Page 93 of Tumbleweed Temptation
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PANCREAS. THAT’S WHEREhe’d thought it was. Austin stared at the report from the radiologist, his breakfast threatening to come up his throat. The damage that cancer could do was bad, and they hadn’t caught it early enough.
He reached for his cellphone on his desk. Ordinarily, Ginny would schedule biopsies but he wanted to do this himself. He wanted to keep Mr. McKay’s confidence for as long as he could.
He called the man himself first. “You want to come in, or you want me to come out there?”
“No, you’ve already been out once. Someone will ask questions if you come out again. I’ll come there.”
“I really think you’re going to need to tell someone, because I’m going to try to get you a biopsy next week.”
“Will I have to stay in the hospital?”
“No, sir, it’s outpatient but I really think you need someone to come with you today.”
“I’m not going to do that.”
Was there a more stubborn man in the town? Austin didn't think so. He was going to have to have Ginny cancel his appointments again because he wasn't going to let the man go through this alone. Why couldn't he tell one person? Austin knew the man didn't want to appear weak to anyone in his family. Or the town. But damn, this secret was too big to bear.
“I’ll get you scheduled and get you the information when you get here.”
“You know what, just tell me.”
“On the phone?” Austin was surprised, but not. This news was pretty momentous to hear over the phone. “Look, I’ll come meet you somewhere, away from your family so no one will see and ask questions. I don't want to tell you over the phone.”
“Fine, look, I’ll come in. Tell people I’m there about the diabetes.”
“Sure, of course. Come in whenever you get a chance. I’ll make space for you.”
“Thanks, Austin. You’re a good kid.”
Mr. McKay disconnected, and Austin dropped his head to the desk. Man, this never got easier, especially for someone he knew, someone he’d thought of as strong, nearly immortal.
Damn, he didn't want to watch this happen, but if Mr. McKay wasn't going to have his family beside him, well, he needed someone beside him. Looked like Austin was elected.
He walked out of the office to see Ginny bent over some printed pages. Her legs were crossed on her office chair, and a red pen was in her hand.
“One of your editing jobs?”
She tilted her head to look at him. “Is that okay? We’re pretty slow today, and I’m not used to being idle.”
“Yeah, I mean, as long as everything’s up to date, stocked, clean, I don't have a problem with it.”
“Everything is.” She dropped her feet to the floor. “Do you think we’ll pick up again?”
“What, you mean patients? I mean, I guess. It would be a shame for them to pay for my schooling, and then no one wants to come see me.”
“I thought part of the drop is that you’ve seen almost everyone since you’ve been here. I don't mind. I like the lull way better than the frantic pace of before.”
“Maybe. Maybe it isn’t the town hating me. By the way, Mr. McKay is coming in later. Fit him in when he gets here.”
She frowned at him. “Again?”
“He needs an adjustment with his diabetes. And I’m going to show him again how to take his blood sugar.”
“I thought Lacey did that.”
“You know Mr. McKay. He probably didn't listen to anything she said.”
