412 Friends and relationships (1/2)

Isaac cleared his throat. ”I'm here to check on my favorite patient.”

”Dad…”, Liz called. ”I'm sorry to worry you.”

Isaac shook his head in disapproval. ”Silly girl. Why did you do something so reckless without notifying me?”

”Would you come with me?”

”Hell, no!”, Isaac snapped. ”I would not let you go.”

Liz tilted her head to lean her temple on Max's shoulder. ”That is why I didn't tell you.”

Isaac waved at Max to step away and give medical professionals space. ”I thought that Max is the right man for you, someone who will protect you, but now I see that I was wrong. He supported you being reckless and who knows what else you did without my knowledge? I should find you a more reliable man…”, Isaac grumbled, and Max shrunk while trying to merge with the potted plant that was behind him.

Max would do anything for Liz, but going against Isaac is something only Liz dares to do.

”Daddy…”, Liz whined. ”There is no one more reliable than Max.”

”Shush now!”, Isaac said with a frown and he put a stethoscope on Liz's back while instructing: ”Deep breaths…”

”I know you are worried, but if you were in my position, you would not be able to sit idle.”, Liz said when Isaac ended listening to her back, and Isaac snorted in response.

The rest of the checkup passed in silence and Isaac confirmed that Liz is recuperating fine.

”Your blood pressure is on the low side, but with rest and good food, it will be OK within a few days.”, Isaac said. ”Stay on the pain medications until needed but keep on switching them in order not to develop an addiction.”

Liz understood Isaac's words. They are always extra cautious when strong medications are given to medical workers because they are easily accessible and it's not uncommon to catch a doctor prescribing to himself strong narcotics. It starts as a way to manage pain after an injury, but if not careful it becomes an addiction that can endanger the doctor and his (or her) patients.

Liz noticed that Isaac addressed everything except for the obvious. ”What about my right shoulder?”

”The bullet cracked your scapula, acromion to be more precise. I extracted the bullet and reconnected the tissue successfully. Now it's up to you to take it easy and allow your body to heal. It will be slow, but you should be able to make a full recovery.”

Liz looked at her right hand. Moving her fingers was difficult and Liz knew that she does not feel pain only because of the painkillers. Tight bandages around her right shoulder and elbow are there to limit her movements.

”How long?” Liz asked while observing Isaac's expression keenly.

Liz was grateful that Isaac told her the truth, and months without performing surgeries sounded like forever, and it diminished her chances to be invited to the symposium of neurosurgeons greatly. However, she can still diagnose and treat her patients, so she will not allow herself to dwell on this.

What was done is done and Liz wanted to focus on things that she can change. One of them is related to Max. It's Tuesday which means that he lost two days from work because of her. Liz was aware that Max will not leave her side since she would do the same. She already felt guilty for all this mess and she does not want to increase her burden by keeping Max away from his company for more than necessary.

”When can I be discharged?”

Isaac frowned in disapproval of Liz's question. Why is she so eager to leave? ”You just woke up. You need to stay at least forty-eight hours for observation, but I recommend longer.”

”If everything looks fine, I want to be discharged in two days.”, Liz declared.

Isaac groaned in frustration. ”What's the rush?”

”I won't be able to perform surgeries, but I still have patients who are waiting for me.”

Isaac could not believe this. ”You want to return to Seattle?”

”That is where my work is”, Liz said and glanced at Max. ”That is where my home is.”

Isaac didn't approve. ”You should stay in New York. If you don't want to stay in the hospital, that is fine. At home, we have maids that can take care of you when I am at work, and I will rearrange my schedule so that I can spend more time with you. If this is about Max, you know that he is welcome to stay anytime.”