Page 44 of Sandbar Storm
“I loved it. Okay, so Tag, there’s good news and bad news.” The doctor explained that Tag’s surgery had gone well and that he’d be able to continue rehab and get to a point where he could walk without pain. It would take time, but she was confident his gait would be close to normal after PT.
“I’m headed for the bad news now, right?”
“Right, the crash, as you know, caused an explosion. That explosion is why you’re having hearing trouble in that left ear. I’m also concerned about it moving forward.”
Tag swallowed. Viv could see his Adam’s apple rise, his jaw clench.
Viv was here for a reason, so she reached out a hand to Tag, and he took it.
“What can you do for the hearing loss?”
“Not much. Honestly, nothing. And if you keep racing, it will get worse due to the nature of the sport.”
Viv looked at Tag.
“The car is loud as heck, Viv, loud as heck.”
“And you, my friend, didn’t wear earplugs even before this.”
“I know, I know.”
“Could this impact his career?” Viv asked.
“Maybe. I’m sure you can drive with impaired hearing, but you’re essentially deaf in that ear now, Tag. You keep driving, and you risk the hearing you have left in the other ear.”
Viv squeezed Tag’s hand. He squeezed back. She knew what he was going through, not the same thing, but close enough. He was getting life-altering news, and it was too much to process in one meeting.
The doctor outlined the rest of the results for Tag. He was in otherwise pretty great shape for a fifty-three-year-old man who’d been in several major wrecks during his career.
It was all good, except for the ear.
Dr. Anderson was reassuring and intelligent, and Viv thought if she lived here, she’d want her to be her physician. Tag was in good hands. The larger implications were something he’d need to think about.
But Viv was glad she was here to be his ears, for a bit anyway.
As they finished, Viv also noticed something else.
The doctor, impressive as she was, wasn’t in a power suit or even in any formal wear. She wasn’t in scrubs or anything; she was just casual. A pair of slacks and a cotton t-shirt under her white coat was it. She also had on cute tennis shoes. They were in an impressive office, but Dr. Marion Anderson wasn’t dressed to the nines.
Viv decided to get more information, slyly, if she could.
“If you ever need to get a new Power Suit, it’s on me,” Viv offered the doctor.
“Oh, thank you, but you know, since I turned fifty these days it’s all about comfort.”
“I get it. You don’t know how much.” With comfort, maturity, and no longer needing to get the job, Dr. Anderson had the job. She didn’t need to dress like other people. Viv mulled that over a little.
Tag drove them back. They were quiet for a time. He was processing the news that he was risking total deafness if he pursued the career he loved. It was a lot.
Finally, he looked over at her.
“You ready to let it rip?”
“What?”
“I’m going to blow through the speed limit on this last stretch of road. You ready?”
“I’m ready.”
