charge.”
And now he wanted to deck his best friend.
Promising himself he’d exact revenge later, Ethan focused on the task at hand.
He cleared his throat. “Dr. Lee is correct. Getting emotional won’t help your father.” He paused when his fellow physicians threw him twin death stares. “Though of course, it’s understandable that you’re upset. This is a very difficult and stressful situation you’re dealing with.”
Surely that went without saying but based on the reactions, it would appear not.
“Dr. Laidlaw, just tell me what’s wrong with my dad,” Maddie implored.
“I think your dad has a broken heart.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Dad is the least sentimental and emotional person I know. The hospital offered him bereavement leave and he went back to work the day after the funeral, saying he’d rather go to work and get paid than sit around at home alone, bored out of his mind.”
Ash shook his head and got down to business. “Let me explain. What I’m talking about is takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is when the heart becomes weakened or strained, due to severe emotional or physical stress. I don’t think this has anything to do with his diet or physical shape. I think the memory of your mother’s passing is what brings this on every year.”
Dumbstruck, Ethan had to pick his jaw up from the floor. If you’d offered him a million dollars and hours to diagnose Charlie’s ailment, he would never have come up with broken heart syndrome. Would have never even occurred to him to look in that direction.
Apparently, Maddie was just as surprised “Unbelievable. I thought he’d moved on from Mom’s death like it was nothing. He never talks about her, put away all the photos on the mantel, and refused to go to grief counseling with me. And this whole time, he’s still broken-hearted?”
“Psychology and psychiatry are not my specialties, but everyone mourns and grieves differently. I think you may need to cut Charlie some slack on that front,” Bethany offered.
“We still have to run some more tests and he’ll have to be admitted for observation for a few days. I’m also going to give him a referral to follow up with a cardiologist. But for now, he’ll be moved up to the cardiac unit, and my team and I will take over.” Ash explained while gathering up the paperwork and flashing his best grin.
“I’ll find him one in our network that our insurance will accept,” Maddie promised. “And I’ll personally make sure he goes to the cardiologist, even if I have to hog-tie him and deliver him to the office myself.”
Ash reached into his lab coat jacket and pulled out a card. “I reached out to my friend Dr. Coren-Haskell. Her office is expecting your call and will take excellent care of Charlie.”
Ethan raised a brow. Olivia Coren-Haskell had one of the busiest and most exclusive cardiology practices in Manhattan. Ash must have called in a huge marker to get Maddie and Charlie in. Or agreed to a massive IOU.
“Thank you so much Dr. Laidlaw,” Maddie gushed. She shook his hand enthusiastically. So enthusiastically, Ethan was afraid his friend might dislocate his shoulder.
“All in a day’s work. It’s what I do,” Ash said with a wink for good measure.
Bethany checked her watch. “I have a feeling we better go rescue the nurses from Charlie.” There was vehement agreement from all involved and they quickly exited the consult room.
Ethan couldn’t resist. “What did you promise Olivia?” For Ash’s sake, he could only hope Olivia wasn’t as diabolical as a certain other ER doctor when calling in favors.
“Nothing,” Ash sniffed with a supercilious raised brow. “I made a few phone calls for Livvy while she was on maternity leave a few years ago so her kid could get into Bright Horizons. My cousin David is on the board of directors. I knew it would come in handy. And I still have another favor or two until we’re even.”
“May we be grateful you only ever use your powers for good,” Ethan murmured, shaking his head.
“Unlike your girlfriend.”
“I swear, if you say that one more time…” The only thing worse than how weak his retort was, was the knowing smirk on Ash’s face.
Ethan chalked it up to witnessing the emotional wringer Maddie had just been through.
Silly nonsensical feelings upending everyone’s day.
“You all better be here to tell me I’m being discharged.” Belligerent, with his arms crossed and lowered brows, Charlie looked ready for a fight.
As ready as any man could be attached to machines and wearing a flimsy hospital gown.
“Charlie, you know you growling and snapping doesn’t work on me. And tell me I didn’t hear you being mean to the nurses,” Bethany scolded.
“I’m dumb but not that dumb,” Charlie muttered. Then his face reddened as Maddie rushed over and threw her arms around him.
“Oh, Daddy,” she said with a loud sniff.
In response, Charlie gave his daughter an awkward pat. “What’s all this? I’m not dying, am I?” Though he tried to pass it off as a joke, the worry was evident.
Lucky for him, Ash put the poor man out of his misery. “I think we finally figured out what’s going on, buddy.”
“Let me guess. I need to lower my cholesterol and blood pressure so I need to exercise more and eat nothing but steamed chicken and broccoli. I gotta tell you, Doc, only eating food with no flavor ain’t no way to live.”
“I think you have takotsubo cardiomyopathy.”
“What the hell is that?” their patient demanded.
“It means you have a broken heart, Dad,” Maddie explained with a wobbly voice.
“Get out of here with that psychobabble bullshit,” Charlie blustered.
“It’s a cardiac condition brought about by physical or emotional stress.”
“You have these chest pains every October because of Mom,” Maddie burst out. “You’re still grieving. Your heart’s still broken.”
At that, Charlie grew dead silent, then looked up at the ceiling. “You just always have to have the last word, don’t you, Maureen?” Even with the eye roll and gruff tone, the affection was palpable.
“I still miss her every day,” Maddie admitted with a tremble in her voice.
Charlie’s face softened. “So do I, honey.”
“You never talk about her though. I thought you’d moved on.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve been in love with your mother since the first time I saw her on the playground when we were ten years old. I walk downstairs every day and still expect to see Reenie there, making breakfast in the kitchen or doing the New York Times crossword puzzle with her coffee. In ink,” Charlie added with a note of pride in his voice. “And every day I have to remember that she’s gone, and I hate it. I don’t need a damn shrink to know that when you lose your one true love, who you built a life with for almost forty five years, it hurts and it sucks. But it’s a part of life right? You just have to get on with things. No need to snivel over it.”
