Read Online Do Not Go Gentle by James W. Jorgensen - Free Book Online Page A

young man. I’ll not tolerate such vulgarities.”
    Jamie sighed a very loud, Irish sigh.
    â€œYes, mother. Anything you say, mother.”
    â€œSee what I’ve been putting up with?” Eileen asked.
    â€œAye. After forty-five years with Frank and seven children, I’ve seen it and am all too accustomed to it.” Nuala fixed her sternest maternal gaze on Jamie. “So what are you planning to do to get better, Séamus? Sitting here on the couch won’t be enough to cure what’s ailing you, I’m thinking.”
    Jamie sighed again.
Ah, at least I’m down to just my first name. If I’m lucky, I’ll get her down to saying Jamie by the time she leaves.
“As Eileen knows and I’ve informed all three of my bossy daughters, I have an appointment tomorrow morning with the doctor.”
    â€œWell, I’m sure that what you call ‘bossy’ is just them making sure you do as you’re told. Ah, but then you don’t see Doctor Brennan, do you? It’s that Polish man you prefer for some unbeknownst reason.”
    â€œYes, Mother. Gerald Jasinski has been my doctor for nearly twenty years. He has seen to the needs of all of us, and I don’t think we’ve turned out too bad.”
    â€œMayhaps,” admitted Nuala with a loud sniff, “but there’s no reason not to be seeing a good Irish doctor now, is there?”
    â€œI dunno—maybe I don’t want you browbeating information about our health out of poor Doc Brennan,” said Jamie.
    â€œI’d do no such thing.” objected Nuala. “Doctor Brennan and I simply chat about our families and how they are doing. Nothing more.”
    â€œWell, whatever you call it, I’m seeing
my
doctor, okay? Eileen is staying home from work again tomorrow to take me and to make sure I don’t duck out on the appointment.”
    Eileen smiled and nodded her head. “Right on both counts, darling.”
    Nuala also nodded her head, then patted her son’s hand and stood. “Well, then. It seems that Eileen is doing her usual bang-up job of keeping you in line.”
    Jamie shook his head and sighed in an exaggerated fashion. “What is it about Irish women that make them believe that their men have no brains?”
    â€œYears of experience, my son. I’ll leave you then. I’ve got church errands to run.”
    Eileen got up from the sectional and walked her mother-in-law to the door. Frank and Nuala lived in a modest house a few blocks away, closer to Saint Brendan’s. “You’re always welcome here, Nuala. I’ll call you when we get back from the doctor tomorrow and let you know what he says.”
    â€œGood,” said Nuala giving Jamie a final stern glance over her shoulder as she walked out the door. “I’d not be getting any information from himself over there.”
    â€œLove you too, Mom.” Jamie knew his mother hated being called “Mom.” She thought the word too undignified. Nuala didn’t dignify his jibe with a response as Eileen closed the door.
    â€œDo you really think you’re that funny?” Eileen asked as she rejoined her husband.
    â€œNo, but if I don’t give me
Máthair
a hard time, she’ll think I’m
really
sick. “
    â€œWhich you are. I’ve never seen you sick like this in twenty years of marriage.”
    Jamie sighed again, this one not feigned. “I know, my love. I know. I’ll be a good lad and get some rest, and then we’ll see what Jerry has to say tomorrow.”
    â€œSounds like a plan.”
    It seemed as if just a few moments had passed when Eileen was rubbing his shoulder. Jamie shook his head, trying to clear out the cobwebs. Eileen crouched beside him, with a stern look on her face. “How long have I been asleep?” Jamie asked, sitting up and trying to stay upright.
    â€œTis just after lunchtime. When were you planning to tell me