Sisterhood Read Free Page A

him. But she’s not the easiest person to deal with and, frankly, I’m just not sure he could handle her. I mean that trouble he got into, going to pieces after his wife and kid died. I’d like to help him out, I really would. But what would
I
look like to my patient if I send her to a surgeon and he up and comes unglued?”
    It wasn’t easy. He had never expected it would be. Lauren’s concern over his financial situation was understandable, albeit somewhat discouraging. It would take time, he tried to explain. That’s all—just some time.
    Her expression appeared nonjudgmental. Still, David tiptoed around the issue. “Well, Huttner is chief of the department. It should mean more acceptance from the doctors who refer patients to surgeons.” Any acceptance from most of them would be an improvement, he reflected ruefully. He still appeared in the operating room so infrequently that the nurses sometimes stood around after he entered, waiting for the surgeon to arrive.
    “Is he grooming you to be his partner?”
    “Lauren, the man hardly knows me! He just saw the chance to throw a few crumbs in the direction of a doc who’s struggling some, that’s all.”
    “Well, Mr. Ice Water,” she said, smiling, “you can act any way you want to. I’ll stay excited enough for both of us. What time do you take over for him?”
    “I’m meeting him at the hospital at six. We should bedone by eight or nine and … God, that reminds me. The Rosettis invited us for dinner, either tonight or tomorrow. I told them we’d—”
    “I can’t make it,” Lauren said. “I mean I have to work. ”
    “You don’t like them, do you?”
    “David, please, we’ve been over this before. I think the Rosettis are very nice people.” Her words were hollow. David’s unsuccessful attempts to draw her into his long-standing friendship with the tavern owner and his wife remained a source of tension.
    “Okay, I’ll phone Joey and get a raincheck,” David said, relieved that he was able to put the matter to rest without a major confrontation.
    “That would be fine. Really.” It was Lauren’s way of thanking him for his restraint. “I do have to work. In fact, I’m flying to Washington this morning. The President’s going to announce details of his latest economic program and the service wants me to cover it from the personal, human side. I’ll probably be there for a couple of days.”
    “In that case, you’ll need all the nourishment you can get.” He nodded at her untouched breakfast. “Want seconds on the eggs?”
    Lauren glanced at her watch, stood up, and stretched as high as she could reach. “Just leave them there until I get back from Washington.” She walked halfway toward the bedroom before adding, “They can only improve with age.” She giggled and dashed down the corridor as David sprang up to give chase. She waited until he had nearly reached the bedroom door before pushing it closed and flipping the lock.
    “You’ll live to regret this,” David called out through the door. “Someday I’m going to become a famous chef and marry the Countess of Lusitania. Then I’ll be lost to you forever.”
    Twenty minutes later, Lauren emerged from the bedroom,breathtaking in a burgundy suit and beige blouse. A silk scarf was draped loosely about her neck. “No caveman stuff, David,” she said, anticipating his hug and blocking it with an outstretched hand. “This outfit has to last me at least a day. Listen, I almost forgot. You might be able to help me out.”
    “Only in exchange for caveman stuff.”
    “David, this is serious.”
    “Okay.” He motioned that he was ready to listen.
    “Senator Cormier’s office announced that he’s entering your hospital in the next day or two for an operation. Gall bladder, I think.”
    “You sure? Cormier seems more the White Memorial than the Boston Doctors type.”
    Lauren nodded. “Could he be coming in as Huttner’s patient?”
    “No chance. Huttner would never go