Obsession With My EX-wife

Chapter 18: A Tough Patient

Catherine read over the patient's file that she had been given, and then she went to the Children's Ward. Though Catherine was not confident in her ability to work well with children, a child had been placed in her care, and she was determined to do everything that she could to help him. 

The Children's Ward was well equipped. It had a living room, play area, library, a small television room, an aquarium filled with fish, and a small VIP Unit. The ward was surprisingly quiet when Catherine arrived, and when she knocked on her patient's door, he did not answer. She waited a moment, knocked again, and then she said, "Ready or not, here I come!"

Catherine turned the knob, and as she pushed the door open, she was surprised at how lavishly the room had been decorated. Sadly, though, the boy was alone. He had all of the material things that a young boy would want, like a PSP, comic books, and an iPad, but he lacked the one thing he needed most: to have his family around him.

The boy looked over at Catherine and said, "Get out of my room!" 

Catherine sighed, took a deep breath, stepped into the room, and looked at the boy. He was a good looking child, and she could easily imagine him growing up to be a lady killer.

"Are you deaf?" the boy shouted. He threw a pillow at her. "I told you to get out!" 

Catherine caught the pillow and held it out as a shield. She smiled and, in a mock English accent, she said, "Tally-ho! Is that all you've got, ye knave?"

The child scowled and said, "I said, go away! What's wrong with you? You talk weird! Are you retarded?" He threw another pillow at Catherine, and she blocked it with her "shield."

Catherine lost her smile. She frowned and said, "Let's not use the "R" word. It's unkind. Anyway, wouldn't it be better if we worked together so that we can drive that disease right out of you? We don't have to be friends, but that doesn't mean we can't work together. What do you say?"

The boy pulled his blanket over his head and refused to say anything more to Catherine, and eventually, Catherin admitted defeat and left the room. "We'll try again later," she told him as she pulled the door closed.    

Catherine felt bad for the boy. He was alone in a strange place. It was no wonder that he had trust issues. Their first interaction hadn't gone as badly as she thought it might have, though, and she felt hopeful about their future interactions.

When Catherine returned to her office, she reviewed her case files, leaving Mr. Campbell's for last. She had received the results from his tests on the previous day, but she'd put off reviewing them because she was trying to avoid Leonard.

Leonard was like a catfish that she could not get rid of.

Catherine looked at the clock on the wall. It was half-past ten, and it occurred to her that Leonard was due to arrive at the hospital at any time now. Thus, if she left for Campbell Castle right away, she might be able to avoid him. Realizing this, Catherine gathered everything she needed and rushed out of the hospital. 

***

As expected, Leonard was not at Campbell Castle when Catherine arrived. Grandpa Campbell was in an excellent mood, and he was delighted to see her. They chatted for a while and played a few games of chess, and they were having such a good time that Catherine almost forgot why she had come. At the end of their fourth game, Catherine sighed and said, "I think it's time we get down to business."

Grandpa Campbell nodded amicably, and he took off his shirt so that Catherine could complete her examination. When it was done, Catherine was very pleased. "You are doing a lot better than the last time I saw you," she said. "How are you feeling?"

Grandpa Campbell smiled and said, "I am having one of my 'Good Days.' On a scale of one to ten, my pain is only a four!"

"That's excellent!" Catherine exclaimed. "Keep taking your Tramadol – it seems to be helping – and I will see you again soon. I have to get back to the hospital now. You should probably come down to the hospital within the next week or so for a more thorough examination. There is only so much I can do as far as Home Care goes.   

Grandpa Campbell laughed and said, "Doctor knows best. I will have Leonard make an appointment for me. Anyway, I know that you are a busy woman, but you may as well stay for lunch. After all, you do have to eat!"

Catherine thought about it for a second. She was hungry, but she was hesitant to accept the invitation. The longer she stayed, the higher the risk was that she'd run into Leonard. So, in the end, she asked for a rain check. "Hopefully, I will have more time next time," she said. She was thinking – Hopefully, Leonard will be out of town by then…

Grandpa Campbell frowned, but he understood that she was a woman with many responsibilities. "Okay," he said, "but don't forget your promise!" 

Catherine laughed and said, "Don't worry. I won't. It wasn't a promise, though. I will do my best, but I really do need to get going. Make sure you get some rest – Doctor's orders! You have had quite an eventful morning!"

Catherine walked towards the door, put on her shoes, and as she reached for the doorknob, it turned on its own.