My Christmas Doctor

As the days passed, I found myself thinking of her often, wondering how her book was coming along, if she was taking her medicine, or eating as she should be. I knew I shouldn't have flirted with her, but I hadn't been able to help myself, she was an amazing woman. I truly wanted to ask her out, but knew it was impossible and completely against my ethics. It would just have to wait until I released her from being my patient.

The day of her first appointment, I found myself taking extra care in my appearance. I'd gotten a haircut the day before, made sure I'd shaved this morning, and even dabbed on a little cologne. When she walked through my office door, I'd been standing in reception, watching for her, but I hadn't wanted her to know that I was waiting for her, so just before ten I'd picked up a file of a random patient and was reviewing it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I took her in, dressed in a fuzzy blue sweater and jeans, her beautiful red hair secured in a long French braid down her back. She had a coat over her arm and a clutch purse as she'd approached my receptionist, a sweet smile on her rose colored lips. I loved the light dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose and the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke to Janet.

As if I'd just then noticed her, I looked over at her and smiled. I gave her a wink and then folded the file up and returned it to the file cabinet, before moving out of reception and toward my office just past the two exam rooms.

"Dr. Chase, Ms. Adams is here," my office nurse, Linda said.

"Thank you, Linda, would you set her up in exam room one?"

"Of course, doctor."

I sat at my desk, scribbling a list of groceries I needed on a notepad just to make myself look busy. I didn't know why I was so nervous seeing her again. Though nervous wasn't exactly the right word, more like anxious. Something about the woman just affected me. Made me feel joy. So, when Linda let me know she was ready a few minutes later, I felt my heart soar, and I had to take another minute or two to calm myself down again.

I knocked on the door to the exam room and waited until she said 'come in' before entering. Seeing her seated on the exam table, her ankles, encased in knee-high boots, crossed and her hands in her lap made me smile. "You are looking bright and cheerful this morning," I said as I entered.

She smiled, her face lighting up even more. "Good morning, and I am feeling bright and cheerful. How have you been?" she asked, and I could see it wasn't just something to say, she really wanted to know.

"I've been good. And I am under orders to tell you that the nurses all miss you and say hello."

"Aww, they are so sweet." Her cheeks pinkened a little, as she blushed at the attention.

"How has the writing been going?" I asked as I took a seat on my rolling chair.

"Really well. It's flowing better than the first one did, and the story is unfolding just like I imagined it would."

We talked for a little bit longer about her book and where she got her inspiration, as well as her medical knowledge. I'd never met the nurse she mentioned, but after reading her first book, I knew the friend she'd spoken of had to be really qualified to give her such an inside look at things. After that we spoke about her changes to her diet and how she was managing her medication and eating when she should be and getting enough sleep.

"Well, I want you to have some more blood drawn in the lab, just so we can keep an eye on your potassium level and set up another appointment. I think we'll stick with every two weeks, if that works with your schedule?"

She nodded. "Yes, I can do that."

"Excellent." I stood and opened the door and then turned to take her hand and help her hop down from the table.

She picked up her purse and coat, and then said, "Thank you," as she shook my hand.

I continued to hold her hand, lingering a moment longer than was professional. "I'll see you in two weeks, Jane. It was good to see you today."

Her cheeks pinkened again and she bit her lip as she smiled. "It was good to see you too," she replied, her voice soft. She let my hand go and then moved down the hall back to reception.

I watched her go, admiring her frame as she walked away from me. I had no idea how I was going to make it through the next three and a half months.