Dr Daniel Perkins (ex_bedsidema97) wrote in toujoursliberer, @ 2008-05-18 13:51:00 |
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Entry tags: | daniel_perkins |
The Day Before Daphne.
Subject:
Who: Doctor Daniel Perkins
Where: His surgery/home
Warnings: A distressed woman but that's it.
Closed narrative, backdated to a day before Daphne arrived.
Daniel's fourth appointment of the warm yet breezy afternoon was with a pretty young woman by the name of Ann. She was a well-respected, loving girl who Daniel had had the pleasure of dancing with at a few social balls but they had never kept in contact as friends. Still, her family seemed to think that she was in need of the best Doctor in London and after inquiring of who that was she found herself knocking on Daniel's door who greeted her in a pleasant yet professional way then lead her to his offices.
A brief examination later and the Doctor was confused, plus a little embarrassed (he could never stop himself feeling as if he were violating a woman when he was asked to examine them so closely). After Ann had got dressed and was sitting opposite his desk he began to speak with a very curious tone.
"Miss Dushum... I cannot see anything wrong with you. Your temperature is fine, your pressure is normal and your diet is better than most - I am quite astounded that your family believe anything is wrong. You are, in a word, fine." After offering a smile he paused. "Is there anything troubling you?"
"No. Yes... well..." Ann wrung her hands in her lap and she sighed, not knowing what to do. She was clearly distressed. Daniel tried to catch her eyes with an earnest gaze.
"Please, Miss Dushum, I assure you everything you say to me is strictly confidential. Not a word of our conversation leaves this room. Take your time."
The woman nodded and sighed once more, looking about the room as she attempted to think of what to say. After saying his piece Daniel looked down at his records; the lady was in fine health and had been all her life. A few check ups here and there but nothing out of the ordinary was the matter with her. He tapped his quill thoughtfully a moment before Ann spoke.
"Have you ever been in love, Doctor?"
After a slight hesitation Daniel shook his head. "No, I am afraid I have not."
"Well I am in love with the most awful wretch!" she burst out, tears in her eyes and sniffling as her hands shook in her lap. Daniel blinked.
"Oh...well, that - that is unfortunate..."
"He treats me so wrongly I cannot stand it! He lead me to believe he loved me and then tossed me aside. I cannot abide him and yet I love him so much... he is all I think about! Night and day, I even dream of him. I cannot eat because of him!"
Daniel parted his lips but found he could not say a word. He had a sneaking suspicion of who the wretch was but how was he supposed to address this? It was very upsetting to see a woman so caught up with a scoundrel but he had no idea what she must be feeling. He closed the book infront of him, resolute and forceful before he looked to her.
"My advice, not only as a doctor concerned for your health but as someone who does not like seeing a woman so upset, is to forget about him. I can recommend camomile tea with a drop of honey to settle you off at night and a busy regime of attending any social ball that you can with your friends. Try and eat, if not for your own sake then for your mother's. She was highly anxious when she visited me earlier and I think it would benefit you both. Perhaps only eat your favourite meals to entice you? I am sure I am not the only one to tell you you are worth more than that scoundrel and you should set your standards higher next time. You are quite entitled to, after all."
Ann, highly surprised, had stopped crying. Her eyes were red but wide at his words and once she had time to digest them she broke into a small smile. "Doctor, I..."
"Please," he said hurriedly, "just act on my advice as soon as you can and get yourself back to emotional health. Do not let him see how he has affected you. Once you are fit again you can lead a bright, happy life without him."
Ann had thanked him profusely, shaken his hand and left immediately to persue a better future and forget about the man who had broken her heart. Now, three months later, Daniel received word that not only was she fit again but she was engaged to one of the nicest bachelors of London, as announced proudly in the daily paper. Daniel smiled to himself and folded the broadsheet in half, putting it on the desk. Ann had found the love of her life, or so it seemed, and Daniel was glad if not slightly jealous of her luck. If only his own fortunes could pick up in that way....