You (All I Need Is)

No One Said That It Would Be Easy

My twenty-minute cappuccino break.

Lovely.

After thirteen operations, good thing I still have a chance to bask in the scent of this machine-made beverage. I take a sip of it; how it soothes my nerves, but later on it will keep me awake and alert. I look around and suddenly see my reflection.

I didn't know there was a mirror here because I never took notice of my office. Doing paperwork and diagnosing patients' diseases are what I do in this place - and not to look around. I come in closer to the mirror and finish my drink. Oh, gosh. I'm only thirty-eight and the wrinkles on my face are endless. And I also noticed that I don't smile that much.

Aside from Ava, what's there to smile about?

Here I go again. No, I don't want to fill my head with thoughts about John because later, I'll be performing about five surgeries and I need to be focused.

No, I don't want to think about him again because that's the number one thing I've been doing for so long.

John. How is he?

How am I?

No. Stay focused, Liz. Don't let it get you, even just for today.

I move away from the mirror, throw my coffee cup, and I hear a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

"All set, Dr. McGraw? You'll be teaming up with Dr. Austway today."

"Yes, Luna. Let's move."

***

"Mommy, Daddy! Come here! Come here!" Ava dragged her parents into her room and they sat on the pink bed.

"Hey, looks like someone's excited!" John said as he tickled Ava. When the child recovered from laughing, she said,

"I have something to say. I want a puppy for my birthday!"

A bit surprised, John and Liz looked at each other.

"Woah, a puppy? You have to be responsible for that, Ava." Liz told her daughter and smiled.

"But Mommy, I AM resplotible! I want to have one."

"It's res-pon-si-ble, honey. And why do you want it? I thought you like a Barbie dollhouse?"

"Nanny brought me to the playground and we saw a boy with a puppy. It's name was 'Rio' and it's so so so cute and nice!"

John joined in. "Are you sure you can take care of it?"

"Yes, Daddy. I'm PRETTY sure I can do it."

"Really? What if it doesn't eat its food?"

"I'll use a spoon and feed him myself!" All three of them laughed then John continued,

"Oh, this one. What if it poops on floor?"

"EW, Daddy!"

"Okay, what are you gonna do?"

"I'll ask Nanny to help me clean up its dirty poop."

Liz said, "Wait there, guys. I'll go get something." She went out of Ava's room and pulled out a book from the shelf entitled, 'Dog Breeds All Over The World'. She then returned to Ava's side and opened the book.

"Now, can you tell me what Rio looked like?" Ava pointed at a German Shepherd and exclaimed,

"It's Rio! It's in the book!"

"Aw, it's adorable, honey!"

Both John and Liz kissed Ava.

"We'll see what we can do, Ava." John winked at his daughter.