Ludzie pragną czasami się rozstawać, żeby móc tęsknić, czekać i cieszyć się z powrotem.
Stealthily Ellen Cohen slid her paperback novel off the desk and dropped it
into one of her drawers. When Philips happened to glance in her direction,
she smiled.
Philips let his mind drift back to Goldblatt. The nerve of the man to think
that he had the right to dictate Philips' personal life, or even his research, was astounding. Perhaps if the department funded Philips' research there
might be some justification, but it didn't. Radiology's contribution was
Martin's time. Funding that had been needed for hardware and programming
fees, which had been considerable, came from sources available through
Michaels' Department of Computer Science.
Suddenly Martin realized that a patient had approached the receptionist
and was asking the meaning of an atypical Pap smear. She seemed to speak
with effort, and she leaned weakly on the receptionist's desk.
"That, dearie," said Ellen Cohen, "is something you'll have to ask Ms.
Blackman about." The receptionist immediately sensed Philips' attention.
"I'm not a doctor," she laughed, mostly for his benefit. "Sit down. Ms.
Blackman will be out shortly."
Kristin Lindquist had had all the frustration she could deal with that day.
"I was told that I'd be seen immediately," she said, and went on to tell the receptionist that she'd experienced a headache, dizziness, and changes in her vision that morning, so that she really could not wait like she had the day
before. "Please tell Ms. Blackman right away that I'm here. She'd phoned me and promised there would be no delay."
Kristin turned and made her way over to a chair across from Philips. She
moved slowly, like a person unsure of her balance.
Ellen Cohen rolled her eyes when she caught Philips', suggesting that the
girl was unreasonably demanding, but she did get up to find the nurse.
Martin turned to look at Kristin. His mind was busy making associations
between atypical Pap smears and vague neurological symptoms. Kristin had
closed her eyes so Philips could look at her without making her feel self-
conscious. He guessed she was about twenty. Quickly Philips opened
Katherine Collins' chart and rapidly flipped through the pages until he'd
found the initial neurological note. Headache, dizziness, and visual symptoms were described as the presenting complaints.
He looked back at Kristin Lindquist. Could this woman in front of him be
another case with the same radiological picture? Philips felt it was possible.
With all the difficulties he'd encountered trying to get more X rays on the
other patients, the idea of finding a new case was enormously seductive. He
could take all the proper X rays right from the beginning.
Needing no more encouragement, he walked over and tapped Kristin on
the shoulder. She jumped in surprise and brushed a wisp of blond hair from
her face. The fear in her expression gave her a particularly vulnerable
appearance and Martin suddenly became aware of the girl's beauty.
Choosing his words carefully, Martin introduced himself, saying he was
from the Department of Radiology, and that he'd overheard her describe her
symptoms to the receptionist. He told her that he had seen X rays on four
girls with similar problems and felt it might be to her advantage to have an X
ray. He was careful to emphasize that it was purely precautionary and that
she should not be alarmed.
For Kristin, the hospital was full of surprises. On her first visit the day
before she'd been kept waiting for hours. Now she was confronted by a
doctor who was apparently soliciting patients.
"I'm not very fond of hospitals," she said. She wanted to add doctors, but it seemed too disrespectful.
"To tell you the truth, I feel the same way," said Philips. He smiled. He'd taken an immediate liking to this attractive young woman and he felt
protective. "But an X ray wouldn't take long."
"I still feel ill and I think it would be best if I get home as quickly as possible."
"It will be quick," said Philips. "I can promise you that. One film. I'll take you over myself."
Kristin hesitated. On the one hand she detested the hospital. On the other
hand she still felt ill and she was susceptible to Philips' concern.
"How about it?" he said persistently.
"All right," said Kristin finally.
"Wonderful. How long will you be here at the clinic?"
"I don't know. They said not long."
"Good. Don't leave without me," said Martin.
Within minutes Kristin was called. Almost simultaneously another door
opened and Dr. Harper emerged.
Philips recognized Harper as one of the residents he'd seen on occasion in
and around the hospital. He'd never met the man but his polished head was
hard to forget. Philips got up and introduced himself. There was an awkward
pause. As a resident, Harper did not have an office and since both examining