Page 4 of Gamble
“Knock it off. I’ve done hundreds of riskier things in my life than play a simple round of golf.”
“And I keep telling you that no physical activity is simple for you anymore. At least not unless you’ve changed your mind about getting that hip of yours replaced. I know you hate beingunder the knife, but a total hip and even knee replacement for your left side would make a new man out of you.”
Even as he lectured Elijah, Richard stood and walked around the desk, stepping in front of him before leaning back on the desk, looking attentive.
“Do you have pain or just numbness?”
“Mostly numb, but more often now getting a pins and needles sensation that won’t stop. It was when the pain started turning really sharp in my hip down to my ankle that I started to get worried.”
“It could just be a pinched nerve. Are you still seeing the chiropractor?”
“Naw, I stopped going. It wasn’t doing anything for me at all.”
“Restarting and seeing if that helps should be our first step, I think. I know you resist taking meds, but…”
“I resorted to pain meds again this week, and I’ve been taking those other damn pills you gave me. In fact, I’m about to run out.”
“Which ones?”
“The shit for arthritis. I may be able to handle pain, but fuck, I hate feeling like an old man.”
“Well, when you live your life on the edge of danger like you have, your body is bound to revolt from time to time. Considering how many life-threatening injuries you’ve had over the years, I think you’re doing remarkably well.”
“Tell that to my back at five in the morning when I have to get up because I can’t stand to lie down anymore.”
“I can prescribe a sleeping aid…”
Elijah cut him off. “I don’t like to take heavy meds. You know that.”
“Still, a little Ambien might…”
“Fuck no. I’ve seen too many in my business survive the stunts and lose their battle with prescription drug addiction or overdose. No thanks.”
“Alright, alright… I get it. But I’m not sure what you want me to do to help if you won’t take meds. We’ve already done surgery at the time of your original injuries. It’s a miracle you’re walking.”
“You mentioned cortisone shots the last time I was here. That still an option?”
“Yeah, we can give it a try, but you have a lot more scar tissue than most of my patients, so that may affect its effectiveness. I can schedule you…”
“How about today? Now?”
“Always in a hurry. I haven’t even done an exam yet.”
“You know every injury I’ve had better than I do. Let’s just do this.”
“Sorry, it doesn’t work like that at you know it. It’s been a year since we’ve done a full blood workup on you. And I’m gonna send you for some X-rays. I’d like to compare the current results with the past tests to see what’s changing.”
“Fine, but I do need to get a move on. I have a…” He paused, unsure what to call that night’s Shibari demonstration. “… a job at seven tonight.”
“A job? Interesting. You seem flustered. Retirement is doing strange things to you, my friend.”
He didn’t want to lie to his doctor and friend. “I’m not flustered,” he objected.
“Uh-ha. If you say so. You do know we have a doctor-patient confidentiality going on, right?”
Elijah had never shared the details of his new career with his doctor and friend. He’d learned to walk the fine line between recruiting new Black Light members while not breaking the NDA he and all the other employees had signed to work there.
“Actually, I’m working in a new industry now. I didn’t think I’d find anything I’d enjoy as much as being a daredevil for a living, but I must say I fell into the perfect job.”
