Page 37 of Legacy of Danger
Izzy studied at the floor.
Mrs. Brand sneered, "What business is it of yours?"
Taking another calm, centering breath, Mariah answered, "My business is your health. I want you to be as healthy as you can be, inside and out."
"How about a total body transplant?" There, a flash of fear and vulnerability flitted over the woman's lined face. Getting closer.
"Boy, do I wish." Mariah smiled. "But until I can order a complete overhaul, how about we fix the things that we can?"
Mrs. Brand shifted, bumping the foot peg of her wheelchair. "What are you saying?"
"Well. I'm saying maybe you want to talk with a counselor or psychiatrist. They can give you good tools to deal with the frustration that comes along with chronic illnesses. Might help avoid hurting the people around you."
"That's not an issue," she snapped. And just like that, they were back to the irascible woman Mariah knew well. "Not sure why it matters, anyway. No one can fix what's wrong."
"Well. You matter. And my job is to help you as best I am able."
"Whatever that's worth." She sniffed.
"Mom! Please." Izzy leaned forward.
Mrs. Brand rolled her eyes.
"Come on, now." Mariah walked over and listened to the woman's heart and lungs, anything to redirect the negative emotions. She palpated her abdomen and checked her legs for swelling and adequate circulation. "Lungs sound better today. Let's continue with the antibiotics and steroids. It would be good to recheck you by the end of the week."
"Easy for you to say. Do you know how hard it is to get out here for an appointment? Especially when it's so cold out." The woman motioned toward the door.
"Mom, we'll get you here. Don't worry." Izzy patted her mother's arm even as she waved her off.
"Can you do anything that doesn't involve me leaving my house?" Ms. Brand said.
Mariah turned to the computer next to her and reviewed her work schedule for the week. The weariness worming through every inch of her body made her want to curl up and take a nap. Last weekend's call, a full workweek, and a scheduled ringside physician gig in Lander this weekend. At this point, adding one more item to the schedule could be the straw on the camel's back. But she had a job to do. "You know, I could probably do a home visit Thursday late afternoon if you'd prefer."
Izzy shook her head. "No. We can't ask you to do that. We live pretty far out of town."
"It's okay. I sometimes do home visits for patients who are homebound or it's a hardship for them to make the trip in for appointments."
"Are you sure?" Izzy asked. Her eyes locked onto Mariah, like Mariah was some kind of life buoy.
Mrs. Brand shook her head. "No way. I don't want her snooping around the ranch."
"Mom, come on. Dr. West is trying to help you."
"Fine, but she comes straight to the house and then she has to leave." Mrs. Brand struggled into her winter coat. "Let's go."
Izzy dropped her forehead onto her palm.
Mariah smiled. "It's decided, then. I'll see you Thursday." Glancing at her watch, she said, "Did you want some help getting out to the car? It's almost six, and most of the staff are gone."
"You don't have to—" Izzy started.
"'Bout time I got something for free," Mrs. Brand said, zipping her coat and pushing on the rims of the wheels, almost running over Mariah.
Jumping out of the way, Mariah got behind the wheelchair and maneuvered Mrs. Brand down the hall, waving at her medical assistant to leave. Then Mariah, Mrs. Brand, and Izzy went through the empty reception area, through the automatic doors, and into the cold night. This time of year, the sun went down early, and full night had fallen. Mariah hunched into her lab coat, a poor substitute for an insulated jacket.
Gloves would have been nice, too. The chilly wind cut right to her bones.
Above her, stars twinkled in the stark, clear sky. Temperatures were forecasted to be near zero tonight. Welcome to winter in Wyoming.
