Page 29 of A Play for Love

“Dr. Charlie Trent. How are you?”

“Dr. Nathan Kind. It’s been a while, my friend. How are you?”

“No complaints. Just living my best life.”

“Excellent news. In the medical journal, I saw your published article about soft tissue reconstruction in burn victims. Would you be interested in coming to New York and speaking to a group of my medical students at Columbia? I feel they could benefit from your lecture.”

“Wow, Charlie. Thank you. I’d love to speak to your medical students. When are you thinking?”

“We’re covering soft tissue reconstruction next Thursday.”

“I’m headed to my practice now. Let me see if I can rearrange my schedule, and I’ll get back to you.”

“Sounds good, Nathan. I hope to hear good news. It’ll be wonderful to catch up.”

“Thanks, Charlie. I’ll be in touch soon.”

Dr. Charlie Trent was a good friend of my father's and a good friend to us over the years. He was also one of my professors at USF. He moved back to New York a few years ago when his wife was offered a professor of design management position at Parsons.

I entered the practice and saw Jackson talking to June at the reception desk.

“You’re here.” He smiled. “How did it go?”

“She starts next Monday. I’ll tell you about it later. June, I don’t have any surgeries scheduled for next Friday, right?”

“I don’t think so. Let me double-check. No, but you do have a few patients coming in.”

“Do me a favor and reschedule my patients for Thursday and Friday. I’m going out of town.”

“Will do, Nathan.”

“And where are you going?” Jackson asked as he followed me to my office.

“Charlie called me. He asked if I’d come and give a lecture about tissue reconstruction in burn victims to his medical students. Apparently, he saw my article in the medical journal.”

“Maybe take Sofia and the kids with you. Ella can visit Mrs. Schwartz. The lecture is on Thursday?”

“Yeah,” I replied.

“Turn it into a long weekend, and the four of you can explore New York.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll ask her. Thanks, bro.” I placed my hand on his shoulder. “By the way, Gwen is coming to the house tonight at six o’clock if you want to sample some cake.” My lips formed a smirk.

“You know I’ll be there.” He pointed at me before walking out of my office.

I was reviewing one of my patient’s notes when my office door flew open, and Conner stepped in.

“What kind of brother are you?” he asked.

“A damn good one.” I smirked.

“No, Nathan, you’re not.”

“I was going to tell you, but you were in with a patient.” I sighed.

“I’m not now.” His brow arched.

“Gwen is coming over with cake samples. Be at my house at six.”

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