"I hope you're right, Kevin," Laura said, feeling so safe in his embrace. "I know I'll be alright with you there with me," she said. Kevin smiled and kissed her. "Well, let's go," Laura said, a hint of reluctance in her voice. She, Kevin and Buck headed out to the car.
The ride to the doctor's office seemed as though it would never end. Laura squirmed anxiously in her seat every so often, trying to remain calm. But how could she? She was about to find out something that could change her life so dramatically. She may have the opportunity to see again, something that Laura had secretly wished ever since she lost her sight, but never had enough inner strength to face the possibility that surgery might not work. Yes, she was nervous, and for a good reason.
Kevin looked over at Laura as he turned the corner. He brought his hand over to her face and stroked her cheek, getting her attention. Laura smiled as he touched her. "What are you thinking, Laura?" he asked as she grabbed his hand and held it in hers.
"Not really thinking anything specifically. I'm just trying to keep my shit together... I'm so nervous."
"Well, the suspense is about to end, cuz we're here," Kevin said, pulling into the parking lot of the clinic. He found a parking spot and got out, walking around to the other side to open Laura's door for her. She and Buck got out, and Laura grabbed Buck's harness. Kevin took her free hand in his. "Ready?" he asked, giving her hand a squeeze.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Laura said, as the three of them entered the clinic. Kevin led Laura to the reception desk.
"Can I help you?" the lady behind the desk said. She had a very upbeat sound to her voice, which helped Laura relax a little. "Yes, I'm Laura Preston. I have an consultation with Dr. Richardson at 10 o'clock."
The receptionist looked at the appointment book. "Ah yes, here you are. Just let me ask you a few questions for your file in our computer system. Your address?"
Laura began answering the receptionist's routine questions, as Kevin stood by. He glanced around the office, admiring a few pictures on the walls. He looked to his left, then right, then back to the left again. He glanced down the hallway leading to the exam and consutation rooms. Just as Kevin was about to look away, he saw something that startled him, something that he hadn't expected to see. More like someone he didn't expect to see. Nahh, it couldn't be, he thought, looking once again. He shook his feeling as he heard the receptionist finish.
"Thank you, Ms. Preston. Someone will be with you shortly then!" the receptionist said, and Kevin smiled as he and Laura took a seat. There were a few other people waiting to be seen by the doctor. A couple of them were called back before Laura was, and Kevin observed them as they walked with their seeing-eye dogs to different exam rooms. Never in his life had he been so grateful that he was fortunate to have his sight. He prayed that Laura would once again be as fortunate.
Soon the receptionist spoke up. "OK, Ms. Preston, one of the nurses will see you now, ask you a few general health questions before you see Dr. Richardson. You may go to Exam Room 3."
"Thank you," Kevin and Laura said to her simultaneously as they got up and walked to the exam room.
Kevin assisted Laura as they sat down in the room. "Still nervous?" he asked, kissing her cheek lightly. "Actually, I'm not too bad. Now that I'm actually here, I feel almost relieved, know what I mean?" Kevin smiled. "I can't say as though I know but I can understand. Finally, Laura, you're going to know what can be done for you! I'm glad for you, really I am," he said, kissing her hand as he held it in his. Just then they heard a knock at the door and the door open.
"Laura? I'm Lyn, I'll be the nurse talking to you today," the nurse said, her head down, looking at Laura's file. Before Lyn even looked up, Kevin recognized her. Suddenly he grew tense. Laura had sensed his tenseness, but didn't really think much of it because she figured that he was just nervous for her. If only she knew...
"Well, Laura, it seems to me that you seem in excellent health other then the blindness, which is obviously why you're here. I, for one, think that you'll be a great candidate for this surgery, but the final determination will be after Dr. Richardson conducts his examination. I will give him your file to look over and he will be with you in about ten minutes," Lyn said. As she spoke, she looked at Kevin the entire time. Kevin could just feel her looking at him, so he looked at Laura, or pet Buck--anything to divert his attention and not return her stare.
