Page 22 of The Doctor's Twins

“Yeah, I’m stoked. But it means we won’t see each other much while I’m gone. Are you going to be okay? Or do I have to prepare myself for a deluge of big boy tears?” he smirked.

“I think I’ll live, you chop,” I laughed. “I’m sure I can hold down the fort for twenty-four months while you’re sewing your wild oats amongst the unsuspecting woman folk of Europe.”

“Okay, good. So, you’re cool.”

“Right as rain, you mullet. Besides, Owen will keep me company. I do have a life apart from you, you know.”

“In that case, let’s arrange a weekend away, just the boys, so we can raise hell before I go. Tell your brother to come along.”

“Deal.”

* * *

I took a break from training for the rest of the weekend, and spent Sunday bass fishing with my brother, Owen, at St. Lawrence River. Owen and I were as close as brothers could be. He was two years younger than I, so we grew up in each other’s pockets. We’d get into scrapes just like other siblings, but the bond we had was special.

“How’d it go yesterday?” Owen asked me while I was casting. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”

“It was great. Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Suzy’s mom had another one of herepisodes, so…”

“What was it this time?”

“Honestly, I have no idea. That woman is something else.”

“You’re a saint for putting up with her crap.”

“What can I say? Suzy’s worth it.”

“That she is.”

Owen and Suzy had been together for roughly two years. She was an absolute honey, the perfect mate for my brother. But the poor girl had a mother who was madder than a box of frogs. Rich, divorced, spoiled, and an incurable hypochondriac, Suzy’s mother made her easygoing daughter’s life a nightmare.

“Speaking of women who keep us on our toes, what’s happening with your love life?” Owen asked.

“You know I don’t have much in the way of free time between work and martial arts training. It seems selfish to get into a long-term relationship. And, even if I wanted to, where would I meet someone?”

“Hello! You have a smorgasbord of women banging down your door every day. You’re like the pied piper of pussy, Bro. Are you telling me you haven’t met anyone that way?”

“You kiss our mother with that mouth?”

“You bet. Come on, Ben. There has to be someone who’s tickled your fancy of late.”

“Tell you what. When I meet one who’s worth the effort, I’ll let you know. Okay?”

“Yeah. You do that.”

“Now, shut your pie hole. You’re scaring off the fish.”

“What? Karate Kid can’t catch one with a pair of chopsticks? You’re slipping brother.”

* * *

Monday got off to a roaring start with a waiting room full of patients. I settled into my office first, then buzzed Mandy to send in the first file.

Hhmm. A doctor. I buzzed Mandy and told her I was ready to consult.

The door opened, and in walked a strikingly beautiful woman with intelligent eyes and a figure that would make most men weak in the knees. Had I met her socially, I would have made a point of introducing myself. But she was my patient now, so no funny business.

---