“Tread carefully, my friend.”
Danny sped as he drove back to the office. Martha hadn’t spoken a word to him, so he didn’t know exactly what was going on. For all he knew, Jimbo had fallen and broken his arm or worse, broken someone’s nose. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s had to set bones for either Jimbo or one of his victims. Thankfully, there were only two cars parked close to the front of the office when he arrived, and he couldn’t hear any yelling so that was a plus. At least no one was in pain.
He walked in and glanced briefly into the waiting room. He was certain he saw Kelly but didn’t want to go back and look. Plus, that could possibly mean she has a child and for some reason he didn’t want to believe that possible or that she was sick, and that feeling hurt even worse. He changed quickly, putting on his customary doctor coat and asked Martha to show his patient into the exam room.
“Room one, stomach bug,” Martha said when they met in the hall. She winked at him, which he found odd. It wasn’t until he opened the door, did he understand why.
“What are you doing here?” Kelly asked. She crossed her arms over her chest and stood defensively in front of the child sitting on the table. The child leaned to the side, to look at the doc and smiled. His stomach dropped. Looking back at him was a mini version of Kelly, except her hair was darker. “I asked you a question.”
“I work here.” He pointed to the name on his coat.
“Where’s your dad? I want a real doctor.”
“He looks real, Momma.”
Kelly sat her hand on her daughter’s knee and looked down. That’s when he saw a single tear rolling down her cheek. He wanted to reach out and wipe it away, pull her into his arms or ask her what he can do to help her. “Do you want me to call my dad, Kelly? I can if it’ll make you feel better, but he’s been retired for a few years now.” He reached into his pocket to pull out his phone, but she shook her head.
“She’s not feeling well.”
“Okay.” He opened the file and read the intake sheet, scanning until he came to the father’s name. Blank.
“Kori, I’m Doctor Danny,” he said, closing the folder. “It says here that you have an upset tummy.” He approached Kori slowly, his eyes going from hers to Kelly’s and back again. Kelly moved only slightly and kept her hand on her daughter’s knee. Danny didn’t have to know everything that was going on, he could see it written all over Kelly’s face. Kelly had been hurt, again. And Danny saw red. He wanted to strangle him.
Danny proceeded to give Kori a check-up. Everything he did, proved that the girl was healthy. He had her lie down and he pressed on her stomach, which caused her to giggle. He did too and when he looked at Kelly, she was watching him.
“Tell me where it hurts, Kori.”
She shrugged. “All over. My tummy’s rumbly.” Danny ran all the necessary tests, took a few notes and excused himself from the exam room.
“Martha, can you have Mrs. Franklin meet me in my office.”
“Dr. Weatherly, I don’t believe this would be very professional.” Martha stood up and shook her head. He laughed, mostly at the expression on her face. He rested his hand on her shoulder.
“I just need to talk to her about her daughter. Nothing will happen. I promise.” He continued down the hall, laughing. Mostly because there was a time when he and Kelly used to play doctor when his parents weren’t home, but those days have long since passed. There’s too much between them now for those types of games.
It takes about five minutes before Kelly appeared in his doorway. They lock eyes and stare silently at each other. “Um…” she starts to say, only for Danny to shake his head, clearing the cobwebs.
“Sorry, please come in and sit down.” He stood and pointed to one of the two chairs that were in front of his desk. For the second time today, he closed his office door. This time he did it because he wanted to speak to her privately, and he really wanted to be alone with her.
“I’m sorry—”
“You said that earlier.”
“No, I mean about being the doctor. I guess I thought you knew.”
She shook her head and cleared her throat. She took a shuddering breath and started sobbing. Danny was by her side instantly, pulling her into his arms, where she continued to cry. This was exactly how he held her the last time, while whispering how sorry he was.
“I can’t lose her.”
“Who?” Danny pulled back a bit and looked at the girl he once loved. It hit him, right then and there, he could easily love her again. That he never stopped.
“Kori. She’s all I have.”
“Why would you lose her? Is something going on? Do you need my help?”
“You’re going to tell me she’s dying right? That’s why I’m in here?”
He stood abruptly and almost fell back against his desk. “Why would…” he stopped himself from talking. Of course, she thought her daughter was ill otherwise he would’ve given the diagnosis in the exam room. He was such a fool, especially wit