Page 10 of Fast Forward

“Of course, I’ve been your doctor for years. It’s my job to know your family medical history.”

“How soon do you think I’d be able to see the psychiatrist?”

“There might be a bit of a wait, but I’ll mark the referral as urgent.” He typed on the virtual keyboard on his computer screen. “In the meantime, try to enjoy your day. Make the most of it – have some fun, do something different! You never know, by the time the day’s over, everything might just make perfect sense.”

“I hope so.”

“Here,” he continued, taking hold of my wrist. “I’ll upload these referrals to your e-pad.” Dr Vischek withdrew a USB drive from his computer and connected it to my e-pad, before acknowledging my confusion. “Do you remember how to work your e-pad?”

I shook my head. “I hadn’t even heard of them till this morning, but my, um… Ryan showed me how to make a call.”

Dr Vischek showed me all the basic functions, including how to retrieve the referrals, how to access my virtual driver’s license, credit cards and other important cards that would normally fill up my purse, and he also showed me how to scan my e-pad when making purchases. Apparently I was now living in a cashless society, it was kinda cool.

I stood and shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you very much, Dr Vischek, for seeing me right away and for your advice.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry I don’t have any definitive answers, but I think everything will be all right. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next twenty-four hours makes a world of difference, and if not, the specialist can advise you further.”

I nodded and turned to leave, before turning back again. “Dr Vischek?”

His eyebrows rose.

“What does e-pad stand for?”

“Electronic Personal Assistant Device,” he replied with a smile.

Hmm, I wonder if it has a time travel function…

I returned to the reception desk and expertly scanned my e-pad the way Dr Vischek had showed me and the receptionist assured me my rebate had been applied directly to my bank account. She even commented that because I was now a ‘senior’, my consultation fee was less than usual. Nice to have some sort of compensation for the crap that being fifty had given me today, I guess.

“So, you’ve been given the all-clear?” Ryan asked as we walked back to the car.

“Guess so,” I replied.

“And he definitely said you’re in good health, no cause for concern?”

“Just stress, he thinks. But physically I’m fine. He said I should go and enjoy my day.”

“Oh good, we better hurry then.” Ryan picked up his pace as he walked alongside me. “Do I have a surprise for you!”

Chapter 4

Surprise!

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch

“You’ve got to be kidding?” My mouth gaping, I stood rooted to the ground as Ryan tried without success to usher me towards the Ben’s Bungy Jumping sign. What did he expect me to say, ‘Oh yippee, just what I’ve always wanted’?

“I’ve booked us both in for a jump. It’s gonna be awesome!”

“You can’t be serious? There’s no way I’m letting someone tie rope to my feet and throw me off that thing!” I pinned him with a determined stare.

“Mum, remember at your birthday dinner last year you said you wanted to do something adventurous for your next birthday?” Ryan enquired. “Something different, to feel alive again.”

I shook my head.

“Oh, that’s right… sudden memory loss and all that.” He dropped his head and looked back up a moment later. “Well, you did say it and I listened, and I’ve had this planned for ages, and it’s non-refundable so you can’t back out. Mum – you’ll thank me for this, it’s going to be something you’ll never forget.” He clamped his hands together as though in prayer.

“Never forget? This is the thing I’d want to forget! I can’t do this. Besides, I’m… fifty,” I stuttered, still in shock of my situation. “Surely they wouldn’t let seniors like me go bungy jumping?” I planted my hands defiantly on my hips and jutted out my jaw.

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