"Thank you," Laura said, smiling. For the first time in a long time she felt hopeful about her situation. She heard the door close and smiled, almost breathing a sigh of relief. "Damn I feel great! I'm just regretting that I was so stubborn and didn't do this sooner," Laura said, pulling Kevin's hand to her lips and kissed it. Kevin didn't say anything. "Kevin? Hellooo?" she said, trying to get his attention. "You OK?"
"Yeah, just tired I guess," Kevin said. "Um, since we have a few minutes, I'm going to try to find a restroom, OK? I'll be back in a couple minutes," he said, kissing her then getting up.
"OK, Kevin. Hurry back, though, cuz I want you to be here when the doctor comes in to see me," Laura said, smiling at him before he turned to walk out.
Before Kevin could even ask where the restroom was, he saw it down the hallway and started walking to it. He snuck in fast, locking the door behind him. It can't be... but it is! How can it not be her? he thought, as he splashed some cold water on his face. She's definitely the last person I wanted to see, and expected to see. What do I do? I hope she don't want to talk to me, he thought, as he took a couple paper towels and blotted his face dry. Kevin ran his hand through his hair to get it back in place and head for the door.
Just as Kevin walked out of the restroom, he literally ran into Lyn. He dutifully bent down to pick up the papers that fell out of her arms when they bumped into each other, not saying a word. Lyn also bent down. "Good to see you, Kevin. How--how are you?" Lyn asked, as they grabbed for the same file folder. Kevin let go of it quickly. "I'm fine, never better," he snapped, looking at her. Lyn's eyes locked on his as he quickly looked down to grab one last folder that was on the floor and handed it to her. He stood up, as did she. Lyn sighed as she took her hand and put it on Kevin's arm. Kevin was quick to pull away. Lyn pulled her hand back and spoke. "Kevin, I just want to say that I'm sorry for--"
"Sorry?! It's a little late for that, don't you think?" Kevin interrupted, meeting her stare. "I've got to go, I promised Laura I'd be in there for her exam. Bye," he said, promptly turning and walking back to the exam room. Lyn sighed heavily as she watched Kevin walk away from her and reluctantly returned to her work.
Kevin took a deep breath before entering the exam room. Laura was singing quietly to herself, and Buck had sat up next to her with his paws on her legs, as she pet him. "Kevin?" she said, smiling.
"Yep, it's me," Kevin said, taking his chair next to Laura again. He kissed her and sat down. "I was wondering when you were going to get back. Are you OK?" Laura asked, sounding concerned.
"Me? Oh yeah, I'm fine, Laura. Just bumped into someone in the hall on the way back, literally," Kevin laughed, trying to ease Laura's mind, as well as his own. Just then there was a knock on the door. It was the doctor.
"Laura? Hi, I'm Dr. Richardson, but feel free to call me Dr. Bob... everyone does," he said smiling, shaking Laura's hand, then Kevin's.
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Bob," Laura said with a little chuckle. Kevin laughed a bit as well. Dr. Bob smiled. "Well, shall we start your exam?"
"Yep, let's do it," Laura said, as Kevin helped her up on the exam table.
"Hey, Kevin, how'd it go today?" AJ said as Kevin walked into the house. "Did you drop Laura off at home?"
"Yeah, just came from there. Things went great, AJ. She has to go for one more preliminary exam, and if she passes that one, then they'll schedule her surgery. The doctor said that he didn't think that it would be a problem though, because Laura's so healthy otherwise. He's pretty optimistic." Kevin said the words, but AJ sensed that he wasn't telling him something.
"Seriously, Kevin, she's going to have the surgery? You just seem pretty down considering the great news," AJ said, lying down on the couch.
"Yeah, AJ, she's going to be fine, but you're right, I am down. Let's just say I saw someone at the doctor's office that I never expected to see in a million years, especially there," Kevin said.
"Why? Who was there?"
"It was Linda..."
