Judy Alter - Kelly O'Connell 03 - Trouble in a Big Box by Judy Alter

Author:Judy Alter
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery: Cozy - Real Estate Agent - Fort Worth
ISBN: 1622370325
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Published: 2012-08-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

I called Mike’s orthopedic surgeon first thing the next morning—I’d already dropped Mike off at the substation and heard all his protests that he was fine. But I thought he was limping more on the bad leg. Of course I was expecting and looking for the worst.

The receptionist said the doctor would see him when he began afternoon patient hours at two o’clock and please come a little early. I called Mike, told him I’d pick him up at 12:15 for lunch—his choice of places. He chose the Grill, and I wasn’t sorry. After all, it was meatloaf day.

“You’re making way too much of this, Kelly. I took a little fall. It could happen to anybody.”

“Anybody doesn’t have a broken leg. Besides, your regular appointment is next week—it’s been eight weeks. Maybe this will substitute for that.” I stared at him. “Mike, I’ll leave the room, but please be honest with the doctor. Don’t try to bluff your way through. Tell him if, when, and where it hurts.”

He hung his head, and I knew he’d been planning on bluffing.

I sat in the waiting room, trying to read emails on my iPhone but swinging one foot in impatience and checking my watch so often I was tempted to shake it to see if it was still working. After twenty minutes, a nurse stuck her head out the door and said, “Ms. O’Connell, the doctor would like you to join them.”

When I entered, Mike looked dejected. I shook hands with Dr. McAdams and took the chair he offered.

“He’s given himself a set-back,” the doctor said. “We’ll have to send him for x-rays to make sure the pins didn’t get out of place. I didn’t realize he was back at work full time, and I’m ordering him to cut back to half days—maybe mornings, so he can do his exercises, walk, and sleep in the afternoon.”

I glanced at Mike, who did not look in my direction.

“He also asked if he could drive, but the answer is not for a while. I think in general Mike has been pushing himself too hard. He tells me it’s difficult to get comfortable at night, and he admits that there isn’t a moment in the day or night that he’s not aware of his injury…and his limitations.”

I wanted to shout, “Good for you and your honesty, Mike,” but I kept quiet.

“I’m giving him a new regimen to follow,” Dr. McAdams said, handing Mike several sheets. “You both need to realize that it will be a year before we know for sure if this surgery was a success. Mike could end up with one leg an inch shorter than the other…”

I saw Mike shudder just a bit.

“…and he’s got to be careful and slow in this recovery.”

I nodded but said nothing. I wasn’t going to be put in the position of mothering him or giving him an opportunity to ask, “Want to say I told you so?” He did neither of those things but there was a great silent gulf between us on the way home.

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