Playing Doctor

"You bought me a gift?" Aurelia said, feeling surprised. She pulled out the card and read it. It said, Get Well Soon, Aurelia and had a vase with daisies and a few buzzing bumble bees on it and it was signed by everyone in the office. "That is so sweet," she murmured and turned to the bag. She pulled out the tissue paper. Inside was a Kindle Paperwhite and an Amazon gift card. Aurelia gasped. "This is too much—" She started to hand it back to Sarah.

Sarah shook her head. "It's from everyone. We all chipped in and got it for you. You're going to be here for a few days, we wanted you to have something to do. This will give you a chance to read and relax." She smiled. "Now, tell me what the doctors have said. I couldn't get your diagnosis from my brother."

"Oh. Well, Dr. Song, she's the doctor from the ER, she ran a bunch of tests. She thinks it's uh, viral… pericarditis? She said it's the membrane that surrounds my heart and it's inflamed. She's asked a Dr. West to come consult and be my doctor too, I guess."

"West? Oh, he's one of the best cardiologists in White Plains, you'll be in great hands." Sarah nodded. "Cute too, if I wasn't already involved with someone…" Her grin widened.

"Dr. Song said I could be here a week… um… is it okay that I'm going to be gone so long?" Aurelia bit her lip, worrying.

"Would you stop worrying? I've split your current cases between James, Laura, and Melissa. They will work on them until you get back. Your only job at the moment is to listen to your doctors and relax, okay? No stressing. I promise everything will still be there when you get back." Sarah patted Aurelia's hand. "Now, is there anything I can get you? Anything from home? Favorite pajamas? Your toiletries? Water your plants? Call family?"

"Oh, well… um, could you call my neighbor Kelly? I can't use my cell phone in here… and yeah, my own pajamas would be great and my toothbrush… Kelly has a key though, so if you call her, I'm sure she can get all that for me."

"All right, I will go by her place and give her a heads up. She's in the white house next door, right?"

Aurelia nodded. "Yes, thank you so much, Ms. Hoff—" Aurelia stopped at the look she was giving her and smiled. "Sarah. Thank you."

"My pleasure. I'll come by in a few days and check on you again too." She stood up and picked up her purse from the floor by the chair.

"I don't know how I got so lucky to have you hire me, but I am really grateful." Aurelia smiled back at her.

Sarah gave her a hug and then waved as she slipped out of the door.

An hour after eating, there was another knock on the door. Aurelia looked up and her eyes widened as a Greek god walked through the door in a white lab coat. He had short black hair, warm, honey-brown eyes with little flecks of gold, broad shoulders, and lean hips. He could have easily graced the cover of GQ he was so handsome. He wore a charcoal suit under his white lab coat. An easy smile touched his lips and sparked in his eyes as he came into the room.

"Ms. Carson?" he questioned.

Aurelia couldn't find her tongue to answer, so she nodded, a silly smile on her lips.

"I'm Dr. West. I understand you've been having quite the month of pain." He smiled and pulled the rolling stool over to her bedside and sat down.

"I have," Aurelia agreed, her voice barely a whisper. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Yes, um… it's not been fun."

He chuckled. "I imagine not. So, I've looked over your test results and your blood work. I have to agree with Dr. Song. You have Viral Pericarditis; I believe it was brought on by the diuretics we found in your system. It was just trace amounts, so I am fairly certain that you are no longer taking them?"

Aurelia's eyes widened. "That's why I have this? That bastard!" she muttered.

Dr. West narrowed his eyes, a concerned look shining in them. "Who are we talking about?"

Aurelia pursed her lips. "My ex. For the last ten years he's made me take them, among other things to as he said, keep my figure."

Dr. West raked his eyes over her and then glanced down at her chart in his hand. "You weigh One-twelve, you're actually underweight for your height."

Aurelia looked down feeling ashamed. "I know. I was One-oh-one when I got here. He was really controlling. I… I had to escape… I took this job and hopped on a plane and…"

"And here we are." He smiled. "Well, it's a good thing you did. I was going to talk to you about how dangerous those are, but I guess you already know, so I'll save the lecture."