Read Online The Doctor She Always Dreamed Of by Wendy S. Marcus - Free Book Online Page B

the same drive-in movie place, eating the same boring burgers at the only diner in town.” He closed his eyes, remembering. “Now...those are some of my happiest memories.”
    â€œI grew up in New York City, went to college there, work there, and live there.” She inhaled deeply then exhaled. “It’s not often I get to enjoy the fresh air and peace and quiet of a perfect summer day all by myself.”
    â€œYou must get away on vacations.”
    She slid him a glance. “Nope. Mom does best when she sticks to her routine, when she’s surrounded by what’s familiar. And I can’t afford what round the clock care would cost on top of vacation expenses.”
    Derrick rolled onto his side and pushed up onto his elbow. “If you don’t mind me asking, why does she need round the clock care?”
    â€œNot care as much as supervision, assistance, and direction,” Kira clarified, without answering his question.
    So he asked again. “Why?”
    â€œSevere traumatic brain injury and all that goes with it, memory loss, mood swings and unpredictable behavior. She’s ambulatory, but with assistance.”
    â€œHow’d it happen?”
    She bent one leg at the knee and started rocking it from side to side. “I’d agreed to babysit my cousin, but I had a huge test the next day. I was all stressed out. Mom said she’d babysit in my place. She was attacked on her way home.”
    My God. “How long ago?”
    â€œI’d just turned eighteen so twelve years ago.”
    Which meant her mother was most likely as good as she was going to get recovery wise.
    Kira blew out a breath. “If it’s okay with you, can we not talk about my mother? I’d like to go back to enjoying this beautiful day and pretending I don’t have a care in the world.”
    Derrick wanted to know more. “What about your father?” Why did care for her mother fall all on Kira?
    She closed her eyes and turned away. “Dad left when I was fourteen, Krissy was only ten. My mom was the most caring woman I knew. She looked out for everyone in the family, aunts, uncles and cousins included. If she could do something to help, she would.” Kira smiled. “Or she’d send me.” She turned back and opened her eyes. “Dad didn’t like sharing her, but he put up with it until my grandmother had a stroke and Mom wanted to move her into our condo. Dad had a fit, said she belonged in a nursing home. Mom insisted, like she always did, “Family takes care of family.” Dad issued an ultimatum. “It’s your mother or me.” Mom cried and pleaded, but in the end, Grandma had no one else, so Mom chose her.” Kira swatted at a fly that’d landed on her forehead. “Dad packed up and left that night.”
    â€œThat sucks.”
    Kira shrugged. “He set up very generous college accounts for my sister and me, and had his attorney send a check every month until Krissy turned eighteen.”
    â€œWhat about after your mom’s injury?”
    â€œNot a word, which was fine by me. I was eighteen, legal age to assume responsibility for my sister and my mother. We didn’t need him.”
    Derrick said the only thing he could think to say. “I’m sorry.” She’d been through so much at such a young age yet had managed to finish college and attend graduate school to earn not one but two masters’ degrees, with no support and encouragement from loving parents, like he’d had. And while having to care for her mother and her sister. She was one strong, determined, and admirable woman.
    â€œI’m sorry, too,” she said. “He was a great dad up until he left. And my mom was a great mom. Even though she’s still my mom she’s not my mom like she used to be my mom...if that makes any sense.”
    It made perfect sense. Derrick reached over, took Kira’s hand into his and held