Amnesia Read Free Page A

much easier than his work at the Mountain States Tumor Institute. She couldn’t quite understand how such a caring man could watch the suffering that cancer could wreak on its unsuspecting prey, yet not become inured to it, or burned out. She had only worked with MSTI with one of her patients and it took a terrible toll on her every time she met with the family, or even reviewed the charts.
    Starting with the patients at the end of the antiseptic hall, she worked her way through to the front entry, describing the condition, prognosis and treatment for each of the patients still under her care. She ended with the curious man at the end of the row who had just arrived from Cascade.
    “Nothing at all to tell us who he is?” Doctor Cliffe queried. “No tattoos, piercing, scars? What about dental records?”
    “Nothing,” she rejoined. “Nor do we know where he is from, only that he was found by a fisherman on Lake Cascade out surprising some sleeping fish. He pulled him into his boat, by the light of his battery operated lantern and took him to shore while calling 911. Other than that, we have no idea.”
    “Interesting. Have you tried to wake him at all?”
    “Not really,” Lissa responded. “No point, not with him in a coma anyway.”
    “You know, I always wonder what they must be thinking,” Doctor Cliffe continued. “Some say that coma patients hear everything that goes on, just barely out of reach, while others see it as simply dreaming. I had a coma patient once, when I was working down in Phoenix, you know.”
    “No, I hadn’t heard that,” Doctor Brandon said, stifling a yawn. As much as she wanted to hear the story, the past thirty-six hours had taken its toll, and she still had a long drive ahead of her.
    Doctor Cliffe didn’t miss the cue and kindly took her arm leading her to the door. “Another time, my lady,” he conceded. “You need to get some sleep. You may still be the proverbial spring chicken, but everyone needs rest. Will you be okay to drive home?”
    “I’ll be fine. I’ll roll down the window and turn on the music. I’m only headed out toward Parkcenter, a quick trip over the new connector, and I’ll be in bed.”
    “Then good night, or good morning, or whatever it is,” the grandfatherly figure bid farewell. “Don’t let the bed bugs bite!”
    “I won’t,” she giggled. “You know if I were just a little older….”
    “Doctor Brandon, my wife would be turning over in her grave if she knew I had even considered it.” He mockingly scolded. Then with a twinkle in his eye he added, “Did you hear something spinning underground.” He laughed out loud then turned back through the emergency room doors, just as an ambulance siren was heard barreling down the street.
     
    *                             *                             *
     
    Lissa Brandon stretched her long arms, rolling her head to loosen her stiff neck, bouncing the brown locks framing her lightly freckled complexion. She squinted her light blue eyes against the glare of the harsh sunlight which seemed intent on blinding her with its reflection off the myriad parked cars surrounding her. Not bothering to hide the yawn showing her straight, even teeth she made her way through the parking lot to find her little Honda Accord. It was the same car that had seen her through college, medical school, and her residency, and now into her private practice. Of course Darrion had chided her about the small older vehicle, trying to get her to indulge in getting a fast new shiny “doctor car.” Seeing his brand new Pewter Metallic H2 Hummer sitting next to her vehicle reminded her, however, that it just wasn’t her style. She liked “Old Faithful,” as she was beginning to refer to the machine, and didn’t want to go into debt for a brand new car. Besides, she reminded herself, she still had enough student loans to cost her three or four new cars and she would rather