That was possibly the most romantic and sentimental statement Ethan had ever heard the older man utter. In a million years, he would have never guessed that Charlie was capable of that depth of feeling. This was astonishing.
Ash stepped forward and took charge. “You need a follow-up with a cardiologist, Charlie, and I’m not messing around. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is nothing to play with. You need to take it seriously. A cardiologist will help you with meds and keep monitoring you.”
“More damn doctors,” Charlie grumbled. But his posture relaxed considerably and his tone was less combative.
“Dad, hush,” Maddie scolded. “Dr. Laidlaw is doing us a favor. He got us an appointment with his friend. I looked her up—she’s top in her field. In fact, I’m calling her office now.” She stepped outside the bay, phone in hand.
“You see what you’ve started? So bossy and fussing over nothing. Just like her mother.” But his gaze was fond. And now that the mask was off, everyone knew he didn’t mean a word of it.
Bethany tutted and flagged down a nurse for the paperwork to transfer the patient. “Don’t worry, Charlie. You’ll be at home in your recliner in no time.”
“But I’d suggest skipping the Jets game,” Ash added, tongue in cheek. “Remember you’re supposed to be removing stress from your life, not adding to it.” At Charlie’s glare he held up a hand. “Fine, be a glutton for punishment. Not my fault you have bad taste in football teams.”
“No football games, Dad,” Maddie decreed, stepping back into the fray.
“Now, honey,” her father protested.
“Don’t honey me. No football. And no wings, beer, or pizza until we talk to the cardiologist.”
“If I survive till then.” Charlie scowled and crossed his arm.
“By the way, we have an appointment next Tuesday with Dr. Coren-Haskell. Nine thirty a.m. Be ready by eight. I’m coming by and delivering you to her office personally if I have to truss you up like a pig at a luau.”
“What kind of daughter threatens her father when he’s laid up defenseless in the hospital?” Charlie sputtered.
“Funny how you pull that card only when it’s convenient for you. I could shake you for scaring me like this. Don’t you ever do it again,” Maddie shot back.
The three doctors discreetly left the bickering pair.
“We may need to have security on standby,” Ethan mused.
Bethany tossed a glance back and shook her head, chuckling. “Nah, let them at it. I think the arguing is doing Charlie a world of good.”
“I concur, Dr. Lee. But cardiology awaits and I have to head back upstairs to make sure everything is prepped for when they send Charlie up. Spending too much time with you underlings isn’t good for my rep.” Ash winked and, of course, Bethany took it in stride and didn’t take offense.
Ash took her hand and kissed it lavishly. “A pleasure, Dr. Lee. Until we meet again.” With a jaunty wave, Ash disappeared down the hall to head back upstairs to reconvene with the Cardio Gods.
Rolling his eyes at his friend’s antics, Ethan shook his head and turned his attention to Bethany.
“Tell me, is there anyone who doesn’t fall victim to your friend’s charm?” Amusement lit her eyes as they walked back toward the ER.
“So far he’s hit a perfect record,” Ethan responded dryly.
“Well with some, it’s all suave and smooth on the surface. Others are more still waters run deep.”
“Like Charlie?” he guessed.
Bethany nodded. “How incredible. Even after all this time, he’s still head over heels in love with his wife. Love like that doesn’t come around every day. It’s enough to make anyone believe in fairy tales.” Then she looked around furtively. “If you tell anyone I said that I’ll deny it to the grave. I have a rep to protect.”
With a wink, Bethany dove back into the fray of the emergency room, leaving Ethan to process her words.
As a doctor, he was supposed to be a man of science, dealing with only what he could observe with his senses. Medicine dealt with the tangible.
But after observing Charlie’s case, it was obvious he’d been missing a huge part of the picture. The fact Ash and Bethany had to delve into messy emotions and the intangibles in order to treat Charlie showed him the powerful effects emotions could have on a person’s health and wellbeing.
And maybe it was time he was honest about his emotions. He’d developed feelings for Bethany over the past few months and there was no point in avoiding it.
Ethan scoffed to himself. Past few months? He’d probably started falling in love with her the moment they met four years ago, and he’d been falling since. Even when he tried to convince himself her brusque dismissal at the icebreaker hadn’t affected him, and every time they’d butted heads and told himself she was stubborn, hardheaded, and difficult, part of him knew it’d been a lie and defensiveness.
Oh, Bethany was stubborn, hardheaded, and difficult, but damn it, those were the things he liked most about her. Apparently, he preferred a woman who was a bit challenging and kept him on his toes.
Well, he was planning to uproot his life and live permanently in America. It would make sense that even when it came to love, he would reject the easy route. Achieving a goal meant more when you had to work hard and earn it.
The problem was, he had no idea what the hell to do next.
There was no way he could profess his feelings to Bethany. They had just come to a place where they were friends, not antagonists and he didn’t want to scare her off by moving too quickly.
Besides, there was still the Raskin Fellowship hanging over their heads. As competitive as Bethany was…okay as competitive as they both were, one of them losing the Fellowship to the other would be a bitter blow. Could she forgive him if he won? Ethan wasn’t sure if he knew or wanted to know the answer. Without question, he knew winning the Fellowship meant a great deal to Bethany as well. But his future also hung in the balance and if the Fellowship could sway it his way, he would be lying if he wouldn’t be deeply hurt and disappointed as well.
With a sigh, Ethan made his way out of the hospital and back home.
He’d picked a hell of a time to fall in love.
For once, he wished he could do things the easy way.