Page 103 of Moonstruck at Midnight
I sat up straight and said, “Caleb, I need to talk to you.”
“Sure, we’ll talk—later,” he said, looking at Thomas. “Once you’re feeling better.”
Thomas moved away to allow the doctor to get near me. “Good evening, Miss Murphy, I’m Dr. Lindström,” he said with an accent. He looked amiable, and I assumed he was Swedish because of his last name and the fact that he was the Sjöbergs’ go-to doctor. “I hear cooking isn’t your forte.” He was surely trying to lighten the mood. I laughed under my breath, but it came out forced somehow. I was so worried and embarrassed. “I’m just going to check up on you to see how you’re doing, okay?” I nodded.
He took my blood pressure, asked me a few questions, and removed the bandages to check my hand. “Any ringing in your ears? Nausea or dizziness?”
I told him about my burned hand’s discomfort, and how other than that, I felt fine, just a little worried about what had happened.
“Mhm. Okay, so would you say you’ve been under a lot of stress lately?” he asked casually. Thomas standing there, listening to our conversation, made me extremely uncomfortable.
“Somewhat,” I replied. “I’ve been taking a photography course, and it has been a bit stressful.”And I just broke up with my boyfriend two days ago,and he’s standing beside you,and once you leave,I’ll have to talk to him again about it,and I have the stupidest crush on William.And I don’t know what to do about that either.Oh, and Caleb hates me.
That too.
“Headache?”
“Tolerable.”
“Okay, I’d like you to monitor for any other symptoms if they should arise. I’m going to prescribe something for the headache and an ointment for your hand. Try to stay hydrated and make no significant efforts right now.
“Rest as much as possible. You should feel better tomorrow, but I suggest you take it easy. Stay home if you can. I’d like to see you at my office in a week to see how your hand is doing.”
“Can I attend my photography course or—”
“I don’t think so. I’d prefer it if you take tomorrow off, but I can write you a letter if necessary.”
“Okay, thanks, that would be helpful.”
“Take this for now,” he said, leaving a sample box of medication on my nightstand. “It’ll ease your hand’s pain and help you relax. I’ll leave the prescription and the letter with the big guys outside.” He grinned. I knew he would call William once he left. I wished he could be here instead.
“Take good care of her,” Dr. Lindström said to Thomas, lightly tapping his shoulder. Thomas looked anxious. “Are you her brother?”
Oh, come on.
“I’m her boyfriend,” he replied with a puzzled frown.
Boyfriend?
This is going to be harder than I thought.
“I see.” Dr. Lindström raised his brows for a second and started toward the door. Thomas followed him. “Let me know if she needs anything else.” Dr. Lindström handed his card over to Thomas as he stepped out the door.
Thomas walked back and sat on the bed beside me.
“That was awkward,” he said, opening the small box of medication the doctor left for me. I thought the exact same thing, but probably for an entirely different reason than he did.
There was a single pill inside, and Thomas gave it to me. The doctor said it would help me relax, so I can’t stress enough how excited I was about downing that capsule.
“I’m so embarrassed about what happened.” I buried my head deeper into my pillows and closed my eyes for a few seconds.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. What’s important is that you weren’t badly hurt,” he replied, taking my good hand between both of his.
“So, who’s outside? Has anyone talked to my father?” I asked.
“Aaron, Caleb, and David. Your father’s flying in tonight. He was supposed to arrive tomorrow.”
I kept thinking about how my father would probably ask me to move back with him or convince Mimi to live with me permanently.
